ia's

hrough my entire body. Every muscle felt deliciously sore

entarily stiffen beneath the sheets. Had I really slept wit

otions through my chest. Even wolves knew be

emerged, a hotel towel wrapped low around his hips. Water droplets traced tempting paths down his muscled

s voice as rich and dark as I r

," I blurted out reflexivel

lightly. His expression cooled noticeably. "And

red my skin-evidence of his passionate possession. I didn't shy away from

... you don't mind keeping this between us, Alpha Cae

ve, but I could swear his expressi

Then, with deliberate casualness that didn't match the intensity in his ga

ut my history with the Stoneclaw Alpha? The question flashed t

at... well, you had your fun to

unlike any other Alpha I'd encountered-brilliant, accomplished, and famously untouchabl

ess I'd

greed nor disagreed with my suggestion. I noticed only the

" he repli

before leaving the hotel. Once outside, I c

e's

tightened on my sleeve, her knuckles whitening. I glanced

ard enough to redden it, "I think. I t

tel wasn't just expensive-it was exclusive. The kind of place where even mid-tier pack members needed an invitation. A rejected omega fresh out of c

u know how she was-clingy, even after you ended things. Perh

in my life that she'd never earned. The scene she'd made at my birthday party still burned in my memory: her tear-streaked face, the way

I'd been more than generous with her, anyway. A nobody like Sylvia? She'd never have breathed the same air as me if I hadn't dei

her had drilled into me. I adjusted my tie, smoothing the fabric with precise f

ssion earnest. "Of cour

g territory, whispers behind our backs that we were weakening. Without Vertex's backing, we'd be nothing. Less than nothing. A

onist's smile was tight, rehearsed. "I'm sorry, Mr. Thorn. Alpha Caes

eth, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "

r. He seemed

es. Of course. Of course the most powerful Al

e. Vertex is hosting that gala next week, remember? You'll have p

y racing-what angle to take, what leverage to use. The gala wouldn't be easy. Eve

n't have

e way or another," I said, "I will get that part

d distract me? She was sorely mistaken. Some peo

ia's

Pack territory where both

r adversary." Her voice was cool and matter-of-fact. "According to our agreement, you lost the bet. Tomorrow you'll begin work at Frostline Enterprises. After you're mar

ng decisions. The only time in her life she'd ever co

r, her tone deliberately provocative. "Mother, Sylvia has just returned ho

ly selected as my husband, had fallen for Selene

onic health issues, she'd always received the tenderness and indulgence that

ate. "I'll arrange some suitable candida

curved upward

nd she selected for me would primarily serve our pack's inte

ou promised that I could choose my own husband,

ows furrowed i