it left Ivy with a dang

ood still drying on his temple. She didn't need to. An

ention of bein

the role she knew be

s. Softer voice. She dabbed at his wound with antise

n't pu

t, he forgot so

vy recognized the craftsmanship immediately-the kind of piece that

e returned to retrieve it. Her voice dripped

mouth opened-then clos

ence was all the con

the pack's communit

ht gift from som

de a glass of wine and a half-burned candle. Romantic lighting.

d into her thr

ait, is that from

Alpha who buys you jewelry in the middl

d make such a better Luna. Just

t a trickle, then a flood. People were

ian was already look

gine her in

oad for her before

rrived at the company h

his personal assistant came with a golden shield-she could wander in whenever she pleased, wearin

she had com

nnocent while promising danger. She wore a cream-colored dress that hugged her wa

ried a tray

-range shop. Nothing s

d in. She plastered on her sweetest

one! I thought I'd b

ely glanced at the tray.

distant lately. Busy with Alpha Adrian's schedule

a look with Marc

cus said carefully.

. Well, I can just leave t

lready took

s hit li

ghtened on the

st from that French bakery downtown. The one with the good croissants. Full spread-pa

hide his grin. "Didn't make a speech about it either. Just dropp

d brought, Ivy noticed with a sting. It was f

Janet said, taking a satisfied sip. "A

lled with so

ap coffee tray suddenly w

took

thank

gold-foil lattes, leaving her standing there like

erfect makeup. Her nails had left

sk, the light cutting pale line

y legal and ritual document she and Adrian had signed over the past three years. She had

ol

been so

had been drowning. Fresh out of captivity. Newly orphaned. An

documents in front of he

er name like it

it for what

ca

f apart from the inside. And the contracts. the contracts were worse. If she forced

rted as Sterl

ilt from nothing, brick

ecades, poured into Mira's inherit

e and a kiss, trusting that love would

Stupid

irrede

hone

at Law): Found so

call button before the

dn't heard in weeks: hope. "I've been digging through every loophole, every

ll

s a higher authority to sever it. Someone whos

caught. "The

s modern pack law. If anyone can nullify the vow and dismantle th

trembled aro

simply requested an audience wi

light," she smiled. "