o: A World

mered against her ribs as the hum of the ballroom faded, replaced by the quiet click of her heels on polished stone. The corridor they

but to keep up, though she couldn't stop her eyes from wandering. The sheer opulence of the estate was overwhelming, each de

she asked, her voice

"To my study. It's quieter there.

about

as both calm and commanding. "About your place in this arrangement

er, but she nodded, a

on her. A deal. That's all she was to him-a transaction. She c

intimate. Dark wood shelves lined the walls, filled with books that smelled of leather and age. A massive desk s

eyed, the fabric cool against her skin as she sank into the seat. He walked to the des

to owe a debt to an Alpha?"

r head, swal

of his drink. "Your father's life, his freedom-th

forced herself to hold his gaze. "Th

the desk. "You're here because your father made a mistake. A costly one. I could

o what now? You keep me h

close. "Prisoner is such an unkind word

" she repeate

ing against the desk

stared at him, searching his face for any sign that

" she said, her voice

with finality. "The ceremony will be held within t

ng. "You can't just force me into a

ilenced her protests. He straightened, his full

lethal. "I don't need your consent, Ava. This isn't a matt

t, the only sound in the room was t

asked, her voice

for the first time, she thought she saw some

d, almost to himself. "You're human. Unmarke

but before she could respond,

his voice returning

ing in the firelight. She stepped inside with the grac

aining a guest," Liliana said, her

," Darius replied.

moment, Ava thought she saw a flicke

ps curving into a sly smile.