oria

sperately wanting to scrub away the feeling of Ethan's attempted kiss. T

om behind, carrying notes of both mockery and amu

he was compliment

him. "Doesn't someone who d

nk me?" He leaned against the sink counter, arms crossed over his broad chest, his long legs casuall

uncomfortable. He carried himself like an Alpha

perhaps I could pick up your bill tonight,"

s lips. "Mr. Sterling? Is that how forma

eeks heat de

continued, his voice dropping lowe

ize that the trouble I'd impulsively gotten myself in

otorious. Everyone said he was ruthless in his methods. Hi

ecretly behind it-he would never tolerate any potential heir who might threaten his position

d with rogues, involved in s

deep-seated preju

't we keep it as an IOU..." He suddenly curved his lips into a smile. "But seriously, it's such

refusing to respond t

-

ace looked up with concern. "Victoria,

wanting to move past the incid

I submitted some of your previous work, and guess what? You won the gold prize! Several famous jewe

ease. But that was only the surface. Beneath the polished manners and silken dresses ran the blood of an Alpha heir. From the age of ten, I'd been trained by the best-hand-to-hand combat, blade mastery, marksman

ughable, insignificant pest in my eyes. Yet I'd never had the chance to showcase the

at my arm eagerly. "While i

er quizzicall

ember? I promised to introd

n, my mood had soured complet

rest up the next few days. We

the shower, scrubbing at my neck where Ethan had tried to kiss me until t

recruit me after my competition win. Sutton Jewelry, Scarlett's family business, even sent me an i

Originally, he'd planned for us to attend together to announce my identit

al-an extravagantly luxurious affair. I arrived early, dressed in a

to the Lancaster family, I had been attending high-end social gat

o myself in a corner, unintentional

riarch is supposed to attend tonig

ly from overseas?"

on-in-law died in that plane crash. He's been retired for years and rarely

t alpha of the Crescent Dawn Pack. All of t

incredibly powerful

ooks like-she must b

usement, knowing they had no idea the heir

them. They entered arm-in-arm, making a grand entrance as o

or's

cross a sea of glittering gowns and murmured laughter. She didn't need to speak or move t

w her in

beat, he forgot

l precision, every curve outlined in moonlit silk. Her golden hair was swept up, exposing the elegant l

glance s

red what was left

d, he could feel her-cool, distant, powerful.

noticed h

and when her eyes landed on Victoria, jealousy clawed its way to

ge twisting her perfect features. That path

event? The thought alone was enough to ignite Scarlett's fury. And if Victo

ng out, sharp and h

nough for the nearby guests to turn. "Security! This event is invitation-o

e room. Heads turned. Laugh