owered and patc

d Alpha Lucian

oked p

. "Vanessa got in

a Ash

rmed over, grabbing my wrist and pin

but Alpha Lucian's stren

inging my eyes. I squeezed them s

my chin, forcing me to look at him.

loved me? That you'd do anything

nough to draw blood, the meta

u forgot everything I tau

hey're the le

en't gentle, and t

eyes and caught his gaze-dark, st

hi

, and Alpha Lucian

ed me whole. My mind

as a broke colleg

igh-and-might

and he got plastered, s

with a face like hers, doin

ot sick, I borrowed from every loan shark I cou

, I sold myself

myself

n't let me keep stud

needs to kn

t, deciding my fut

Then stay by my side for thr

left him to

n't about to let

m of a career in resear

omplications after surgery. She held

sitting at her

f the night, it

a appeared

ha L

er than usual. "How long you planning

ogether th

him like my life

ere'd be a flicker o

knew Alpha Lucian

om a night out with his rich buddies. T

heard she's some brainiac from Tech

how you do your science stuff.

lms, staring them down. "S

please. You talk about research, but y

"Not feeling it? Fine, drink. Finis

d on the couch, twirling

s usual cold stare softened, li

. Show 'em wha

sked, "If Vanessa was standing her

set hi

d it against me. "Who the hell ar

t who'd trade herself f

ked up the glass rolling on the flo

are cheap. Dignity

s three hu

s my pri