LOGINLilian’s POVMr. Felix stood near the display table, still looking at Angel like she had done something rare.I hated that look.Only a short while ago, everyone had been watching me. I had been the one standing beside Bastien. I had been the one wearing the bracelet Finn had bought. I had been the one people noticed.But now, all their attention had moved to Angel.Mr. Felix stepped closer to her and said, “Miss Angel, I did not expect to meet someone with your skill tonight.”Angel looked calm. “You’re too kind.”“I’m not being kind,” he said. “I’m tellin
Bastien’s POVLilian stared at Mr. Felix as if she had heard him wrong.The name on the screen was still there.Angel.The auction hall was no longer calm. People were whispering, and several experts had moved closer to the decoding tablet. Everyone wanted to know why Angel’s name was hidden inside a robot connected to Mooncode.Mr. Felix stared at the screen for a while before turning to Angel.“I have been looking for you,” he said.The room quieted again, but Angel did not answer.Mr. Felix continued, “I have wanted to work with you for a long time. The pers
Bastien’s POVLilian held the small silver robot like she had already won more than the auction item.She kept looking at Angel, waiting for Angel to show fear or regret. But Angel only sat beside Kian with her hands folded in her lap. Her face was calm, but I noticed she was not as relaxed as before.Kian looked at the robot, then at Lilian. “You won’t be able to open it,” he said. His voice was calm, but everyone near us heard the mockery in it.Lilian’s smile stiffened. “Alpha Kian, there’s no rush.” Kian leaned back slightly. “Then take your time.”Lilian acted as if his words did not affect her. She lifted her chin and looked around at the people nearby.
Angel’s POVBastien’s question made more people look at me. “What exactly is your purpose?” he asked again.I looked at him and said nothing at first. The auction hall was quiet enough for his words to reach the nearby seats. Lilian sat beside him with her paddle still in her hand, but she did not raise it again. She only watched me closely, as if she wanted to see me panic.Kian leaned closer and lowered his voice. “She’s only bidding because of you,” he said. “She wants to embarrass you in front of everyone.”“I know,” I said.His eyes stayed on the stage for a second, then returned to me. “If you want it, I can help you take it.”I shook my head. “No.” He looked at me. “Are you
Angel’s POVThe auction hall went quiet as the staff placed the sealed display case on the stage.The item inside was still covered with dark cloth. I sat straighter without meaning to. I had not planned to pay much attention to the next item, but the moment the auctioneer mentioned the name Mooncode, my fingers tightened around the program booklet.Mooncode. That name had not been used in public for a long time.Most people in the room only knew Mooncode as a strange and talented person from years ago, someone who had built unusual wolf-tech tools and left behind coded devices that people still studied. Some called Mooncode a genius. Some called Mooncode a strange girl who disappeared too early.No one here knew the tr
Bastien’s POVAfter the noise at the entrance settled, everyone started moving into the auction hall.The seats had already been arranged by name and pack. I sat in the front section with Finn on one side and Lilian on the other. From where people were looking, it probably seemed simple: a man, a woman, and a child sitting together like a family.Finn sat close to Lilian, still holding the small program booklet. He looked around with wide eyes, excited by the lights, the stage, and the items displayed behind glass. Lilian leaned toward him from time to time and spoke softly, acting patient and gentle.I looked across the room. Angel sat not far away with Kian.She was calm. She spoke to him once in a while, but most of the time, she looked at the stage and listened. She had seen where Finn was sitting. She had seen Lilian beside him. But her face did not change.In the past, if Finn showed too much care toward Lilian, Angel would become quiet. She would not argue in public, but I coul
Angel’s POVHugo and I sat across from each other with papers spread over the table. He pointed to one part of the route map and asked about delivery timing. I answered while checking the numbers in front of me.My phone lit up on the table.Finn was calling.I looked at the screen, pressed decline
Bastien’s POVI saw Alpha Soren standing with Kian and Angel. He did not look like a man who had just rejected someone. He looked comfortable. Calm. Interested. More than that, he looked like he was standing with people he respected.That did not sit well with me.A moment later, Soren turned his h
Lilian’s POVI did not go far after leaving Bastien and Angel. I moved to the side of the hall and picked up a glass just so I would not look out of place. My face was calm again, but inside I was angry. I had watched Angel stand there acting like she belonged in that room, and I had watched people
Angel’s POVThe hall was still busy around us, but the earlier pressure had eased. Wolves were talking in small groups now, and the noise had settled. I stood with Kian near the side of the room, still wearing the jacket he had given me. It felt warm on my shoulders, and for the first time that nig







