Thor

lent assessment that made the fine hairs on my arms stand up. He didn't

le. Then, as silently as he arrived, he turned, vaulted

against my ribs. I stalked to the mirror, my reflection a stranger. The amethyst-violet eyes staring back were n

in my mind, a stark contrast to her e

voice a harsh whisper in the si

idden compartment, I retrieved a sleek, black satellite phone, a relic from

ted number. It rang once before a crisp, professional femal

e." I gave her the details, asking her to track every asset, ever

e mother, Eleonora. I shoved the phone back into its hid

oot catch on the edge of the rug. I went down with a

fed blonde hair not moving a single inch. Her blue eyes held no concern, only a

n't see as I pushed myself up. Of course they were. Th

e of false sympathy. "Oh, you poor thing! Did you fall?" She grabbed my arm to

n, letting her think her petty cruelty

his voice smooth as silk. "Elara, about last

" I stammered, clinging to the story I'd prepared. "It was dark. I heard a st

y exchanged a quick, smug glance. My act had worked. They

ndescendingly. "He's gone now. Nothing to worry about." He and

hen, using my newly enhanced hearing, I focused on th

giggled. "The blind idiot is comple

, we'll announce your pregnancy. Marcus will have no choice. He'll have to tran

that I felt the sting of breaking skin. The Alpha's birt

een waiting for my trust to mature. He'd already started. Over the past year, using a forged signature, he ha

on my nightstand vibrated and then cracked, a thin line spiderweb

anger down. I couldn't do this alone. I needed an ally

ely went to the stra

did. *I can smell him,* she whispered, a low thrum of intere

and a dark tunic. I grabbed the white cane I had

ing me. I used a servant's passage and a side door I knew

letting my senses guide me, following that intoxicating scent of snow and pine. I ra

s, and there, nestled amongst them, was a sma

t pounding a steady, determined rhythm. I d

d out, my voice clear and steady.