Page 38 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

Turning my gaze away from him, I try to focus on something else.

“If it’s not algae, what is it?” I ask finally.

“We throw the corpses of the monsters in here,” Cedric says, almost proudly. “Their bodies are tainted with the magic from the Veil, and it causes this effect in the water. This ocean is one of the deepest in the world. It disintegrates the corpses, and the magic causes this glowing effect.”

My face goes pale at his explanation.

I look down at my feet. Suddenly, the charm of the whole experience vanishes. The glowing was caused by the decaying remains of monsters!

“I’m sure this is better than whatever Erik showed you,” Cedric says, his voice prideful.

I stare at him and then at the ocean. “That was from algae. This is—This is from corpses.”

“Exactly. It’s fascinating isn’t it?” My mate looks far too pleased. When he gives me an expectant look, I don’t have the heart to tell him how creepy it is.

“Definitely.” I take a step away from the waves that are washing up on the shore. “Maybe we should leave now.”

“You want to leave?” He looks surprised. “Don’t you want to go for a run? This is your first time outside of the castle and the villages.”

I go still. “You mean, I can shift?”

He laughs. “That is how you will go for a run, isn’t it?”

My mouth moves as I try to form words. “It’s just that—I mean, I’ve never really shifted in front of anyone before.”

“You’ve never gone on a pack run? Are you telling me the wolves in the Eastern Kingdom don’t bond during pack runs?” He looks surprised, and I shake my head.

“They do. I just wasn’t allowed to join them.” I look around the beach. It’s empty. “What about my clothes?”

My mate frowns. “What about them?”

“Don’t I have to take them off?”

He gives me a long look. “Do you want to shift naked?”

“But if I shift with my clothes on, they will—”

“We are in the North. The clothes we have are enchanted by a witch who works for the Human Wolf Kingdom. We don’t have to remove them before shifting. They just disappear and then reappear.”

His impatient explanation baffles me. “We didn’t have anything like that in the East.”

“Of course not.” Cedric looks annoyed. “Your king was more focused on himself than looking after his people. It’s common knowledge that the Human Wolf Kingdom and the Eastern Wolf Kingdom don’t have the best relationship. It makes sense that’s such a trade never took place between them.”

“So, I just shift, then?” I ask hesitantly.

“Give it a try,” he suggests.

Closing my eyes, I allow the change to wash over me. I feel my limbs stretch and expand, and when I open my eyes, I’m standing on all fours.

My heart pounding, I look at Cedric, who is staring at me. He approaches me, and I close my eyes, fearing the worst. However, he sounds fascinated as he runs his hand over my dark fur.

“Stunning.”

Chapter 8

Cedric Raine

It was Harriet who had pointed out to me that Leanna had not once shifted and gone for a run since she came to the North. Harriet had suggested that perhaps my mate was shy. I had already been planning to show Leanna this beach and have her go for a run here, but I hadn’t realized that the reason behind her unwillingness to shift was because she had never been allowed to before.

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