ine

ir had been scrubbed clean of the cheap cherry blossom perfum

living room, pulling a cashmere

t clung to him like a shroud. He saw me on the sofa, and I saw a flic

rumble. He came over and knelt befor

ody went rigid. Every muscle screamed in prot

ness. He thought it was th

ce soft and coaxing. "I had to stay late

ndow of O'Malley's-a quiet bar tucked between a bookstore and a bakery-I'd seen them. Elliott, laughing at something Katy Lawson said. Her hand resting on his forearm, her body angled toward his like a flower s

wide and intentionally bloodshot. I had spent the last hou

else," I whispered, my

e bond, a faint tremor I could still perceive even

he said smoothly. "Someone

his explanation. "I waited up for you," I sai

s need to be the center of my world. The tension in his s

s face in my hair. "I'll make it up to

ll in his arms. My eyes, hidden from his vie

o get out of the house, to go to my stu

his eyes full of "understanding." He kissed my fo

st sedan he'd bought me, the perfect car for

ing blocks, watching my rearview mirror. A black SUV h

town market district, sped down a narrow alley, and em

ecret keycard, I entered a private section. There, parked in a reserved spot, was

dress of Adeline Carey, the Luna. I emerged wearing a tailored black pantsuit, sharp and severe. My long hair w

yself. Shedding my identity like a second skin, I felt my spine straighten, my gaze

outshone it in modern design. The private elevator took me straight to the top floor. T

nd Techn

nd life and build something of my own. By the time I became Luna, it was already a multi-million dollar operation. The past four years had only made it stron

iately stood, bowing her head sli

. Employees stopped what they were doing to nod respe

of R&D, Finn Knight, jogged to keep up with me. "The s

cus Sterling, said, falling into step on my other side. "

ng glass that offered a panoramic view of the entire city. From here, I could lo

the sight of her husband's betrayal was gone. In her place was t

was th

l be with him in ten

ence room and extended my hand to a man wit

ne. A pl

are a woman of many secrets. All of Northgate thinks you're just a pretty ornament on

. "I'm just an Omega who likes to pain

reciative sound. We sat

was tracking my location. The GPS signal from the phone I'd left in my sedan

was exactly where she was supposed to

moment, negotiating a deal that would shift t

dn't know existed, lit up on the

e gallery. Don't for

ion unchanging. I swiped the notific

Gavin Stone, my

nership," I said, rai

arey," he repl