Read Online Wolf's Touch by Ambrielle Kirk - Free Book Online Page A

had selfish reasons for rushing the dissolution of the partnership.”
    “There are always selfish reasons where money is concerned,” Devin said.
    “Do you remember Zeldano?” Jayson asked.
    Devin focused, his eyes forming slits. “Which one? Luther or the son, Ivan?”
    “In this case, both.”
    Arianna swallowed, as her heart beat rapidly. She was relieved that Jayson was doing all the talking. Her tongue was tied. She was fearful of what Devin would think of her and her family now.
    “Ever since the creation of the Caedmon Council, one Zeldano male had always served on it…until halfway into my father’s reign as Alpha.” Devin laced his fingers together and sat back against the sofa. “I remember it all and how it went down. Luther was my father’s Second-in-Command. There was an issue about the amount royalties he would receive while on the Council. This was never resolved. My father was too busy with other things to make amends. The entire Zeldano family broke away from our pack on bad terms.” He cleared his throat. “Why do you bring this up?”
    “Mr. Klein intends to partner with the Zeldanos,” Jayson stated.
    Devin’s full attention shifted to Arianna. All eyes were suddenly on her. Blood rushed to her ear from being in the spotlight, and she shifted in her chair.
    “Why are you afraid of me?” Devin asked.
    “It’s not you who I’m afraid of.”
    “Of whom?”
    “Of no one,” she professed, meeting his feral gaze. “I’m afraid of what you will do to my father.”
    His lips formed a grim line. “Then you understand that it is against Caedmon law to transpire against us while still doing business among us.”
    “Yes.” Arianna swallowed and hung her head low.
    “And you stand against your father in his plans?” Devin asked.
    “I believe my father is ill, and that he’s acted in desperation. I don’t want him to do this.”
    “How long have you known about this?” he continued to grill her.
    “I just found out.”
    “Do you believe that you can stop him?”
    “It’s too late,” she whispered.
    “From what I know of the Zeldanos their greed is now tenfold,” Devin offered. “If money is his issue, we can help him settle.”
    “No…these plans were made a very long time ago,” she said. “Everything has just been in limbo…”
    “Explain…” Devin said, calmly.
    Arianna licked her lips nervously and glanced at Jayson. He was waiting eagerly for her to answer, too, just as if he was hearing all this for the first time. Even to her, this news was still a shock. But there was something that he did not know, and she needed to reveal it now.
    “There was an agreement signed in blood when I was born. An agreement that would unite both families.” She took a deep breath, and pressed her eyelids closed. “I was promised to Ivan Zeldano.”
    “What!” Jayson outburst caused her heart to jump.
    When she opened her eyes again, Jayson was standing, a puzzled look on his.
    “Promised?” Devin whispered.
    “Is it true?” Jayson asked her.
    She nodded. “It’s what I meant by it was too late.”
    “No.” He clenched his fists, and then looked at Devin. “How can we fix this?”
    When a brooding look washed over Devin’s face, she knew the answer already.
    “There hasn’t been an agreement of this magnitude in thirty years. It’s happened before for similar reasons, I’m sure.”
    Tears welled in Arianna’s eyes, but she refused to let them flow. “Can he do this?”
    “Under the current Caedmon laws, yes,” Devin said. “Arranged pairing. Just like yours, most deals are proposed at birth and signed in blood as your father has done.”
    “What if he’s lying?” Jayson asked. “He’d have to produce the contract?”
    “You’re right, Jayson. They’d have to produce a contract.”
    “What if they can’t?” Jayson persisted, pacing in front of the fireplace.
    “What if they can?” Devin shot back.
    “I don’t understand,” Tamara soft voice cut