---- authority. "Caring for my fiancée is my responsibility. Has been for years, actually." He moved to stand beside me, his presence both protective and possessive. "Now, unless anyone else has official business with my future wife, I suggest you all leave. Immediately." The dismissal was absolute. Isabella's friends scrambled toward the door, suddenly very interested in their phones and avoiding eye contact. "This is a misunderstanding," Isabella tried one last time. "Grandfather will want to know-" "Grandfather already knows about our engagement," Sebastian cut her off smoothly. " Perhaps you should focus on your own affairs instead of creating scandals where none exist." After everyone left, Sebastian's demeanor immediately softened. He turned to me with concern. ---- "are you alright? I know that was unpleasant." I nodded, though my hands were still shaking slightly. "Your sister isn't simple," Sebastian said grimly. " This was carefully planned. She knew exactly what she was doing." I thought about Isabella's timing, her prepared speech, the way she'd brought witnesses. "She wanted to destroy my reputation," I realized. "If I'd been caught with some random man, the family would have had to disown me to protect their honor." "Exactly. But she didn't count on me being here." I turned toward the window and caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance. Kieran stood at the far end of the crowd that was dispersing from the hotel, infinite desolation in his eyes. He'd guarded outside all night, wanting to be my protector, only to see another man shield me completely. ---- Our eyes met across the space. I looked at him once more, offering a faint smile. But I could see he recognized it for what it was-politeness and indifference. No love. No hatred. Just... nothing. The panic in Kieran's heart was visible even from this distance. That look confirmed his worst fears. For the first time, he truly understood that his Aria no longer belonged to him. Would never belong to him again. He slowly walked away from the hotel, his shoulders bowed with defeat. Within an hour, Kieran appeared at Seth's private club. His former enemy was enjoying an expensive whiskey when Kieran walked in unannounced. "T don't want Scarlett appearing before me again, " Kieran said without preamble. Seth looked up with amusement. "Kieran Blackwood. You're no longer Shadow Pack's Alpha. What exactly qualifies you to make ---- demands of me now?" Kieran's smile was cold and calculating. "The life- saving elixir formula. It's under my personal name, not the pack's. Agree to my terms, and it's yours." Seth's eyes widened. The elixir formula was worth millions-possibly the most valuable medical breakthrough in decades. He'd already grown tired of Scarlett anyway. The woman was too clingy, too demanding. And now he could gain Kieran's most profitable asset in the bargain. Still, he couldn't resist twisting the knife. "Kieran, oh Kieran," Seth drawled. "If you'd known it would come to this, why did you start down that path in the first place?" Kieran said nothing, waiting. "After all, we did grow up together," Seth continued mockingly. "As you wish-tomorrow I'll send Scarlett far away from the city and forbid