ra

of warmth against the fr

ght staring at the ceiling, feeling the mating bond in my chest wit

all. The air was heavy with the scent of old parchment,

the head of the mahogany table. He looke

What brings you

lving the e

t sound like the voice of a heartbroken gir

the wood. "Dissolve? You are the Alpha's Mate. This i

im, my tone crisp. "A contract. One that Alph

onse. I laid a thick fil

trade routes to the North. If I am merely a 'political necessity,' as your

ic, not emotion. He knew the Pack's econom

y?" he asked, his voice drop

starve this Pack of silver until you beg. Unless the en

e first time in years. He didn't see a compli

stammered, shifting in his seat. "We

ollow lightness in my chest. But t

r and nearly col

m. The air around her was thick with his scent-mus

ps that didn't reach her eyes. She hooked he

well? Kael kept me up all night talking

siness.

ly. The smell of her, mixe

uch me,"

. I didn't push her.

kward, flailing her arms theatrically,

ars instantly welled in her eyes, a perfect

ps surrounded us. Pack members, warriors, serva

whispered. "I saw it. Je

air pressu

ph

nt straight to Lyra, kneeling beside her in the dust. His eyes

Are you

nto his chest, burying her face in his shirt. "S

eyes were cold obsidian,

ou

head through the Mind-L

ful crack. My muscles locked up against my will

ing Lyra with him, shielding her from a threat that didn't

a and walked away. The Pack followed,

s weak. They thou

figure of the man who was

, a vow taking shape on my lips. "You