My knuckles were white, clutching the small piece of parchment in my hand. Ten names were scrawled across it in elegant handwriting—high-ranking she-wolves from noble families. All waiting for me to select which of them would warm the King's bed tonight.
I could feel their stares like daggers as I entered the plush waiting room adjacent to the King's chambers. Ten beautiful wolves, all dressed in their finest silks, all with perfect skin and flawless features. And then there was me—the scarred human servant tasked with choosing among them.
The irony was excruciating.
"Ah, finally," Madame Laurent said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Ladies, this is Seraphina. The King has... graciously... granted her the authority to make tonight's selection."
A ripple of disbelief moved through the room. I saw sneers, raised eyebrows, shocked expressions.
