Chapter 77

• “No, you can.” Anna said. She watched as he leaned down to light the logs and warm the room. It was a small sense of relief to feel a bit of comfort from the flames. When he turned back to take off his coat, she noticed how handsome he was for the first time. His jawline was sharp and his eyes had a softness to them that made him look young. He scratched his scruffy jaw as he draped his coat over the back of the chair and seated himself again.
• “The kingdom has always made sure the citizens knew how they felt about them. If you were rich, you were favored and treated well by everyone. If you were poor…” Enzo sighed and leaned back. “The poor were treated… horribly. If you slept on the streets and stood in the way of an official, they would kill you to prove a point. Children were beaten, women were raped and sold. The poor had no rights and it was impossible for us to live.
• “They took advantage of us, and they still do for those that remain there. Even those of us who were alphas had no rights. The king took pleasure in knowing he could control those who couldn’t afford to eat. He held so many lives in his hand and did nothing to help any of them. He encouraged the abuse, if anything.” Enzo twisted a golden ring on his finger. “You were sold to the palace too, weren’t you? ”