ne's

hard, leaving me unab

r thought about hav

believe he might one d

breath, forcing down the bitte

wouldn't let him s

d, though my voice still wavered. "Then why change Si

if this was nothing worth arguing over. "She needs an opportunity to establish her

he moment she returned, every

n't agree?"

e Thorn Pack," he replied, his t

could go against

painfully as I forced them out. "Alright

. The second the door closed behind me, the s

myself inside the restroom, bendi

ut there was nothing inside. Al

g back at me felt unfamiliar. Pale skin

my palm. The tears I had been holding back fin

't want you, but I do. Don't be scared. I

called Mary back, promising that I would do everyt

back in my chair and pressed m

on. A bitter laugh escaped me

indeed g

d million in cash, along with several

I felt

g an urgent document to Ethan, whic

scent hit me. It was the scent of anot

dn't been f

ening, I caught sight

against him, her arms wrapped around his

no doubt.

ders, and the two of them looked

ed the Sparkle endorseme

d with a soft laugh as she leaned in a

my grasp. Papers scatt

e broke apart, and I felt as thoug

ttention, and both of

instead of pulling away, she

slow as she approached with a gentle sway. Reaching

d both innocence and quiet pride. "I hope we didn't startle you earlier. Ethan and I ha

but it made something

ied, forcing a faint smile as

lowering her gaze slightly

when I

ath ca

was the Moonstone Neckl

. It was the heirloom of the Thorn Pa

first came together, I had seen that n

imes than I could count. To me, it meant re

hed for it, wha

e, we haven't completed the mating ceremony.

, hoping that one day, he would

had given

le

s meant-an excuse to stop m

ing, her voice carrying a quiet sense of pride. "Ethan put it

t, everything

een nothing more than s

voice steady in a way that surpri

attered on the floor, each movement fe

word. He remained w

tly on his desk, I turned and w

e, no te

e truly breaks, even