Elise wouldn’t leave my mind.
I hadn’t slept well in nights, caught between the frustrating desire to reclaim her and the fury of seeing her defy me so easily. She wasn’t the same woman I had rejected. She wasn’t the fragile Luna I could mold to my will. Now, she was a force—even my allies feared her.
And that sickened me.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table, rubbing my temples. I had to hold back the doubts of the other Alphas with empty promises. I assured them Elise wasn’t invincible, that her power had limits. Some believed me. Others didn’t. But the only thing that mattered was keeping them on my side.
For now.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Come in.”
One of my Betas stepped into the room. He bowed slightly—a gesture of respect—before crossing the
