Alexander’s POV


    I couldn’t shake the feeling that Foster and Natalia were plotting something. Their unexpected alliance. bothered me more than I cared to admit. Throughout the evening, I’d stationed pack members strategically around the ballroom to monitor their movements, but so far, nothing suspicious had urred beyond their presence together.


    “Any updates?” I murmured to Beta Ethan as he passed by with a drink.


    “Nothing concerning, Alpha. They’ve been socializing, dancing, but nothing that suggests immediate


    trouble.”


    I nodded, eyes still tracking Foster across the room. “Keep watching. I don’t trust either of them, especially together.”


    After sending Ethan back to his surveince post, I returned my attention to Summer.


    God, she was breathtaking tonight–her dress clinging perfectly to every curve, her eyes bright with determination despite the emotional weight of the evening.


    More importantly, she carried herself with a quiet dignity thatmanded respect from everyone in attendance, even those who had once dismissed her.


    The dance we shared was everything–feeling her in my arms, the warmth of her body against mine. I wanted nothing more than to whisk her away from this event, to have her all to myself.


    “I want everyone to see that you’re mine,” I’d told her during our dance, meaning every word. The possessive feeling I had around her sometimes surprised even me.


    We had just finished our dance, her breath warm against my cheek.


    Then Ethan’s voice hit me through the mindlink–sharp and unwee.


    *Alpha, The Bet Pack Alpha has been trying to corner me all evening about that territory dispute.*


    I suppressed a growl of frustration. The Bet Pack had been pushing boundaries along our northern territories for months–a situation that required diplomatic handling before it escted further.


    *Where is he?* I responded.


    *East conference room. He’s requesting a private word.*


    *Tell him I’ll be there shortly.*


    “I need to step away for a few minutes,” I told Summer reluctantly. “Bet’s trying to force my hand on the territory issue.”


    Chapter Ill


    She nodded understandingly. “Go. I’ll be fine.”


    “Don’t let Alpha Foster near you,” I warned, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before releasing her. “I


    won’t be long.”


    The territory negotiation with Alpha Bet took longer than expected. The man was stubborn, demanding concessions I wasn’t prepared to make.


    After nearly forty minutes of circr discussion, we finally reached a tentative agreement that would require further formal meetings.


    As I left the conference room, eager to return to Summer’s side, a familiar feminine voice called out.


    “Alexander, there you are.”


    Natalia Thompson stood in the hallway, two champagne flutes in her perfectly manicured hands. Her red dress clung to her body like a second skin–a pathetic attempt at seduction that might have worked on me years ago, before Summer.


    “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” she purred, extending one of the sses toward me. “I thought we might toast to old times.”


    My lip curled in disgust. “Get the fuck away from me, Natalia.”


    Her smile faltered. “Come now, Alexander. One drink between… old acquaintances? I know things ended… abruptly between us, but surely we can be civil.”


    “We were never anything,” I stated coldly, my eyes hard as steel. “You were a convenient distraction, nothing more. Now get out of my sight before I have security remove you.”


    Rage shed in her eyes before she masked it with another forced smile. “Your ‘mate‘ seems rather upied with her ex at the moment. I saw them heading to the balcony together.”


    Orion snarled at the mention of Foster near Summer, but I kept my expression neutral. “Then I should join


    them.”


    I brushed past her.I heard ss shatter against the floor behind me–likely one of the champagne flutes. I couldn’t care less.


    As I made my way through the grand ballroom, searching for Summer, I was intercepted by Council Member Darius and his entourage.


    “Alpha Alexander,” he greeted warmly, though his eyes remained calcting as ever. “Quite an impressive event your mate has organized. The Council is pleased by your pack’s humanitarian efforts.


    Years of diplomatic training forced me to stop and acknowledge him despite my urgency to find Summer. “Thank you. The credit belongs entirely to Summer. If you’ll excuse me-”


    Chapter II


    Fuck. This conversation couldn’t be avoided without political consequences. As Darius droned on, a server approached with fresh champagne. I absently took a ss, my attention divided between appearing engaged and scanning the room for Summer or Foster.