GAME

ERYX

The second Vesper sees me, he stands to his feet and gives me a small, mocking bow.

“Glad to have you here, Future Alpha Eryx.” He straightens, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

I slide both hands into my pockets. “We need to talk, Vesper.”

He scoffs. “Care for champagne?”

I don't answer. He turns toward the girls behind him. “I'll be back.”

He walks over to me and leads me toward a quieter part of the house. The music dulls behind us, but I can still hear it pulsing through the walls. He stops abruptly and turns to face me. His expression is more serious now.

“Tell me you didn't come here to ruin the night.”

“Give me what I want, and I won’t.”

His brows pull together. “Wait…” His eyes narrow. “Is this about Velora Mayes? That girl?”

“She’s not that girl.” My voice stays flat, precise. “She's my mate.”

The words settle between us with more weight than I intended. Saying it out loud only sharpens the restless pull under my skin. She is mine. And right now someone is standing between me and the truth about her.

He rubs a hand down his face. “Fine. I'm sorry, but right now I'm half-wasted. I have nothing else to tell you. Besides, I already told you everything.”

“Not everything, Vesper.”

His eyes flicker away.

“You're hiding something. Aren't you?”

He exhales sharply, and whatever amusement was left on his face disappears. “For heaven's sake, Eryx. Stop making everything about you, man!” His voice rises so suddenly enough that I go completely still. “You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.” He steps closer, his jaw tight. “I know you always expect me to clean up after your mess every time, but can you just leave me out of this one?”

I study his face. He’s serious. Vesper has never raised his voice at me like this. The fact that he is doing it now, over her, tells me more than his words. Something cold settles in my chest again. If even Vesper is this afraid to speak, then whatever surrounds Velora is worse than I thought. And that means every hour I waste is another hour she remains unprotected.

I study his face. He's absolutely serious. Vesper has never yelled at me before. Not playfully, and definitely not like this.

“Did Theron instruct you to stop me?” I finally ask.

He goes silent. The suspicion comes easily. This isn't the first time my father has tried to get between me and something I wanted.

For a second, he looks away before finally meeting my gaze again.

“I'm just your future Beta, Eryx. Not everyone has the kind of choice you do.”

My jaw tightens. I take a single step closer. “Then tell me.” My voice stays low, but the edge in it is unmistakable. “Did my father threaten you?”

Vesper's expression changes. “What's your problem?” He drags a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his face. “Just fucking do what he says. Marry Aveline of Hollowfang. Do that, and you have nothing to worry about.”

He is actively trying to keep me away from Velora — from the truth about her, from the bond itself. Whatever he is protecting is serious enough to scare the only person who has never refused me.

I could command him as his future Alpha, but I refuse to let our friendship be defined by rank. He is my friend before he is my Beta. It isn’t his fault. I can’t blame him for being afraid of my father, not when I’ve seen what that fear looks like up close.

A girl passing by with a tray of champagne suddenly stops in front of me, a practiced smile on her lips. She picks up a glass from the tray and holds it out.

“Special treat,” she says softly.

“No.” I don’t take it. “Give it to someone else.”

She pouts. “Even if it's from your girlfriend?”

My stomach drops. I follow her gaze across the room, and there she is. The last person I want to see. Especially tonight.

Aveline sits at the far end of the room with her friends, legs crossed, a venomous smile on her lips that doesn't reach her eyes.

I turn to leave, but she is already moving. She cuts across the floor and steps directly into my path.

“Not so fast, boyfriend.” Her voice is flat. “Missing me already?”

“Don't flatter yourself.”

She waits a beat, then bursts into sharp, exaggerated laughter. “Seriously, Eryx.” She presses a hand to her stomach as if she can barely breathe. “You should have seen your face. I’m just pulling your leg. Chill.”

I keep my face blank. I don't believe for a second that the same girl I rejected barely a few hours ago has suddenly decided to become nice and start joking with me. Aveline does not forgive. She calculates.

“Anyway, I wanted to invite you to join me for a drink…” She raises a finger before I can turn her down. “I won't take no for an answer. You already turned me down once. Right now, I'm asking you as a friend. Nothing more.”

She tilts her head. “Unless you're really the boring, same guy everyone thinks you are.”

I study her in silence. I know her too well to trust the act. But after what Vesper just revealed, I’m starting to wonder how many people in this room are keeping secrets, and how many of those secrets touch Velora. Accepting the drink may be the fastest way to find out what Aveline knows, or what she’s been told to do.

If she is planning something, I would rather see it coming myself.

“Fine.”

Her smile widens immediately.

“One drink.”

“That's all I need.” she says, almost purring.

She reaches for my arm. I pull it away before she can touch me.

“Lead the way.” Her smile falters for half a second. I notice.

Then she turns around. “Come on.”

I follow, every instinct already on edge. Whatever game she is playing, it will not end the way she expects. Not while my mate is still in that house, and not while my father is working to keep me away from her.