ross the cabin's leather seats. Mira sat by the window, a glass of chi

ctly three hours

rom a

prepa

nnel rumor about King Evren's temperament, his preferences, his rumored disdain for weak petit

was twenty

not arrive

contact she didn't expect-the int

n't have taken this. But I

d. Then she o

, hidden in a bag, poorly angled.

ri

draped across a lounger beside him, wearing a white

mp was read

it. "Client meetings in the coastal

lotion in slow, deliberate strokes-like he was tracing something familiar, something he had memorized. Ivy tilted her head

Even if it wasn't, it was close enough-int

een, her thumb frozen

ll, familiar ache, like pressing on a bru

thing warmth into them. "Why didn't you wear gloves?" She had threaded her fingers through his and said, "This is warmer." His han

he video were

longer bel

ven a mildly disappointing quarterly report. Then she closed th

hought flatly. 'He's

nto the plush seat. The hum of the engines vibrated

ll was a cath

alls. And everywhere-everywhere-the heavy, suffocating presence of Alphas. Dozens of the

ded doors and felt fifty pai

er mother's pearls at her throat, hair swept up in a simple knot. Luna elegance without Lu

wor

ompliments on her beauty. Questions about her pack. Curious glances at he

each one with

t I'm here on

don't wish to mon

ng, Alpha. Tonight, I

n they should, but Mira's cool politeness eve

he ar

kind of face that had never been told no often enough. His scent w

thout invitation. "The prettiest flower in the roo

ead. Polite. Distan

ct was i

ead for years. Adrian Vale swallowed that little empire whole." He laughed, loud enough to dr

"I am Mira Sterling. Daughter of William and Catherin

younger wolves, clearly his subordinates

s a ghost. Never comes out. Never produces an heir." His voice dropped, deliberately crue

ack l

nt cold, then h

er back. But never-never-in a room like this, surrounded by

said quietly, "that your manners a

ring. Go ahead-call your husband. Let him vouch for you. If y

heart c

know why she was here. He would drag her back

er hesitation.

along now, Miss Sterling. Th

her was quiet, but

his lapel. A silver wave on a field of blue. She knew that crest. She h

tern territories. A

, shallow morals, and an obsession w

politely this t

-surprised she knew his name. "I don't need my h

om-one laid with antique playing cards, gilded edges

ard and held it b

flip through the whole deck and tell you which three you chos

rowed. "What kind

"My father taught me. Sterling training. You wanted proof that I'm the re

orgotten, watching the scene unfold. A woman in gre

hat look Mira recognized-the look of

?" His voice

gain. And I call Adrian myself to tell him I d

if yo

lted he

ery Alpha in this room. And you tell them y

oss the table like a fan

o memorize. Your