ela

cked the door, shutting out the

had projected in the study draining away. I slid

rshock of adrenaline. The thrill of taking c

d never give up on the Beaumont al

ut at the vast Carter lands that would never feel like home. Why was

from the once-powerful but now-declining Crane family. Alex had

presenting her to the world as his one true mate. I became an awkward reminder of a pa

powerful mother's family to back me, and as a we

ndless service would earn me their love. Now I understood. To a family o

. Their delay was my opportunity. I had

ked. Silver

anking monk there, Brother Theron, posse

ga's pheromones, giving them more control in the presence of Alphas a

It was one of the key tools she used to climb the s

ut the money. It was about seizing my own destiny a

he shrine was in a remote mounta

he essentials: cash, a change of clothes, and a small, s

usiness affairs for the Carter family. Frequent solo trips out of the estate had become a normal, well-known occ

membered an old driver named Gus Tucker. He was honest, close to retirement,

the garage, lying that Alex had reques

he other end of the line,

ooked out the window as dusk settled o

ded. My dear "family" had likely reach

y were scheming to put me back in m

rl's eyes were firm and resolute. Isabela Car

d and lay down, feigning exhaust

my eyes wide open, I

: get th

build my

er family pay for what th

found calm settled over me. I knew exact