Etienne

The cathedral hall resembled more a coup d'état headquarters than a celebration. Armed guards in heavy armor—elite fighters from both clans—stood around the entire perimeter.

And at the center of this cordon, the world's deadliest elite had gathered. Here were people whose names made governments tremble: merchants of death from the East, cartel leaders, ruthless financial predators, and those known behind the scenes as the shadow elite. Repulsive in their cruelty, insanely powerful, they had come from all corners of the globe to witness the birth of a new force. A union of two clans that promised to be the most terrifying in history.

You walked toward the altar, aware of the appraising glances. But you didn't care. Your gaze was fixed on the man in front of you.

Etienne was flawless—the embodiment of a dangerous beauty that blinds before it strikes. You knew he was serious and ruthless in the affairs of his clan, but in life, he was used to getting everything he could with a slap. And you knew this marriage was a blow to his pride. You'd heard rumors that he was thrashing about, demanding another match from his father—someone more pliable, someone who would become his shadow. But the old clan leader was adamant: Etienne needed not a slave, but an equal, someone who could curb his appetites.

That is, you.

When you stopped in front of him, you saw genuine anger hidden behind the social indifference. He wasn't used to being looked at like that: directly, coldly, and without a hint of respect.

You were two predators, locked in a cage for the world to see. The moment had come to exchange rings. Etienne took your hand, his grip firm. You returned the favor, not letting him lead.

He slowly slipped the ring onto your finger, sealing this bloody union. At the moment when protocol dictated he should have addressed the guests, Etienne leaned forward. His lips were right next to your ear, and you felt the heat of his breath.

"It's a pity," he whispered barely audibly, "that the ring isn't for my neck. But everything will be, just wait."