CHAPTER 2

The hosts, seasoned predators in the media wilderness, quickly caught the scent of blood beneath my carefully phrased story.

Why would the High Alpha of an agency provide a "gift" to a mere shadow? And why would that shadow’s kin be "accidentally" gathered, forcing an investigation by the Enforcers? It was glaringly obvious: Sloane had been using the elder as a silver leash to choke my spirit. Having prowled the entertainment territory for years, the hosts had seen every foul trick in the book. By framing it as I did, I was delivering a public ultimatum: Sloane, release the elder now, or the entire pack will know you are a kidnapper.

I had used the softest howl to force a surrender she couldn't refuse.

"Of course, those are just fascinating rumors," the host said, shifting gears with a professional smile. "Now that we’ve cleared the air, let’s move to the next scent. Ava, try to keep pace… after that heavy strike, are you ready for something lighter?"

"Whenever you call a question 'light,' I find it usually has hidden fangs," I quipped.

The hosts chuckled, flipping the display to a still from the Vale Media Group’s latest campaign. It was the shot of me with the "Shadow Alpha." "Regarding this mystery male… isn't it time you gave the pack a name? The females in the gallery are practically baying for an answer."

I lowered my head, feigning a shy hesitation. "Oh, dear..."

"Don't think you can retreat into the brush! Tell us who he is; let us see his face," the host egged me on, her eyes bright with mischief.

I felt a slight thrum of pressure in my skull. I turned to the audience, my voice a soft murmur. "What should I do? Is the pack truly hungry for his name?"

A chorus of enthusiastic howls and nods met my gaze.

"Very well," I finally breathed.

That single word made Zephaniah’s heart nearly stop in the wings. Miles away, Connor’s entire focus tightened on the broadcast.

"I don't believe it's my place to unmask him directly," I said, pulling my device from my silks and waving it at the crowd. "How about this? I shall call him right now, live. We will ask if he is willing to claim his place. If he refuses, you must promise to stop hunting me for his identity."

"Agreed!" the fans barked in unison.

"You're going to make a live link in the studio?" The host was stunned; she had never seen a model face a scandal with such raw, unshielded defiance.

"I must," I joked. "Otherwise, I fear my followers will track me to my den and demand answers. I'm quite terrified!" I keyed the number I had prepared and initiated the call before the eyes of the nation.

In his transport, Connor watched my name flash on his screen. He deepened his voice, shifting the cadence away from the tone he had used at the Hai Yi Center to protect our cover. "Hello..."

His voice was a low, resonant vibration—pure Alpha power that seemed to hum through the speakers.

The studio erupted in a frenzy of high-pitched yelps.

I p**ssed a finger to my lips, signaling for silence. "It’s Ava. Ever since our campaign was released, the entire territory has been obsessed with you. Are you willing to reveal your name to the pack?"

On the other end, silence hung for a heavy heartbeat. Then, he asked, "Do you wish for them to know who I am?"

The studio shook with another wave of excitement; the intimacy in his tone was unmistakable.

"I do," I replied steadily. "I would prefer not to be hunted to my death by curious fans." I hadn't warned Connor about this because I wanted the choice to be his. If he chose to claim me as his Luna tonight, I would not hide.

"Is that so?"

"Stop the circling and get to the kill," the host interrupted, her excitement getting the better of her. "Decide now—reveal or retreat?"

I thought Connor would take the leap.

But my High Alpha chose a different path.

"I have decided to remain in the shadows," Connor responded firmly. "I apologize to the pack, but I prefer my private territory to remain unmapped."

Though he burned with the urge to claim me as his wife and the Queen of the North, his heart ached for my journey. He knew how hard I had fought to rise from the ashes of Blake Turner’s betrayal. He knew I didn't want to be a trophy; I wanted to stand at his side as an equal, shining with my own light.

The fans weren't disappointed; the mystery only fueled their obsession.

"Ava and I were simply temporary allies for a single campaign," Connor added. "I am already bonded. I hope the pack will stop troubling Ava over a shadow."

With his refusal, the hosts couldn't p**ss further. They asked one final question. "Tell us, mystery Alpha, what is your true assessment of Ava Hart? Does she have any strange habits?"

I maintained my composure, but my heart raced.

"She is dangerously honest," he rumbled. "As for her habits, I value my life too much to speak... I’d likely be disciplined later."

The gallery broke out in laughter, charmed by the idea of this powerful male fearing a "beating" from me. I ended the call as the host made one last attempt. "Use one phrase to define the bond between you and the Shadow Alpha."

"A lifelong confidant."

I spoke the truth of our soul-bond; there was no wolf in this world who understood my scent or loved my spirit more than Connor.

"Magnificent," the host summarized. "Though the Shadow remains hidden, we have felt his power. Respect his territory, everyone. And don't forget—the full Vale Media campaign drops next Monday. We can all feast our eyes on that back once more..."

The interview concluded after forty-five minutes of precision and charm. I had navigated every trap and left the pack with a glowing impression. By the time the lights dimmed, it was the tenth hour.

