The clasp of their hands felt colder than either had expected… a contract sealed with pressure and intent. For a long second the two alphas held each other’s gaze, and the chamber seemed to shrink around them until only the echo of their breath and the lamp flames remained.
Riven sank back into his chair as if nothing had changed. Kade turned to go, boots echoing against the stone floor. Halfway to the door, he stopped. He had one last thing to ask… one last edge of doubt he would not swallow.
He looked back over his shoulder; his voice was quiet but carried the weight of command. “One last question,” he asked, “What if you lose control of this beast you've awakened in your blood? If it does not answer to you, what then?”
Riven’s silhouette was a shadow against the lamplight. He had bee
