Chapter 9

Tarik was waiting outside the door when I stepped out. When he saw me, he raised an eyebrow in surprise and his lips curved slightly in what looked like a half smile.

“Lynda did a fabulous job cleaning you up nicely,” he said. “My Alpha will be impressed.”

“I didn’t realize he belonged to you alone,” I joked but his little smile disappeared and his face became hard.

“Let’s go,” he said and walked away.

I hurried after him, kicking myself mentally for not keeping my mouth shut. I don’t want to make enemies here on my first night in the palace. Instead of making stupid jokes, I needed to focus my mind on planning my escape.

The Highland Palace was more lavishly decorated than the one I grew up in at Apex Woods. Everything here was over the top, making it look like a museum.

I followed Tarik down a flight of stairs, across a large hall, past an indoor gallery garden with a fountain, and then up another flight of stairs, and finally down a carpeted cor