Chapter 3

~ Norah ~

The music was loud enough to vibrate in my chest.

We weren't at a hotel; the Krane Pack gala was being held at a private estate on the cliffs, the driveway lined with Bentleys and Rolls Royces.

I sat in the back of the SUV, my hands clenched in my lap. The dress Declan had sent to my room was beautiful, a floor-length black silk gown that felt restrictive.

"Nervous?" Declan asked.

He was dressed in dark jeans and a black jacket, blending into the shadows of the car. He wasn't coming in. He couldn't. If a Sutton stepped foot on this property, the guards at the door would smell him instantly.

"I'm terrified," I said. "This is insane."

"It's necessary," he corrected. "Here."

He handed me a small, discreet earpiece.

"Put it in," he said. "I'll be listening. If anything goes wrong, I'll guide you out."

I put the earpiece in my left ear, hiding it under my hair.

The car stopped at the front entrance. Through the tinted window, I saw the security checkpoint where four guards were leaning in close to every guest.

"Go," Declan said.

I opened the door and stepped out into the cool night air, the wind whipping my hair around my face.

I walked toward the entrance where the guards watched me approach, their tuxedos straining against broad shoulders. One of them stepped forward to block my path.

"Invitation," he grunted.

I handed him the heavy envelope Declan had forged, my hand shaking slightly as I forced a smile.

He took it but didn't look at it, leaning in close to my neck instead.

I froze.

He inhaled deeply, searching for a scent, searching for a pack allegiance.

He pulled back, frowning and looking confused.

"Nothing," he muttered.

"Is that a problem?" I asked, channeling every ounce of fake confidence I had. "Or are you going to let me in?"

He looked at the invitation again, then at me, unable to find a reason to stop me. To his nose, I was just a human date, harmless and weak.

He stepped aside.

"Enjoy the party, miss."

I walked past him and through the massive double doors into the ballroom.

The room was dazzling, filled with hundreds of people wearing masks, but beneath the glamour, the tension was thick. This wasn't just a party; it was a gathering of predators.

Moving through the crowd, I kept my head down, recalling the layout Declan had given me. Alpha Krane’s office was on the second floor, east wing.

I headed for the grand staircase but stopped. Two guards stood at the bottom, arms crossed, watching everyone who went up.

I couldn't go that way.

I turned toward the kitchen service hallway instead. Declan had told me there was a back stairwell used by staff, unguarded and quiet.

I slipped through a swinging door when a waiter came out with a tray of champagne. The hallway was empty.

I hurried down the corridor, found the back stairwell, and started climbing.

My heart hammered against my ribs, making every shadow look like a guard.

Reaching the second floor, I cracked the door open and peered out.

The hallway was empty, lined with expensive art and closed doors. At the far end, a set of double mahogany doors stood imposing and dark.

Krane's office.

I slipped out of the stairwell and walked fast, reaching the office doors and trying the handle.

Locked.

I pulled a small metal pick from inside my bra—Declan had given it to me in the car just in case. I knew how to use it because I used to watch my father pick the lock on our front door when he lost his keys. I jammed it into the keyhole, my hands sweating as I wiggled it, listening for a click.

Nothing.

"Come on," I whispered.

Below me, the music swelled.

*Click.*

The lock turned.

I pushed the door open and slipped inside, closing it softly behind me.

The office was dark, moonlight spilling through the large window to illuminate a massive oak desk.

Not wasting time, I went straight to the desk to plant the bug under the rim where Krane wouldn't see it.

I knelt down, fumbling with the black chip in my hand and peeling off the adhesive backing.

"Who are you?"

The voice came from the shadows in the corner.

I gasped, dropping the chip. It landed silently on the carpet.

Spinning around, I saw a man sitting in a high-backed leather chair in the corner of the room. He stood up and stepped into the moonlight.

He was young, maybe Declan’s age, with blonde hair and a sharp face, wearing a white tuxedo.

He looked at the spot on the carpet where I had dropped the bug.

"You're not a maid," he said, his voice cold. "But you shouldn't be in here."

He looked up at me, his eyes narrowing as he took a step forward.

"Who sent you?" he asked. "The Suttons?"

I backed up until my hip hit the desk, my hand scrabbling behind me for a weapon.

"I... I got lost," I stammered. "I was looking for the bathroom."

He laughed, but it wasn't a nice sound.

"The bathroom is downstairs," he said. "This is my father's private office."

*My father.*

This was Julian Krane. The Alpha Heir.

My blood ran cold. I wasn't just caught; I was caught by the most dangerous man in the building besides the Alpha himself.

"I'm leaving," I said, trying to move toward the door.

He moved faster, blocking my path in a blink.

"You're not leaving," he said. "Not until you tell me what that is on the floor."

He glanced down at the black chip, taking a step toward it and reaching out to pick it up.

Panic exploded in my chest. If he saw the chip, I was dead. If he saw the Sutton mark on the back, Declan was compromised.

I didn't think, I just moved, throwing myself at him.

I grabbed the lapels of his white jacket and smashed my lips against his.

Julian froze, his body going rigid with shock.

It wasn't a good kiss, clumsy and desperate, but it worked. He stopped reaching for the chip.

While his hands came up to push me away, I kicked out with my heel, catching the black chip on the carpet and sliding it backward, shoving it deep under the heavy oak desk.

Julian shoved me back, causing me to stumble and hit the edge of the desk hard.

"What the hell was that?" he snarled, wiping his mouth.

He looked furious, glancing down at the carpet where the chip had been.

It was gone.

Frowning in confusion, he crouched down to check the floor.

"You bitch," he hissed, standing up. "Where is—"

The office door swung open and the lights flickered on, blindingly bright.

"Julian?"

A booming voice filled the room.

We both turned to see an older man standing in the doorway. He had the same sharp face as Julian but harder, lined with age and power. Alpha Krane. Two guards stood behind him.

"Father," Julian said, straightening his jacket. "I found an intruder."

I thought fast, stepping forward and linking my arm through Julian's before he could pull away. I bowed my head respectfully to the Alpha.

"It's such a pleasure to be in your presence, Alpha Krane," I said, my voice trembling only slightly.

Alpha Krane looked at me, then at his son, noting Julian's disheveled jacket and my flushed face.

"An intruder?" Krane asked, raising an eyebrow. "It looks more like a tryst to me."

Julian stiffened, trying to pull his arm away, but I held on tight.

"I'm so sorry, sir," I said, looking down at the floor and forcing a blush to my cheeks. "I didn't know this was your office. Julian wanted to show me the view... and we got carried away."

Julian opened his mouth to deny it, but his father laughed.

"At least you have good taste, boy," Krane said. "But take it to a bedroom next time; I have a meeting in five minutes."

"Yes, Father," Julian said through gritted teeth. He glared at me, his eyes promising murder, but he couldn't contradict the Alpha in front of the guards. He had to play along.

"We were just leaving," Julian said.

He grabbed my arm and steered me toward the door.

"Excuse me," I squeaked, pulling away from him as we reached the hallway. "I need to use the ladies' room."

I didn't wait for him to answer, turning and walking fast toward the stairs.

"Wait!" Julian called out.

I didn't wait. I broke into a run, but I heard

heavy footsteps behind me. He was following.

I dodged through the crowd, my heart pounding as I headed for the service exit.

"Declan," I whispered into the earpiece. "Get the car ready, I'm coming out.”