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appearance with his auburn hair and an olive complexion, while Thaddeus had golden hair and ice blue eyes. It suited their personalities.
    Aria deliberately ignored the Beta, letting her gaze wander through the room. It reflected Lukas’ taste, with its heavy dark woods, jewel-tone colors and two walls of bookcases. Aria could imagine eighteenth-century men coming in after dinner to smoke cigars, sip brandy, and discuss the state of world affairs in a room like this.
    A huge L-shaped desk dominated the wall near the door, one side cutting into the center of the room. The longest arm of the desk had been modified into a kind of conference table. Five chairs, including Lukas’ worn brown leather desk chair were pushed under the edge. He’d had the same one when he lived with his father years ago, and she used to love curling up on it. Obviously, Lukas conducted Pack-business here. The other side of the room had a fireplace flanked by two more computers and a small television, muted and tuned to the local news.
    “Thaddeus, Aaron; Aria will be joining us this evening.” Lukas motioned for them to approach, his expression remained serious.
    Thaddeus turned and smiled brightly. Aaron’s face was blank, but suspicion blazed in his eyes. Lukas nudged her forward, and Aria held out her hand. If Aaron tried to knock her over again, she’d take him out. Instead, Aaron took the offered hand, studying her. She wasn’t sure what he searched for, but he must have found it. Without breaking eye contact, he dropped to one knee and put her hand on his nape.
    “I swear to serve you as I serve your Mate, with my life, as long as I live.”
    The oath surprised her, but she squeezed the back of his neck in acceptance. Her cynical mind broke in and reminded her that their oaths were likely to be short-lived. With Haemon after her, her life was in constant danger. If he succeeded in catching her and keeping her as he planned, then she had no choice. Death.
    As Aaron rose, he amended the pledge, with a hard glint in his dark brown eyes. “I also reserve the right to extract payment if you cause him injury again.”

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Aaron’s declaration left her gaping.
    Lukas had not expected it either, judging by his scowl. He stepped forward, anger flushing his face. Aaron squared his shoulders and planted his feet, daring them to argue.
    Guilt struck her again. Aria laid a hand on Lukas’ arm to stop him from moving any closer, but kept her attention on Aaron. “For what its worth, Aaron, I didn’t mean for it to happen the first time. But should it happen again—if there’s anything left of me, you’re welcome to try.”
    Lukas sputtered some sort of obscenity, his body vibrated beneath her hand with anger and surprise. Aaron and Aria ignored him, staring at one another—sizing each other up. She wanted to make sure he understood how serious she was. She couldn’t blame him for his distrust. Aaron had been the one left to pick up the pieces when she disappeared from Lukas’ life. Would she act any differently if their positions were reversed? Of course, that didn’t mean she would let him tear her limb from limb, but still....
    Aaron’s body relaxed slightly, and he offered a curt nod. “As long as we understand one another.”
    The tension in the room eased at his response.
    Thaddeus dropped into a leather chair, propped his feet on the desk, and laced fingers behind his head. “And to think I was bored a few days ago.”
    Aria stepped around Aaron and headed for a chair. When she moved closer to Thaddeus, his grin brightened and his gaze moved from her neck to Lukas’ face. “Nice, man.”
    Suspicion bloomed in Aria’s mind, and she slapped a hand to her throat. She ran to the large mirror hanging on the wall over the mantle, jerking the collar of her shirt aside. Sure enough, a small, dark bruise had begun to form at the base of her neck. Lukas had marked her. She whirled to face him, hand on hips,