ke''s POV


    Something in thatment had an edge 1 couldn''t quite read, but I let it slide.


    "I''ve got that diplomatic dinner tonight, I told Sophia, my brain still stuck on Ava''s weird coldness. "Gonna be backte.


    "With that gorgeous priestess?" Something flickered in Sophia''s eyes. "She''s really something. You two looked perfect together."


    I didn''t answer, heading upstairs to get ready. But Ava''s strange behavior left me feeling unsettled. From not feeling well to those cold texts-something didn''t add up.


    I just couldn''t put my finger on what.


    An hourter, I stood in front of my mirror messing with my tie. Usually for this kind of thing, I''d wear full Alpha gear, but since Lyra wanted to ''date like humans,” I''d gone with a charcoal suit.


    My reflection looked beat. The day''s stress plus worrying about Ava had left me feeling hollow.


    I grabbed my phone again, hesitating. Finally typed:


    Me: I know you came by the manor today. Sorry I couldn''t see you. Wanna meet up tomorrow.


    I stared at the message, then added a kissing emoji at the end. Yeah, probably too young for me, but it showed what I wanted to say... no, what I wanted to do!


    I stared at the nk screen, something nasty churning in my stomach. Beingpletely ignored felt way worse than her cold replies.


    Way worse.


    The restaurant Lyra picked was Silverpeak''s fanciest human-style ce. All dim lighting and cozy corner booths. She''d beaten me there,pletely transformed from diplomatic priestess into something that could stop traffic.


    ck silk dress that fit like it''d been painted on. Designer work that showed off every curve. Her silver hair was pinned up in some fancy style, showing off her neck. The neckline was perfectly calcted-not too much, but enough to grab attention exactly where she wanted it.


    She looked incredible, but that beauty made me ufortable. Too nned, too perfect. Like a trap wrapped in silk.


    When I pulled out her chair, she settled down gracefully, fingers identally brushing mine. "Thanks, ke. Real gentlemen are getting rare these days."


    "You seem distracted," she said after we ordered, finger tracing her wine ss rim while those purple eyes studied me. "Work stuff?"


    "Just thinking about some things. I kept it vague.


    I saw her smile a little. I frowned, wondering what was funny. Could she somehow know I was thinking about Ava? No way-nobody could read an Alpha King''s mind. "You know, ke," she leaned forward, the dress making her movement even more eye-catching as her voice dropped to something soft and seductive, "I don''t meet many men who can keep my interest. Most Alphas either get scared of my position or just wanna use me for Northern Lights connections."


    Her fingers drifted across the table, slowly moving my way. "But you''re different. You''ve got real power-don''t need to depend on anybody. That''s really...


    attractive."


    I leaned back, keeping distance. "We''re here to talk trade."


    "Oh, we can definitely falk trade." Sheughed lightly, and when she reached for her wine, I had to work to keep my eyes where they belonged. "But can''t we enjoy each other''spany too? The best partnerships start with strong personal connections."


    She raised her ss, red lips touching the rim while her eyes never left mine. "Did you know Northern Lights priestesses have this tradition? We pick a


    partner who matches our status to rule with us. Picture It, ke the two strongest packs united. What kind of power would that create?


    "Sounds more like a political deal than a personal rtionship, I said.


    "Why can''t it be both? Her smile got even more charming. ''Power''s the ultimate turn on, don''t you think?"


    When our food came, I noticed she barely touched hers. She was more focused on watching me, pulling my attention back whenever I looked away.


    "Your territory''s more beautiful than I imagined," she said. "Those old forests, mysterious mountains. I''d love to explore every inch of Silverpeak more.. intimately."


    Her words made me think of Ava-het figure at the vi, the warmth of her curled


    up in my arms, her stubborn but soft eyes. That natural, easy closeness that didn''t need any nning or games.


    Total opposite of this perfectly dressed woman across fre


    from me, whose every move had a purpose.


    "ke?" Lyra''s voice snapped me back. She''d somehow moved to the chair


    beside me. ''You''re spacing out again."


    Don''t know when she''d switched seats, but now she was way closer. I could smell her perfume, feel heating off her body.


    "Sorry." I checked my watch. "Gettingte, I should-"


    "Leaving already?" She looked surprised, then quickly brought back that seductive smile/ She put her hand on my arm, leaning in slightly. "Ditching a beautiful woman like this? That''s not very Alpha King of you."


    Her words had a yful edge, but I heard the irritation underneath. Obviously, she wasn''t used to being turned down.


    "At least finish this bottle with me." She lifted her wine ss, other hand still stroking my arm. "This is Northern Lights'' most precious moonlight wine, specially made for tonight."


    I realized I was trapped. Say no too bluntly and it''d mess up trade talks, but


    staying here longer felt like suffocating.


    "Alright, I gave in reluctantly, "but not for long."


    Her smile turned victorious, like she''d just won an important game. She didn''t go back to her original seat, just stayed beside me, touching my arm or shoulder now and then like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    I was starting to get it-this woman was way more dangerous than I''d thought. She didn''t just want an ally. She wanted total conquest.


    When we finally left the restaurant, I let out a breath, thinking this nightmare was finally over.


    "Tonight was wonderful." I kept it polite, getting ready to walk her back.


    "Doesn''t have to end yet." She suddenly grabbed my arm, pressing her whole body against me. Through that thin silk, I could feel her warmth and soft curves. "We could go to my room, keep talking. I''ve got some Northern Lights specialty wines you might like."


    Her chest pressed lightly against my arm-graceful and natural, like it was just normal intimate contact. But those purple eyes held an invitation that couldn''t be clearer.


    "Lyra, I think you''re getting the wrong idea-"


    ''I''m not getting anything wrong." She cut me off.


    can see you''re attracted to me too. Powerful man, powerful woman-isn''t that the most natural thing?"


    riety had picked up plenty of


    Camera shes exploded around us. Several werewolf reporters with cameras jumped out from the shadows-werewe'' human tech, especially these journalists who covered pack news.


    "Alpha King! You and this stunningdy on a private date?"


    ''Priestess Lyra! Your visit to Silverpeak have special personal reasons?"


    "What''s your take on deeper pack cooperation?”


    I started to exin, but Lyra beat me to it. She suddenly pressed even closer, putting one hand on my chest.


    "We''re not just here for pack trade deals," she told the cameras with a clear, confident smile. ''We''re dating."


    Then, before I could react, she rose on her toes and kissed me.


    Chapter Comments


    Mike


    yeah let that slide, not like that works well 22


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