nder'

t the obsidian walls, casting long, sinister lines that mirrored his mood. The only bright spot in the room

a Cr

ng at her image, as if the answer to his discontent was hidden somewhere in the curve of her lips or the defiant glint in her eyes. He leaned forward, the leather o

faint hum of recognition beneath his skin. Even from a photograph, her presence seemed to command his

my side," he muttered. Yet, h

Age: 24. Background: orphan, raised in the foster system. Education: top of her class. Employment

s a dark, wild cascade around her shoulders, and those eyes-green, like the forest after a storm-stared back at him with a fire t

etween him and the screen charged with the friction of desire and hatred. His wolf stirred restlessly within him, that primal part of him

lingered in the back of his mind. He could almost smell it-her. He snarled, shaking his head

ing out the application form with quick, decisive strokes, her expression sharp and focused. He hadn't even seen her face fully then, just the curve of he

had reco

a

in hushed voices. He had rejected that notion centuries ago, had destroyed the very bond that would have chained him to

in

ers clenched into a fist, nails biting into his palm hard enough to draw blood. He

is in

e was Alexander Bloodstone-the Alpha, the ruler of a city that bent to his will, a man feared

he dark corners of his mind: he was a

muscles coiling with the need for violence. He saw Lucia

d. "Elena Cross is a ghost. No family, n

nodded curtly, but Lucian didn't leave. He lingered, dark eyes studying

it?" he

an's voice was cautious, each word chosen

echoed, his brows

. Nothing stands out." Lucian hesitated, glancing at the screen where Elena's face still glared back at them. "But if I

st. Hiding something. So, she wasn't just a distracti

voice low and dangerous. "Report ev

ce more, Alexander let out a slow breath, forcing his racing thoughts to still. It didn

not again. If she was a threat-if there was even the slightest chance that she was linked

without his permission, and Rhett strolled in as if he owned the place

ning a city, you look awfully preoccupied." He glanced at the

was low and dang

lena's picture with a curiosity that made Alexander want to rip his throat out. "Interesting. She's human, isn't she

He forced himself to calm, to adopt the icy composure

the desk, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming with something sharp and calculating. "If she

ed-unbidden-back to Elena's image. A flash of movement, a hint of defiance

red. "You think she migh

ander's skull, setting his nerves on fire. He

at bullshit prophecy,"

at... pull." He stepped back, giving Alexander a slow, mocking bow. "If she's a threat, kill her. But

l, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts-and the gn

enched. She was dangerous, he was sure of it.

. "I'll find out what you really are, Elena Cross," he murmured softly

a savage smile t

ke sure I dest

k, oppressive. But somewhere, de

terrible certainty, that he