CHAPTER 4

But if there’s a smell to anxiety, I was drowning in it.

As soon as Layla and I walked through the door, the energy of the room completely changed.

The venue was filled — men in tailored suits, women in shimmering dresses, all engaged in pleasant laughter and high-priced gossip. Champagne flutes clinked in the golden light of the chandeliers, perfume and alcohol and the unmistakable smell of power in the air.

This was not a regular birthday party. It was a show of influence.

Like I belonged there foram a big fat liar.

Layla by contrast entered like she owned the goddamn building.

The dress clung to her curves in a manner that made every male take a second ogle, her self-assured smirk daring them to ogle longer.

“I swear to God,” she whispered dramatically, slipping her arm around mine. “If one more dude undresses me with his eyes, I’m gonna start charging them cover.”

I stifled a laugh.

And then as if I was a magnet for catastrophe my eyes betrayed me. 

They glanced around the room searching for him. 

And when they found him…

It landed like a punch to the gut.

He appeared exactly as I remembered — intimidating, powerful, untouchable.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. The sort of presence that commanded attention, without even trying.

And, of course, he was not alone.

A woman had her hand hooked around his arm, manicured fingers wrapped possessively around his sleeve. She was beautiful in that effortless way that made you want to look in a mirror and see if you had something between your teeth.

A cold, tightly coiled ball settled in my stomach.

What did you expect, Ruby? That he’d still be single? That he’d be standing a corner, staring into a glass of whiskey, whispering your name like some tragic, love-sick fool?

Pathetic.

I internally slapped myself and averted my eyes.

He doesn’t matter. Not anymore.

A Shadow, Not a Name

Marcus held no official pack title.

He was meant to be Beta — born to be it — but five years ago he stepped away from it. Instead of aligning with the Alpha, he built his own empire and became the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.

He amassed power in boardrooms rather than on battlefields.

Most people thought he did so because he wanted more, but I’ve always wondered…

Was it really ambition? Or was it rebellion?

Because Marcus used to talk a lot about protecting the pack before I got turned away. About commanding warriors, not businessmen.

And then, boom, it all went to shit.

He peered out at the pack and flew into the business world as if he were fleeing something.

Like he was running from what I was running from.

The Spotlight Finds Me

As we walked further into the hall, I could feel the weight of too many eyes on us.

Men stole glances. Women whispered.

I felt exposed.

I had spent decades keeping out of the spotlight, and now here I was, thrust into it like some reluctant leading lady.

Layla, naturally, basked in the attention.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, thrilled. "Do you see this? We’re a hell of a spectacle right now.”

I kept my expression neutral. “I’m sure that they’re looking at you.”

She snorted. "Honey, I’m old news. I’m mated, so most of these guys know they can’t even try. But you? You’re a mystery. "A beautiful mystery, and nothing catches the eye like the unknown.”

I groaned. "Can you not?"

"Too late," she smirked. “You’re officially the most interesting woman in this room.

I wanted to disappear.

Sensing my discomfort, she did something with her hand.

"Relax," she murmured. "I’ve got you."

And somehow, that helped.

“Oh, come on,” she said, pulling me over to the guys. “Allow me to introduce you to some people.”

The Alphas and the Rogues

Layla steered me toward a gaggle of suited men, all of whom subsequently and very obviously stared at us.

The first to step forward, a tall blonde with forest-green eyes. He looked slick, like the kind of guy who could talk his way out of a death sentence.

“What a surprise to find you here, Layla,” he said, splitting his face with a dangerously practiced smile. "You’re as stunning as ever."

Then his gaze slid to me.

“And your friend… looks even more stunning tonight.”

I felt my cheeks warm.

Before I could respond, Layla looked up soulfully, rolling her eyes so hard she must have seen her past life.

"Oh, please," she scoffed. “We all know you’re only flirting so you can be polite.”

The guy choked on air.

Poor bastard.

“She’s always out to embarrass me,” he said, muttering under his breath.

“Then stop being so flirtable,” she retorted.

Then she faced the others. "Everyone, meet Naomi Carter. Theo’s younger sister."

The reaction was immediate.

Gasps. Stiff postures. Widening eyes.

I resisted the urge to sigh.

For years my life was purposefully low key, and now, here in front of this gaggle of powerful men, I could sense their intrigue.

One of them—Alpha Brandon—smirked at me, and his look was too calculating for my taste.

“I had no clue that your brother Theo had such a lovely little flower for a sister,” he said, his tone so gross it made my skin crawl.

I tried to say something in that moment, but a voice interrupted the dialogue.

“Well, you gotta be careful what you call her, Alpha Brandon.”

That voice was a warning, cold and calm, filled with foreboding.

I turned just in time to see my brother climbing up next to me, Clara on his arm.

“The flower kicks a tiger, you don’t want to see that.”

I blinked.

Marcus, what the fuck does that even mean?

Does my brother know something I don’t about myself? Because as far I know I’m pretty much the least intimidating person on Earth, like a wet kitten.

Alpha Brandon chuckled lightly, but there was a flicker of tension behind his eyes.

“Forgive me, President Carter,” he said smoothly. “I just meant your sister is … beguiling.”

Theo’s gaze was inscrutable.

Then, all of a sudden, the conversation took a turn.

And I was grateful.

An Unexpected Dance

Once Theo and Clara drifted away, Layla was stolen away by her mate almost instantly and I was alone.

I mentally cursed her.

Before I could concoct an escape plan, a familiar voice spoke.

“Miss Carter,” Alpha Logan said, approaching. "Would you care for a dance?"

I hesitated.

Then, I saw I had no better options and put my hand in his.

“Just call me Naomi,” I told him as he pulled me to the dance floor. "No need to be so formal. It’ll make me feel weird."

He smiled.

"Then, Naomi it is."

And just like that, the evening went sour.