RA

del waited in the driveway. No one from my family came out to say goodbye. I walk

ilent blur. I watched the trees give

empire. Their territory was the entire downtown financial d

e and descended into a heavily gu

r me by the private elevators. He had a calm,

Kael Heath, Beta to Alpha Carlisle. Welcome to The

replied, keeping my v

e elevator. There was only one

f into knots. I was about to face the man who had

ure into a state of absolute, icy composure.

massive, minimalist office surrounded by f

skyline. Even from behind, the sheer, suffocating pr

ubmission. But the fire that had burned away my scar had burn

d." He stepped back into the elevator, the doors s

lowly tur

his face, my heart gave a

m. Damien

sharp jaw, the dark, piercing eyes that had looked at me with such raw

petrichor still clung to h

. I simply lifted my chin, me

t over my face, my hair, the c

s no rec

uating a spreadsheet. He didn't remember me. To him, the woman standin

relief. If he didn't connect this flawless woman to the s

nding rumble that echoed in the quiet office. It l

edged, my voice smooth, pol

k and sat down. He pushed a thick leather

aid, not breaking eye contact. "Read it.

ocument. The clauses were brutal. A one-year marriage on paper. No physical con

s strictly forbidden from attempting to act as a maternal figure to the

. He was making sure I knew my place. I was a political prop, and I wa

I'm not here to p

folder. My hand didn't tremble. I didn't hesita

to him, meeting his dar

e brisk and professional, "I would like t

on. He reviewed my signature, then waved his hand dismissively toward a si

, opened it, and closed it