Chapter Twenty-six

Avery's POV

Elira dropped to her knees. The sound of her expensive gown hitting the stone floor was almost as loud as the first shard of glass clinking into her palm.

She didn't look at the mess; she kept her eyes fixed on Lucian’s boots. A flush of humiliation crept across her face.

The surrounding guests—betas, high-ranking wolves, and their mates didn't dare interrupt. They watched the humiliation in silence.

As she reached for a jagged piece near my foot, her eyes flickered up to mine for a split second. There was no feeling of remorse, just a silent vow that whatever she suffered now, I would pay tenfold later.

“Take the glass to the kitchen,” Lucian said. “And find a wrap for your hands. You won’t want to get infected.”

Elira scrambled up and hurried toward the door. Lucian didn’t track her footsteps as she left. Instead, his attention shifted to the crowd, his hand tightening on his cane.

“The moon is at its peak,” he announced, his voice echoing over the hall. “Do not let a broken glass distract you from the celebration. Music.”

The musicians immediately struck up a tense, fast-paced string melody. People began to move again, pretending to talk, though every eye stayed glued to us.

Every second stretched longer than the last, like the entire hall was holding its breath, waiting for something to break.

Lucian stepped closer, using his body to shield me from the room's prying eyes.

He reached out, his gloved fingers catching my chin and forcing my head up. His thumb brushed a small scratch Elira’s nails had left on my skin.

“You’re trembling,” he murmured, his voice so low it was lost to everyone but me.

“I’m fine, Alpha,” I whispered, trying to pull back.

His grip tightened. “I didn't ask how you felt.” He leaned down, his breath ghosting over my ear.

“Stay within my reach for the rest of the night. If you move more than three paces from me, I’ll give the guest a reason to really gossip. Am I clear?”

I felt the heat of his palm through his glove, and it made my skin crawl. I wanted to spit at him, to remind him that I’d rather be shredded by Elira’s claws than be around him.

But around us, the party hummed. A sea of predators in expensive silk, were all waiting for me to trip so they could tear me apart.

The faint trace of restraint vanished, leaving only something colder. His thumb dragged firmly across my jawline.

"Remember what I told her. You are exactly where I put you. Don't make me remind you again."

The violins were mid-crescendo when the main doors didn't just creak. They slammed open. Lucian’s grip on my arm tightened, his posture shifting from arrogant master to lethal predator in a heartbeat.

I followed his gaze, expecting a rival warlord or a disgruntled scout.

Instead, Lena walked in with the kind of stride that made the floorboards apologize.

"Lena," Lucian breathed, the name sounding like a curse. "I don't remember inviting you to the manor tonight."

"Since when do I wait for an invitation to my own family's moon-watch?"

Lena stepped into our space. She didn't look at her brother. Her eyes were solely on me, shimmering with an intimacy that made my heart do a traitorous somersault.

"Besides, I knew a certain someone would be here. And I knew she’d be miserable."

She let her gaze roam over me, lingering on the place where Lucian’s hand was clamped around me.

"Lena, enough," Lucian snapped. The silver head of his cane hit the floor with a sharp crack that silenced the nearby guests. "Go find a drink and someone else to bother."

"Oh, put that cane away, brother," Lena murmured, her voice rich and full of mischief as she ignored Lucian’s warning growl entirely.

She reached out, and before Lucian could block her, she caught my free hand.

"Want to come with me?" she whispered, her smirk widening as she felt my pulse jump. "If you’re looking for an escape route that doesn't involve a cane and a lecture, I’m excellent at causing distractions."

I could feel the heat radiating off Lucian. His scent turned sharp and aggressive.

"She is occupied, Lena," Lucian hissed, his hand sliding to the small of my back, pulling me against his side in a move that was purely about marking his territory.

"She seems so tired," Lena countered, her eyes dancing. She looked at me, tilting her head.

"What do you say, Avery? I’m heading to the terrace. The air is clearer there. Come with me.”

The challenge was electric. Lucian was the Alpha, his word was law, and I was his servant, but Lena was his blood, and she was giving me a choice he had spent the whole night trying to take away.

I looked at Lena, then up at Lucian’s dark, stormy face. I could see a muscle leap in his jaw.

"Lena," I breathed, my voice losing some of the jagged edge I used for Lucian.

She had been a brief sanctuary for me weeks ago, the only person in this pack who spoke to me and treated me like a human being.

"Avery," she said softly, her eyes warming in a way I didn't quite understand. She reached out and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. It was a lingering, gentle touch far more familiar than I expected, but I leaned into it just to get away from Lucian’s heat.

My gaze shifted back to Lena, grateful for the intervention.

"She stays," Lucian interrupted.

"She’s a person, Lucian, not your favorite hunting hound," Lena snapped back, her eyes flashing with a sudden, protective fire. She looked at me, her voice softening.

"Come on, Avery. He can't stop you from walking ten feet to get some air.”