The silence that followed Julian’s words was heavy, suffocating, and absolute.
Chloe stared at the twin Alphas, her fingers tightening against the silk of Julian’s trousers. The reality of her situation pressed down on her chest with a physical weight. She was a human student, an outsider who had crossed into a world of monsters just to keep her brother tethered to a hospital life support machine. She had expected submission, domestic staff duties, or boardroom posturing. She had not expected to be a pawn in an underground chess match against a rival pack.
"Bait," she repeated, her voice barely a whisper against the hum of the pristine kitchen.
"Not undefended, little bird," Ethan growled, stepping closer until his heat completely boxed her in against the granite countertop. His golden
