LOGINThird Person's POVArcher said nothing more.He pushed open the car door and stepped out. The night wind swept across his tall frame, dispersing the cold, oppressive Alpha aura radiating from him.He walked around to the other side and lifted Trista from Melanie's arms.The moment the little girl settled against his chest, she began kicking her legs excitedly, like a young cub that had just stumbled into a pack, her tail wagging so hard it seemed it might snap."Daddy—"she called in her high-pitched voice.Archer's hands supported her back with steady ease, his movements practiced and instinctive.As he approached Melanie, her breath caught almost imperceptibly.That scent returned.The blend of sweet orange and night-blooming jasmine—Camille's scentIt hadn't been there when he sat beside her earlier.Frost whimpered softly in the depths of her consciousness, its tail pressed low.
Third Person's POVShe made no attempt to hide the detachment in her voice.His presence only tightened the tension in the room.Archer's gaze settled on her.Those deep eyes resembled a frozen lake, utterly still, without a single ripple of emotion."No rush."Melanie frowned faintly.She couldn't quite grasp what he meant.But he didn't look at her again.Instead, his attention shifted to Marcus across the table.In that instant, his Alpha presence subtly changed—from the private gravity of a personal relationship to the measured authority of business and territorial negotiation."Our company is currently developing a new system," he said evenly, "one capable of rendering equipment completely invisible while evading all radar detection."Marcus visibly stiffened."All radar?"He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening."Go on."Archer remained composed. He didn't lower
Third Person's POVThe crowd stirred like grass rippling in the wind.Several Alphas exchanged glances, while the Omegas instinctively held their breath. More and more eyes turned toward Camille.Their attendance at tonight's banquet wasn't solely for the Cummings family—it was largely due to Archer's presence.The Willis family's influence had waned in recent years, long since slipping from the core circle of the pack power map. If both Archer and Marcus had appeared at a Willis family gathering—the significance would clearly extend far beyond Monica's birthday celebration.Camille stood silently.There was no panic in her expression. Only the wolf spirit deep within her chest stirred faintly, as if sensing an unfamiliar scent drifting in from the far edges of her territory.She set down her glass, her voice cool and clear."Archer's grandmother has always been close to Monica of the Willis family."
Third Person's POVShe immediately turned to an omega waiter."Please add another chair and a place setting."Archer showed no reaction to her coldness.He merely tilted his head slightly, glancing at Marcus beside him."Mr. Norman."Marcus lifted his gaze, its surface as calm as a windless lake, and offered only a slight nod.In that instant, two Alpha auras brushed against each other in the air—No visible pressure, yet those nearby instinctively held their breath.Archer then shifted his gaze to Melanie.Their eyes met across the table.That familiar patchouli scent seemed to creep silently closer, brushing against her apple-scented pheromones, which had yet to fully stabilize. A faint tremor stirred deep within her wolf soul, but she forced it down.An omega waiter swiftly positioned a chair between her and Marcus.Archer sat.Like a cold, immovable stone, he settled into the
Third Person's POVThis statement was tantamount to making decisions on Archer's behalf.Several noble Alphas exchanged knowing glances. The Haines family's confidence in speaking for Archer suggested a relationship far closer than ordinary acquaintance. The quiet undercurrent of speculation drifting through the room immediately grew more intricate.At the same time, although some guests had departed early following the earlier disturbance, the banquet of the Willis family continued without further disruption.Monica stepped onto the main stage.Her presence was gentle yet resolute, radiating the quiet authority unique to a seasoned Alpha female. She delivered her speech with calm composure, thanking the guests for attending and offering a graceful apology for the mid-banquet incident.Applause rolled through the hall like a rising tide.As she stepped down from the stage, Chad signaled the hotel manager to begin serving the meal.
Third Person's POVThis sentence echoed like an old wound.Melanie and Chad exchanged a glance.They both understood.Monica wasn't just reminding them—she was reminding herself—of Rosemary's past."We know," Chad murmured.Melanie nodded.Just then, Elmer and Gillian pushed open the door and stepped inside.The moment they entered, their presence filled the hall, and Melanie immediately sensed Gillian's emotional turbulence. The fluctuations in her pheromones carried a sharp, volatile edge.After hearing the details, Gillian nearly ground out a low curse through clenched teeth."They're utterly disgusting."Elmer said nothing. He simply reached out and patted Melanie's shoulder—an unshakably steady gesture of support.A few minutes later, his phone vibrated.After reading the message, one of his brows lifted slightly."I called someone over for you."Melanie froze. "What?"







