n P

rld had been contained

e. Most of my clothes, the beautiful gowns and designer outfits of Luna Hatfield, remained hanging in the closet. They w

flower, a smooth river stone. And at the bottom, a piece of drawing paper. It was a sketch I'd done years ago. A young Dylan, shi

boy in the drawing was full of promise.

osed the lid, and dropped the entire th

n't even flutter-it remained a slow, steady be

m. He had just come from the ceremony solidifying his rule, where the last of his challen

ice was different. Quieter.

ngratulations, Alpha Hatfield." The formal

n the suitcase by the bed. A deep frown line ap

red two glasses of whiskey, and handed one to him. "A toast," I said, raising

found nothing. He took a sip, the strong liquor doing nothing to warm the chill between us. "Ed

to the way things were? You play the philandering Alpha

slammed the glass down on the bar. The mask was off. All the years of polite smil

. On the hotel balcony in Milan. They were on

's not just jealousy. The bond... it's like having someone take a dull knife and saw away at your soul. And eve

hatred in my voice. "That was... a misunderstan

voice dropping to a cold whisper. "I care that you nev

ed its purpose. I gestured to the suitcase by the bed, my voice cold and fi

smissive breath-the sound of an Alpha who believed he still held every card. "You're upset

smile touching my lips. "In your office. At ten sharp. I'll

He didn't believe me. To him, this was just another tantrum, a bid for

ion, and I felt a flicker of anticipation.

the door. He walked out of my room with the heavy, confident stride of a

e off the bed, set it by the door, and sat on the edge of the mattress. Tomorrow