Cynthia and the Serpent

Cynthia Mercer saved three starving wolf pups. They grew into shifters who adored her—until they met her sister Phoebe. When their affection shifted, Cynthia made a cold bargain: she traded all three wolves for Soren, Phoebe's emotionless serpent shifter whom no one could tame. Her family never valued her. So when they forced her into an arranged marriage, Cynthia played along—signing a fake certificate and quietly securing a five percent stake in the company. On the wedding day, she vanished, l