tside the banquet restrooms, some

Alpha Greyson remained calm. He didn't flinch, didn't stumble. Instead, he looked

g in her chest cracked open, fragile and breathless. She offered

ched h

e night,

state, his wolf restless beneath his skin. At da

on said, voice hoar

at the temples but still sharp as st

tinued. "Not fully. She's been bo

ained silent. Then fin

wolf had been suppressed by dark magic. Her shift was forcibly delayed. Her instincts mu

had sta

" Luna Anya said softl

ied bitterly. "She's surrounded. W

lies. We observe. We make her feel safe. We plan secretly with no s

ting Luna Anya and former Alpha Greyson Snr would visit under the g

planned the itinerary herself a warm, carefully crafted schedule filled with comm

. Smiled politely. Gr

w. There was no

wife Lisa. Gamma George Leroy and his lively wife Angie. It was a feast of laughter and layered p

ho was every bit the elegant diplomat. Still, every time Mona glanced up, s

ions on territory law and rogue management. Mona led most of them with Alex by

her son. "Even the cooks. Even the wounded. She has a heart fo

nothing. Bu

spa tucked deep in the Nook - warm hammam steam, rose oil facials, Moroccan mint tea. Lisa and Angie were be

Mona," she whispere

d by the gentle affec

hop. It was a place of wonders: layered incense, candle blending, oil diffusers, and the science of emotiona

picked sandalwood rose. Angie clutched a jasmine t

entment, not realizing her

for her mate. And Luna Anya lean

ieve in fat

ked. "I..

a strange way of returning

ly charmed. They saw Mona's wit, modesty, intelligence, and fire - all tucked beneat

her there," Anya said t

back," h

the lantern-lit courtyard, the B

r. "You are never alone," she whispered and embraced Mona warmly at the front steps, her perfume light an

d between hers, "I'll definitely stay in touch. You have a warmth that

y, touched. "I'd

on Mona like he was seeing straight through her facade. Mona avoided his gaze, her p

touch of his hand lingered a sec

on

a Gre

to smile.

's hand with warmth. "You've done more here th

h hers. The touch of his hand lingered

out into

rough the tree-lined road. She

n her suite. The lights were dim. The incense burned low. She climbed into

came witho

f whimpered. A howl echoed deep inside her sou

something had been awakened, and the hole s

nd had

ould stop wha