pulse

voice was low and unhu

Ster

oyal Pack, and through it, every pack in the North bent the knee. He was th

ears separated them, but the gap

Alpha King com

years ago and groomed him as a potential heir. Yet Damon himself ha

hless. Un

casionally, always with a m

or had once said. "Not even his own

e

ut barely. His wolf, Ragnar, had been critically injured during the final battle, and the d

most a death sentence f

himself into building his empire, expanding his influe

ege

without

ow, app

lue eyes were unreadable, yet they held her in plac

d again, his voice droppi

epped

It was thick and electric, impossible to ignore. He didn't sit. Instead, he walked t

nt, he sai

turned t

jected

as flat an

gs with Victor less than twenty-four h

spoiled heir, he had come to clean up his son's mess-to make sure t

ter Victor, you can leave," Ava said. "We're fini

ched her

e reached inside his coat and withdrew

folder on th

iage co

. "Alpha Damon, t

oke about

e of Victor. You're intelligent, well-educated, and more qualified than y

t gave a h

of cedar and winter air. "I'm offering you a partnership. You receive resources, protection, and the

tor regretting any

bling hands together

pect your deci

dn't change, but

intelligent to reject an opport

r. "Read it carefully. I don't make of

it up and

s monthly

oldings' legal, financial

lish her own arc

esidence in

over her career, finan

tinued for s

act. It was a second life di

ached the f

d emotional responsibilities associated with a bonded marriage. Neither party shall surre

hed to A

. "You had to

desk, his broad shoulders relaxed. "A contract built

very d

he consequences af

he wanted. He was stating his expectati

n't agree to

ou don'

ared a

unhurried, carrying the quiet authority of a man accustomed to being

you," he said. "Not the ceremony. Not the be

y to the contract befor

and law. You will have my protection, m

ice lo

not become m

k deeper than t

ey. Her family had treated her as a source of money.

offer her power without a

al intimacy cla

es dar

otherwise." He took another step toward her. "The first time I

the folder. Her heart began t

r her face, lingering

as skilled at weighing advantages as you are." His voice carried a faint

d in fron

ll consider

ze hel

f I re

I'll l

wou

eyes lowered briefly to her lips. "But do

breath

ht through her. Ava turned her head slightly,

lay on the

held it above the signature

own and signed her name in

Benn

esit

ond th

ried, Damon's gaze f

dable flickered

ooked bac

ietly. "Now you're