Chapter 014

The evening began with sound.

A swell of voices rose from the great hall, deep and resonant, carrying the weight of wolves and their allies gathering together. The hum of conversation bled through the stone walls as if the place itself couldn’t contain it. Laughter, growls, the scrape of boots against polished floors, every sound sharpened my nerves until I thought they might tear me open.

My palms were damp. My stomach, a knot that refused to loosen.

Clara must have noticed. She stood beside me, her hand brushing my arm in a quiet act of reassurance, her expression carefully composed. Her beauty tonight was as soft and warm, her golden hair braided with silver threads, her gown a deep blue that clung like Sapphires. She looked not like a handmaid to me, but a beautiful omega, dying to shine.

I was the opposite.

I smoothed my palms down the white green of my gown, trying to steady myself, though it only made me more aware of the thin fabric, of how bare my shoulders felt beneath the cascade of my pale hair. The pendant at my throat seemed heavier than before, dragging down on my skin like a brand.

“They’re only wolves, my lady” Clara murmured, leaning just close enough that only I could hear. “No different from the rest of us. Teeth, claws, arrogance. That’s all.”

I swallowed hard. “It’s not the same for me.”

Her lips curved faintly, not quite a smile. “That’s because you’re seeing them all at once. It’s meant to overwhelm.”

And overwhelm it did.

When the double doors opened and we stepped into the great hall, the world swallowed me whole.

The chamber was vast, lit by chandeliers burning with hundreds of candles that cast gold across every surface. Long tables stretched the length of the room, laden with platters of roasted meats, bread, wine dark as blood. The scent of it tangled with the musk of wolves, earthy, feral, thick enough to choke me.

Dozens of eyes turned our way as we entered. The hall went quieter, the hum of voices softening under the weight of curiosity. Predatory stares pinned me where I stood, stripping away any illusion of safety the gown or jewels might have given me.

My heart stuttered. I forced myself to keep my chin up, to take the step forward Clara guided me into, though every instinct screamed to turn and run.

“Breathe,” she whispered, her fingers steadying my elbow.

I did, shallow and uneven.

The wolves in attendance were unlike any I’d ever seen. Some wore finery, tailored suits, dark velvet, embroidered coats. Others seemed to bristle at such trappings, their broad frames and scarred hands still belonging more to the forest than the court. There were alphas among them, unmistakable in the weight they carried, the way other wolves leaned subtly away, making space. The air was heavy with rank and dominance, invisible threads tugging in every direction.

And threaded among them were others, witches, by the gleam of their amulets; even one or two vampires, their stillness uncanny against the restless wolves.

The sight stole my breath. I thought the summit was for wolves and others alike, I never knew witches and vampires were invited too.

Then the hush broke, conversations picking up again, though the air still vibrated with curiosity.

We moved further into the hall, my every step measured, conscious of the way fabric whispered around my legs, of the weight of stares burning my skin. Clara kept close, her calm presence a shield I clung to.

And then—

“Hello love.”

The voice slid over me like smoke, smooth and taunting. Can’t I just have a minute to myself in this goddamn house!

I was already walking around like a sex starved female and being around them wasn’t helping matters.

I sighed. Clara’s hand tightened on my arm, but before either of us could turn, he was already there.

Daemon.

He cut through the crowd as though it parted for him alone, every step deliberate, predatory, his smirk carved with wicked precision. The light of the chandeliers caught on his dark hair, on the glint in his eyes that promised nothing good.

And those eyes…….

They dropped to my dress first, roaming slowly, shamelessly, from the lace at my collarbone down to the sweep of fabric at my hips. Heat crawled over me, prickling under my skin where his gaze lingered.

“Well,” he drawled, stopping too close. “Now I see why Darius wants to keep you tucked away like a price. Tsk tsk tsk……it is quite unfortunate that you belong to us and not just him.”

My throat went dry. Clara shifted slightly, her hands clasped together in front of her dress and head bent, neck bare to show her submission.

I cleared my throat, trying to get my head out of the sex daydream I was currently having “Daemon.” My voice coming broke, despite the cleared throat earlier.

“Do you intend on being my shadow me the whole night?”

His smirk widened, his eyes never leaving me. “Not nearly enough.”

He leaned in, head tilting, voice dropping low like a conspirator’s whisper. “Tell me, love, do you always wear this color when you want to be worshiped, or was tonight special?”

My heart slammed against my ribs. The word worshiped made my skin burn.

I have never been cared for enough let alone worshipped, that was all Liana’s forte.

Clara’s hand tightened on mine, a silent warning not to rise to the bait.

But Daemon didn’t wait for an answer. He stepped around Clara’s subtle barrier, close enough that I could see the faint scar along his jaw, the way his mouth curved like he was always on the verge of laughter, or a threat.

“You’re trembling,” he murmured, low enough that only I could hear. “That’s my favorite look on a woman. Fear and want all tangled together.”

I pressed back instinctively, every inch of me too aware of how close he stood, of the heat that rolled from him like smoke.

Before I could summon a reply, another voice slipped in, smooth and sharp as glass.

“Careful, Daemon.”

I startled and glanced sideways just as Luna Amelia appeared at my shoulder, her presence as commanding as any alpha’s. Her silver gown gleamed under the chandelier light, her poise effortless as she regarded Daemon with a calm that cut sharper than a blade.

“Your brother won’t thank you for making a scene.”

For the first time, Daemon’s smirk faltered, just briefly, the faintest flicker of irritation crossing his face. Then it was gone, replaced by a grin that curled even darker.

“Scene?” His voice was all feigned innocence. “I was only welcoming our… guest.” His eyes slid back to me deliberately, lingering in a way that made the floor tilt beneath me. “Though I admit, she doesn’t need much help stealing attention.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I hated that I couldn’t seem to steady myself under his stare, hated that my body betrayed me when every instinct screamed to keep my distance.

Amelia’s hand brushed my arm, the touch deceptively light, but her eyes stayed locked on Daemon’s. “Don’t be childish Daemon let the girl breath,” she said, not unkindly, but with the quiet authority of someone who never needed to raise her voice to be obeyed.

Daemon chuckled low, bowing his head slightly in mock respect. “As you wish, Luna.”

But before he stepped away, his gaze found mine one last time, a promise smoldering there. His smirk said everything his words didn’t: this isn’t over.

And then he was gone, slipping back into the throng of wolves like smoke dispersing into the air, leaving my pulse hammering and my skin burning where his eyes had been.

Amelia exhaled, soft but sharp, like she’d been holding her breath too. “He feeds on nerves,” she said under her breath. “That’s how he is. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

“You didn’t need to interfere, I can handle myself” I said, the reminder of the event of the afternoon still burning deep in my head.

Amelia gave me a look, probably surprised by my outburst, I mean I am too, but I’m already way too embarrassed to feel anything right now.

“Very well Rain. Be sure to stick to the sides.” She said, walking off, once again leaving me in the company of Clara who had been very quiet the whole time.

“I need a drink.” I said to her.

She nodded, walking away towards the buffet.

Across the hall, Daemon had already found another drink, another victim a slender black haired she-wolf, who is laughing just a little bit above normal to whatever he was saying. She is beautiful, charming you might say the least.

Her hands brushed his biceps and I felt a deep twist in my stomach.

Who was she? And what was she to Daemon?

They seem awfully to familiar and cozy with each other.