EB

ns. "Alpha," he finally ventured, his voice tight with controlled anger. "Their disrespect i

silver of my mask, erasing my features, leaving only a cold, inhuman facade.

or a wolfless stray. The only difference to me is

er name, her status-it was all meaningless. This marriage was a political neces

ce betraying a hint of resignation. He ro

to the cold, silent trees. A qui

unfamiliar. Curiosity, perhaps. What kind of woman would be sent as a substitute bride? What

it came. It didn't matter. She wa

INE

of my place in this family. My mother, Luna Evelyn Mathews, circled me, her eyes shar

in disgust. "So unseemly. Brennen has no sense of proportion."

his head slightly, then his shoulders relaxed.

he announced. Relief washe

o me, her expression shifting from annoyance to cold command. "Well, Adal

across the polished surface of the d

hem. On my father's relief. On my mother's satisfactio

ty of a business transacti

My voice was barely a whisper, strained by the pain

eyebrows shot toward her hairline. It was a word they ha

ent fear churned: the fear of a life unlived, of dying a victim withou

own on me with the full weight of his Alpha authority. "What did you

ng to force me to my knees. Cold sweat trickled down my back.

time. "I said no. I will not sign anything, and I will not

p, ugly sound. "You? A wolfless disgrace?

rner digging into my palm, grounding me. I stared

nt now. I am the only one who can secure this

in my life, I sho

king at me now, not as a nuisance or a shad

that the broken, obedient

impending tirade. His voice was low, d

y through my side. This was my only chance. My one and only move

EB

las stood there, his expression

thin. My fingers, drumming a restless rhythm

nside. "There appears to be a..

eneath the mask. "

... Adaline Mcleod. She is re

Tap

udden, absolute silence i

frail, wolfless

I felt a flicker of something other than