m a deep, dreamless sleep. A sharp pain flared un

n a linen bandage. Memories of the night before surface

trange sense of relief. She had made i

she turned to see her father lounging on the red couch

ling to her feet to kiss his ch

u into your nightgown," he said, his thick accent of Spanish h

the weight of his presence, the way his gaze lingered on her too long. She sat back on the bed, waiting for h

hija (daughter)," he sai

night. After that speech... I'm sure you'

ting the seal alone is difficult enough. Does it

ark, the skin still tender.

pain," he said dismiss

ror to inspect the brand on her shoulder. The

sing herself. "It makes me fe

se when her affection for him slipped through. Sometimes, she even enjoyed making him squirm. She had always wanted to match

hing a calloused thumb against her cheek. "I know how much

he new streaks of gray in his ha

our mother," he murmured, his v

of this," Tiffany sa

he table and retrieved a manila envelope. "You've made your choice. You're an Alpha as

man in his thirties. She studied his chiseled features with a smi

ou'd chosen to marry one of the Alpha so

w I want to ma

, shaking his head. "Love can still g

shot back, rolling her eye

e brotherhood. This man is an assassin who is skilled at hiding. It took us years

quickened. "And

his head on a platter. Do that, and yo

d. "Consid

aid gravely. "You have too much

l, Papa. You

velope," he said, heading for the

gency caught

sla, in the Visayas. First, eat b

ed, the door click

eyes seemed to look right through her. She sighed, muttering, "Po

he stillness in her room. Thoughts of her mother crept in. She wouldn't have

k into the envelope. Whatever her doubts, one truth remai