US MA

tart preparing for

e handed me my coffee. "I can't believe it. After all these ye

ug he gave me. The coffee was hot a

he asked next, narro

ted across from me, reviewing the contract I had drafted years ago. Every line, every

is day wo

ar Blake wo

the final piece in my long, strategic game. A

oked up. "Your contr

is hand. "Expect yo

briefcase, and quietly le

, Cena turned back to me

rs of careful planning. Then I selected my favourite pen from the rack

't it? She accepted the offer blindly.

ract before signing i

ow that's not what I'm talking about. But you're Dominus

ut not before throwing me one last knowing glance. "Just p

n't a

uth didn't mat

r my roof. Bound to me, even if she didn

ited f

s pack from the comfort of my home, and my name alone m

.. she was

e freely, so that when she looked into my eyes, she'd see stability. Safety

o change everything. Once the full moon rose, the ritual would begin. And if the moon go

e I had

rld wo

as already in the dining room, overwhelmed by the luxury and attention. The slaves had orders to tre

greeted, pulling open the l

e sh

n front of her. Her expression was soft, shy almost, until her eyes met mine. T

for her to

n in front of her as I took the seat opposite. "Y

thing. I can't thank you enough for saving me, not to mention the li

ds shaking slightly, then bega

yes never left her face. I studied her expressions closely,

aze again. Her eyes moved over the words, then, too soon, hone

orious. Her facial expressions told me everything before I even had to sneak i

d softly, placi

ried to smile, but winced

still

own pack had hated her for something her parents had been falsel

anyone was ever going to make her f

"You're one step away from reclaiming your life. From des

o watched your family crumble. Start from the roots. Find the real culprit. Feed the

trem

f, fury, and something deeper. Longing. Hope. She w

ld fe

appeared to her that first time, shirtless, powerful, untouchable. Or

t matters most. That I really want. That has always been

*

akwood Pack!" Cena's voice rang out across the hall,

ne of them was present, by my order. I didn't want

make it feel real, so she f

the crowd like a wave. I scanned their faces, some confused, some fur

he steppe

y bubbling beneath the surface. Her jaw trembled, her body stiff. She tu

g figure to me, stunned. Her expression

his woul

d've wa

ncy. This wasn't a love story.

re finally alone,

d, her voice low, steady

ghing my answer. She had no i

n... sh