: The Gam

's Den, Veyrholt's seediest arcade, her fingers fl

her mind. Neon lights flickered overhead, casting her tomboy silhouette of ripped jeans, over

n, a fierce heroine in the city's underground sc

gered in her thoughts, a dangerous attraction tha

le. His easy confidence, the way he'd snagged that plush wolf from the claw machine, had spar

ngs. Not with the scars; physical and emotional. She hid beneath her hoodie, remnants of a sha

t never healed, a reminder of the betrayal that defined

er: Estate. Now. Ely

hat this was about another arranged marriage to ceme

ame, and grabbed her backpack, the plu

lt like a piece of him, a fated

ythology and corporate greed. Skyscrapers loomed, their glass facades reflecting the chaos below as clubs blasti

nts, sensed the undercurrents. Veyrholt wasn't just a city; i

and steel that screamed her father's ruthless control. Ely

ls seemed to watch her, thei

e morning light, his smile as sharp as a blade. "Elyse," Calden

hot back, her tomboy defiance

eyrholt's traditions are clear, alliances must be secur

mix of anger and regr

. "Saria's marriage comes first, as

sister, was the eldest, bound by Veyrholt'

hrough the estate like a ghost, her sightless eyes hiding

aloud; a werewolf with dormant powers, a hi

her, disguising herself years ago to keep S

secret baby of pain

d?" Elyse asked, her vo

meet him soon. For now, entertai

er's web? Before she could respond, a soft voi

face calm, her fingers brushing a leat

seemed to know when she was needed,

se said, her voice

th uncanny precision. "He's dangerous," Saria

omething, primal

king up on Saria's cryptic tone. "You'

y seem." They found Toren in the estate's garage, leaning against a sleek black SUV, his l

at the sight of him. He was trouble, all right,

aid, tossing hi

you to sign up f

the perks." His gaze lingered on her, a fated mates pul

chest. "Veyrholt's specialty. What'

The words hit like a punch, a forbidden love she couldn't ent

e pulled into the garage, its rider dismounting with a predator's gra

erewolf king her father had menti

is voice a low growl that se

the gamer girl t

dening. "And you're more than Calde

imson eyes. "A challenge. Veyrholt's full o

d tightly. "Kael, enough," she said, her

a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. "St

whispers of Veyrholt's mythology, of a

sister, more than the sc

ake Toren's jaw tighten, his

ance subtle but clear. "Back off, Draven," he sa

with power. "We'll see, Varrick.

r instincts screamed; danger, be

d on her diary, and at Toren, whose scarred

, but something bigger was at play; a hidden legacy,

another text from Calden:

nd felt the weight of her secret, her past disguise, sacrifice for Sari

slips from her pocket, landing open on the floor. A faint glow p