ve Manhatta

the Marks Tech headquarters. The wind howled through the

tood outside on

ella over his head, but the wind kept catching the edges, threatening to rip it out

chest, trying to preserve wh

y. He needed to drop off a crucial trust fund signature docum

assive Alpha named Mitc

rity gates without an appointment," Mitc

with Braydon's name on it. But Mitch just pointed to

pale lower lip. The metallic

es at home would be unbearable. So, Alston had backed away. He retreated to the only s

he tires hit a deep puddle, sending a wave of d

d the bottom half of

ot of humiliation forming in his throat. He dug his thumbnails deep into the sides

t lobby, a group of employee

, looking out through the floor

knowing everyone's business, narrowed her ey

e struggled to hold the umbrella. It was a custom

y. She leaned in to

ss. "I saw that name on the Hayden charity gala guest list once... and look at his wrist.

ees next to her

n is an S-class Alpha. That guy looks like he buys his clothes at

and disgust. "I heard it was an arranged marriage. A financial merger. Everyone k

are, their eyes dissectin

ot need to hear their words to know what they we

ng his chin deep into his

e underside of Alston's umbrella. The metal spokes groaned, and Als

the stone pillar near the doo

top floor of the building, Eas

had worn off, and the phantom smell of chamomile was driving him in

he storm. His gaze drifted down to the

w the thin figure get slammed in

lawless. He could see the way the person's shoulders

ve of disgust rolled

umed it was some desperate spouse trying to g

ard his desk to hit the intercom. He was go

ld press the button,

ed in, holding a t

. "The unredacted background file on Braydon Hayden.

om. He picked up the tabl

directly to the

on photograph attached to

the screen. His b

wline that looked too fragile for this world. He look

below the photo w

rom the tablet to the

n, the one he was just about to have thrown off the property, was

on the screen cau

. Pheromone match wit

Easton's ears. The blood poun

been so

don's. Braydon was just the carrier. The scent belonged to the O

biology was screaming for was li

onto the desk. It hit th

off the back of his chair

past her. He didn't say a word. He looked like a

hammering against his ribs. The descent felt agonizingly slow. He twisted his platinum watch band, t

d the doors opened to

e that fell over the employees. He walked straight toward the

glass, a silver Aston Mar

gressively, inches from w

stepped out into the rain. He didn't bo

side the glass doors. H

to Alston. Alston held out the

grip. As he pulled the file away, Braydon'

nt. It was a delibe

edge of the marble step, and he swayed dange

at his sides. The glass of the do

p his balance. He watched the Alpha

calm settled ov