Page 51 of Bitten Shifter

“The law says otherwise,” Barry cuts in, pushing another set of documents towards Paul. “Here’s your copy for reference.”

Paul snatches the papers and reads them furiously. “It says here she was mauled by a shifter. What the hell does that mean? Is she dead?”

Dove lets out a theatrical gasp. “Lark’s dead? Oh my God, my poor sister! A shifter killed her? Who’s going to help me with?—”

“WILL YOU SHUT UP!” Paul roars, silencing her. He turns back to Merrick, his face mottled with fury. “What does this mean?”

“It means your wife is no longer human,” Merrick explains. “She is a ward of the Shifter Sector now. Her marriage to you is void, as she is legally considered deceased in the human world. All her property is being transferred to the Ministry.”

“She’s turned into a monster,” Paul spits. “Did she agree to this? Was this part of her job?”

“No, it wasn’t. Unfortunately, Lark was attacked while saving a colleague from being hurt. She is an incredibly brave woman.” Merrick points to the document. “That’s everything you will need for your records. If you can move out tonight, the Ministry will be selling the house and all joint assets. You will receive your share once the process is complete.”

“They’re selling the house?” Dove moans, clutching Paul’s arm. He has gone a frightful shade of pale. “But how can you?”

“It’s all legally binding,” Barry says with a shrug, his voice almost cheerful.

Paul’s hand shakes as he points at the document, his tone rising with confusion. “What’s this name here?” He jabs a finger at the page. “This isn’t her maiden name! Who is this Winters? Why has her surname changed?”

I blink, the words not making sense for a second.Winters?My surname has been changed? This is the first I’ve heard of it. I frown at Merrick, who meets my gaze with an exasperatingly calm expression.

“Lark, have you got anything else to add?” he asks, his voice like silk.

It takes me a moment to process his words.Shit.I manage a half-hearted wave, my throat suddenly tight. I want to puke. “Er… no, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Paul’s head snaps towards me at the sound of my voice. His eyes widen as he finally looks at me.Reallylooks. “Lark?” he croaks, disbelief in every syllable as his gaze drags over me, up and down. “Lark?”

Dove’s squeal pierces the air like a boiling kettle. “But… you’rebeautiful! What on earth happened to you? You look like…” She narrows her eyes, studying me with a mix of jealousy and suspicion. “I thought you looked familiar. You look like our great-grandmother. Is that what happens when someone becomes a shifter?”

She is livid.She’s so, so livid, she is seething with jealousy.

I fold my arms and lean back, biting my tongue to avoid saying something I might regret. If only she knew how little I care about her opinion now.

Merrick, utterly unbothered by the commotion, speaks smoothly as if announcing the weather. “Well, your marriage is annulled, and this meeting is over. You can both leave now.”

“Why Winters?” Paul snarls, glaring at me.

“Oh, isn’t it obvious in the documents? Section four, paragraph seven. Lark Winters has taken her mate’s name.”

“Mate?’ Paul and Dove say it in unison, the shock almost comical.

My own shock is no less severe.Mate?I mouth silently, my head spinning. I have a mate?

Merrick’s grin turns predatory, his icy blue eyes locking onto mine before turning back to the unhappy couple. “Oh yes. Lark will soon be mated to the Alpha Prime.”

“The Alpha Prime?” Dove wails, clutching Paul’s arm tighter like he is her lifeline.

“Yes.” Merrick’s smile grows wider, more wolfish. “Me.”

Chapter Twenty

A kind of dark,screaming panic wells up from behind my breastbone. My attention is fixed on Merrick—Merrick, the Alpha Prime. I’m still trying to process what just happened. He is the boss of all shifters, and yet he was the one who delivered my contract?

What the heck is going on?

“Lark, I forgive you for scaring me with the flowers! Lark! Tell them we can keep the house!” Dove’s voice rises as Blondie physically removes her from the room. “I gave up my rental! I like your home, I like your street—tell them! Lark!” A satisfying ‘oof’ escapes her as Blondie deposits her outside.

Paul, meanwhile, stares at me as though I’ve sprouted a second head. “You left me for him? Forthat guy?” His tone drips with disbelief.

---