When Ava, a stubborn human who knows little about the world of wolves, is unexpectedly thrown into a binding contract of marriage, she finds herself at the mercy of Darius Blackwood, the enigmatic and powerful Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack. At 36, Darius is a ruthless billionaire whose wealth and influence mask a deeper, primal side-a wolf driven by dominance and the belief that fate bends to his will. Ava, a spirited 22-year-old woman, wants nothing to do with the supernatural world, let alone a forced union. But when her family's debt places her in Darius's path, she is left with no choice but to agree to his terms. Caught in the intricate web of power struggles, ancient myths, and the raw heat of a forced love that ignites between them, Ava soon realizes that her destiny may be tied to secrets hidden in the depths of Darius's world.
Chapter 1 A Deal with the Devil
Chapter One: A Deal with the Devil
Ava stood in the corner of the lavish ballroom, feeling as though the air around her grew heavier with each passing second. She didn't belong here, not among the glittering chandeliers, silk gowns, and polished shoes that clicked against the marble floor.
The guests were wolves-every last one of them. She could feel it in the way they moved, in the quiet hum of their voices that seemed to resonate in a language her human ears couldn't fully understand. Ava didn't care to understand, not when her heart was pounding like a war drum in her chest.
She shouldn't have come.
But the sight of her father, shoulders hunched under the weight of his gambling debts, was enough to keep her rooted to the floor. He had begged her to come. Pleaded, even. The shame in his eyes had been unbearable.
"Do this for the family," he'd said. "We don't have another choice."
And now, here she was, a lamb in a den of wolves.
"Miss Harper."
The deep voice cut through the din of the room, sharp as a blade. Ava turned slowly, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.
He was standing there, a silhouette of power and arrogance in a tailored black suit that clung to his broad shoulders like a second skin. Darius Blackwood.
The man-the Alpha-who had summoned her here.
At thirty-six, Darius was the epitome of untouchable wealth and dominance. His dark hair was perfectly groomed, and his piercing gray eyes seemed to strip away every layer of her defenses. Ava fought the urge to shrink under his gaze, but her defiance only seemed to amuse him.
"I see you received my invitation," he said, his lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"It wasn't much of an invitation," Ava said, her voice sharp despite the trembling in her chest. "More like an order."
His smile widened, revealing a hint of teeth. "Semantics. You're here, aren't you?"
Her fists clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to stay calm. "What do you want from me?"
Darius took a step closer, his presence suffocating. The air seemed to ripple with his power, a tangible force that made her knees weak.
"Your father owes me a great deal of money," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And unlike him, I don't gamble. I expect payment."
"I don't have any money," Ava said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He tilted his head, studying her as though she were a puzzle he was trying to solve. "I'm not asking for money, Ava."
Her breath hitched. The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine.
"Then what are you asking for?" she asked, though part of her already knew the answer.
Darius stepped closer still, until the scent of his cologne-a heady mix of cedar and smoke-wrapped around her. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke.
"You."