Under Zephaniah’s vanguard, I prepared to leave. One of the hosts intercepted me. "I’ve seen many kin 'misplaced' by agencies before, but I’ve never seen a wolf flip the trap and force a surrender like you just did."

"You've retrieved your elder, but the winter ahead will only get colder."

"I am prepared," I replied.

"Your calm is rare," she said, handing me a silver-embossed card. "You need a global hunting ground. I know the great designers of the European territories. If you wish to hunt on the international stage, howl for me."

I knew that by striking Riley and using Connor’s name—even if I had blurred the connection—I had started a war. Sloane would use the fallout at the Hai Yi Center to try and ruin me.

But I had challenged the Alpha of H World in the town square. There was no going back.

I exited the studio and slipped into Connor’s car. The moment the door closed, I was pulled into a crushing embrace, his l*ps pssing against mine with a hunger that stole my breath. I melted into his warmth, returning the passionate ks until my lungs burned.

He r*bbed his nose against mine, his voice a husky, sexy growl. "This is the last time you hide me. If you do this again, I will tell the entire world... that you are my Luna."

I cupped his handsome face. "Whether the world knows or not, I am yours. From marrow to fur, I am completely yours."

He reluctantly let me go and started the engine. "Tomorrow, Vale Media will release the official account of the incident at the Hai Yi Center. The public will see the truth. You needn't worry."

"I don't. But Sloane won't be fooled by the lie about Jordan and Lisa for long. And since you didn't reveal yourself tonight, some sharp-eared wolves might notice the High Alpha’s voice sounds remarkably like the one on the radio."

"Are you blaming me?" Connor chuckled.

"A little. I had steeled myself to tell the world you were my husband."

"You knew I wouldn't let you," Connor said, seeing right through me. "But I am pleased. My aloof wife finally feels the urge to show me off."

"Forgive me, Mrs. Vale, for not making you the center of a scandal tonight..."

I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I want to turn you into my audience."

"And what would you say to them?"

"Connor belongs to me. I adore him. I will protect his peace and understand his heart for the rest of my life. Don't any of you dare to even scent the air around him."

Connor glanced at me, his eyes glowing. My amber gaze held his in the dim streetlights. I never wanted to be a pampered pup; I wanted to love him with the same ferocity he showed me.

For the first time in thirty-two winters, Connor felt what it was like to be truly protected by another.

"Ava is playing a dangerous game of shadows," Holden muttered, replaying the interview for Sloane. "First we find a hidden mate in her den, now she's link-calling a bonded man. She never admits to the truth."

Sloane stood by the glass, staring at the city lights. "Because we have no evidence of the bond."

"She is our artist. Following her to find a den is easier than waiting for the prying eyes of the press. If she has a secret, we will scent it eventually."

"We follow two trails now, Holden. First, we prove the bond between Lisa and Jordan is a lie. Second, we unmask Ava’s male. She denies a lover, but her private life is a tangled thicket."

"Holden, give the opening slot of the London Summit to Ava. Only when she feels safe in the open will she leave a scent we can follow."

"If Riley hadn't been exiled, that hunt would be hers," Holden sighed. "I will visit Riley tomorrow."

Sloane bared her teeth in a cold smile. Her phone pulsed—it was Zephaniah. His message was blunt: "President Pierce, we are coming for the elder. Your 'hospitality' is no longer required."

Sloane scoffed and threw the device down. "Release him!"

"But—"

"Ava has backed me into a corner! Can I truly refuse with the Enforcers watching?"

The Alpha of H World was being forced to yield by a model she viewed as a mere pawn.

Holden left to retrieve the elder from the safe-house. Before handing him over, he leaned in, his voice a poisonous hiss. "For the sake of her own glory, your granddaughter is selling her soul to the highest bidder. You should teach her the cost of a tainted path, old man."

The elder’s face turned ashen with rage.

Holden delivered him to the H World waiting room where Zephaniah, Lisa, and I were waiting. "I’ve brought him back. Not a single gray hair is out of place."

"And Sloane’s temper?" I asked.

"What do you think?"

"Tell her not to cross my path again," I replied coldly.

Holden had no bite left. "Prepare for London. You’ll be opening the JK show. Since you’ve successfully removed Riley, the prime resources fall to you and Yael."

The irony was thick as blood.

"I will handle the details," Zephaniah cut in.

Holden scoffed and vanished into the night.

"I can provoke her anger, Zephaniah, but I haven't broken her throne yet," I noted.

"You destroyed her prize model. It will take winters for her to replace Riley," Zephaniah comforted.

"Then why give me an international stage?"

"Because she wants you in the open where she can strike," Zephaniah warned.

I said nothing, watching the shadows. Lisa rushed to her grandfather. "Grandfather... are you whole?"

The old wolf paused, pushing her away slightly with a complex, pained look. "Lisa... I must speak with you in the privacy of our den."

"I’ll take you home," Zephaniah offered.

I was dropped off at the Hyatt Regency first to rest. By the time the van reached Lisa’s home, they found Jordan Reed standing in the moonlight—waiting for her return.