Elekrone and Vanessa whipped around toward the source of that voler, móv hanging open. The red frose life theyd best hit with sonur i The crackling the mes suddenly seemed to how tway from the near arrival.


    "Who the he? are your Vanessa ced her hands on her hips, somelom stil nident enough to challenge. "Ther in a pick ceremony, th? Hotel the tier circle uninvited."


    adn''t hink you''d get beres fot, I sent through so mack, feeling the mind-link snap into ce instantly.


    I''ve been watching you, his voice echoed in my mind with a blot of moment. See Farted put in time,


    The intimacy of that connection sent warmth flooding through my chest. In the weeks since our marking under the nononlight, our mental link had been strengthening, but using it in public still made my heart face.


    ke approached slowly, dressed in understated ck formal wear with none of his Alpha Ring insignias. But every step he took radiated power, making nearby wolves instinctively back away, their eyes dropping in submission.


    "This woman," Eleanor jabbed a bony finger at me, voice dripping with contempt, "has no ce at an heir''s ceremony. Her father in a traitor, and she heat was abandoned by her fated mate-she pollutes our sacred ritual."


    Ha, these clueless old wolves, I mocked through our link as ke moved closer to me. They don''t even recognize you


    Ignorance is truly a blessing. Let them enjoy their courage for a few more minutes, he responded, his mental voice carrying dangerous


    humor.


    "Stranger, you''d better walk away," Richard snerred. "This is Shadow Creek business."


    ke came to stand beside me, one hand resting lightly on my shoulder. That simple touch made me feel safer than I had all night, like an invisible shield had been wrapped around me.


    "Interesting," ke smiled,


    1, calm as if discussing the weather. "I don''t recall drenching guests in sacred wine being part of any werewolf ceremony I''ve


    attended."


    See the olddy''s face? I asked through our link, watching Eleanors panicked eyes. Is she going to pop a blood vessel or what?


    It''ll be even better when she realizes the truth, ke replied, though his exterior remained perfectlyposed.


    "Hey, handsome," Vanessa sauntered closer, pushing her chest forward in what I could only describe as her "wolf-whore” stance. “Why waste your time on this unwanted Omega? Her foster father''s a traitor, and even her fated mate rejected her. You look strong... you deserve better."


    I struggled not tough out loud. is the seriously hitting on you? Goil, this is painful to watch.


    Want me to keep ying along or reveal myself now? ke asked, amusement coloring his thoughts.


    Wait a bit longer, I responded, let''s see how deep hole she can dig herself


    "You have no idea the power our Hayes family holds, Vanessa continued, dragging a fingernail down ke''s chest. "I could make you forget this pathetic nobody even exists,"


    "You think I''d be interested in a girl younger than my daughter?" ke''s voice carried disgust, though his face maintained that cold smile.


    Nice one! I cheered mentally. Look at her farning red as a tomato


    "What daughter..." Eleanor''s eyes narrowed as she truly began to assess ke.


    I felt the exact moment ke decided to end this charade. His posture shifted subtly, shoulders broadening, stance straightening. The Alpha presence he been deliberately suppressing suddenly released, rippling outward like an invisible shockwave.


    "The whligettdreyes widening


    penile upurele,


    "Thank you for your warm hospitality tonight," ke''s vnice suddenly cantied the authority that only the Alpha Rina couldmand, making the air drielt - teriable: "Eleanor Hayes, is this how you always treat my daughter''s friends?"


    The entire gathering seemed to freeze. Vanessa nemily filpped inei herself hacking away. Richard looked like he''d seen a ghost, and Eleanora mouth opened. and closed like a fish out of water.


    This is even better than I imagined, I couldnt help thinking. Their entire family in collectively dying inside.


    It''s not over yet. Bake responded, satisfactioncing his thoughts


    "Alpha King... Eleanor stammeted, we didn''t know it was yin... we were just.


    Tust insulting my daughter''s guest? Drenching her in ceremonial wine? ndering her name?" ke raised an eyebrose,


    With each sentence, his aura expanded further, pressing down until everyone instinctively lowered their heads. I noticed more wolves gathering around the edges, watching this spectacle with shocked expressions.


    We.. we deeply apologize, Richard interjected, his voice shaking so badly I could barely make out the words. "We didn''t realize she had. connections to


    you


    Connections. Ha. If they only knew how deep our "connection" really goes... I teased through our link.


    ke''s mouth twitched slightly, a smile only I could detect. Want them to know?


    The suggestion made my heart skip a beat. Are you crazy? Not now. But seeing the terrified like this is pretty damn satisfying


    "Ava Rivers is an honored guest of Silverpeak Pack, ke announced, his voice camrying to every ear in the vicinity. "She came at my daughter Sophia''s. -the Alpha King." invitation. Any disrespect shown to her is disrespect shown to me →


    Eleanor dropped to her knees, others quickly following suit. "Please forgive our ignorance, Alpha King."


    win ke''s hand moved slowly from my shoulder to my wrist, the intimate gesture making everyone present draw in a collective breath


    "Miss Rivers," he addressed me publicly, his voice returning to normal but still filled with authority"Would you care to join me elsewhere? I believe this ceremony is no longer worthy of your presence."


    Now we''re having fun, Iughed through our link, feeling his amused response flow back.


    1 looked up at him, answering in the sweetest voice I could muster: "I would be honored, Alpha King."


    Eleanor looked like she


    Walking alongside ke through the Hayes inner circle, I couldn''t resist ncing back. Vanessa''s face had turned a sickly white, El might have a heart attack any second, and Richard seemed to wish the ground would open up and swallow him whole.


    Dramatic enough exit for you? ke asked, holding my hand as we headed toward the exit.


    Absolutely perfect. I responded, savoring the warmth of our palms touching. Just nous though, how did yw arrive so perfectly on time?


    When they threw that drink on you, I felt your shock and anger, his thoughts


    turned serious. Through our mark


    His answer understood.


    That feeling... I couldn''t ignore it.


    send warmth spreading through my chest. I was finally experiencing the true wonder of a mate connection, that feeling of being deeply