lett

I forced my spine to remain rigid against the back of the chair,

governs our marriage license, all assets acquired during the union are community property." I took a breath, steeling myself. "According to t

ward, his face twisting into a

n't look at his Gamma. His gaze was

in the cavernous room. "Five hundred million dolla

ht choke. "Alpha, this is extortion

ted, his voice terrifyingly calm. He g

am blinke

o

t toward Kaelen, displaying a string of zeros that would make most nations weep. Kaelen di

Kaelen said softly.

n, my heart skipping a beat. He agreed? Just like that? Five h

funds," Kaelen

Alp

shockwave. Liam flinched and tapped the s

any table. "The money is in your account, Scarlett. Yo

ts. I didn't know how to handle this... surrender. "Then s

pen, then back at me.

darker. "She is awake because of you. But she is frail. She believes I hav

That is not

at, but with a lure. "A new deal. Don't annul the marriage y

ead, panic rising in my

onto mine with an intensity that made my skin burn, "half of everything I earn

. It was a golden cage, gilded with enough wealth to silence any protest. He was trying to buy m

didn't know about the man waiting for me at the train statio

t. I looked at the check, then at the man who wa

nd cold. "I appreciate the offer, A

anished, replaced by a sharp, predatory focus.

I said, clutching the edge o

ute. It was the silence of a vacuum

still. Even the fire s

ke him sign the paper so I could leave. "We are to be Marked tomorrow. I n

st. It wasn't human. It was a growl, deep and resonant, l

grew heavy, saturated with the scent of ozone and burning rain. Gid

EO anymore. He looked like a monster wearing a

whispered, the words soun

ice trembled. "And I intend

racking the thick mahogany right down t

human mask slipping co