Page 40 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Mr. Blackthorn. I agreed to hear what information you have. Nothing more."

"Of course." He adjusted his cuffs—a nervous tic or a calculated gesture, she couldn't tell. "Though I think you'll find what I have to offer goes beyond mere information."

Serenity felt the weight of his gaze like a physical touch. Something primal in her recognized the Alpha across from her—a dangerous, calculating predator draped in wealth and sophistication. But she hadn't survived this long by allowing her hormones to dictate her choices.

Or maybe she never encountered Alphas who made her feel so physically charged.

"Then, by all means, impress me." She leaned back, one eyebrow arched in challenge. "You have exactly one hour of my time."

His smile was slow, revealing perfect teeth that seemed just slightly too sharp in the candlelight.

"I assure you, Ms. Vale..." He leaned forward, the scent of expensive cologne and something darker—uniquely him—drifting across the space between them. "By the time our hour is up, you'll be begging for more time with me."

She met his gaze unflinchingly, refusing to acknowledge the tension coiling low in her stomach.

"That remains to be seen."

Beneath the table, her fingers tightened around her glass. She had the distinct feeling she'd just agreed to play a game whose rules she didn't fully understand, with a man who'd already mapped out every possible move.

Only time was going to tell how this played out…hopefully in her favor.

The amber liquidburned pleasantly as it slid down Serenity's throat.

She set the crystal tumbler down with deliberate grace, savoring the smoky aftertaste of what was undoubtedly a whiskey worth more than most people's monthly rent.

"Impressive," she conceded, gesturing to the drink. "Macallan 25?"

"Macallan 30, actually." Lucian's lips curved into that irritatingly knowing smile. "I had it shipped from a privatecollection in Edinburgh. I thought you might appreciate something... exceptional."

The way his eyes lingered on her face as he said 'exceptional' sent an unwanted ripple of heat through her core. She disguised her reaction by taking another sip.

"Let's skip the foreplay, Blackthorn. You claimed to have information about The Society. I'm still waiting to be impressed."

His amber eyes glittered with amusement.

"Direct. I like that about you." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "The Society isn't what you think it is, Serenity. It's not a simple organization of wealthy criminals. It's a carefully constructed hierarchy of predators, with bloodlines and designations determining influence as much as wealth or brutality."

"I'm aware of basic pack dynamics," she responded dryly.

And even if she didn’t, anyone could put the pieces together for that.

"Are you?" He tilted his head. "Then you understand that what we have—the arrangement between myself, Darius, and Ronan—is quite...unprecedented."

“Well, you haven’t been very forthcoming that you three were in alliance. Odd when it seems as though Nikolai assumes you three are on different playing fields.”

The Christmas lights from outside the window cast multicolored shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his cheekbones. The effect was both beautiful and subtly menacing. "Three Alphas working together without attempting to tear each other's throats out? Yes, I noticed that particular anomaly."

Lucian swirled his whiskey, studying its depths as though they contained secrets.

"Three Alphas, yes. But not just any Alphas. A financial strategist, a territory enforcer, and a political manipulator. Each with unique skills, complementary rather than competitive. A trinity of power designed to protect something of immense value."

Serenity's pulse quickened despite her determination to remain unmoved.

"And what might that be?"

"Not what." His eyes locked onto hers, pupils dilating slightly. "Who."

There’s only one person he could be referring to…

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