LON

ttering lights. Pack members, dressed in their finest, mingled

d silver that shimmered with every step. I had left my hair down, a pale

on the cente

triking white dress tailored like a warrior's uniform. Kaelen Knight. Her a

his voice ringing with a pride he had never shown fo

gh the crowd. Young wolves looke

another woman would have torn me apart. Now, I saw the scene for what it was:

and whispered loudly to Kaelen, "Some people just have no

expression one of perfect, practiced grace. "Do

ying to the people nearest them. They

with affection for her. He t

tated that the newly introduced part

ide, picked up a glass of red

cou

ckled with anticipation. Everyone

oice dripping with false sympathy. "I know this must be difficult for yo

eace that was really a declaration of vi

g for me to take the glass, to p

a silent command:

wly lifted my eyes to Kaelen's

e to touch my lips. "What an interesting wor

ile tighten

o, Gemma called me a shameless outsider who had no right to attend. Now you

s Knight? That the Sterling family despises me, or that you are ge

wept throu

ightened around th

she said quickly. "I onl

in private. You came to me in front of an audience because you want

a beautiful display of your compassion, wouldn't it? The beloved her

le began to stra

ng you turn my humiliation into another perf

d tears or a quiet retreat. Instead, the

stammered, looking

yes burning into me. "Av

ter insults me in my own home, your chosen woman asks me to publi

g me, Cassian. I am merely giving your gue

d confirm every word I had said. If he rebuked them, he

while others openly watched Kaelen with newly sharpened interest. The colo

fingers and shattered on the marble floor. Red wine splatt