iana

ffice; it was an aerie of steel, obsidian glass,

den Sinclair, his suit jacket removed, wearing a crisp charcoal dress shirt with the sleeves rolled once to reveal corded forearms.

e union. I require an ironclad prenuptial agreement guaranteeing absolute financial independence. My assets remain separate,

his chin lightly on his

ullivan pack authority. In exchange, I offer strategic corporate restructuring for Sinclair Global's subsidiary ventures, and when necessary, the private artistic s

the scent of pine and ice washing over me like a physical tide. "My terms are simpler, Audriana. You bear my crest. You sit beside me when

wolves," I count

in Caden's eyes. "The

Registry Hall. There were no public clerks this time. Instead, the Chief Regist

coat pocket and slid a matte-black titanium token across the desk. It bore n

drained from his wrinkled face. He dropped into a deep,

nto a low, gravelly vibration that rattled the crystal sconce

iately

lterated terror. Your Grace. That was not the title of a standard pack

lver runes. This was no civil ceremony; this was the primordial covenant, woven

face flashed through my mind-ten years of childhood loyalty, flushed away i

aden's voice murmured near my ear,

r," I

Audriana Sullivan. The ink flared with gold

lashed his signature along

msworth whispered, bar

ripped through my arm. It wasn't the searing agony of Gabe's rejection; it was an intoxicating, b

dermis to leave a faint, shimmering mark-two wolves circling

fresh, warm mark. The touch sent an unexpected shudder down my spine. His pupil

leather-bound certification booklets. "No public disclosures. If a single ledger leak

h gasped, bowing until his fore

risp mid-morning air, Caden

"My family's internal succession is... contested. Drawing you into th

lasses. "I have no desire to play the do

om of the Sullivan manor, Dagny Crosby sipped iced te

e terrace outside. "Good. Submit the petition to the Alliance magistrate this afternoon. Have Audriana declared

letely unaware that the prey they intended to trap