lided to a stop outside the Wilson estate, it

ered with a biting remark, "Someone might be marrying into

tdown, Marissa didn't hesitate t

culately cut. The dress, though modest, only heightened her quiet allure. A gentle breez

t, every curve hinting at effortless confidence. Nicole's delicate features-eyes sere

ssa's gaze, but she smothered it

t would matter once Nicole was shackled to a dying man, trappe

sa cooed, her tone syrupy sweet. "Don't worry, once I marry

sa a single glance, unwil

lent outrage, jaw tight as

ing-unless you'd rather lose your big chance?" Ca

ck from the sticks only because her looks were useful. I

ated, her voice cutting through the tension

le let her ultimatum hang in the air and slid into

.

ny awaited Nicole's arrival. The car pulled up to the villa's entrance and drove

d austere portraits before stopping at a guest room. "Please wait here

, her composure u

a. She drummed her fingers along the

. Tension coiled through her body. She twisted around, heart pounding, and her gaze locked onto an

er and malice gleaming in their depths. It leapt

the wolf's claws grazing the cushion where she'd just been. Landing lightly, she rose,

s lips curled back to reveal dagger-like teeth,

, the wolf lunged again, twice

braced herself, timing he

mentum, she slammed the wolf down, pinning it beneath her knee. One hand clamped the writhing head, the other bra

a gleaming silver needle, plunging it precis

e wolf's throat as its body buckled,

econd needle, movements fluid and deliberate,

roke through the charged silence. His words cracked lik

le Nicole was locked in combat, clo

d from the doorway, silhouette framed

ve-and the overhead lights snapped on,

of the stranger. His lips were drawn into a thin line, a

her with the air of a detect

cole's chest. Had her identity as a