sta

ss of my study doorknob when heavy, frantic

lis

Keaton. His chest was heaving, his perfectly styled hair disheveled. The mask

led, his voice a low, menacing rasp,

ainst the unyielding wood of the door. I crossed

ou assaulted her. You dishonored her husband's name. You dishonored this family."

o, exactly, was dishonoring a hero's memor

cheek. "You have no proof. Nothing but th

size, his scent flooding the narrow space between us.

rt this to the elders. I will tell them you've become unstable. A liability. The Be

y ambition. Only a cold, ruthless desire to protect his own position, at any cost. The last, lingering

or, my posture changing from defensive to as

my voice quiet but carrying th

confused. "Done with w

rectly. "I am formally

clearly struggling to process the words. Th

You can't be serious. This is just another ta

u don't get to make that decision. This union was approved by the Regent herself

thout me, anyway? A wolfless Omega with a tarnished reputation. No one

y place, of my perceived weakness. A month ago

not

e, forcing him to take a half-step back. I lo

rd," I said, each word precise and sharp, "k

eyes, but he quickly masked it with a sneer. "

tering was the desperate noise of a

as still braced against the door, and

nob, stepped into my study, and slamme

into place with a

f his boot kicking the wall. A string of curses followed, muffled by the thi

, shuddering breath. My heart was pounding, a wild bird trapped in my chest. But

r. Inside, nestled amongst stationery and pens, was a

onfident, arrogant scrawl at the bottom. My own was a delicate, h

a thick, vicious 'X' through the entire document. The

defaced contract meant nothing in the face of my family'

s crystal clear. I pulled a fresh notepad t

simple, and i

All of it. Every last cent