Chapter 028

The last note lingered in the air, trembling through the chandeliers before fading into silence. For a heartbeat, no one moved. No one dared to.

Draven’s hand still rested on my hip. Darius’s fingers brushed the back of my neck in a possessive, grounding touch. My skin burned where they’d held me—where their warmth still clung to me like invisible chains.

Then someone clapped. Another followed. The hall erupted into polite applause. The moment shattered.

I stepped back quickly, breath caught somewhere between my ribs. “I—I need air,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure anyone heard me. Maybe I said it only to myself.

Before either of them could speak, I turned and slipped away.

The crowd blurred as I moved through it—the bright gowns, jeweled laughter, the scent of wine and perfume mixing in dizzying waves. My chest was tight, my legs weak, the cool marble floor the only thing keeping me from floating away entirely.

By the time I pushed through the side doors and into the open night, I was trembling.

Cool air hit my skin like a blessing. I pressed a hand to my chest, forcing my lungs to obey. The stars stretched above, sharp and cold against the ink sky. The moonlight poured silver over the courtyard stones, softening the edges of everything—except the confusion twisting violently inside me.

What had just happened in there?

What was that dance?

I pressed my palms to my face, the memory of their touch replaying in flashes—the heat of Darius’s gaze, the low whisper of Draven’s voice, the way my body had betrayed me with every shiver and breath.

I wanted to hate them for it. I wanted to hate myself more for responding.

The way Darius looked at me… like I belonged to him.

The way Draven spoke to me… like he already knew every secret I tried to hide.

And gods, the way my heart had raced when the two of them moved around me, trapping me in that dangerous, intoxicating space.

I took another shaky breath, gripping the edge of the fountain. The stone was cold beneath my fingers, grounding me.

Get it together, Rain.

This wasn’t me.

I didn’t lose control.

I didn’t get swept up by anyone, especially not by Lycans who ruled and ruined everything they touched.

I am still going to leave, no matter what this feelings that are trying to develop are.

But the trembling in my hands said otherwise.

I leaned over the fountain, staring down at my reflection in the rippling water, the pale hair spilling down my shoulders, the diamonds catching the moonlight like scattered frost, the wild, unfamiliar heat still burning in my eyes.

Who was I turning into here?

The air shifted behind me, and I froze, expecting one of them, Draven, Darius, or maybe Daemon, with that storm of jealousy still burning in his stare.

But there was no one. Only the faint sound of music drifting through the open doors, laughter echoing faintly against the night.

I sank down on the edge of the fountain, burying my face in my hands.

For a fleeting moment, I imagined running, slipping away into the forest under the cover of night, far from the packhouse, far from their eyes, far from the madness that came with being theirs.

No more dances. No more claiming gazes. No more heat curling low in my stomach every time one of them spoke my name.

Just silence. Freedom.

Maybe even peace.

But as the wind moved through the courtyard, carrying faint traces of their scents, leather, heat, want, I realized peace might never really be mine again.

Because even now, away from them, my heart still beat to their rhythm.

“Wow!”

I nearly jumped at the sudden voice behind me. My heart leapt into my throat before I turned, exhaling when I saw Maris stepping out from the open doors, her cheeks flushed, her gown slightly crooked like she’d hurried after me.

“Rain, that was……” she let out a low whistle, eyes wide with amusement. “Beautiful. Everyone’s talking.”

I groaned softly, dragging my hands over my face. “Perfect. Exactly what I needed, more eyes on me.”

Maris laughed, the sound light and easy. “You’re kidding, right? You were stunning out there. The way the three of you moved… it was like something out of an old tale. The whole room was holding their breath.”

I turned sharply, glaring. “The three of us?”

She smirked, walking over to sit beside me on the fountain edge. “Please, don’t act like you didn’t notice. The brothers might command attention on their own, but together?” She gave a teasing hum. “That dance will be talked about all night. Maybe even through the whole summit.”

I sighed, staring up at the moon. “That’s not comforting.”

“Oh, come on. Most of the she-wolves in there would kill to be in your shoes right now.”

“Then they can have them,” I muttered, staring down at the glittering hem of my dress. “Maybe they’ll fit better.”

Maris tilted her head, studying me. “You really don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?”

“The way they look at you. I know there’s something between you guys and it’s okay if you’re not yet willing to share.”

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say to that. The last thing I needed was to encourage any kind of gossip. “You’re imagining things.”

“Am I?” she said softly, leaning in a little. “You should’ve seen their faces when the music started. Darius looked like he’d rather die than let anyone else touch you, and Draven—well, he’s harder to read, but that man doesn’t share. Not easily.”

My pulse stuttered. “You’re talking nonsense.”

Maris smiled, shrugging like it wasn’t her problem. “Maybe. Or maybe I just notice things others pretend not to see.”

Silence stretched between us, broken only by the faint music from the hall and the splashes of water from the fountain.

After a while, she nudged my arm gently. “You should come back in. They’ll notice you’re gone.”

“I needed a moment,” I said quietly.

She nodded. “Understandable. The way Darius looked ready to break Daemon’s neck earlier when he went to Selene, I’d need a drink too.”

That pulled a small, surprised laugh from me. “You noticed that?”

“Who didn’t?” she said, eyes gleaming with mischief. “I swear, if looks could kill, Daemon would’ve been ashes before the second verse.”

The laughter faded from my lips as I looked away, fingers brushing my skirt nervously. “It’s complicated.”

“I figured.”

For a few moments, we just sat there, the cool air carrying a quiet calm that almost felt safe.

Then Maris stood, brushing invisible dust from her dress. “Come on. Let’s get you a drink before someone sends half the guards to drag you back inside.”

I looked toward the glowing windows of the hall, the silhouettes of people moving in the warm light. The thought of stepping back into that room, back under all those watching eyes, especially theirs, made my stomach twist.

But I also knew hiding out here too long would only make things worse.

“Alright,” I breathed finally, standing. “But if one more person stares at me like I just caused a scandal, I’m blaming you.”

Maris grinned, looping her arm through mine as we started walking. “Deal. But for the record, Rain if this is a scandal, it’s the most exciting one this summit’s had in years. And who doesn’t love a little drama.”

I didn’t respond. My heart was still too loud, my thoughts too tangled.

Because deep down, I knew she was wrong.

This wasn’t exciting.

It was dangerous.

And yet, as the night breeze brushed my skin and the faint scent of then still lingered on my neck, I couldn’t help but wonder if some part of me craved that danger.