Tonia's POV
"Kermit, finally." Estelle exhaled with visible relief. "Allow me to introduce Alpha Fox of Thornhaven. This is his daughter we discussed."
My breathing had ceased the moment he entered. Nothing existed beyond the crushing pain in my chest.
Memories I'd fought desperately to suppress came flooding back. The word 'Princess' rang in my mind like a haunting echo. I wanted to scream.
He had been Kermit? The Alpha of Shadowpeak? This couldn't be happening.
Unlike that evening when he'd gazed at me with those mesmerizing eyes and declared me beautiful, his stare now held arctic coldness—completely emotionless. He bore no resemblance to the man I'd wanted to spend another day with. He appeared merciless, someone I needed to flee from immediately.
Everything clicked into place. That night, his sweetness had been pure manipulation. God, what a fool I'd been. How he must have mocked me when I rested my head against his chest. He must have been revolted.