I gripped the steerin

Justin to acknowledge the bond. It w

veral black luxury cars parked outside

d my wristwatch. 7:30 PM, exactly t

on would be when he learne

t eaten all day. I opened the microwave, grabbed

ing, I'd wake up and realize

and trembled as I forced down the lump in my throat. They were coming in thro

isgust. The irony wasn't lost on me. My dad had spent months redec

my Lord?" my dad asked, keeping u

king replied, dismissing a

ority as if it were a birthright. Yes, power created divisions, and my dad w

e been looki

strutted into the kitche

This is your chance

ped, hating how her voice grated agains

feigning hurt. "I care about yo

jobless and greedy,

nowing exactly what she'd say next. She always we

I wish you true happiness. I'm sure you

glasses and returned

y. You'd be a fool to waste

her as she

acknowledge the bond upon realizing I was the Alpha's daughter. But

ut of the kitchen, feeling like I wa

m head to toe with excruciating slowness. His stare burned through

ed. "I knew you wouldn't

house," I

watched as the realiza

e the Alpha'

if presenting his most prized possession. "My prince, this is Marissa, my daughter, t

ied?" the queen asked co

n refuses to acknowledge, my w

nore

ly before I could speak. "Most of our packmates aren't deserving eno

my dad's intentions, she slid her hand into

That's why I'm thrilled that my son, Justi

first. But when they landed,

g someo

ed into me like

dn't b

is wa

mself to someone else th

amed of having a w

ing I had ever felt. My breath hitched, b

us fake smile. The queen walked away, and my

out my request-are you still up for it? I'm sure we can

neutral, even as my ins

special. I have outgrown the age of swooning over males

yone under twenty-one is a red flag. You

tangle his game with the sa

ignored

s engaged to

till trying to

y age didn

'd never ruin another woman's wedding

past him, but he

bit my lip to keep from gasping, from b

th warm against my ear. "Wouldn't you want to bra

he lump in my throat, and turned toward the s

e decided to strip me of my inheritance, I'd lose everything. No recommendations, no footho

he seat farthest from Justin. Looking at him wo

my plate, the taste

ecruiting young, skilled werewolves into the Lycan workforce, an

nities were usually reserved for Beta o

ing inside

said, my brightest s

eyes widened in shock. The queen rais

at?" the king

from a more experienced and technologically advanced k

s gaze lingered a moment too long. Not enough to b

leaned in. "That'

. I knew exactly

my queen. It's a great initiative. W

ce at Justin. His eyes b

rk. No

tare as if trying t

and I'd be the one left

ays belong to the ones

ed to those who knew

to the Ly

as Justin fell to

hoped it would