ia'

ther asks through the door, s

nd, hesitating for a secon

ter rising and falling. The gathering has already started. The air is coole

ot impatiently. "Took you long enough," h

ady my breathing bef

he large clearing at the center of the Alpha's vast abode. Lanterns hang from tree branches, lighting up the area w

e seems

ne exc

oward the clearing. His voice is calm, but there is firmn

hand resting lightly on my back

roat too tig

might follow. Instead, I focus on small things-the crunch of gravel under my f

straighter as we pass, acknowledging my father with respect. Rank matters here. Everyone knows

ead down as

their drinks in silence. The higher-ranking members-the Alpha's beta and members of the Pack council-stay closer to

y to spot. Their clothing is more refined, their postur

of it all stan

ht Pack council, his presence steady and commanding. People give him

s through unnoticed. But just as I tak

ble fo

My foot catches a wire connected to the so

ing goe

d turns t

ree

g to my face as all eyes settle on me. My heart p

know wha

ehind me, but they are too

instill fear and respect in th

ha

and unease staring into his deep amber eyes. He comes

asks, his tone controll

an to-" I start, but my

one. The impact is solid. My foot comes down hard on his.

gnit

cou

iend of Alpha Bran. The murmurs begin almo

He reaches me in a few steps and grabs my arm, pulli

ut he is already pulling me toward th

nts rus

says, her voice shaking sli

, his patience clearly thin. "This is not the first time, Talia. You need to

s, moving forward and bowing respectfully. He understands

d me away. Instead, he exhales quietly and releases my arm. "Fine. But Tali

I say quickly.

e center, where the other leaders are waiting. The tens

my mother asks, placing

heart is still racing and my

e. "This is important. And... this kind of gathering is not jus

ning is

ght will b

s me laugh, but I don't

say softly

nd the gathering continue

know b

d me, just low enough that I can't hear the wo

lose to the edges. I avoid the center, avoid

mpossible to

me. Some look curious, some amu

now which

eeps going back to what just happened. The stum

it over

hink about it, it

rras

um

ect

time passes before I h

But it's Jackson. He's looking at me, and fo

" he

y, attempting

he asks, his

say. "Just

, you know. No one would have bla

king away. "But I wo

" he

esi

I say finally. "I'm tired of l

a second, then n

The music continues, people move around us,

mething

t, it's

t in t

ter begin to rise-n

it

ng toward the midd

?" I ask, lookin

ying to see over the crowd.

, we both start

two wolves. That's the source of attention. I hiss inwardly and decide to turn back, but

ng with one of the visiting dignit

g feels

hat it is yet,

h

oise, the movement, the tension in the air. It all drops

mouth slightly, mean

a