ery

om by my father to attend th

hat accentuated my features. I knew they wanted to see a submissive, docile Ellery in a pla

n tension. My father, Arlington, had a face like th

a second. Wait. Auguste was here? In my past life, he had completely skipped this enga

locking onto me as if trying

glittered tackily in the light. That was Auguste's mother, Alfreda Sulliv

her expression souring at my bold red dress, appraisi

began discussing the details of the ceremony in a sti

hing, a perfect, silent d

s with a handkerchief, and spoke slowly. "Ellery, I hear you've been unwell. But as the future Luna of our pack, one's health and t

criticizing a lady's accomplishments, especially i

e darken, but he said

his reaction. In the past, he would have at

, his eyes downcast, as if he hadn't h

ice. See, this was

"You're right, Lady Sullivan. I am indeed lacking in talent, especi

n of low birth who relied on coquetry to climb

ened. She understood

s teacup. He finally looked up, a

being jealous a

r hearing my words, Auguste unconsciously

to the gesture he made whenever

ught flashed t

ion, loudly announced that the "Mating"

, his eagerness even more

r first anniversary trip, Auguste had meticulously reviewed plans for weeks. When I grew impatient, he had simply

ency, as if he feared an unknown variable might disrupt a known future. This wasn't the beha

and the ring-twisting habit that only appeared under extreme s

sonality and habits was if he wasn't just Auguste Sullivan. He

tion" was just a lie to more smoothly repeat the

lation, Auguste abruptly stood up, his towe

aid, his voice tight. "May I h