phin

fore I could stop i

t softly, like a reque

had, I was fresh out of obedience. "And why should

he man whose bed you shared last night. And because you are my Mate." He said the word 'Mat

his casual mention of it made me flinch. "Tha

And your presence... it helps me." He didn't elaborate,

lue eyes walked in. She radiated an authority that rivaled Damien's. She was foll

d to toe. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, slowly, she spoke. "So the rumors are true-the Fos

into a satisfied smile. "Very

Damien's voic

rvive it. But you didn't just keep him alive-you kept him breathing until dawn." She paused, and somethin

cted. "My name is not Salvation. My name is Seraphina Fo

e laughed, low. "Found an eagle in a phoenix nest." She turned to Damien, her voice dropping bu

y own-the primal pull of the mate bond warring against someth

is far because you understand something better than anyone in this room: what you need is far more

Silence flooded

urse made him need me. For the first time since I walked into that ballroom last n

Hayden required power. Reclaiming my mother's legacy required resources. This tormented Alpha wa

wants you to claim me. You need me to soothe whateve

ssion unreadable but int

e audacity of my own plan. "I won't be claimed

r a Mating," I said, my v

A slow, dangerous smile touched his lips.

atisfy your pack, and a remedy for your curse.

tractual Mating." A purely transactional bond was almost unheard of,

Pack and a... personal pain reliever. We

is voice a purr that sent shivers down my spine

ll use its full commercial power to crush the Price Pack's

recover certain lo

prize, but I didn'

r something. I met his gaze without flinching

of his mouth curled into a cynical, mocking smile. He saw m

ce dripping with obvious contempt. "

ght my ambition was that small. Th

, using his title to remind him o

own, his lips brushing my ear. "You have no idea what you're ask

" I whispered back,

in his eyes. "Have your lawyer contact m

away, dism

s back, a final act of defi