CHAPTER ONE

Amber Chris learned two things the night she was thrown out.

First—family can become strangers without warning.

Second—the streets don’t forgive weakness.

Rain soaked her hair as she stood outside the iron gates of the house that used to be hers. Her stepmother’s voice still echoed in her head.

“Your mother is dead. Everything she owned is gone. You? You’re nothing.”

The gate slammed. Locked.

Amber didn’t cry.

Not because it didn’t hurt—but because something inside her had gone cold. Quiet and Dangerous.

She adjusted the torn sleeve of her hoodie and stepped into the night, barefoot, hungry, and alone. But she wasn’t powerless.

Not completely.

Her wolf stirred beneath her skin.

The city was alive in a different way after midnight. Not human-alive.

Predator-alive.

Neon lights flickered over wet roads. Dark alleys breathed secrets. And somewhere, deep within the heartbeat of the city, power shifted between packs like loaded guns.

Amber walked fast. Head down. Eyes sharp.

She knew the rules. Don’t stare. Don’t run. Don’t smell afraid. But fear still clung to her. Because this wasn’t just any city. This was his city. Raymond Perry.

The Alpha no one challenged twice.

Amber didn’t see the black SUV until it stopped beside her. The door opened slowly. Silent. Controlled. A man stepped out. Tall. Broad. Dressed in black like the night obeyed him. His presence didn’t just fill the space—it dominated it.

Amber’s wolf reacted instantly. Not fear. Recognition. Power. Danger.

His eyes landed on her. Sharp. Assessing. Unforgiving.

“Amber Chris,” he said calmly. Her breath caught.

“How do you know my name?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer. Every movement precise. Measured. Predatory.

“I know more about you than you think.”

Amber clenched her fists.

“I don’t belong to any pack,” she snapped. “So whatever you’re here for—”

“You belong to me.”

The words landed like a slap. Silence stretched between them. Dangerous. Electric.

Amber laughed—but it wasn’t soft. It wasn’t sweet.

It was defensive. “You’re mad.”

Raymond’s gaze darkened slightly. “No,” he said quietly. “I’m bound.” And then he reached into his coat and pulled out a document. Amber hesitated before taking it.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the page. Then froze. Marriage Contract.

Her name. His name. Signed.By her father.

Amber looked up slowly. Rage burning now. “You think this is a joke?”

Raymond stepped closer again—close enough that she could feel his warmth, his power, his control pressing into her space.

“I don’t joke about territory,” he said. “I’m not territory!”

His jaw tightened. “You are leverage.” That hurt more than it should have. Amber swallowed hard. “My father doesn’t get to decide my life.”

Raymond leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. “Your father already did.” A pause. Then—

“If you don’t marry me,” he continued, “you lose access to your mother’s inheritance.” That stopped her. Completely. Because that wasn’t just money. That was answers. About her mother. About her death. About everything that never made sense.

Amber’s voice lowered. “You’re lying.” Raymond held her gaze. Unblinking. “I don’t need to lie.” Silence again. Thick. Heavy. Realization crept in slowly. This was real.

All of it. Amber stepped back, shaking her head.

“No… no, I’m not doing this. I don’t even know you.” “You will.” “I hate everything about this.” “That will make it easier.” Her brows furrowed. “How?” Raymond’s lips curved—just slightly. Not a smile. Something darker.

“Because emotions don’t control you yet.” The words unsettled her. Deeply. Because something inside her whispered— Not yet. A low growl rumbled in the distance. Amber stiffened. Raymond didn’t even turn. “They found you faster than I expected,” he murmured. Her heart raced. “Who?”

“Your stepmother didn’t throw you out,” he said calmly. “She handed you over.” Amber’s blood ran cold. “To who?” Raymond’s eyes flicked to the shadows behind her. “Enemies.”

The air shifted. Figures emerged. Three. No—four.

Wolves. Not hiding anymore. Amber’s breath quickened.

Raymond stepped in front of her. Shielding her. Claiming space. Claiming her. His voice dropped into something lethal. “You should’ve stayed away from what’s mine.”

Amber blinked. Mine? The wolves didn’t hesitate. They attacked. It happened fast. Too fast. Raymond moved like violence made flesh. Controlled. Brutal. Efficient. Amber barely kept up. Claws. Blood. Bone. A scream cut through the air. Then silence. The bodies hit the ground. Still. Dead.

Amber stood frozen. Chest rising. Eyes wide. This was his world. And now— She was inside it.

Raymond turned to her slowly. Not a drop of fear in his expression. Only calculation. Only control.

“Now you understand,” he said quietly.

Amber stared at him. Heart pounding. Mind racing.

“You knew they were coming.” “Yes.”

“You used me as bait.” A pause. Then— “Yes.”

The honesty hit harder than a lie. Amber’s eyes burned.

“You’re a monster.” Raymond stepped closer again.

Close enough to make her pulse betray her.

“Maybe,” he said softly.

Then his gaze dropped—just for a second—to her lips.

“And you’re still coming with me.”

Amber’s breath hitched. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

His eyes lifted back to hers. Dark. Certain. Unmovable.

“No.” The SUV door opened again. Waiting. Like fate had already decided.

Amber hesitated. Just for a second.

Then she stepped in.

Because this wasn’t just about survival anymore. It was about truth. About her mother.

About the past someone was trying to bury. As the car drove off into the night, Amber glanced at Raymond. He was watching her.

Not softly. Not kindly.

But with something dangerous beneath the surface.

Something unspoken. Something growing.

And somewhere deep inside her—

Her wolf didn’t resist him. It recognized him.