Elara reached her father's study. The heavy oak door shu

fore him, but he wasn't reading. He looked up the mo

ime that night. The mask of the perfect hostess had fallen away, leaving behind

e thick rug. She didn't know how to explain what she'd heard. A

path left to her. The

t, devoid of its usual warmth. "I

lute. Darian stared at her, his

ce dangerously low. "This is not a child's game. T

n't respect us. They see Thorne lands, Thorne mines, Thorne wealth. They see a pu

ard fury. He saw the look in her eyes was not of a petulant child, but of a cornered wolf, and it was a look he rec

chilled him. "I heard him. He views me as a necessity. A tool. Nothing more." She didn't explain

cked.' He gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Alright. Three months. You have three months to secure an audience with Nightshade. That is Plan A." He leaned forward, his

could have hoped for.

. "Don't thank me. You've jus

ontrol returned to her shattered world.

ock of fawning young Omegas. She was in the middle of a story, her hand

ival silenc

lone in the center of the room. She looked up at Elara,

"Is something wrong? I was just telling every

e casual claim on his ti

She walked forward until she wa

n my home, you should be aware of your place. Some things..

flicker of fear showed in her eyes before it was

now what I did," she whis

e edges of the room. *"She's bully

ed in the doorway, Zane and Bjorn flanking him. His s

erfully timed

himper. She took a step back, her ankle "twisting" beneat

ve. He crossed the room in a blur, catching Lila bef

dled her against his powerful chest, his gaze then snapping to Elara. It

wasn't Elara's fault, Kade, truly. It was me. I

masterpiece, painting El

wed with disapproval. "Elara, she's just an Omeg

ha protecting the fragile, weeping girl in his arms. T

a waste of breath. They

gaze with a coldness

nging with formal authority. "Control

he turned and walked away

spine, a palpable heat. She heard his low

embrace, a triumphant smile briefly touched Li