is

ing me through corridors that whispered of wealth and power I couldn't comprehend. I was acutely aware of my appearance-faded

en, the silence that rushed out to

st long, dancing shadows. At the far end, seated on a throne carved from dark wood and lined with

ted. Hundreds of eyes landed on me. I could smell their judg

is t

blonde hair and diamonds dripping from her neck stepped forward near

mbling with rage. "You expect us to accep

wd. I shrank in on myself, wishing the f

Dimitri stepped forward. Bryson. His eyes raked over my body, lingering on my chest and legs with a slimy, predatory

ite. Even a girl standing near them-Cassidy, I assumed-wri

t a foolish part of me hoped he would stop

. He didn't look protective. He looked bored. To him, I wasn't a person being flayed alive by his

me like a physical

eathe. The scent of their disdain was suffocating. Before

shouted, but

rst through the main doors and into the night air, gasping for oxygen. The gravel o

a wall of muscle mater

n from the office-Davon. He didn't look malicious, b

ow and regretful. "My Alpha's orders ar

ked out, backing away. "I'm

hat he say

in th

f the black armored SUV. I hadn't even heard him approach. The scent of blizzard and cedar enveloped me, instantly calm

just want to go home. My mother... she'll b

med to crack. His jaw tightened, a muscle feathering in his chee

nd wrapping around the back of my neck. The Physical Surge was instantaneous-a jolt of static elect

is voice a rough growl t

dened. "I.

is thumb brushing the pulse point behind my ear. "Go che

ne. "But if you are not back on my territory by the time the sun clears the horizon

back, his face once again a mask o

ulled away, I watched him standing in the driveway, a dark silhouette against the moonlight. I had been