e

had gazed up at me in ecstasy-I couldn't stop thinking about her. The memory of her soft curves beneath my hands haunted my

me-every casino, every club, every shadow-filled alley where my pack conducted business. I was the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack, fe

rway, his massive frame nearly filling it. Despite his name, there was no

sked, not turning

ur office, Alpha. He's as

o offer up his own sister as payment for his gambling debts. When he first approached me with the proposal, I'd been mildly intrig

er. Before I'd tasted her. Be

get me everything we have on Victoria Howlthorne's inheri

carefully neutral. "You th

ustrated. "What kind of Alpha trades his own blo

ore, Alpha," Tiny said quietly. "Especi

. Photos, background checks, financial records-I'd gathered it all after Enzo

n in love with a human woman, Elizabeth, causing considerable scandal. But he'd chosen her as his mate nonetheless, defying tradition. When Elizabeth died giving

ubstantial fortune for Victoria-enough that she could live comfortab

trying to get control of her inh

ct at the nightclub suddenly made perfect sense. She wasn't playing

"You're not still upset about the money

y. "The money is irrelevant

at was i

t her knowledge. She was smiling at something off-camera, her brown eyes brig

reated like property," I said finally. "She

ebrow. "What are

her." I closed the file with a decisive snap. "Tell Enzo to co

in. The memory of her body beneath mine, her soft moans in my ear, the way she'd looked

't just another warm body to satisfy my needs. No, Vic

eant to b

-

ered marriage before. As Alpha, I had responsibilities, duties to my pack that superseded personal desir

in my world-an untouched jewel amidst the grime

Gamma, remarked from the driver's seat. "St

most trusted lieutenants knew better

t the monthly reports ready for review. Prof

on Victoria. "Any news on the Monroe Pa

Alpha sent an envoy reque

tically, gazing out the window

rs in my office, I went through the motions of checking the books, discussing security matters with Carson and

ould learn to navigate pack politics. She might be half-huma

ith my child sent a surge of po

rrupted my thoughts again.

, my wolf stirring with an

gard than when I'd seen him last week. His eyes darted nervously a

g to sound confident but failing mi

y expression neutral. "I understand

ously. "It's about my sister.

came to my club and attempted t

ned. "You knew?

ithout shifting, an Alpha could project dominance that m

ice deceptively soft. "I decide to take Victoria as my

shock on his face. "But she's a ha

ack, grabbing him by the throat and l

shifting to their wolf hazel. "That 'half-breed' you speak o

didn't mean any disrespect," he wheezed. "I just

sked, disgust evident in my voice. "You offered her to me to clear your debt, telling me I could d

o look ashamed. "I was

u tried to use your sister's virginity as cur

his eyes. "But

said sharply. "Now, tell

led. "What

Howlthorne set up a trust fund for Victoria. Mo

ly. "It's... complicated

pla

and." He swallowed hard. "That's why I approached you. I thought if she became

w with every word he spoke.

nclad. I can't touch it." His voice was bitter. "He alw

ht then. "Tell me about Victoria," I sai

the question. "Want? W

aid quietly

ite-picket fence house, a gentle husband, children running in the yard.

found it endearing-her simple, innocent de

ter. She will be my Luna, the mother of my heirs, and under my protection for the rest of her life. If you ever t

ically. "Y-yes,

get out o

Tiny. "Have someone watch him. I don't t

pha," Tiny replied. "

be a part of that world-my world. She would warm my bed, bear my children, learn to nav

ouse," I said decisively. "We'll be br