“I know you’re not interested,” she says quickly, her voice low. “I’m not that naive. But could you do me a favour? Just… say hi to my dad this one time. For old times’ sake.” Heather bites her manicured thumb as she waits for my answer. We did grow up together. In a way, we were promised, since we were pups. And if there’s one thing I understand better than most, it’s the weight of a father’s expectations. Especially genitors like ours, alphas.
“Fine,” I mutter under my breath.
Heather doesn’t hesitate. Her fingers curl around my forearm, pulling me through the crowd, toward my execution. Her father stands near the far end of the room, drink in hand, surrounded by men who look just like him. Sharp suits, sharper eyes, wolves dressed as nobles.
“Ah. Kai.” Lord Vanderbilt’s voice is polished marble, practiced. He offers me his hand, not out of respect but for show, a gesture meant for the room.
I shake it anyway. “Heather said you might stop by. Welcome back to Kallahan.”
His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you. You’ve grown into your bloodline. Your father must be... Proud.” The pause is deliberate.
I force a tight smile. “We don’t talk much.”
Lord Vanderbilt’s eyes gleam with satisfaction, as if he’s just spotted a crack in the foundation. “Pity. I always respected the General’s firm hand. Sometimes it is necessary, especially when raising children with a lycan’s temper.” Heather stiffens beside me, shoulders tight. She doesn’t say a word; she doesn’t need to.
“Is that how you raised your daughter into submission? Oh no, I remember now, it was with threats.” I add evenly. “A different kind of cage.” For a moment, everything stills. One of the nobles coughs lightly into his glass. Another pretends to study the paintings on the wall.
Then a soft, condescending chuckle escapes Elveron’s alpha. “Exactly my point. Look at that temper, just like your father’s.”
I stiffen; the message clear, but before I can reply, I feel him. The General’s presence hits like a pressure front. He doesn’t walk into a room; he commands it, taking advantage of his alpha status. Glancing over my shoulder, there he stands near the archway, owning the space. His suit is a sharp navy blue, adorned with military tokens turned ornaments. His short blond hair is streaked with grey, but his eyes remain untouched by time. The kind that held my spine straight for years. Heather takes a small step back, instinctively putting space.
Lord Vanderbilt clears his throat. “Looks like the old pack’s back in one room.”
“And that’s my cue,” I mutter, jaw tight enough to crack.
The air slowly loosens its grip around my chest as we walk away from the men who shaped us. One with a sharp tongue, the other with fists, but I barely make it three steps before the worldnarrows to a single point. And before the red fabric, before the silk catches the light, before the room shifts toward her, I know it’s Vi.
She appears in the crowd just before the herald calls her name, and I'm not ready. The image I’d had of her from the boutique doesn’t even compare. She doesn’t look dressed for the ball. Avilyna looks like the ball was made for her. Scarlet clings to her figure as fire given life, and when her eyes land on me, Kvirr.
That look makes me forget the cold, the noise, the past.
If I died tonight, I’d die knowing exactly what an angel looked like. And my wish might come true, because the anger in her gaze could drop me dead where I stand. My little terror, ready to terrorize me until the end of time.
“I’msosorry, Kai,” Heather whispers beside me, voice barely audible. I’ve forgotten all about her.
Shit!
I am so dead.
57
Avilyna
FADA BEÒ KVIRR
This hasto be some kind of sick joke. He can’t be serious. After everything we’ve been through, he’s really going to do this. Now?
Here?
Panic crashes over me, but I push it down. The anger, on the other hand, makes my skin boil. I can practically feel my eyes heating. I don’t give the girls a chance to say a word. Head held high, curls tumbling down my bare back, I step down the stairs with all the poise and control I can muster once my name is announced. Kai won’t see me crack. Fuck him. Fuck that stupid dimple and his gorgeous eyes. Fuck boys, I’m done!
I hold the train of my dress tight, walking carefully, silently hoping Kvirr’s watching over me so I don’t trip in these damn heels, especially not in front of everyone. But Brackwell stops me, his hand closes around my wrist, firm and familiar, pulling me just enough to make my breath catch. He leans in, voice low in my ear.
“It’s not what you think. I promisenothinghappened.”
I scoff and pull my arm free.
“These ‘nothings’ seem to happen a bit too often, Brackwell.” His jaw tightens. I know using his last name hits a nerve, good. Shifting my weight, I am ready to walk away and put someserious distance between us. But then Heather steps right in front of me, as if she owns the place.
