ar

e my heels, but I di

er back as he steered me away from the dance floor and

red, his voice a shar

heeks ached from the effort. My heart was still hammerin

oom full of wolves, and the biggest wolf of

with a thick mustache boomed, raising his champagn

letely different from the icy tone he used when he threatened me

in my throat. Light of his lif

, Hunter," I said, trying to

n, leaning closer. "It all happened so fast. A sudden marriage to

for a second. My palms began to sweat against the silk

er story Julian's assistant had made me memorize. "We wanted to keep

though her eyes were sharp, judg

ughed. "Let's hope he's just as sharp at the board meeting n

Hunter," Julian replied, his smile tight

about stocks and shares, but inside, I was suffocating. E

a cold shiver ran down my spine. He didn't see me as a pe

o the group, cutting Hunter off mid-sentenc

could even reply. We walked toward a quiete

e were out of earshot, dropping his hand fr

hands clenching into fists at my

guilty," he snapped, his chiseled face hardening into

now!" My voice cracked, and I quickly looked around to make sure

rning his back on me to grab two glasses

sharp gasp came from behind me. "Vivian

oat. I froze, my muscles locki

ecklace was staring at me, her eyes wide with shock.

ust vanished. We haven't seen you since our sophomore year at a Swiss bo

my spine. The room seemed to tilt, the ambient chatt

knew the r

tended that prestigious Swiss boarding school wh

. And if this girl kept talking

ed me, coming out as

gne in his hands, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in

you look absolutely stunning, but what on earth is going on? Someone said you just got marr

a desperate gamble. I didn't actually know if her name was

No, silly, it's Penelope. Did y

I rushed out, forced laughter bubbling

so loudly I was certain

lutely spinning tonight.

she looked between me and Julian, who was now standing like a sile

speration lending me a sudden, sharp clarity. I leaned

And honestly, seeing you has brought back so many e

ace, his heavy warmth a s

ere, darling?" His eyes

h other?" he asked, his voice a perfect imitation o

rm gently but firmly from Penelope's grasp. "This is an

he gave his usual cold look, then turn

on was so uncomfortable that it was a

of the evening has finally caught u

n on my heel. I didn't wait for Julian's permission, and

arching across the marble floor. The heavy velvet curtains blur

-leaf sign for the ladies' lo

ing the edges so hard my knuckles turned white. My reflection stare

ontrol, and one more word from

ling breath, utterly terrified of what would happ

e could leave. I pulled o