re Gu

tasted nothing. My senses were focused outward, my gaze sweeping the ballroom

om I saw, but a cold, formal courtroom. I saw Britta on the witness stand,

performance worthy of the grandest stage. "It h

vided it, the man standing in the shadows behind the prosecution, his handsom

eloved mate." A viper and

the delicate pastry in my hand. Crimson juice, the color of blood, oozed between my gl

k Alphas, a glass of wine held delicately in her hand. In my past life, she had used Britta's "testimony" as a battering ram, tearing

rief, approving g

unde

obe, sanctioned by the Vance leadership. They were using Britta to test my

nes. How had I been so blind? I had seen a social rivalry, wh

The Alphas who had voted to strip my father of his title. The Betas who had bid

all nodded and

ectly pleasant. In my mind, I was

an perfect courtesy. Not one. Because I was still Elenore Guy, daughter of Duke Alistair Guy, heir to

eakable. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. It was

e and gave me a subtle, questioning look, a silent "Are you alright?" I gave him a small, reassuring nod.

yes darting toward me, filled with undisguised calculation. I met their gaze head-on and offered

ghtened fawn. She was

ce livery, Lord Corbin, stepped onto a small, raise

re Cha

as t

t glances. Their moment had arrived. The

d clear. All the history I had desperately studied after my family's fall, all the secret histories and forgotten treaties

center of the ballroom, my steps silent and sure

ye in the ro