lla

tural aroma. Sitting at the massive ebony dining table, I felt like an imposter in a king's court. The city lights of New York glittered thro

, his face a mask of indifference. Beside me, A

don Hyde. He grabbed her arm like he owned her. In the middle of a public store! You

A cold spike of terror pierced my ch

to the

e word slipping out b

rcelain plate with a soft clink. He lifted his

in my lap, clenching the linen napkin. "Plea

d, her brows knitting togethe

e families who worked our land. The elderly, the wolfless, the ones too weak to fight back. They are still there, living in the shado

was asking a monster to show mercy, a b

his wine glass, swirling the dark red li

la?" his voice was low, a velvet rumble tha

n't know,"

, not the dirt they walk on or the people they subjugate." He took a sip, his gaze never leaving my face. "I have

f a fallen pack better than I did. A strange warmth bloomed in my chest, con

sharp buzz from the wa

fe. "Alpha Marshall. We hav

ven look at the

e tense. "He's demanding entry. He claims Miss Everett is a w

m my face. The fork c

s h

too thin. I could smell Braydon's cheap cologne in my memory, feel his hot breath

panic seizing my throat. "

a shout, but the sheer authority in his voice ma

. He walked over to the intercom panel on the wall, his m

on," Da

t unmistakable in its arrogance. "Marshall! Send her down. You have no right

hair on my arms stand up. It was the Alpha's Command-pure, distilled dominance. "Listen closely, boy. Y

n spluttered, though his voice

l consider it an act of war. I will have you arrested for cross-Pack trespassing and harassment of the

over the line. H

huffling feet. The c

k to us. The lethal darkness in his eyes

king back to his chair as if he hadn't

ng against my ribs. "He... he cou

his world have clearance to access this floor. Myself, Azalea, and you." He looked at me, his expression sof

. I had feared their power, their tempers. But as the scent of cedar and s

t time in my life, I felt safe. And