I was going to die. I knew this because of the deadly intent radiating from Lucien, because of those cold emotionless eyes as he strangled me.

For the grave act I had committed, death was the only outcome.

I knew all of this before choosing to participate in the ritual, that if I were caught, the ruthless Alphas would end my life for deceiving them. But I didn’t have a choice.

I was desperate.

Still, I didn’t regret what I had done.

Because if it meant saving my mother, I’d do it all over again. I’d sell my body to the Alphas for those two bars of gold.

If it...