TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS

My father was screwing his secretary when I pushed his office door open. Wet slaps and grunts filled the room as he drove into her against the desk.My mother had spent three hours over the stove, squinting at a recipe she had memorized years ago. She packed my father's lunch and made me promise to watch him eat, since he was always busy. He had also left his phone at home.I never expected to walk in and find him bent over his desk, his wool slacks bunched around his thighs, buried deep in his secretary.The sight made me want to vomit.This was the man who had promised to be home more that weekend for their thirty-year anniversary dinner.His secretary looked toward the door, eyes widening. She gasped, her face turning a bright, guilty red."Oh, shit, Lisa," she breathed.My father twisted around, flushed and sweating, not even pulling up his pants."Lisa, wait—"I didn’t stay. I ran down the hallway, hit the elevator, and left his shouts behind as the doors closed.I reached my car,

CAMERON POVRage tightened in my ribs, making breathing feel like an effort. I turned away from my sister and mate and leaned against the wall. "I won't do it. I have no interest in this absurd contract, and nothing you say will change my mind."Nadia stepped closer and placed her hand between my shoulders. "Cameron, please calm down. This is the only solution we've come up with.""Don't tell me to calm down, Nadia. You should have stopped this idea from even reaching Evangeline."Behind her, Evangeline coughed so hard it echoed throughout the room. Nadia immediately turned and took her hand. Machines hummed near the bed, tubes piercing the covers and disappearing into Evangeline's arm. Her shoulders slumped onto the pillows as Nadia glanced at me."We know it’s awful. We’ve been putting it off for months, hoping another solution would present itself. The Council is starting to spread rumors. Without an heir before the winter session, they can force a vote of succession. If that happen

The Alpha house felt like I was entering it for the first time. Maids walked past me. Guards were posted at every corner, their eyes scanning the corridors. One thing was clear. Alpha Cameron was in the building.The four of us were in the main corridor like a line of silent competitors. Brianna had chosen a designer dress. The fabric, a deep creamy white, gave her skin a porcelain sheen. Melissa stood by the railing, dressed in navy blue velvet, her hair pinned up it seemed her neck was in pain. Natasha wore a short black dress and heels that clicked on the floor with each step. I smoothed the green fabric over my hips and kept my hands at my sides. There was no point in comparing. This wasn't a contest.Brianna turned Melissa, her voice a high-pitched whisper. "Nervous?"Melissa offered a tight smile. "You should be."Natasha crossed her arms. "I just want this to be over."The silence fell again, even heavier.Luna Catherine approached us, her gaze taking in every detail. She reache

Lisa POVI stared at the text message until the letters seemed to blur against the dark background.Lisa Hartwell. You have been selected.My father was still talking, his mouth moving in an endless cycle of justifications, but the sound had faded to a distant echo. The reality of the message hit me."Lisa?"My mother's hand brushed against my arm. Her fingers were cold. I looked up and realized that silence had fallen over the room. “I’ve been selected,” I said. My voice sounded like it belonged to someone else.“Selected?” My father asked. “You mean the Lycan? Is it already decided?”I didn’t respond. I watched his face tighten, the fine lines of agitation around his eyes.He stepped into the entryway, leaving his mistress to linger by the screen door. The surprise on his face quickly turned sharper.“Lisa, listen to me. This isn’t a game,” he said curtly. He reached out as if to grab my shoulder, but I stepped back. “I know this sum might seem like a fortune to a girl your age, b

Alpha Cameron descended the steps. He wasn't in a hurry. Every movement seemed authoritative. When he stopped a few steps from me, the words I'd rehearsed for three hours stuck in my throat. I kept my chin down, staring at the dark leather of his boots as looking into his eyes felt like taking on a challenge I wasn't yet ready to meet."You're late," he said. He addressed Franklin, but his gaze never left the top of my head."Traffic jam at the border, Alpha. My apologies," Franklin replied. His voice had lost the casual warmth he'd displayed in the car.The woman standing next to Cameron stepped forward. She wore a fitted gray dress that matched the stone of the mansion. Her eyes were identical to her brother's: piercing and lacking tenderness.“You'll be staying here in the east wing. A staff member will bring your meals to your living room. You may use the communal dining room if you wish, but I suggest you avoid the main rooms of the house for the first few weeks. We need some tim