Synopsis

“MissElara,Ipresume?”Hisvoicerolledthroughtheroomlikedistantthunder—low,rich,cultured.Itvibratedinmysternum.Itsettledintomybones.Mythroatwentdry.Completely,catastrophicallydry.EverywordIhadeverlearnedinanylanguageevaporatedfrommymind.BecauseMoonlight—mywolf,myinnerspiritwhohadbeensilentforafewdays,dormantandstillasdeepwater—eruptedinsidemyskulllikeastormbreaking.MATE.Theforceofitstaggeredme.Istumbledbackward,hiphittingtheedgeofthedesk.MINE!HEISMINE!ThenightElaradiscoveredherboyfriendinhersister'sbed,shethoughtthatwasrockbottom.Shewaswrong.Herparentshadknownallalong—hadevenplannedtheweddingbehindherback.Everysmile,everyreassurance—alllies.AndElara,thefamily'soverlookedomega,wasnevermeanttobeanythingmorethanafootnoteinhersister'slovestory.Drowningherheartbreakatadowntownbar,shesurrenderstoonerecklessnightwithamaskedstrangerwhosetouchsetsherbloodonfire.Butwhenmorningcomes,thebedbesideheriscold.Noname.Nonote.Notrace.Justtwopinklinesonapregnancytestthreeweekslater.Castoutbythefamilythatwassupposedtoprotecther,Elaraclawsherwaythroughsurvival.WhenapositionopensforamaidattheAlphaEmperor'sprivateestate,sheleapsatthechance.Steadypay.Aroofoverherchild'shead.Nocomplications.Exceptthemomentshestepsintohispresence,herwolfhowls.Mate!!!Tothecold,ruthlessemperorsittingonhisthrone.