phin

fore I could stop i

t softly - a request w

had, I was fresh out of obedience. "And why should

ssed his face, quickly re

my Mate." He said the word like an irrefutable fact of physics. Then he ste

ke," I said throu

growl. "And your presence... it helps me." He

yes walked in, radiating an authority that rivaled Damien's. Behin

ly: "So the rumors are true - the Foster daughter who publicly ground

curved. "Very much lik

Damien's voic

no one knew he would survive it. But you kept him breathing until dawn." She pause

y name is not Salvation. My name is Seraphi

agle in a phoenix nest." She turned to Damien. "You will claim her

is eyes - the mate bond warring against somethi

because you understand something better than anyone here: what you n

d. Silence flo

For the first time since last night, I held leverag

ndmother wants you to claim me. You need me

ng slowly until he stood just behind my shoulder. I could feel the he

marked like a prize." I took a breath. "I wi

stepped back around to face me - close enough that I had to figh

e for your pack and a remedy for your curse.

a to parade in front of your Pack and a person

f?" he asked, his voice a purr.

al power to crush the Price Pack's primary holdi

ily heirlooms. That was the real

calculated greed. I saw the moment he reached his conclusion - a cynica

contempt dripping. "A steep

g me. This misunderst

yes, Alpha?

own, his lips brushing my ear - deliberate this time. "

fast learner," I whispered back, refusing t

the pendant there, then back up. For one suspended second, something shifted

ct my legal team. We'll

away, dism

id to his back. "Is