lv

hostly when I steppe

n bit throug

ter, trying to guard the fr

s world was a step away from everythi

r Enterprises

blue-glass towers marked Sherman Carter's domai

ng glass doors in my wrinkled dress and

really ab

desk, a sharply dresse

ed, almost too polite. "Alpha Sherman Carter asked to be notif

as she handed me

Or--worse--had he

or up. Every new floor seemed to heighte

oor--quiet, understated luxury in soft

al a spacious foyer, where Alpha Sherman's Beta, Feli

ailored shirt, golden hair tousled just enough to look artfully e

en waiting specifica

olled off his tongu

ther chair across fr

the urge to bolt and the impossible need f

e--sweet tea, just the way I liked it--and set a thin sli

from invisible speakers, so peac

by the details. "Did

t his mouth. "He talks more than he should

a loaded

ed him what exactly he knew--

to reality. "You know w

ed to mine, shar

or the surgery. You think I'll give it to you, because you ha

me?" My words came out colder t

warned you, Silvia. My b

in my seat, p

rred within me,

t only ruthless honesty

y. "I can't pay for Noah's surgery. I will do whatever it take

er left mine. "A deal? What exactly

so loud I could bare

ah, hooked up to those machines,

h, trying to sound w

ss blue eyes, not daring to divulge a hint of cowardice, "The new rules of the Council of Elders...... I can help you. Ma

t stared. Then this cold, mocki

, and damn,

his voice drippi

could have any she-wolf I want. They'd b

ropped, but

I won't fall in love with you. When this is over, I'm gone. Plus, let's be real

his eyes--anger, ma

't say

s that n

ning out

risky one. "You know what? Forget it. I'm sure someone else will

got

t you

ut and grabbed

most lost my balance. His face was r

aid, his voice low and danger

wrist, sending a weird shiver throu

, locking eyes with me. "Fro

--I'd made a deal with the