t's exactly how I felt outside Dad's study. I could barely even grab the doorknob because my hand was so sweaty

ed to myself. "You probably forgot to do something minor; no big deal." I push

a truck, and I swear the walls were closing in on me. Dad looked all broody and serious

the principal's office. "What's up, Dad?" I tried to sound casua

ting the ticks of the grandfather clock in the corner, wondering

"The agreement is now in effect. Yo

I had fallen asleep. I even pinched myself under the de

s some kind of joke, Dad? Because

at all. "The deal is set. When you turn eig

ife be over before it even begins? Arranged marriages

even seen him! He could be a serial killer for all I kn

lf fast. "That has nothing to do." This union will confirm our partn

t about my next? I do have some say in this. What if I wanted to work as a

ng off my aspirations for cheese-tasti

so didn't want to look like a raccoon since I was sporting the mascara Ava had purchased me for my birthday. "Is there anything else

ained stern. "Vincenzo focused especially on your b

ine's to prepare for this arranged marriage? Do you expect me to meet a guy b

between us felt heavy and uncomfortable. I even half

dismissing me with a wave of his hand as if I we

Just as I was about to grab the door han

w. "Though it's challenging, I know this

ks for wrecking my life, Dad. You are the greatest!" Rather,

study. Already tears were flowing, and I

oubled, she asked

the door behind me. I dropped onto my bed and covered my face with a pillow to stifle my tears. Ri

e up nowhere. Actually, this was ge

gh my pity party. "Kylie?" Ava spoke quietly. "Is t

dip as Ava sat next to me. My favorite, the aroma of ch

t be that bad. Did you not pass a test? Get caught leavin

snort despite myself. "No, I hav

a spoon. "That is a relief, then. What then best

and let the chilly sweetness melt on my tongue. "Dad

Holy sh*t," she exhaled. I apologiz

ping fresh vigor into the ice cream.

he might reconsider," Ava said.

t's it once he decides upon it. He is more

hen hesitated. "Bu

overing me with despair. "Dad and Lysander's father closed the

forth silently for a little whi

Lysander, specifically. See what

t happening for just a bit more. But then curiosity prev

he kind of man I was under pressure to marry? I imagined so

t. Her eyes wide, "Holy mother of ho

nzo did not fit me. For one thing, he was huge - all broad shoulders and muscular strength. Dark hair;

Look at all these pictures. He i

I'm not interested in being some playbo

d gestured at remarks on several social media sites. "Lysande

oesn't alter the underlying nature. He

rt fell further with every fresh bit of knowledge. He was hazardous, not o

the kitchen. Perhaps Chaol's narrative will help us divert ourselves. Alt

, was sharpening a knife at the counter as we walked into the kitchen. Ap

ing at us. "Miss Kylie, you seem

te normal. Dad planned my marriage to a man who seemed t

h," he remarked, his voice precisely

? Can you tell me? And please do not sugarc

er was made into what he is by the time he was eleven," he stated casually as if

to me. "He's ruthless,

hrive in New York. Out there is a forest; Lysa

ned? Did he, like, thwart a gang of wicke

xpression smoothed out. "I am not privy to all the particulars. New York presents a distinct reality. Let

d me against him?" I asked, disgusted by the smallne

response for you, Miss Kylie. But in that world, you either die or l

efend yourself; otherwise, you die." Counting the glow-in-the-dark stars I had set up there when I w

ple could not imagine. But my father's fame and influence had shielded me from the worst of it. My main co

articular wolf called Lysander Vincenzo. A wolf with a lethal smile