bin

Han

counterpoint to the steady, dying beep of the

ng to process the absurdity. "Why her?" I demanded, my vo

ned with results, not reputation. Her biological signature is the key. Pe

ing the explanation just beyond the reach of logic and

ind already calculating logistics, costs, ri

will be long. It will require weeks, perhaps months. It necessitates a continuous res

. It wasn't a sample they

nly one way to do that without causing a territorial incident. O

ria

alliance.

t was beneath me. But my grandfather's life hung in the balance. Was this a

, clouding my thoughts, making the wolf in me pace restlessly. The figure raised a gloved hand, the gesture

ppened. A jolt, sharp and electric, shot through me. A spark. The

of the mate b

My heart hammered in my chest, a wild, frantic rhythm. My w

r of 'Mine', now this. With a masked, genderless

d. "The choice is yours, Alpha," the voice said, a hint of something-was i

unwelcome surge of raw, primal possessiveness. This person... this emissary... was

om of it. But first, I h

ke surrender. "I will bring Arla Hanco

urse of the treatment, Arla Hancock's safety must be guaranteed. Absolutel

clear. She neede

one," I said,

nd components required for the antidote, handed it to Alistair, a

o, that impossible sce

e a sharp command that cut through the

every connection between The Surgeon and Arla Hancock. Every letter, every transaction

a P

the encounter with Corbin still singing in my veins. The f

oster's shoulder, while he patted her back with a

ing out his chest. "Arla, what is the

ailed, her face blotchy. "Giv

the stairs. I needed to wash the sce

er face a thundercloud. "You will not take

e of them. The weak-willed traitor, the whining brat, and the bitter, hateful

old smile to

e nicer to me from now on," I

"Or what? You think you can threaten us?

tting my gaze drift over each of their stunned fa

had been my prison for so many years. I closed the door, leaning back again

It was the sound of

ient. I c

pha Corbin Gilmore was coming for me. And he wou