Rejected by her mate and discarded by her pack, Seraphine thought she’d hit rock bottom. She was wrong. Now, she’s been traded as a breeder to the ruthless Alpha of the Mistwood pack, Theodore Zain—a man whose legendary curse kills every bride he takes.

Theodore needed an heir, not another bride destined to die. But the omega forced on him is disarmingly innocent and maddeningly resilient. He’s a man resigned to his cursed fate, she’s a woman with nothing left to lose, and their forced union is a powder keg waiting to ignite.

Theodore makes the terms clear: this is a contract, not a romance. She will provide an heir and stay out of his heart. He’s built walls of ice to survive the curse, and he warns her to do the same.

But as her quiet defiance chips away at his control, a possessiveness he never anticipated awakens a desire that could be her death sentence. Will her light be enough to defy a centuries-old curse, or will she simply become its next victim?


I hadn't slept much after Theodore's confusing phone call. The hours until the shopping trip dragged on, filled with anxiety. His contradictory demands echoed in my mind like a broken record.


I dressed in simple clothes and tried to eat breakfast, but my stomach churned. Tonight's charity event loomed over me like a storm cloud.


A soft knock interrupted my restless thoughts.


Aleena entered with her usual bright smile, but something seemed different about her demeanor today.


"Good morning! Ready for some shopping?"


"The Alpha left specific instructions. You need a dress for tonight's event." She clasped her hands together excitedly. "He gave me the address of the best boutique in town."


My chest tightened. Of course he had. Another order disguised as a gift.


"I don't know anything about shopping for formal dresses," I admitted.


Chapter 9 - Chapter 9 Under His Watchful Eye