ree: The F

plush armrests. Darius's declaration echoed in her ears: She's my fiancée. Th

n Ava and Darius. Her amusement lingered, though Ava coul

ations, Alpha?" Liliana ask

d, his gaze never leavin

between them. Liliana gave a slight nod, though h

efore turning on her heel and

he faint crackle of the fire. Ava's heart pounded as she watched Da

oice strained. "Why are you doing this? What

ion unreadable. "You a

s sense!" she snapped, surprisin

answers, Ava. But since you're so insistent, I'll give you one. Marrying yo

ice laced with disbelief. "How do

make her stomach twist. "You're human, unaligned with any pack or f

used her further. "

need to know is that this arrangement benefits

humanity in his expression. But Darius Blac

n any of this?" s

ment, his gray eyes gli

reeling. The room was beautiful, with high ceilings, rich fabrics, and a balcony that overl

e sense of how her life had spiraled so quickly. Her father's debts, Darius

tartled her, and before sh

ld dress catching the light. She closed the door

an I expected," Liliana said,

va asked, her voice e

You're stepping into a world you know nothing about. Dari

ed. "What's that

rn quickly how to survive here. Darius is a man of his word, but he's also a man who val

ened. "Why are yo

"Because watching you squirm is entertaining

nks," Ava

e pack is loyal to Darius, but that loyalty doesn't extend to

rode toward the door. She paused with her hand

she said, her tone d

oughts once more. She stared at the empty space where Lil

e was alone in a world of wolves, bound to a man she did

wondered if she would ma