Chapter 199

Danielle’s other two companions also curtsied. I mimicked them but

went overboard by spreading my arms widely in a theatrical gesture. “Bye-bye, Alpha Heir,” I said sweetly at a thunderstruck Sideburns

before turning to wink at Shade. “See you around, Canary.”

With the princess’s arm looped around mine, we left the stinky scene

laughing. I think I could actually like it here.

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princess Danielle’s suite included the entire seventh floor of a baby-blue brick building, and I got to have my own small room that overlooked a ring of distant orange hills.

If I ever had to escape, my best bet was to cross those hills and mountains, because everywhere else would be on the shifters’ radar. But now, with a new sponsor stepping in to shield me, I could relax for a while.

I hummed a song in the shower, celebrating my good luck for bumping into Shade, then Danielle. I used a lot of soap and spent a long time in the hot water until I rubbed myself pink.

Danielle also had three servants, and they’d prepared everything for me, including a few sets of new pajamas. I was happy that I didn’t need to do laundry, but I did wonder what my responsibilities might be as a companion.

Well, I’d do my best to earn my keep and repay her kindness.

Danielle and her two other companions, Summer and Paris, didn’t attend the rest of their classes for the day. They were actually quite happy to use me as an excuse, as they claimed that all three of them needed to help the new wolf girl brought in by the two princes.

Before I pulled on a sundress that Danielle had given me, I wiped the mist from the full mirror in the bathroom and stared at myself. Now I knew how I looked.

I had creamy skin and a toned body. I was average height, but my every curve was in the right place. The only flaws I had were fading, crisscrossed scars on different parts of my body, from either being burned or cut. Soon I might not have scars, but I’d forever remember that my faceless and

 nameless enemies had cut me deep and burned me all over. One day, I’d find them and return the favor.

My gaze traveled to my face, from my golden eyes like liquid flames under long, thick lashes to my straight nose and high cheekbones.

I looked nineteen going on twenty, so pretty much Danielle’s age.

My lips were full and pale, as if they needed to be kissed to bloom to life again.

I blushed at that wanton thought. Like that was going to happen, since the last thing my fated mate wanted was me. But then, who needed his kiss while he’d kissed another in front of me?

I tried to shake off the hurtful image of how Sideburns had kissed his chosen girl. I wouldn’t be seeing a lot of him since I was inside the walls of the Academy now. Out of sight, out of mind.