INICIAR SESIÓNScott Redwood stood in the middle of Xavier Beckett's penthouse as if the last six years had never happened. His eyes locked on Elias Gage, and something ugly and immediate snapped across his face."You."That was all he said before he moved.Scott closed the distance in three strides and grabbed Elias by the front of his expensive shirt, fist twisting the fabric so hard the seams strained. Elias's polite smile vanished. He stumbled back a step, hands coming up, but Scott was already in his face, breathing hard, Alpha presence slamming into the room like a physical blow.Ciel panicked inside my skull.Fight—protect—kill—I hissed under my breath, "Calm the fuck down," and lunged forward. I grabbed Scott's arm with one hand and Elias's wrist with the other, snarling at both of them like that would be enough.It wasn't.Scott's grip only tightened. Elias tried to wrench free. The air filled with the sharp, clashing scents of two men who had decided violence was the fastest language.I
The doors opened.Freya stepped out first, heavily pregnant, wrapped in a soft cream coat that made her look fragile and expensive. Behind her walked a man I had only seen in photographs and political spreads: her husband, Elias Gage. Tall, dark-haired, soft-spoken smile, the kind of face that photographed well at charity galas. And behind both of them, moving with the calm confidence of a man who had never been denied entry anywhere, was my father.Alistair Holloway looked exactly as he always had in public—perfectly tailored, silver at the temples, eyes warm enough to convince entire councils he was reasonable. The wonderful politician. The terrible father.He stopped a few steps into the living room and smiled as if this were a social call."Xavier," he said pleasantly. "I hope we're not interrupting."Xavier didn't return the smile. "You are."Alistair's gaze slid to me, lingering on the heavier collar at my throat. Something satisfied flickered behind the polished warmth. "Ravenn
The next morning everything went to shit. Literary. I sat up, pulled on one of Xavier's silk shirts, and walked into the main living area barefoot. Mrs. Gable had already set coffee on the counter. She didn't meet my eyes.Kaelen arrived ten minutes later. He didn't bother with greetings. He simply placed a small evidence bag on the marble island."Found this morning," Kaelen said grimly. "Inside the clinic's medicine fridge. Behind the antibiotics. After our security was already in place."The air left my lungs.My father wasn't just watching anymore. Oh fuck!I picked up the bag. The metal felt heavier than it should have."He's sending a message," I said."Yes," Kaelen answered. "And he's not finished."Xavier walked in from the hallway, already dressed in black, sleeves rolled to the elbows. He looked at the pin, then at me. His violet eyes were unreadable."You're not going to the clinic today."It wasn't a suggestion."You don't get to decide that.""I do." He took the evidence
The Holloway pin still lay on the study desk.Small. Gleaming. And unmistakable.I stared at it until my jaw clenched. "This isn't a warning anymore."Xavier stood across the desk, arms crossed. "No. It's a declaration."Kaelen had just finished giving his report. The unmarked car that had been staking out the clinic was found abandoned in a back alley. On its dashboard sat only one object: the Holloway family pin that my father's men always used to wear.I immediately grabbed my jacket. "I'm going to the clinic."Xavier didn't move. "With a full security detail. Not alone.""The clinic isn't your territory.""Your father's men just left a mark at its front door," he replied flatly. "You go with my team, or you don't go at all."We stared at each other for a long moment until Brie, who was standing near the door, gave a small cough."If I may," she said carefully, "I'll come too. There's some medical stock I need to recount."Xa
The air inside the study still felt hot when Xavier spoke againI stood near the bookshelf with the sweater I had just pulled back over my body, the necklace around my throat feeling heavier than before. My body still held the lingering tremors, but Xavier’s face had returned to a flat mask. As if just minutes ago, he hadn't pressed me between the wood and his ragged breaths."Starting tonight, the rules change," he said.I stared at him. "We just—""I know what just happened." His voice was cold, crisp, completely devoid of lust. "And precisely because of that, I won't let the same vulnerability be exposed twice."He walked over to the desk, picked up a tablet, and slid it toward me. A short list was already displayed on the screen."You do not leave the penthouse without security. Visits to the clinic must be pre-approved. Every contact with Matias is to be reported. No side channels. No unilateral decisions."I let out a short, sharp laugh. "So now I'm a prisoner you get to kiss wh
Mrs. Gable then led Brie down the dimly lit corridor. Their footsteps slowly faded into the distance until, a few minutes later, the housekeeper returned alone to the main room.“Damn,” she whispered, her breath ragged right next to my ear. “The Lycan prince dotes on you this much, yet your brain is still thinking about running back to The Pit?”I hadn’t even had a chance to respond.Hadn’t had time to push her away, to voice a denial, or to shout the fact that our relationship wasn’t just about being “doted on.”Not enough time.Because that cold, baritone voice cut in from the direction of the main room. Flat. Absolute. Leaving no room for repetition.“Ravenna. Brie.”We both turned in unison.Xavier stood tall at the end of the corridor, one hand casually tucked into his trouser pocket. His handsome face was completely unreadable.“To my study. Now.”***We followed Xavier down the quiet corridor. The study door opened silently. Inside, a desk lamp cast a warm glow, bookshelves tow







