Chapter 3

Leo met my eyes with disbelief written across his face. My composure clearly unsettled him. He probably couldn't wrap his head around why a werewolf from some remote pack would remain so calm or refuse to back down under the pressure of someone as powerful as him.

Something seemed to occur to him, and he gestured toward the door. "The Alliance is taking today's ceremony very seriously. We'll deal with returning the resources after it's over."

He fixed his gaze on me. "The Chairman himself is attending. He's obviously interested in what I've been doing, and I won't waste his time. The ceremony is still happening."

He pulled Aria against his side. "Just with someone more appropriate.

"Get ready. Now."

As everyone turned to leave, Aria caught Leo's arm. She looked at me with wounded eyes and pointed at the crown in my hands. "Leo, the crown…"

Leo followed her gesture and spotted it. "Give me that crown."

I shook my head. "No."

Fury blazed across Leo's face. He closed the distance between us and grabbed my wrist hard enough to bruise. "You need to understand that everything you have belongs to me now!"

I snorted and wrenched free, backing away with the crown clutched tight. "Ridiculous! This crown is mine, not the Moon pack's. I'm taking it with me."

Aria let out a mocking laugh. "Are you serious right now? Alpha Cole gave that to the Moon pack as a gift for the future Luna! You have no right to it!"

Before she could continue, commotion erupted outside.

"It's Alpha Cole!"

"The Chairman's here!"

The moment they heard Alpha Cole had arrived, Leo swept Aria outside to greet him. Alpha Cole had brought an impressive display of resources and treasures with him.

Leo's entire demeanor transformed into something servile. "Welcome, Alpha Cole."

His eyes remained glued to the supplies throughout the conversation. "All of this…"

Alpha Cole nodded pleasantly. "These are my gifts for your ceremony."

Aria rushed over to an exquisite gown, practically trembling with excitement. "Goodness! This dress is stunning!"

Alpha Cole smiled. "Naturally. These are rewards for those who've made exceptional contributions to the Alliance. They're all very valuable."

The flattery started immediately.

"I had no idea Alpha Leo was so accomplished!"

"To have the Chairman personally attend his marking ceremony! Alpha Leo's contributions must be incredible!"

Aria pressed herself against Leo's side, her voice turning sugary. "Leo, can I have that dress?"

Leo barely glanced at her, nodding as if it were obvious. "Of course, if you want it."

Greed and satisfaction gleamed in Aria's eyes at his permission. She reached for a luxurious beast hide, but Alpha Cole's furious shout stopped her cold.

"Who are you? What gives you the right to touch that?"

Tears spilled down Aria's cheeks, her eyes turning red and swollen. Leo's expression softened immediately.

He positioned himself protectively in front of her and scrambled to explain. "Honored Alpha Cole, this is my soon-to-be marked mate. I gave her permission to take the beast hide."

"Your mate?"

Disgust twisted Leo's features as he launched into an explanation. "Originally, yes, my intended was Wendy. But you don't know what she's really like.

"The second she arrived, she was nothing but arrogant, bullying our pack members left and right. A lowborn werewolf like that is completely unworthy of being my mate! She doesn't deserve your attention at all!"

Alpha Cole's expression darkened at Leo's words, but neither Leo nor Aria seemed to notice.

Leo pressed on, "Lowborn wolves stay lowborn. She has zero manners and actually had the nerve to question my decisions! But rest assured, I've already kicked someone that disrespectful out!"

Aria threw herself at Alpha Cole's feet, sobbing dramatically, "But that bitch stole the crown you gave to the Moon pack! That was your blessing gift to Leo! How dare she! You have to punish her!"

Leo nodded emphatically. "Exactly! She took the gift you meant for my Luna! Absolutely despicable!"

Pure malice radiated from Aria as she scanned the crowd. When she finally spotted me standing toward the back, watching the entire spectacle unfold, she jabbed her finger in my direction and shrieked, "There she is! Alpha Cole, you must punish her!"

Alpha Cole turned toward me. Recognition and shock flashed across his face.

Leo had already stalked over, Aria's hand clutched firmly in his, as he stared down at me. "Hand over the crown right now! I might still be able to put in a good word for you with Alpha Cole!"

Aria simply wrenched the crown from my grip with all her strength and jammed it onto her own head. "Some people really need to stop reaching for things that don't belong to them!"

The next instant, Aria's scream pierced the air as Alpha Cole violently yanked the crown off her head. "What the hell are you? You think you're worthy of wearing the crown I gave?"