ke''s POV


    Didn''t matter if they were male or female, from which pack-everyone''s eyes kept drifting to Lyra. Not because she was doing anything obvious, but because she had that rare thing that made people want to look.


    The way she walked, how her voice rose and fell, even how she tilted her head when looking at the mountains-everything about her seemed designed to draw attention.


    "Your territory''s bigger than I thought it''d be," she said, walking next to me as we hit the overlook. "No wonder you can train such tough fighters."


    *Size doesn''t make strength, I replied.


    "No, but where you grow up matters." She stopped, staring at the mountain peaks. "Your environment shapes how you think. Like how I learned to love moonlight up north, and you learned to handle power here."


    She turned to face me, those purple eyes holding depths I couldn''t read. "Some people are just born to be at the top, aren''t they?"


    It sounded like apliment, but something in her tone made me think she was fishing for my reaction. This kind of talk was dangerous-seeming to discuss general stuff while actually probing for personal responses.


    "Everyone finds their own way," I answered carefully.


    "True," she smiled, but there was something predatory in it. "Though some ways are clearly more... elevated than others."


    The formal dinner had been set up ording to strict protocol, but somehow Lyra ended up in the seat next to me.


    "This spot''s better for discussing trade stuff," she exined smoothly to James, who just nodded.


    Bull. We weren''t talking trade tonight-this was a social dinner. But she said it so naturally that nobody would argue.


    All through the meal, she kept steering the conversation toward personal territory. "What do you like to do when you''re not running your territory?"


    "Training. Reading," I kept it short.


    "I love reading too." Her eyes lit up. "Especially books about leadership. I think real leaders all have simr qualities-vision, the guts to make tough calls, and..." she paused, "wanting to be the best at everything."


    Her hand rested on the table, just inches from mine. "I''ve always thought that exceptional people should stick with others who are just as exceptional. Otherwise, you''re just holding each other back."


    The message was crystal clear. She wasn''t talking about friendship or politics- she was hinting at something way more personal. The problem was how smooth she was about it, making statements that sounded fine even while crossing every line.


    I was starting to get why Northern Lights priestesses had such dangerous reputations. Not because of their magic, but because they were experts at crossing boundaries while technically staying within them.


    By the time dinner wrapped up, I felt drained in a way that had nothing to do with being tired. Hours of dodging barely appropriate conversation had worn. me downpletely.


    More than anything, I wanted to get out of there and find Ava. The afternoon''s interrupted passion still burned in my blood, made stronger now byparison. Maybe it was the contrast, or maybe I was finally understanding what real attraction felt like.


    Lyra was beautiful, charming, smart. But looking at her felt like admiring a perfect painting-you could appreciate the skill without wanting to own it.


    Ava was fire. She made me want to burn,


    *Sophia, I need to handle some border stuff tonight, I told my daughter as we got ready to walk the delegation back, Lucas is gonna need your to keep '' eye on him, and our guests need proper hospitality."


    "No problem, Dad." She nodded eagerly, but I caught that weird glint in her eyes again.


    Walking the delegation back to their quarters, Lyra hung back from the group.


    *Tonight was really nice," she said when we reached the guest area, moonlight turning her silver hair almost white: "I''m looking forward to tomorrows more... detailed discussions."


    Her voice carried clear suggestion, her look even more direct.


    "Good night, Priestess," I replied,


    ing f


    my distance.


    "Good night, ke." She used my first name instead of my


    title


    on


    Watching her disappear down the guest corridor, I finally let myself breathe. The next few days were gonna be a real test.


    But right now, I only wanted one thing to see the woman who actually set my heart racing.


    Third Person POV


    After ke left, Lyra didn''t head straight to her room. Instead, she stayed in the doorway, staring where he''d gone.


    "So?" Celeste appeared quietly beside her. "Was he everything they said?"


    "Better." Lyra''s lips curved in a satisfied smile


    "He''s more interesting than any man I''ve ever met."


    "Are you sure about this?" Celeste asked, worry creeping into her voice. "He might already have... connections."


    Lyra turned, purple eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Celeste, do you think I''m beautiful?"


    "Of course. You''re the most beautiful woman I''ve ever seen."


    "Am I smart?"


    "Your wisdom is unmatched."


    "And my position?"


    "You''re Northern Lights'' youngest High Priestess. The whole werewolf world looks up to you."


    Lyra nodded, then gracefully tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Exactly. A man like ke deserves a woman who matches his level. We''re both leaders, both used to having the best of everything."


    Her voice got stronger. "Besides, Celeste, think about what Northern Lights would gain if I partnered with the Alpha King. The strongest military alliance, the biggest tradeworks, and unshakeable influence across the werewolf world."


    ''You mean..."


    "I mean this is bigger than just personal feelings. Lyra''s eyes shed with calcted brilliance. "ke Morgan needs a mate who can match his status, and


    I need a tform to extend my reach across the entire continent. Our union would create the most powerful alliance in werewolf history."


    eshape the world together." She turned toward her chambers, pausing at the doorway. "Of course, he has to prove he''s worth my time. But judging by tonight... A satisfied smile yed across her lips. "He''s everything I hoped for. Tomorrow, I''ll make him see that we''re not justpatible-we''re mea


    What neither woman noticed was Sophia, hidden in the shadows at the east wing''s corner, soaking up every word.


    Hearing Lyra''s deration, Sophia''s face lit up with a cunning smile.


    Finally. The perfect opportunity to get rid of Ava Rivers had just walked through


    the front door. A beautiful, intelligent, high-ranking priestess versas nobody trainer-there was no contest.


    All she had to do was help this "perfect match along.