LOGINThe diner owner ducked her head, swallowed hard, and scurried back into the kitchen.I stared down at the perfect, warm broth in front of me. All that talk about "I'm hungry too" was just a lie to keep me company.Inside my mind, Sia let out a long, satisfied purr, stretching out comfortably."I'm going with you to the packhouse to get your token," Damian said suddenly, leaning back in his chair.My hand froze over my spoon, and my guard went right back up."No."I wouldn't let him see how toxic they were. I wouldn't expose how pathetic my life used to be.Damian watched me in silence. He didn't push."Marcus Greyman spotted at hotel with fiancée," a voice blared from the TV on the wall. It was a live gossip broadcast. On the screen, Marcus was using his broad frame to shield Astoria, pushing through a swarm of paparazzi.My fingers tightened under the table.Damian cast a freezing glance at the screen. His phone buzzed, and as he stood up to answer it, his arm reached out casually. C
Elone's POVThose two words hit my ears like a physical blow.He didn't even use his Alpha aura, but my knees shook anyway."You aren't entering my pack as a charity case," he said, taking a half-step closer, his deep voice vibrating above my head. "You marry me, and half of my empire belongs to you. It's not a handout. You earned it."My breath hitched.What kind of crazy talk was this?"Damian, this isn't—""No separate assets, no separate power!" he interrupted fiercely, his energy flaring. "In my territory, there is only one Alpha and one Luna. Either you stand by my side all the way, or don't bother coming at all!"His gaze was as heavy as deep water, nearly suffocating me. But there was no mockery in it. No disrespect.It was a total commitment.I thought I was negotiating a business deal, and he just flipped the table."What if we have to break the contract later?" I pressed, digging my nails into my palms, trying to find his limit.The room went dead silent.Damian's eyes dark
Elone's POVThe clinic door was kicked off its hinges, slamming against the wall so hard the medicine bottles rattled on the shelves.Sera Hale stormed in, smelling of night wind and fresh copper.Sera was my only true friend, the daughter of the Moonsilvers' Delta.She didn't even glance at Kieran, who was standing by the bed; her eyes locked instantly onto my ankle. The silver-lash wound was deep enough to show bone, the flesh charred and split wide open, with glittering silver dust still weeping blood."Are you out of your mind?"Sera's eyes went bloodshot in a second. Her hands hovered over the wound, shaking like leaves, wanting to touch it but too terrified to make it worse."Why did you let those bastards do this to you?"Kieran shot us a look, then quietly stepped out and closed the door behind him.We were alone."I heard everything about last night," Sera's voice shook with pure rage. "I wanted to sprint over here then, but I was scared I'd shock your broken body."She slamm
Third Person's POVAstoria froze. Shaking uncontrollably, she turned a terrified look toward Marcus, begging for help with her eyes.But facing a direct order from the Alpha of the North, Marcus didn't dare speak up. He could only comfort himself with the fact that they were still in the same room. Surely nothing would happen.Still, seeing Astoria's eyes well up with tears made his heart ache. "Alpha Damian, whatever this is about, I can stay and listen..."Damian finally raised his eyes, spitting out a few frigid words, "The border patrol territory project."Then, his Alpha aura slammed forward like a tidal wave."Since when does a Gamma speak for the Kelsas?"Marcus went deathly pale. His wolf thrashed inside him in pure panic, but under the absolute aura of an Alpha, he couldn't even mutter a response."You two talk," Marcus whispered to Astoria, finally turning away.Frank clapped Marcus on the shoulder, leading him and the other high-ranking wolves to the lounge on the far side
Third Person's POVUnder a massive tree five hundred yards from the clinic, Kieran walked up to the black SUV. Alpha Damian was leaning back in the rear seat.The Alpha aura radiating from him was still suffocating. "How is she?" he asked, his voice dead calm.Kieran gave his report. "She's done with Marcus. Completely detached. But..." He paused. "I don't think she has any intention of mating with you, Alpha. She seems spooked.""Heh." Damian let out a low rumble of a laugh. He took a drag from his cigar. "She was supposed to be the Moonsilver heir. Pure blood, proud as hell. She isn't going to just accept a fated bond without a serious push."A dark wave of possessiveness flickered in his gold eyes. In his mind, he was already calculating how to create that irresistible push.Kieran climbed into the driver's seat and turned around, completely invested. "Alpha, why don't you just tell her who you are?"Damian didn't say anything, just tilting his head for him to keep talking.Kieran
Elone's POV"I already called off the engagement last night," I rasped.Damian's eyes darkened. He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off.Someone knocked the door.A nurse stepped in, carrying a tray that smelled of bitter, medicinal herbs.Damian stood up. He poured a glass of warm water and set it right where I could reach it."If you decide to be my Luna, let Kieran know anytime.""Rest up," he added, his voice dropping an octave. "I'll check on you later."Then he turned and walked out, his long strides taking him out of the room in seconds.The room went dead silent again.Despite myself, my mind drifted back to Marcus.I remembered the first two years after I was brought back to the Moonsilvers.Back then, whenever Astoria got close, I could smell the cheap scent-masking chemicals she used. It was so sickly sweet it made my stomach turn.I couldn't stand being in the same car as her on the way to the Academy, so I'd walk while she rode.Sometimes, when I looked back







