y

kind of work to do. I pulled on an old t-shirt and jeans and wa

three large ca

designer handbag he'd bought to apologize for missing my birthday. The first-edition book I'd adored, wh

cavating a dead civilization. The items held no sentimenta

expensive, the cheap, the meaningfu

you doin

ere, leaning heavily on her cane. She had her ow

y voice tight. I forced a lightness I di

elry cases and silk scarves. "My goodness, Kay. Alec has spoi

. The sound of the tape gun was violent in the

es in thick black

asn't simultaneously ending and beginning. The effort was exhausting. As soon as she left,

rtment was cleansed. It felt big

seven years. I did my makeup with a new, ruthless precision: a shar

d into the sil

eavy against my skin, clinging to my body in a way that was p

oor two nights ago. This woman was sharp edges and cold fire. I

emic prestige. The moment I stepped into the ballroom, a hush fell over the small group

God, is t

d over, his eyes wide with astonishment. "You look... incredible. Wh

ress," I said wi

ping. He had always been sharp. He'd been one of the few who

st n

n his face. "His loss. Come on, Professor Ca

sor Carlisle, a legend in strategic theory, was holding court by the

taking both my hands in his. "Wasting that mind of yours in corpo

," I said, my voice clear and carrying. "As

Several prominent figures, CEOs and investors, turned to look at m

ut geopolitical risk models when

blood r

ative parasite. I had forgotten Blackwood was a major donor t

arrogant and proprietar

opped

primal blaze of stunned admiration that he couldn't hide. He was st

ed his gaze. When she saw me, her perfectly made-up fa

d with the predatory grace of an Alpha, cutting a path

"Kay," he said, his voice a low growl. "What are yo

, Leo subtly shifted his posit

him. I kept my atten

smooth as ice. "Allow me to introduce Al

r emp

a physical slap. His fa

ng closer. I could smell the whiskey on his

him with anger or pain. I looked at him with a sort of detach

sudden lull of conversation. "I believe you are invading m

Publicly rebuking an Alpha, her own mate,

re, not in a room full of powerful humans and rival pack members. He was exposed, stripped of his primary we

s a taut wire,

sphere in the enti

a child's tantrum, rolled out from the entrance. The cha

by two imposing bodyguar

He looked like a king. His stormy gray-blue eyes scan

h mine across t

started to wa

-