Bruce's POV

The phone call ended with a click that sounded like a death sentence. I stared at my cell, my hand steady even as fury burned through my veins. The Council's messenger had been polite and a little bit Professional. But the message was clear, they had heard rumors about my new mate. They wanted a formal introduction in two weeks. I had just two weeks before they arrived to inspect Beverly like she was property.

I threw the phone across my office. It hit the wall, cracking the ...