zie

n us, a mixture of awe and probing curiosity. I could feel Ganno

nly tightened his grip, his voice a teasing whisper in my mi

wisdom etched into his face, was already on the dais. He looked at us

r-not silver, of course-to slice our palms and mingl

Gannon Stone of the Black Moon Pack and Princess Kenzie Emerson of th

for the symbolic sting. Bu

e cut through the hal

't use the dagger. Instead, he lifted my hand to his mouth and bi

n sent a strange, electric shiver through my entire body. Without hesita

thousand times stronger than the flimsy connection I'd had with Kole. I looked at him in shock, his golden eyes burning with a possessive fire. I c

overed. "Blood has mingled. The contract is

I had rehearsed with Kole. I was already planning

rd warmth of his body. His other hand settled at the back of my head, his fingers threading into my

e the breath

h a confidence that made my pulse race. When his tongue brushed against my lower lip, I instinctively parted them,

at my waist, and the unsettling pull that kept drawing me closer. A strange warmth gathered low in my belly, spreading through me with ever

y waist, keeping me close enough that I could still feel the warmth of his b

ed, swollen f

es to him, int

and unwavering, with a quiet satis

are, his voice echoed in m

for the silent crowd to see. "Honor your

applause and cheers. They weren't cheering for a political alliance

mind a whirlwind of chaos. In his arms, I could feel the powerful, steady beat of his heart against

s to me from the crowd, a knowin

belief. In that moment, I felt no victory, only the dizzying sensation of being

promise and a threat. "Don't be afraid