Mag-log inI kicked the door open, my heavy boots thundering against the floorboards as I stormed into the main hall of the Carter estate.“Where is Mason Carter?!” I bellowed, the sound echoing like a crack of thunder through the rafters.Uncle Daniel and Margaret immediately scrambled to locate their son. Mason, who had been sulking in his quarters since the divorce proceedings began, heard my roar and didn't wait for a second summons. He practically fell out of his room, looking disheveled.“Alpha... Uncle, are you hunting for me?” Mason had been drowning his sorrows in video games and cheap spirits for days.A sickening thud resonated through the room as I delivered a punishing blow to Mason’s head. His device slipped from his numbed fingers and clattered onto the rug.“You were the ghost who breached the Whitaker Institute? How dare you target my own blood!” I snarled, the wolf in me clawing at the surface. “Lead me to Shea! If a single hair on her head is harmed, your life is forfeit, and
Tyler Dawson was speaking with the absolute certainty of a prophet or as if he had crawled inside my own skin to read my thoughts. Brandon Hayes truly burned with the urge to reach out to me for a confirmation of the facts, but he lacked the spine to follow through. I had officially severed the mating bond with their Alpha; he likely feared I would let his call ring into the void."Tyler, have you managed to get the Alpha on the comms?" Brandon inquired.Tyler let out a heavy, resentful huff of air. "If this female named Shea hadn't wandered off the trail, I’d wager he would have kept her hidden in the dark for the rest of his winters. This is a secret he clearly intends to take to the grave. If I start digging with questions now, won't it just provoke his inner beast?"Brandon shifted uncomfortably. "Well, Shea is still lost to the wind. I can only imagine his temper has turned lethal by now."Hayden was still lurking within the perimeter of the Whitaker Institute when the broadcast
Isabella Reed had barely finished her sentence, yet I could hear her pulse racing through the speaker. "Collins, it's no wonder you cut the cord. I even confronted Tyler about this, and he’s acting like he hasn't the slightest clue who this Shea woman is."My heart felt as still as a frozen pond. I didn't feel a flicker of jealousy—I was already hollowed out."Collins, I’m pacing my room in a rage right now," Isabella continued. "He’s putting up a bounty of two hundred and forty million credits just to locate this female. One can only imagine how vital she is to his pack!""Understood. What is the hour?" I asked, my voice flat.Isabella snapped, "It’s nearly midnight! Is that truly all you have to say after everything I’ve told you?"I forced a dry, mirthless laugh. "What do you want, Isabella? We signed the severance papers. He’s free to hunt whoever he wants.""That’s right! Best decision you ever made, leaving that ice-beast behind!" Isabella let out a jagged sigh of relief. "What’
Natalie could sense the shift in the atmosphere. He could tell that I recognized the woman standing in our hallway, and he could certainly smell the acrid scent of old hostility rolling off me.However, he was at a loss. He couldn't wrap his head around why his nephew would hold such a jagged grudge against a person who clearly possessed the mind of a pup. Was I truly that relentless in my bitterness? Natalie looked between us with a swirl of conflicted emotions before retreating to his quarters. He didn't want the peace of the den shattered, but he didn't know whose side to take.I stalked toward Shea the moment the door clicked shut. My muscles were coiled tight, my scent sharp with a redirected fury."Why did you mark my son's trail? What is your game?!" I growled, the vibration low in my chest. "Ethan and I have officially severed the bond! As of this sunrise, I am no longer part of his pack. Are you trying to threaten my pup? I will tear the throat out of anyone who dares to harm
Forty million credits!That was the exact sum Ethan had surrendered to claim the spire four years ago. At this valuation, selling Parker Tower back to me wouldn't just be a fair trade—it would be a massive financial wound for Silvercrest Holdings. In the span of four winters, forty million left in a high-yield vault would have birthed a mountain of interest."What is his angle?" I asked, my brow furrowing in deep suspicion."I believe Master Carter view this as a parting tribute, considering your history as mates," Attorney Grant explained, his tone professional and neutral."I don't require his charity, nor do I want his favors," I said, my voice hardening. "I’ve tracked the market; that spire is valued at over a hundred and twenty million credits today. I won't allow him to bleed gold on my account. Update the contract. I’m paying a hundred million for it.""I should call Master Carter and seek his authorization," the lawyer countered."There’s no need for a parley. Take the scrolls
The pups were seated with practiced discipline in the rear of the SUV.I hadn't pinned down a specific territory for our afternoon excursion. Compared to other young wolves in the Kingdom, Layla and Hayden were far more perceptive and weary of the world."What about the Ice Palace Amusement Park? There’s a massive sprawl in the heart of the city that looks like an ancient fortress!" I suggested, trying to inject some Alpha-level enthusiasm into my voice.Layla let out a theatrical sigh, her voice high and melodic. "It’s too sweltering, Daddy! Can we scout somewhere with a bit more of a chill? The sun is beating down on my fur.""How about the Glacier Water Park, then?" I countered.Layla narrowed her obsidian eyes. "I don’t like submerged scents in a pool with all those common strays... it’s unhygienic! Let’s just track down some gourmet gelato, Daddy!"I was momentarily stunned. Layla was a bottomless pit when it came to treats."Let’s just conduct a perimeter patrol in the car, Dadd
I carefully wiped the remaining dampness from Ethan’s skin, pulled the heavy faux-fur duvet up to his chin, and tucked him in securely. By the time I had rinsed the basin in the en suite and returned to the darkened bedroom, his breathing had leveled into the rhythmic cadence of a deep, restorative
Who did Collins Parker think he was to lacerate his soul this way? The Alpha of Silvercrest was not a male to be trifled with, yet he looked devastated.“What’s your take on the Parker heir, Tyler?” Brandon asked, leaning against the mahogany bar.“He’s just another university student at first glan
I saw the storm clouds gathering on Ethan’s face and immediately bolted upright, crossing the plush rug of the bedroom to meet him at the threshold."You hated the book, didn't you?" I asked, my voice soft but steady as I squeezed past his massive frame to get into the hallway. "Look, you shouldn't
"That guy on the left... he has the exact same build as Collins," Isabella whispered, her eyes boring into the back of my head."I'm his best friend, for God's sake. I've spent enough time staring at his back in the library to know it's him!"The more Isabella looked, the more certain she became. S







