ld point, but it required a wolf on both sides of the equation. Which w

re was no territorial scent or harmonic frequency of a beast beneath her skin. Delicate,

shi

oice and unbutt

silent since we cleared the tunnel, which meant he had spent the ent

anging,

te on the fi

e. The scoreboard refl

momentum." He stepped into the room. "You a

rom my shoulders and

ppened o

ead his

nce you were thirteen. You don't misread an advanc

ears reminding me that

ubtle push of his beta dynamic slid off me without effect. "You freez

e bench. "Something caugh

tever it was mattered more than a

rn control. I believe that concludes

e. "You're hid

aking a

sn't an

rned and let my gaze settle on his until

ilence. The latch clicked

air pinned loosely at her nape. She took in Matthias's scowl

The golden boy i

as n

aching it," Ma

im, pulled a bottle of mineral water

t's

e severa

hilled for

st." She wiped her mouth

er. "This family is w

mile. "You're paid a small fo

ed, though the tension

Did Mother send you, or are yo

table, watching me. "What actually happened out

n the

he waved a dismissive hand. "I'm asking why

tter of no c

pping its teasing edge, revealing the razor-sharp mind beneath her spoiled heiress exteri

cuff. "They w

d, stepping closer. "Did you sense an

N

hear so

nd pa

id quietly. "You

solute molehill, dear sister," I repl

st the collar of my shirt. "You looked rattled. I don't think I

r. Your affecti

n the north salon at eleven forty-five. Varenne arrived from Paris ear

r I'll b

king softly against the floor. She paused at t

, keep it out of the three o'clock match. I put thirty m

licitly illegal for House membe

hy it's in my stylist's name.

mile and vanished down the hall, let

d picked up my discarded jacket.

contract renew

ed his tablet. "Recovery protocols in thirty minutes. Whatever you sa

him a s

the mask slip. I sat heavily on the sofa, elbow

t. My wolf still paced beneath my skin, refusing the quiet I demanded of it. I pressed the

gy I had been forced to learn said so. There had to be another explanation-exhaustion, adrena

about corporate diplomacy. Twenty minutes to prove to myself that she was only