phin

door of a quiet independent coffee shop on Lexington Avenue. Audrey sat in a c

y pushed a hot oat-milk latte into my hands. Her eyes

g her voice low. "Julian is sitting on tens of billions in

his charity," I said, taking a slow sip of the warm latte.

e. A recording of that morning's press confer

ng a dazzling diamond collar, smiling smugly as she anno

table. "You spent three months in that basement, coughing up blood as you wrote every line

's face on the screen without a flicker of emotion. "The base layer of that matrix is locke

whisper. "Did you reach Elder Helaine? When wil

r commission to design the finale gown for

n front of her, her expression turning grim. "Right now, our biggest hurdle is th

ext. "As a reigning Alpha, Julian ho

out an Inner Wolf, the Elders will rule that you've abandoned the Alpha if you file

ddess's fidelity oath first," I said, f

rey said firmly, meeting my eyes. "Under pack law, we need undeniable visual pro

ere. Come with me to the Silver Moon Lounge on the Upper East Side. It's designated

draft, and walked out of the café beside her. At the curb, A

breastbone. My dormant White Wolf bloodline was beginning to awaken against the seven-year seal. No matte