GABRIELThe moment my Alpha shifted into his wolf, I did the same. I tore after him, claws pounding the earth as I struggled to keep him in sight. But Goddess, it was hard, as if chasing a bolt of lightning. I’d never seen Frederick move with such ruthless speed. My own anxiety clawed at the back of my mind as a very terrible possibility played out behind my eyes.'We should’ve told him sooner.'My wolf growled his agreement.When we finally reached the spot Tessa had told me about, relief cut through my panic for a moment. More of our warriors were gathered than I’d dared hope. Atlas had pulled every available patrol from the other border posts and brought them here.Frederick’s wolf stood alert, ears perked, his gaze locked on something just beyond the border. I followed his line of sight, but before I could see what he’d sensed, he was gone l lunging straight there.The ground seemed to tremble beneath the pounding steps of the night-furred beast. I forced myself to shift back
FREDERICK“…I know that she’s not mated to anyone else and I don't care if she wanted to flirt around. But Alpha Hunter already has a mate and to pull something like that at a public? I just expect Tessa to have more shame…” Odette’s voice floated on the air, every word dripping with disdain.She kept talking but the rest of her voice faded into a distant hum in my ear.She didn't need to remind me. I’d seen it all right here on my own terrace just hours ago. Hunter and Tessa, locked together in an intimacy.I’d always known he felt something for her; that was something Hunter Grey never even bothered to disguise. He liked Tessa, maybe even wanted her. But what I hadn’t imagined was that after all this time, he’d still be holding onto it.And they’d done it here with the guests ready to witness it all.Yet, that wasn’t what truly gnawed at me. It wasn’t the sight of them that felt like a stone lodged in my chest. It was the simple, infuriating fact that Tessa had allowed him to touch
TESSAI watched Gabe weave his way toward Frederick. But with the crowd pressing in so tightly around him that it seemed to swallow him whole, it looked like Gabe had to drag Frederick out just to get a word in.A wave of anxiety coiled in my stomach as I stood there.And then, I couldn't help it anymore. I was just about to move after him when suddenly,“Oh no!” A maid’s startled voice sliced through the guests' conversation.I blinked, then looked down in disbelief at the splash of juice across the front of my dress. I hadn’t noticed the maid until she crashed into me and one of the glasses from the tray she was holding tipped, its contents splashed on me.For a moment, all I could do was stand there, staring at the ruin of silk.“I’m so sorry, miss.” The maid’s voice trembled as she set the tray aside and snatched up a clean cloth from the nearby table. Her hands shook slightly as she dabbed at the juice clinging to my arms. “I’m really, really sorry…”A few of the guests had tu
TESSAMy heart skipped a beat when he leaned down, bringing our faces so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my lips. And then, as if he’d completely lost himself, Alpha Hunter tilted his head, closing the last inch between us. His mouth reached for mine.My whole body went rigid. But instinct took over before my mind could catch up. I shoved him hard enough in the chest to knock him back a step. His eyes flew open. A flicker of shock crossed his face as he staggered.“What the hell are you doing?” I snapped. My voice was rough with disbelief as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. The spot he had almost claimed as his.I glared at him, feeling anger coiled tighter with every heartbeat.What the hell made him think he could just kiss me?Alpha Hunter blinked several times as if reality had just snapped back into place around him. “I’m so sorry,” he began, but the words felt empty. “I’m so sorry, Tessa. I- Fuck. I don’t even know what happened to me. I… l
TESSA“So many guests tonight…” I murmured as I stepped out of Gabriel’s car.The lawn of the mansion was now dotted with guests’ cars and the entrance was already teeming with people. Gabe slid out of the driver’s seat and moved to stand at my side and together we took it all in. They might not have called upon every Alpha in Montavia, but this was no intimate gathering.Far grander than any of Frederick’s birthday parties that had come before. It made me wonder how they convinced him. He had never cared for lavish celebrations when it came to his own birthday. Frederick always preferred a small party with his friends from within and beyond the pack.It was Odette’s idea. This was the first event to be held at the mansion since they had claimed each other and I realized it was an unspoken announcement of their new positions as Alpha and Luna of the pack.“I think it’s already crowded inside. We’d better head in now rather than arrive later and end up becoming the center of attenti
TESSAOnly a few hours remained until the party yet I still hadn’t managed to catch so much as a glimpse of Frederick. The mansion had been a whirlwind of activity all day, preparations overseen by Marina and Odette. Even on a day meant to be his, Frederick refused to take so much as a moment off. Daria said that he’d somehow found the time to go to the border just this morning.As for me, I’d left for the training grounds at first light. Grace made it clear that there was no justification for skipping drills just because of an event like this. She said people like us were little more than background figures and our presence at the celebration was hardly important enough to warrant a break from routine. I'm back at the cabin by dusk, sweat-damp and bone-tired. The space was quiet as I stepped in, made my way to my room. Daria hadn’t yet returned from the mansion.I glanced at the clock which showed six o’clock and wasted no time getting ready. I scrubbed myself clean, letting the