lv

his office, my mind racing with

ady to be his w

ion pressed down on me

to the elevator,

ith me," I said quietly. "Someone of your

by button and leaned against

a. That's something my mot

his mother caug

amily scandal--how Alpha Rooney Carter had flaunted multip

remarkable woman,"

dable. "She was. And I've always tried to ho

e stepped into the marble lobby

sed to watch us pass, their curi

ith unexpected self-deprecation, "I'm not exactly

would ever picture you as a good husband. Throwing

" He raised his eyebrows, guiding me toward the p

nds." I dodged his touch and turned to meet his gaze. "Your reputa

aned down toward my face, his low voice brushing past

, he's in

oesn't really matter to me," I reminded him, trying

too long, something calculating in his expressi

Sherman's influence t

l professionals descended, whisking Noa

en haunting me disappeared with a single s

s informed me, his respect for Alpha Sherman evident in his deferential

ful I had to grip the edge of the

get the car

cause I couldn't a

as relief came,

it all brought back memories of days ago, when I'd stood in a similar hospital,

ing room chair, su

now--first as a baby, t

rough surgery, I would tr

man's deep voice came from beside m

en noticed

in has performed this pro

fighting b

. "We can do the actual ceremony later, but I w

finish th

one softer than I'd heard it before. "My l

gain my composure. "You should go.

ngrateful, but I still have other

"Once we're married,

"Some things ar

to take that late-night drive in the first place--a desperate a

money; it was g

Sherman said after a moment, rising to his

ddenly closed around my wri

ers found the promise ring Z

ness, Alpha Sherman

is anymore," he said, a

pinned my hand against the wall,

and his body pressed flush against

ky, confused whine

man didn't

th scorching my skin right where my

ragged slowly over the spot wh

Couldn't

heap fucking offering, my pussy alr

His mouth moved up,

s, deep and possessive, tasti

elted. My kne

ck, his eyes were pitch-f

r, voice nothing but a gravelly gr

tonight

gone. Just

dizzy, confused, my li

g in the air, a promise a