g, Eira woke be
am. The bed smelled like hotel detergent instead of cedar. Her cheek throbbed when she
bastian.
the
e sleeping, because the floor was cold and because practical kindness was harder to reject than pity. T
d three unread e
agreement
The first page looked harmless enough: Pack operational authority
thout reading beyond the title. The true separation terms began
not fee
le. He checked clauses when he feared betrayal. With rivals, board members
er, he
t check the blade
ange. Alpha Sebastian was leaving when she step
n of the man who had lost control the night before, except f
egret appeared. Not enough to be
to frightened animals. "Last night was my f
repeated. "But your ha
ed it with the warm public smile that h
d opened it. A silk scarf lay inside, pale go
who always claimed the Pack was running on empty. Guess th
you," he said
e wondered if this meant he cared. Today, she wond
"I think someone el
tian's smil
How much did she know? Then pride came to rescue him, as it alway
onight is the Pack's monthly fami
e
ot please. Not
seating, wine, elders' allergies, Margaret's temper, Isabella's sudden requests, Alpha Sebastian's preference for low-salt food after late meetings. She had
no intention of
d have a r
orms. Alpha Sebastian would be relaxed after dinner. His family would be present, Serena
her eyes. "I
st made her laugh. He thought obedience ha
he main house glowed with porch lights. Through the open windows c
late again. Always running off as if
"She probably has office papers t
he front door
g room sofa like a queen without a country. Isabella lounged with he
er bag. "Please continue. I'd hate to
poke for
"Dinner needs to be made
a chef
f. You know Friday dinners
They were my habit
the furniture had started tal
t cooking. If you want food, order it. I recommend poached shrimp
d her phone. "A
Hun
't even cook, what can you do? My brother gave you the L
into the kitchen with a polite smile and burnin
f you want dinner, make it yourself.
are?" She seized Eira's wrist, nails biting into skin. "No family, no wolf, no power
wn at the hand
rs had left bruises there. Margaret
ide Eira clic
und Margaret's wrist an
s her face. She had expected tears,
I'll show everyone here that being
ouldn'
ne
is my
wo
t a chair with a dull thud. Isabella's mouth fell open. Roger's frown deepened, b
nt door
ha Sebastian's voice s
tur
s not
n paper. Brown curls framed a delicate face. Her makeup was soft, her smile softer,
r coat sleeve lightly a
," he said. "Serena Winthrop. A cl
e fr
fume slid into the room and wrappe
the calm smile he used at busines
ha Sebastian's han
id. Her eyes flicked down, then up to Eira's face, a
knives. Serena Win
Serena said, extending her hand. "Se
Serena's fingers were soft and cool. Her grip tightene
," Eira said. "What
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