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She bristled at his tone. "And who is that exactly? The astronomer from Miami, or the magical wolf queen you've decided I am?"

A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Both. You're always both." His gray eyes locked with hers, sending a jolt of electricity racing through her veins. "Don't let this... politician's lackey manipulate you."

"Like you've been doing?" The words slipped.

Orion stepped closer, the heat of his body surrounding her like a physical force. "Everything I've done has been to protect you and to show you what we could be together."

She swallowed hard, fighting the magnetic pull between them. "I need to talk to York."

With a reluctant nod, Orion opened the door for her but remained in the hallway. Seraphina squared her shoulders and stepped inside.

A tall, lanky man with auburn hair rose from the conference table as she entered. His blue eyes assessed her with clinical precision, taking in the elegant dress, the sapphire necklace, and her slightly disheveled hair.

"Miss Lucero," he said, extending his hand. "York Dennison, aide to Senator Iverson. I'm relieved to see you well."

His handshake was firm but somehow insincere. Seraphina took the seat across from him, smoothing her dress nervously.

"This all feels like a dream," she admitted, gesturing vaguely around her. "Being here on this island the past day has been... surreal."

York leaned forward, his expression softening with practiced concern. "I can imagine."

Seraphina let out a tiny laugh. "Especially given the circumstances with the shifters and?—"

"Shifters?" York's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

Seraphina's heart skipped. She'd slipped up. The man clearly had no idea what she was talking about. If York didn't know about wolf shifters, perhaps Senator Iverson didn't either. Maybe Orion was right to be suspicious of these people.

"Sorry, I meant the staff," she recovered quickly. "They've been shifting around me constantly, attending to my every need." She forced another laugh. "It's all very overwhelming."

York smiled, but the expression didn't reach his eyes. "Miss Lucero, I need to be direct. What Orion Guillaume has done—taking you from your home—is a crime. The federal government is prepared to take action against him."

"That's not what happened," Seraphina countered, surprised by her own defensive tone. "I went with him voluntarily."

"That seems unlikely." York's smile turned patronizing. "Your house was clearly broken into when you were taken."

Seraphina straightened in her chair. "Someone else broke into my place, not Orion. He actually saved me from whoever it was."

"Are you sure about that?" York pressed. "You have no idea who was in your house. And according to reports, you passed out at the scene."

The truth of his words stung. She didn't know for certain what had happened. Her memories were a blur of fear and confusion at best.

"After I woke up, Orion and I went on a date in Miami," she lied, the words tumbling out with surprising ease. "I came back to the island with him afterward."

York tapped his pen against his notepad. "Then why haven't you contacted your friend Abby? She's been looking everywhere for you, worried sick."

Guilt crashed over Seraphina. Abby. Her vivacious, loyal friend who'd been by her side through everything. The thought of her worried and searching made Seraphina's chest tighten.

"I..." she faltered. "I got caught up in everything." It sounded weak even to her own ears.

"Miss Lucero," York said, his voice gentle now, "I understand you may feel obligated to protect Mr. Guillaume, but your safety is our primary concern."

Seraphina inhaled deeply, trying to steady her growing nerves. The weight of the sapphire necklace at her throat felt like a silent claim—Orion's 'mark' upon her. She ran her fingers over it absently.

"I appreciate that, but I'm here of my own free will." The words felt both true and false simultaneously. "But you're right about Abby. I should talk to her and tell her I'm fine."

Suddenly, the heavy wooden door swung open on silent hinges, and Orion strode in. His very presence seemed to compress the air in the room. Relief flooded through Seraphina unexpectedly at the sight of him. His eyes swept the room before locking on her, concern visible beneath his commanding demeanor as if sensing an imminent threat.

"Everything all right in here?" he asked, his voice low and authoritative.