ine

ncrypted instructions to my team. The photo from Sloane was saved to a s

ents. I showered, washing away the scent of power and the city, and

-made, limited-edition watch from a niche Swiss designer. It was a birthday gift for Julian Preston. He was more tha

uld track, and dialed his number. I took a deep

if I'd been crying. "Elliott? I'm back. I was just wondering... Jul

thought my call, my fragile tone, was an olive branch.

an hour ago, set in motion a financial investigation that c

lue dress that made me look ethereal and delicate. My face was pale, my eyes

up a diamond necklace, a glittering, expensive apology for his neglect. "

ck. In the mirror, I saw us: the powerful Alpha and his

to take my hand. I didn't pull away, but I let my fingers lie limp and

inest. We moved through the crowd, smiling, accepting compliments on what

boy, a prodigy in the gaming world, was awkward and shy in

una," he stammered,

said warmly. "And you can ca

pond, Elliott's arm snaked around my waist, pulling me possessive

darling," Elliott s

ness of it all, was suffocating. "I need to use the

ed down a quiet hallway and stepped out onto a dese

hadows and large potted ferns, I heard voice

ly familiar. Kristofer

ing, his voice dripping with scorn. "An Omega who can't e

a white wolf whose bloodline was older and purer than any in this room. But I had hidden her so deepl

man chimed in. "Can't even produce an hei

" Kristofer added with a sneer. "Just wait. She won't be around fo

their ignorant assumptions. I felt no anger. No hurt. It was like listening

efusing to bring a child into this sham of a marriage. A

k away, to leave the insect

st me, moving with a speed an

med Alpha power was

s Ell

eard eve

for Kristofer Lawson, his fa