de Sip of my drink. Tout entailing all guests are treated with respect, Romething the Hayes faintly jenis to love
Manha dide1 ch, but I caught the slight tightening at the corners of her eyes. Unlike most woftes, she didn''t immediately bow her bed. Instead, the eljastre her posture in some subtle way that acknowledged my stated while aintaining her dignity.
1 deeply apologize for any... misunderstandings," the swil, fingers absently touching her family rest. The women can be a hit territorial at these events, but it''s nothing personal. We value your support of my son''s manage far too much to allow such petty behavior,t
"Odd," I remarked casually. "It seemed extremely personal from where I stood." Martha''s perfect facade slipped for just a seconil. "Women''s squabbles,"
wave. "You know how they get."
"What I know," I said, letting my voice drop to that register that made other wolves'' knees go wesk, “is that if my daughter is marrying into your family. I''m very interested in how you treat those with less power than yourselves. Shows character, don''t you think?"
The messagended. Martha didn''t outwardly react, but a Hash of fear sparked in her eyes before she could hide it. As the true puppet master of the n, she understood better than anyone that I could destroy their entire family''s standing with a word,
"You can trust uspletely, Alpha King," she assured me, leaning slightly forward. The movement wafted her designer perfume toward me-a calcted gesture meant to distract and disarm. "Il personally ensure it."
"Good," I said, letting my gaze dritt
pointedly to where Jackson stood across the room with his father. "I''d hate to be disappointed."
Martha''s smile remained fixed in ce, but her pulse jumped at her throat. "You absolutely won''t be, Alpha King"
Hourster, as the celebration began to wind down, I spotted Sarah Rivers making her way toward Axa.
"I''m heading home, she said, exhaustion etched into the lines of her face. "Youing with
Ava nced my way, just for a heartbeat, before turning back to her foster mother. "I need to get back to ckwood tonight. Lucas has an early session tomorrow, and I still need to prep."
Sarah nodded, pulling Ava into a tight hug. "Think about what we talked about," she whispered, voice so low even my enhanced hearing barely caught it. "Your father needs you."
Somethingplicated shed across Ava''s face, but she just nodded, watching Sarah merge into the departing crowd.
I stood and turned to Richard, who''d been hovering nearby. "The ceremony was... educational"
"Thank you for attending, Alpha King," he said, struggling to hide his relief that I was finally leaving. "Your p
presence honored our family greatly."
"Honor isn''t shown in ceremonies," I told him, holding his gaze until he looked away. "It''s proven in how you act when no one important is watching."
The lesson clearly made him ufortable. Good.
I turned to Ava, keeping my expression carefully neutral. Ava, I''m heading back to ckwood. Would you care for a ride? It''s on my way."
I saw her hesitate, weighing options as Martha materialized at Richard''s side.
1 can range for a pack car to take her back, Martha interjected smoothly, her tone pleasant but her eyes hard as river stones. "No need to trouble yourself, Alpha King."
Ava lifted her chin slightly. "I appreciate the offer, Alpha King. I do need to get back to prepare for tomorrow''s training."
Martha''s perfect brows drew together "What work do you do at ckwood, exactly?" The question seemed innocent, but I caught the disbelief in her voice-
''1 dee. Well then, good night in you both." He grze 15d between nu, searching for anything the could ose.
Taubat getve han time to find it. With a curt and, I turned to leave, Ava falling into step beside me. As we walked toward the exit, I noticed her the Strop about an Inch—a tiny tell that she was fearing tension behind
Thank gooform that''s over," she muttried under her breath.
"You took the words right out of
my mouth.
Tyler was waiting, his massive frame half hidden among the pines. His eyes constantly scanned our
We reached the edge of the celebration area where Ty surroundings, missing nothing.
"All clear?" he asked quietly, looking between i
"Just perfect," I replied, the sarcasm not lost on him. "Hayes family''s living up to their reputation."
Tyler nodded, a look passing between us that required no words after thirty years of friendship. Cleared the borders. No unwanted eyes or ears. Got two patrol teams making sure you get out clean."
"Head back to ckwood," I told him. "Brief the council on tonight''s disaster. Ava and I need to check the northern boundary markers. Been some weird activity up there."
Tyler''s face remained neutrall, but I caught the microscopic twitch at the corner of his mouth. He knew damn well there was no "weird activity anywhere Dear my private cabin.
"On it, boss," he said. "Need me to swing by in the morning?"
"We''ll manage," I replied. "III link you if anythinges up."
Tyler gave Ava a small nod before melting back into the trees with surprising grace for a man his size. I gestured toward the ck SUV hidden among the shadows-my custom vehicle with all the reinforcements and privacy features an Alpha King could want
"After you," I said, opening the passenger door.
Ava d in, her silver dress catching the moonlight. I scanned the area once more before getting behind the wheel, starting the engine, and pulling onto the forest path that would take us far from prying eyes.
The first blurred into streaks of shadow and silver outside the windows. Each passing second wound the tension between us tighter. I could smell her desite starting to bloom-cinnamon and wild honey mixing with her natural scent. My wolf wed beneath my skin, desperate to im what was mine.
I took a sharp turn onto a forgotten service path, driving just far enough to bepletely hidden from the main road before mming on the brakes. The SUV
slid slightly on fallen leaves beforeing to a stop.
Ava turned to me, one eyebrow raised. "In a hurry?"