Chapter3: The Public Slapdown

Daisy’s Pov

The grand ballroom of the Golden Halls was packed with the richest alpha families in the city, all of them dressed in their finest clothes to watch the Vanecrest family hand over their legacy.

I stood near the entrance for a moment, taking a deep breath to settle the boiling rage inside my chest before taking my first step into the crowd.

Across the wide room, Cassian stood on the main stage under a bright spotlight, looking perfectly charming in his tailored suit as he smiled and nodded at the guests. He absolutely loved being the center of attention, standing tall and proud as if he already ruled the entire territory and owned every single share of my family's company.

Just below the stage stood Victoria, wearing a pale blue dress that made her look simple and innocent, pretending to be happy for me while she watched the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, cutting right through the loud chatter of the wealthy guests, "Please welcome the beautiful bride-to-be, Miss Daisy Vanecrest!"

The entire room turned toward me in an instant, and a loud wave of clapping broke out as people smiled, watching me start my walk down the long white aisle.

My bright red dress swished around my ankles, the bold color drawing sharp gasps from the older pack elders who had expected me to wear traditional white, but I didn't care about their old rules anymore.

Cassian’s smile grew even wider when he saw me approaching, and he extended his right hand toward me, holding a small velvet box in his left hand that contained a multi-million-dollar ring meant to bind me to his side forever.

"You look stunning, Daisy," Cassian murmured as I got closer to the edge of the stage, his voice dripping with that familiar, fake warmth that used to make my heart flutter but now just made my stomach turn with disgust. "Come up here and take your place next to me so we can show everyone the future of our packs."

Victoria smiled from the side of the stairs, nodding her head encouragingly as she smoothed down her blue dress. "Go on, Daisy, don't be shy. Everyone is waiting to see the beautiful couple."

I looked down at Cassian's open hand, then I raised my head and looked straight into his amber eyes, seeing the cold selfishness hidden behind his handsome face. I did not stop walking, but I did not step onto the stairs to join him either; instead, I kept my stride steady and walked right past the stage, leaving him standing there alone under the bright lights.

The clapping slowly died down as people realized I wasn't stopping, and a heavy, confused quiet washed over the entire room until you could hear a pin drop.

"Daisy?" Cassian called out, his perfect smile finally faltering as his hand stayed empty in the air, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Where are you going? The stage is this way, sweetheart."

I ignored his voice completely, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a backward glance as I kept my eyes fixed on the dim, shadowy corner at the very back of the ballroom.

Killian Blackwood stood there completely alone, leaning his broad shoulders against a stone pillar away from the bright lights and the fake smiles of high society. He had a glass of whiskey in his hand, swirling itslowly while he watched the entire scene play out with a deeply amused look in his dark amber eyes.

He didn't need a spotlight to be noticed; he radiated a raw, dominant power that made the wealthy people around him keep a respectful distance, knowing he was the exiled Lycan Alpha, the black sheep of the Blackwood family, and the one person they all feared to cross.

Deep in the back of my mind, my inner wolf suddenly perked up, scratching at my thoughts and letting out a low, eager whine as she pulled toward him like a magnet, recognizing his scent of ash and winter storms.

I marched right up to him, the long train of my red dress sweeping behind me as the guests whispered and pointed at my back.

Killian raised his dark eyebrows as I stopped directly in front of him, his intense gaze tracking the movement of my face before he looked down at me with an unreadable expression. "Lost your way, princess? Your little engagement party is on the other side of the room, and I think your man is waiting for his ring."

"I am exactly where I want to be," I said, keeping my voice clear, steady, and loud enough for the nearby investors and pack elders to hear every single word.

Behind me, the sound of fast, angry footsteps echoed against the floor as Cassian rushed down from the stage, his face turning bright red with embarrassment. His perfect composure was completely cracking in front of his high-society guests, his chest heaving as he realized everyone was watching his humiliation.

"Daisy! What is the meaning of this?" Cassian demanded, stopping a few feet away from us and balling his hands into tight fists. "Stop playing these childish games and get back to the stage right now. You are embarrassing me and my father in front of the entire alliance."

Victoria rushed over right behind him, her face twisting into an expression of fake concern as she reached out to touch my arm. "Daisy, sweetie, are you feeling okay? Did the stress of the wedding get to you? You shouldn't be back here bothering Killian, you know he doesn't like to be disturbed by pack matters."

I didn't even bother to look back at them, keeping my emerald eyes locked tightly on Killian’s face to see his reaction. He didn't look bothered by the drama at all; in fact, a small, dangerous smirk was starting to form on his lips as his eyes flared with a sudden, dark interest.

"Are you going to let them talk to your mate like that, Killian?" I asked him softly, my voice barely more than a whisper between the two of us.

Killian tilted his head, his body shifting slightly as a dark spark lit up his eyes, the wild, ancient pull of the fated bond finally snapping into place between our souls as he felt my scent wash over him. "Your fiancé is getting pretty loud, sweetheart, and he looks like he's about to pop a vein. Don't you think you should answer him before he makes a scene?"

"He is not my fiancé, and he never will be," I said clearly.

Before a single guest could draw another breath, and before Cassian could reach out to grab me, I stepped into Killian's space.

My fingers wrapped tightly around the collar of his dark suit jacket, using every ounce of my strength to pull his massive frame down toward me. I tilted my head up, closed my eyes against the flashing cameras, and pressed my lips firmly against his.