<b>Chapter </b><b>66 </b>
Summer’s POV
<b>My </b>heart soared as Elder Montgomery’s words echoed through the council chamber: “The Council awards full custody of Felix Thorne to Summer Winster, with Alpha Foster to have no visitation rights <b>until </b>further reviewed by this body.”
Relief crashed over me like a tidal wave. After years of Foster’s control, my son was finally safe. I <b>turned </b>to Alexander, overwhelming emotion surging through me, and before I could think twice, I flung my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his.
The kiss was instinctive, passionate, and over almost as quickly as it began. When I pulled back, Alexander’s eyes were dark with something that made my stomach flutter. His hands lingered on my
waist, steadying me.
“I… I’m sorry,” I stammered, suddenly aware of our audience. “I just―<b>” </b>
“Don’t apologize,” he murmured, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Ever.”
My attorney, Evelyn, cleared her throat discreetly beside us. I turned, embarrassment heating my face.
“Congrattions, Summer,” she said with a genuine smile. “This is andmark victory.”I managed a
small smile in return. “It’s only possible because of you… and Mr. Wilson.”
I turned to Alexander’s attorney. “Mr. Wilson, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
He gave a polite nod, his tone professional. “Just doing my job, Luna Summer.”
As the adrenaline began to fade, something suddenly clicked in my mind.
I turned back to Evelyn, cheeks flushing. “Wait–I still haven’t finished paying your fees, have <b>I</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>My </b>stomach twisted with guilt, and I fumbled for words.“Sorry,Evelyn, I’ll transfer your fees tomorrow<b>.</b><b>” </b>
She shook her head, a knowing smile ying on her lips. “That won’t be necessary, Summer. Alpha
Alexander has already taken care of everything.”
My eyes widened as I turned to Alexander, who simply shrugged as if paying thousands in legal <b>fees </b>was
nothing more consequential than buying coffee.
<b>“</b>Consider it an investment in our pack’s future,” he said smoothly, but the intensity in his <b>eyes </b>told me it
was more personal than that.
<b>On </b>the <b>drive </b>back <b>to </b>the pack house, the adrenaline began to fade, allowing my thoughts <b>to </b><b>clear</b>. <b>“</b><b>You </b><b>lied to </b>the Council<b>,</b><b>” </b>I said suddenly. “About us getting a second chance<b>.</b>”
<b>Alexander’s </b>hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. “Would <b>you </b>rather I told them the truth? That
<b>1/3 </b>
case would have dragged on forever otherwise.”
“But we’re not-”
“Not what?” His voice dropped, dangerous and seductive. “Don’t you want to be my mate, Summer?”
“But didn’t you say this was just a contract marriage?”
“If I hadn’t, you would’ve run long ago–wouldn’t you?”
“Alex, you…”
My words were cut off by his sudden kiss–nothing like the brief, teasing ones from before. This time, his tongue pushed past my lips with a forceful hunger, iming every inch of my mouth with rough, searing heat. His hand cradled the back of my head, fingers tangled in my hair, holding me in ce with no chance of escape.
I felt the sharp graze of his teeth on my lower lip, his tongue tangling with mine in a way that made my whole body shudder. The temperature inside the car spiked, his kissced with a possessiveness that left me weak, a soft moan slipping from my throat before I could stop it.
“You’re mine, Summer,” he growled against my lips, his breath ragged, eyes burning with dangerous
desire. “Completely mine.”
I felt breathless at his blunt deration. I didn’t know how to respond–my dormant wolf offering no
guidance.
He finally pulled back, his long fingers brushing across my kiss–swollen lips, his gaze dark and focused.
“If I hear the words ‘contract marriage‘ from that pretty little mouth of yours again,” he murmured, voice
low andced with threat, “I’ll make sure you learn exactly what punishment means, baby.”
A jolt of heat shot down my spine, and I instinctively pressed my thighs together.
God. How could a threat sound so damn sexy<b>? </b>
I forced myself to stayposed, refusing to let him see how hard my heart was pounding.
“How did you convince Dr. Randall to testify against Foster?” I asked, deliberately changing the subject. “I
thought he waspletely loyal to him.”
Alexander’s lips curled into a smirk. “Money talks, sweetheart. Everyone has a price.”
Despite the joyous atmosphere, worry gnawed at me. “I should check on Felix,” I said, already moving toward the stairs<b>. </b>
Alexander’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk. “Money talks, sweetheart. Especially when paired with a first–ss ticket to a non–extradition country and a new identity.”
“You bought his testimony<b>?</b><b>” </b>I asked, surprised.
“I paid for the truth,” Alexander corrected. “There’s a difference.”
When we arrived at the pack house, news of our victory had already spread. Pack members greeted us with cheers and congrattions. Lyra rushed forward, enveloping me in a bone–crushing hug.
“We have to celebrate!” she eximed, already nning what sounded like a full–blown party.
Despite the joyous atmosphere, worry gnawed at me. “I should check on Felix,” I said, already moving
toward the stairs.
Alexander caught my hand, his touch immediately grounding me. “Dr. Miller says he’s doing well. And I’ve assigned four of my best guards to watch over him around the clock.”
My eyes welled with tears at his thoughtfulness. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“When ites to protecting what’s mine, always,” he replied, his voice dropping to that deep, possessive tone that made my insides melt.
“Alexander, <b>I </b>don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve-”
He bent down and hoisted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. My surprised squeal was met with his deep chuckle as he carried me toward the staircase.
“Alexander!” I gasped, halfughing, half–scandalized. “What are you doing?”
“Taking what’s mine,” he growled yfully, carrying me toward his bedroom. The authority in his voice sent heat pooling low in my belly.
He kicked his bedroom door closed behind us and deposited me gently on his massive bed. I bounced slightly on the mattress, looking up to find his eyes darkened with hunger as he towered over me, the muscles in his arms flexing as he braced himself above me.
“Now,” he said, his voice dropping to that delicious rumble that made my thighs clench. “How exactly did you n to thank me, little wolf?”