elle

e, hard and unyielding. "Tell me, Isabelle. Wh

"Matriarch, as I said, his family wishes to maint

n this pack," she cut me off, h

me I had carefully chosen. "It is Cole Garriso

of warriors known more for their fighting prowess than their influence

oom like a stone. Both Geneviev

They are border guards, soldiers. A useful shield, perhaps, but they offe

marriage as a political transaction, and I

arrison is an honorable ally." I shifted the responsibility to my father, Clint

surd! Your union is a matter of state for the entire B

nces and prospects. Jalon Wells, with his prodigious talent, had likely been high on her

ith absolute authority. "I will contact your father myse

I had underestimated t

arine, knowing expression on her face. "Now, Belle, don't be upset. Perhaps it wasn't

ould be a "love match," giving Genevieve more justification to dismis

er met Cole Garrison," I admitted softly. Then, my voice firmed with conviction. "But I trust my father's judgment,

ty and obedience. I was the model da

my marriage should be for my family's benefit, who w

he had expected a flustered

of reassessment in her gaze. She was beginning

longer. The more I spoke, the

e is nothing else, I feel quite exhauste

me. With a curt wave of

study, feeling her eyes, and

the cool stone of the hallway wall and let out a long

ion was over.

evieve would n