lac's

with power and unspoken expectations. Dark mahogany walls enclosed us, the flickering light from the chandelier casting long shadows across the

idence, his presence commanding the room with effortless authority. The nobles and alphas seated around us

iracl

nance not only as the future Alpha King but as a visionary leader. These men and women weren't j

pillar of support by her Alpha's side. But beneath the polished surface of my act, my pulse hammered in my chest. The document I had planted in the press

roceeded smoo

print, nodding in approval as they traced the numbers and projections. The murmurs of conv

licked

, hands mo

but I remained poised, still, my nails digging

th

hum of agreement, slicing thr

Unwa

u have done, but I don't th

the silent room like

ator scenting blood. Asher was no ordinary alpha, he was one of the strongest, the wealthiest, and, most importantly, a man who

n asked, confusion knitting his brows. "This is

"But I will not. First, there have only been two tests done on the side effects. T

f breath rippled

thick, tense,

a price. And I cannot ignore that." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the stunned faces in the room be

rs curled into fists beneath the table as I bit the

a slow poison, one that would corrode a werewolf's strength, weak

is gaze locking onto Kael's, "it is dangerous. It is reckless. A

le

Oppre

cess for promotional purposes, captured every tense moment. The recording devices contin

ers. Whispers turned into

alphas finally asked, his

d, eyes narrowing. "Why did

his tone was imp

against the table as he forced a tight-lipped smile. But

ount. Swallowing hard, I forced my fingers to tremble slightly as if I were struggling to process what

ion of a naïve, devoted mate just now uncovering a terrible truth.

tched between us, thick with an

he alphas and nobles turning toward Kael with wide eyes and dema

his t

could this have

it was complet

s chair so abruptly that it scraped against the marble floor with a piercing screech. H

fuck up!"

oom fell dea

ar, but from exhilaration. The might

d, playing the part of the fragile, pitiful she-wolf who had been scolded for nothing more than speaking the truth. Let

I was sm

started, and

the tense air, steady and commanding. "She

air of eyes turned to me, some filled with pity, others with suspicion, but

played my part with delicate precision, allowing just enough vulnerability to stir doubt in

jaw twitching as he fought to pull himself back together. His rage

his voice forced into a semblan

ity that had begun to slip through his fingers. "But I assure you, the wolfsbane is in such a small

ement. A de

ances, their trust in Kael shaken. Alpha Asher leaned back in his chair

rd, and I needed to be careful not to push him too far. But for now, I had achieved what I set out to do. The alphas we

of awareness shot through me, sending a shiver down my spine before I could steel myself ag

idious fog. His grey eyes gleamed, not just with amusement, but with something darker, something unreadable. The

rich, teasing rasp that sent heat curl

my pulse betrayed me with its unsteady rhythm. "I don't know what you're talking

the warmth of his touch lingered far too long. His gaze flickered to my lips for

edge beneath it, something sharp and knowing. He tilted his head slightly, studying me

g close to satisfaction, which I ruthlessly shoved aside. Prai

er so slightly. "Good," I said, forcing an air of

hose storm-cloud eyes. "Oh, I always pay

se, made something coil deep in my stomach. A forbidden thrill danced through my veins,

e, one that barely masked the sharpness beneath. "Then try not to

er escaping, but his gaze turned molten, like a

send another treacherous shiver down my spine. "You'd be sur

e I was the something,

him the satisfaction

nough that my breath fanned over his cheek, m

k and walking away, forcing my legs to move with a prac

urn around to know

help me,

ked out of the room, my heels clicking against the marble floo

n, and I could no