Chapter 9
240words
I admired it from a distance. Never tried it on.
Three years ago, Alaric and I had come closest to marriage.
He'd counted down the days until his twenty-second birthday when we could legally register.
He'd saved for months to buy me a simple veil that cost 180 pounds.
But the day before Alaric's birthday, word came that Marcus was on his deathbed.
We rushed back to London overnight, only to find the old fox comfortably sipping whisky in his study.
Later, under his orchestration, we ended our exile and returned to London permanently.
Alaric took his place in the Thornfield Group as the rightful heir.
He changed rapidly—transforming from a carefree youth into an inscrutable Alpha.
Our marriage plans were shelved. Alaric became consumed with work.
He encouraged me to spend time with Marcus. The old man wielded enormous influence in the Pack. Only with his blessing could I ever hope to enter Thornfield as "Alaric's mate."
Alaric believed Marcus had taken a liking to me.
But I knew better. He was merely studying me.
The first time I joined him for wine, he taught me how to distinguish vintages, praising my palate and quick mind.
As I was leaving, he casually handed me a check.
"Five million pounds. Leave Alaric. Get out of London."
"The Thornfield Pack has no place for a human Luna."
