Chapter 2

The big ballroom at Drakemont was full of energy. Chandeliers made of gold lit up the marble floors with a nice, warm glow. Violins and lutes played tunes that floated around like magic in the air. Nobles dressed in fancy silks and jewels spun around on that shiny floor. Laughter mixed with talk and the music. It all came together in this wild mix of too much everything.

Selene snuck in from a tight servant's hallway. She kept her head down under a simple cloth that covered her light hair. To those nobles, she was just nothing. Another quick shadow moving between trays and cups. That spot felt safest for her. Right there with folks who never even glanced her way. But her heart pounded hard. Like some chased animal walking right into where the hunter waits.

She did not fit in this place. She got that clear enough. Still, she needed to look. Her eyes moved over all the dancers and people at court. Then they locked on one spot. There was Veyra.

The queen from Ebonveil glided like a snake wrapped in red silk. Her dress sparkled with black threads that sucked in the light nearby. Her hair came down dark like bird wings. It fell in shiny waves onto her back. Rubies sat in it, glowing red like blood spots. Her mouth turned up in a smile. It looked too pointy. Too smart for comfort. Next to her was Aurek.

The Alpha King skipped any crown. His just being there made him king enough. He had wide shoulders in a black cloth. A silver clip on his cape looked like a wolf's head. His face stayed hard to read. But he stood like iron. As if the whole room weighed on him alone.

Selene felt her chest tighten when Veyra leaned in close. Her hand touched Aurek's arm like she owned it. To most, it might seem like light court fun. But Selene understood more. She knew those fingers well. They had blood on them from her father. She recalled the green fire coming out. It twisted her brothers until they turned to fur and teeth.

Her sight got blurry. She held the tray so tight her hands went white. That kept the shakes away.

"Pretty, isn't she?" someone said softly right by her shoulder.

Selene jumped a bit. She turned quickly. It was Maris, another servant like her. Maris went by with a wine jug. Her eyes shone dark as she looked where Selene stared. Right at Veyra. "Folks say the queen of Ebonveil has charmed a bunch of kings before him. Maybe our Alpha King falls next."

Selene shook her head fast. She made her face go empty. No words could come out. She would not let them even if she could. The silence promise held her tight like iron links. But inside her heart yelled loudly.

Maris gave a little grin. "Ah. You watch him too much, little dove. Watch out. Someone might spot where your looks go." She tipped her head all sly. Then she melted into the bunch of people.

Selene's throat hurt from words stuck inside. But she pushed them down. Like she always did.

Her eyes went back to Aurek. The music changed up. It grew big for a dance that needed pairs. Veyra stepped forward first. She held out her hand. Aurek paused just a second. Then, like some job grabbed him, he took it.They went to the middle of the room. The crowd split open for them. Like water does for the moon. Selene felt empty in her chest watching them move. Veyra's red dress spun like fire. Aurek stayed dark like a shadow next to her. He stepped exact but cold. No real feel in it. His jaw stayed hard. Eyes far off. Even so, to everyone watching, they looked bright. Power all wrapped up together.

Whispers started quickly. Like fire in dry grass. "Ebonveil and Drakemont." "A match of real power."

"Maybe they wed by winter." Selene gripped the tray hard. Nails dug into the wood. Her breath came short. Pulse jumped wildly. She could not stick around. Seeing her foe wrap up with the man her soul called hers. It hurt too badly. She spun to get out of there. Needed to run from the hall fast. But then a wave went through the people. Gasps came. Talk started low. The music skipped a beat.

Selene froze. Aurek quit the dance.

He stood straight. His yellow eyes cut sharply like a knife. He looked over the room. For a scary second, Selene figured he would see her. But his look went by. It hunted the dark spots. The faces. The edges. His wolf inside moved uneasily. Pacing. She felt it from way across. A pull on her own inside.

Then his eyes hit hers. Everything stopped.

He did not know her. Not her name or her story or the bad spell tying her life. But something old and wild sparked between. Like the air caught fire. His wolf jumped up. It was called to her.

Selene's heart quit. Her soul said the word again. The one she could not voice. Mate.

Then Veyra spoke low and smooth. Her hand slid up his arm, owning it.

The magic broke. Aurek blinked. He pulled his eyes away. Jaw like rock. He started dancing again. But now his steps had a tiny shake. Like something hidden pulled at him.

Selene turned and ran. She could not take one more second under that gold light. Not with Veyra's dark shape around him.

She slid back into the servant's hall. The music got quiet behind. Her pulse boomed in her ears. Throat hurt from words fighting out.

She put her hand to her mouth. Shaking. The witch who hurt her family now wanted her mate. And Selene stayed quiet and hidden. She could only watch for the moment.