A POV


    schel Sinh room wround the kitchen, her knife clicking against the cutting board like she was trai movements, excitement herred off her in waves.


    to it speed record. Rehind her practiera


    So," she s4, chopping vegetables with forced casualnes. "Who invited you to Shadow Creek a inheritance ceremony again?"


    I sipped my tea, ying along. "Sophia Morgan,"


    Sarah''s knife fore mid-slim. "The Alpha King''s dighter? Personally? Her voice jumped an octave, "I thought you were just some courtesy list os Lucas''s


    te went through some stuff together." I said, not seanting to revisit our kidnapping hell.


    She put down her knife and leaned forward, palms fat on the table. "Do you realize what this means? The Morgans are publicly supporting us. Calction glittered in her eyes. This could change everything for William''s case."


    “It''s a Hayes ceremony, Sarah,” I reminded her. The same family that got Tad locked up."


    Sarah''s face burned serious. "Exactly why it matters. We need to show the Rivers women stand tall."


    She sat across from me, suddenly intense, ''Look, I know you hate pack politics, but sometimes we have to y the game. Every powerful wolf in Shadow Creek will be there tomorrow. This is our chance to remind them we still matter."


    I got it. Since William''s arrest as a traitor, wed be pack pariahs. Former friends crossed streets to avoid us, like treason might be contagious


    "Don''t read too much into it," I cautioned. "It''s just a friend thing."


    Sarah shook her head, returning to her vegetables with renewed energy. "You''re


    so naive. In our world, there are no simple invitations from power yers." Her voice softened. Just use this opportunity. Not for me-for William."


    Her wordsnded like a punch. Of course I wanted to help my father, but not by exploiting Sophia''s friendship—and definitely not by revealing what was happening between me and ke.


    Tll wear my formal warrior pear," I said, changing subjects. "Won''t embarrass you."


    Sarah smiled.


    "That''s my girl."


    Later, I inspected my


    my ceremonial outfit. Deep blue leather with silver Shadow Creek runes-the only thing I owned worth wearing to this circus. As I pulled it from my closet, something small ttered to the floor. A silver wolf pendant on a chain-Jackson''s gift from when we first met.


    I hesitated before picking it up, the metal cold against my palm. He''d given it to me when things were new between is, before the mark, before he''d promised I was his destiny. Back when I believed him. Now he wore Sophia on his arm, political ambition shining brighter than any supposed fate.


    I closed my fingers around it, the edges biting into my skin. How quickly "destiny" had be disposable. Now ke''s mark was recing his, and I a caught between my past and a fature I couldn''t openly im.


    I tossed the pendant into a drawer and mmed it shut. My fingers traced the warm gold mark on my neck instead. I''d need to hide it perfectly, especially in Hayes territory


    I stared out the window, dread settling in my gut like a stone. The ceremony loomed ahead, a storm I couldn''t avoid. I adjusted my scarf, making sure it covered the evidence of ke''s im on me.


    Sarah borrowed a decent carriage for the trip to Shadow Creek. My fingers kept fidgeting with my scarf, checking and rechecking its position.


    "Rx,” Sarah squeezed my hand, misreading my anclety."You''re our pack''s finest female varrior. Nobody can look down on you."


    I forced a smile. If she knew what really had me sweating, she''d faint dead away.


    The Alpha King''s golden mark, my history with another pack''s groom-to-be


    intructed. But if you get a chance to speak with Important mi


    "Ten not hers toik, Barch: I''m supporting Sophia,"


    She sighed, “Sometimes I don''t understand you. Bach an apportunity right in front of yoni, and you won''t grab it.


    The carriage slowed as we reached Shadow Creek''s main gates. Armed guards scrutinized each anival like they expected trouble. When we their faces hardened with contemjil.


    "Rivers?'' One guard sareed. Thought you''d have the sense to stay away from our retemonies."


    I straightened my spine, voice ice cold. "I''m Miss Morgan a personal


    They exchanged looks before reluctantly waving us through, Inside, I felt eyes


    tracking our every move. Each step hrought whispers and stares.


    "Ignore them," Sarah murmured. "Head high."


    We approached the ceremony grounds, an open area decked with Shadow Creek emblems. In the distance, Sophia''s golden hair caught the light as she chatted


    with older women. When she spotted me, she waved, beaming,


    I''d barely taken two steps toward her when a familiar voice


    voice cut in..


    "Well, look who showed up." Jackson materialized beside us, his gaze sliding from me to Sarah. "Mrs. Rivers. What an unexpected surprise."


    Sarah instantly switched on her charm. "Mr. Hayes, congrattions on your inheritance ceremony. An important day for Shadow Creek."


    Jackson nodded, but his eyes returned to me, cold and threatening. "I hope all guests remember their manners and avoid any..... inappropriate behavior."


    I met his stare, keeping my voice steady. "I''m here as Sophia''s invited friend, Hayes."


    "Friend," he repeated, his smile never reaching his eyes. "I


    "Interesting choice of words.


    Before things could get uglier, Sophia glided over. "Ava! Finally!" She hugged me,


    the embrace slightly stiffer than usual.


    She turned to Jackson, "Darling, the ceremony''s about to start. You should prepare."


    Jackson shot me one final warning look before leaving


    Sophia looped her arm through mine, pulling me toward the crowd. "Come, I need


    to introduce you to some people." Her voice was honey-sweet, but underneath ran a chill I''d never felt from her before.


    In that moment, I sensed ke through our mark. He hadn''t appeared yet, but he was nearby, watching. The knowledgeforted and terrified me in equal


    As Sophia led me deeper into the ceremony grounds, I couldn''t shake the feeling I was walking straight into a carefullyid trap. And there do but face whatever storm wasing.


    nothing to


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