g light poured through floor-to-ceiling windows that lacked curtai

the cold emptiness of the bed she used to share with Ryan on weekends. Instead, her

crashed

d dress. The glowing eye

frantic rhythm against her ribs as she scanned the room. It was vast, mode

apartment. She wasn

e penthouse of

t for twel

om. Emily flinched, clutching the duvet t

in a charcoal suit, though the jacket was draped over the chair and his sleeves wer

croaked. Her throat

et irises caught the morning light, shimmering like amethyst geodes. "And

He walked over to the bed, placing a glass of

ained before she could ask.

ring. Yesterday, the father of her child had tried to kill her.

ered, popping the pill

Ethan checked his watch-a platinum timepiece that probab

e wall. "Lucas guessed your size. If he is wrong, te

strode out of the room, lea

g out of bed. Her ankle throbbed, but the bandage held t

topped

n cream and navy, tailored trousers, cashmere sweaters, and dresses th

ves in a way that made her feel exposed yet elegant. She found fresh undergarments in a drawer, stil

ed herself. The girl in the reflection looked tired, yes, there

pang striking her chest. Ryan had always liked her in flo

away. Ryan Evans was d

into the open-concept living area. The view of Seattle was br

looked more like a marble altar, drinking esp

" Lucas said, his smile ge

y. Thank y

liding a plate of eggs and

fork. "You said we have work to do. Wha

Ethan just stared at her, a

ack," Ethan said, his voice dropping an octave. "W

ted the name. "I thought

efuse to bow to the Council. But make no mistake, Emily. I am an Alpha. And the Silverclaw Pa

leads the Ironmoon Pack. They are old money, traditional, obs

power comes from leverage. And you,

tite vanishing. "I'm not a weapon,

on heir," Ethan corrected sharply.

who turned his laptop

om the Seattle Times. The headline m

WER: SEARCH UNDERWAY

to return home. Sources close to the family say Miss Reed had been struggling with mental health issues. Po

, reading the text through blurr

cover. If your body is never found, it's just a tragedy lost to the Pu

gets to be the grieving boss, and I

n said. He walked around the counter, stopping directly behind her. She co

er in her ear. "But we are not playing by

ice trembling with a mix of fear and

ct the dead,

d looked at Lucas. "Is

xpecting us in an hour. Priva

, we ensure the pup is healthy. Then, we go

gres

b casually. "Every Alpha in the state will be there. In

want me to go there? He'll ki

" Ethan interrupted. "The Gala is held on

her neck. It wasn't a chokehold; it was a claim. His

ly Reed, the poor human archivist.

s... a statement. The Silverclaw Pack hasn'

ecret? Tonight, you will be the most envied woman in the room. You will hang on my arm, you will smile, and you will watch t

like them, Ethan. I can't stand in a room fu

tightened slightly, pullin

ed. "You have survived rejection. You have surv

, his violet eyes

promise you, Emily... when I am by your side, I am the

She looked at the laptop screen, at Ryan's smiling face in the

ho wanted to use her, yes, but who h

h, inhaling the scent

" she w

curve of his lips. He released her

ly. You're going to

cent that Emily now recognized as 'wolf', earthy and sharp conducted the ultrasound in

s said softly, tu

ny bean, a flicker of gray on t

wish. Sw

at. Fast a

yes. "It's okay? Even af

pregnancies are resilient. But the mother is anemic and exhausted. You need re

le it," Ethan

d at the grainy image for a long time. Emily watched him, ex

... transfixed. He reached out a hand, hove

ong heartbeat,

Emily sa

dimmed to a simmering coal. "Ryan Evans is a fool," he re

ne here. Lucas is waiting with

offered champagne that Emily politely declined. Ethan would walk into a store, point at three or

inal dress that c

ks of green in Emily's hazel eyes. It was silk, strapless, with a slit that we

the dressing room, Lucas

slowly lowered the phone. He walked a circl

asked, fidgeting.

ecided. "It is the color

irror. He was dark and imposing; she was vibrant and glowi

re not a victim. You are a queen. And you are going t

ouched her stomach. She thought

fted he

go," s

ned, sharp as a blad