Snow

al override to bypass the outer security checkpoint,

black gown with clean lines-elegant enough for black-tie, yet sub

elevators to reach the eighth-floor ballro

were sliding shut, I slippe

and realize the car was filled with a wal

ly tall man, his presence radiating

ver wolf's head, but the slight stiffness in his left le

, captain of the

ice and a cold, untouchable detachment off it, a man rumored to be comp

wn to his hand res

he faint outline of veins across the back of

nd about how striking those powerful hands were, and I light

darwood and cold air

wly opened, his gaze sweeping over me

erstated black silk contouring my narrow waist, down to the subtle slit revealin

ble smirk ghosted a

, arriving at the g

an injury, I took a smooth step back, nodding

approving glance, evidently surprise

ing straight ou

, faintly raspy voice cutting through

ra S

straight thr

e arctic eyes, moment

six years aw

d to be, even my own family would struggle to recognize me at a

ve no ex

ned, and strode out of the elevator, the rhy

, practically choking on their breath at the sight of their fam

harp, guarded rhythm as I

ctator tonight; he was a dangerous wi