04: SEALED

MA

ayed right into my hands. I had seized control, flipped the power dynamic, and ensured my revenge was set in motion. But as I walked home from the under

g something in return. And whatever he wanted from

didn'

t mattered now. My m

rters I once held in my pack. The cracked walls, the persistent chill in the air, the faint scent of damp wood

ting. But it wa

furniture. I didn't bother turning on the overhead light. Instead, I let my bag drop to the floor

plit, swollen at the edges. Blood crusted along my knuckles, and

the price

ing the cold liquid in my palms, I splashed it over my face, wincing as it stung the open cuts. I rea

fro

a low growl vibr

ever c

er this time. And the

y knew wh

an

e he stood, leaning against the frame with infuria

, the fabric stretching over his muscular frame. His dark hair was tousled, as though he had run his fingers through it o

. Not from fear. Fro

asked, crossing my arms desp

mirk. "If I were stalking

What do you w

traces of amusement vanishing.

ow up so soon. I needed time-to think, to st

remony in a few days," he

t, I want full control over my life. If we do this,

htly. "You'll have your

eyes. "Define '

" he said smoothly. "And you will a

e she-wolf, now claimed by the most dominant Alpha in the region-it sent a message

y. I couldn't affo

aid through

my mother's medical expe

ze didn't wa

y. My stomach twi

started bu

real reason I agr

th something unreadable.

drumming in my ears. The words tu

cold. "Your brother. And ev

for a long moment, as if measuring m

ting," he

wned.

nto mine. "I knew you wanted to survive

n my spine. But I

e the deal," I reminded

e between us. His scent-cedar, spice, and something darkly

mured, his voice like silk laced with

ng my jaw, tilting my ch

ped back. I should

apped in the pull of someth

e flickered to my lips, and for one agonizing secon

s breath warm against my skin. "Yo

ng to let him see how muc

id, my voice steady despite

t press further. Instead, he stepped b

," he said. "You'r

ed. "Exc

like this, did you?" His gaze swept over the apartment, u

never agreed t

ntered. "And as of now, that mean

t acceptance. He wasn't wrong. The moment I agreed t

n't mean I ha

my fists clench

aid. "But don't mistake th

was sharp,

s voice dripping with amuseme

d t

e. Xander pulled out his phone, glanced

im, something flickered in his ex

ed. "Wha

dn't a

turned the sc

ge. A si

longs to me. Now,

sen

k Sin