CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE


    +25 Bonus


    CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE


    Talia’s POV


    The infirmary walls had begun to feel like a cage. For days I had been watched over by doctors, healers, and the asional guard, while my father and Solon remained consumed by the endless wave of visiting Alphas. Due to the altercation with Jason, the doctor had changed his diagnosis and ordered me to remain in the infirmary for a few more days. Because of that, I was missing everything.


    Silverfang had be crowded overnight. High-ranking wolves from nearly every pack had arrived, each bringing gifts, entourages, and the heavy weight of politics. My father received them in the great hall, Solon shadowed him constantly, and I was left behind, expected to recover quietly.


    The truth was that I already felt fine. The soreness from my copse had faded, the dizziness passed. The only thing missing was my wolf, and even that silence had be something I tried not to dwell on. I longed for movement, for training, for the rhythm of sparring to ground me. Staying in bed only made me restless.


    De visited often, sometimes carrying gossip, sometimes with nothing but a grin and a te of food. She was my onlypany when the corridors outside filled with footsteps andughter from the delegations. If not for her, I might have wed my way out of the hospital out of sheer boredom.


    On the morning of the day before the Hunting Rite, Solon came to see me. “You have clearance to leave today.”


    My heart leapt. “Really?”


    “Yes. But do not push yourself,” he warned. “Remember what the doctor said: light activity. If anything happens, you get De to get me or let De handle it.”


    “Okay, you don’t have to worry about me,” I agreed.


    “Tonight, I will host a gathering for the young Alphas. A chance for them to rx before the Hunting Rite.”


    De practically squealed. “Finally! A party worth dressing up for. You’reing with me, Talia.”


    I hesitated. I did want to leave the infirmary; however, that didn’t mean I wanted to go to a party full of Alphas. I already knew De would be trying to hook me up with one of them all night and I was not in the mood for any additional chaos.


    “If Father approves, I will help,” I said.


    “He already approved,” Solon said with a bright smile.


    By evening, Silverfang’s great hall was alive with music andughter. Solon stood at the front, giving a short wee speech. His voice was calm butmanding respect. When he finished, he shook a few hands and left, giving the younger Alphas freedom to enjoy themselves.


    The mood changed right away. Wolves from different packs mixed together. The music changed to more lively music that drew them to the dance floor. However, I wish I had left with Solon.


    I stood near the bar, tugging self-consciously at the hem of my dress, De had insisted I wear it. It was a camisole -style slip of ck silk that felt far too revealing. I had fought against wearing it until I had no choice. De had taken and hidden all my dresses.


    “This is ridiculous,” I muttered, running a finger along the edge of my ss. “I feel exposed.”


    Deughed, tossing her curls back. “That is the point. You need a mate, Talia. You can’t be in heat every full moon. So, I’m saving you from yourself.”


    CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE


    +25 Bonus


    I red at her. “This is your idea of saving me?”


    “You should be thanking me,” she teased.


    “I do not need a mate hunt staged for me,” I said.


    “You might not think so, but someone else does,” De stated.


    My eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”


    De leaned closer and whispered, “There’s a rumor going around that the Alpha King is using the Hunting Rite to choose a mate for his daughter.”


    My stomach tightened. “You’re joking?”


    “Not at all,” De said, clearly enjoying my difort. “Potentially every Alpha here is trying to win just for YOU.”


    I was unsure how to answer. Was it really just a rumor? Or had Solon finally told our father, and this was how he was handling the situation? I didn’t like being left out of the loop.


    “Do not make that face,” De chided. “Stop sulking. I’m sure your father won’t force you to do anything that you don’t want, but you need to be prepared that one of these Alphas could ask for you as a reward. As the Alpha King, he would have no choice but to honor that request.”


    “That is not making me feel any better,” I told her.


    “I know, so why don’t you make the decision for yourself. Pick an Alpha to talk to,” De suggested. She gestured toward the dance floor, where a tall Alpha stood with his packmates,ughing easily. “Go talk to him. He has been looking at you all night.”


    “I doubt that,” I said quickly.


    “Take him a drink,” she insisted, pushing two sses into my hands before I could argue. “Go. At least pretend or do you want someone else to decide your fate.”


    I took a deep breath as I stepped away from the bar. The Alpha De had pointed out nced my way again, his eyes warm, expectant. My grip tightened on the sses. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps speaking to him wouldn’t


    hurt.


    But before I reached him, a hand plucked one of the sses from my hold with easy confidence. “It has been a long time,” a familiar voice said.


    My pulse quickened instantly. I looked to my right and found Nn standing there at my side. He stepped in front of me, blocking my path.


    “It has been,” I responded, my voice sounding weaker than I intended.


    Nn wore ck trousers and a fitted red shirt that clung to his frame. He looked more rxed than I had ever seen him. I didn’t know how Nn had be so handsome to me.


    The memory of the night in the library crossed my mind.


    I blushed and forced myself to not turn away.


    Nn stared at me intently and then smirked as if he knew what I was thinking.