LOGINBeatrice POVThe Great Hall was exactly that, it was great with massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, dripping with crystals. Long tables stretched the length of the room, set with silver and crystal. Pack banners decorated the walls with a rainbow of colors and symbols.And wolves, so many wolves. I walked in on Darius's arm, my brothers flanking us. Every head turned as conversations stopped mid-sentence. The weight of their stares pressed down on me like physical force."Steady," Darius murmured, his hand covering mine on his arm.I lifted my chin to let them look. I was wearing deep green silk, fitted perfectly to my body. My hair was pinned up, exposing the mark on my neck. We were escorted to a table near the head of the room. High-ranking positions, reserved for powerful families. The Wynter name carried weight, even here.I sat between Darius and Theron, feeling safer with them on either side. My other brothers filled out the rest of our table, creating a protective circl
Darius pov "Test me how?" She sat up fully, smoothing her hair."Questions. Challenges. Subtle insults disguised as curiosity." I cupped her face, making sure she was really hearing me. "They'll try to make you doubt yourself, try to make you look weak or uncertain.""So what do I do?" she asked."Remember who you are." I kissed her forehead. "You're Beatrice Wynter. Daughter of the most powerful Alpha family in the territory. Mated to a man who loves you more than life itself. You have survived things that would break most wolves, you are not weak, you are not uncertain. You are magnificent."She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch. "Say it again.""Which part?" I smiled."The part where you love me.""I love you," I said, pulling her into my lap. "I love you more than I thought it was possible to love anyone. You are my mate. My everything and my reason for breathing.""Good answer." She kissed me, soft and sweet. "I love you too."We sat there for a while, just holding each oth
Darius POVThe Council Hall was massive inside. Vaulted ceilings stretched three stories high. Stone columns thick as ancient trees supported the weight. Tapestries hung from the walls, each one depicting a famous pack's history. And everywhere, wolves. Hundreds of them all staring at Beatrice.I kept my hand on her waist, fingers pressing gently through the silk of her dress. Reminding her I was here. Through the bond, I felt her nervousness but her determination to hide it."Breathe," I murmured against her ear.She did, her chest rising and falling. The mark on her neck caught the light, drawing even more eyes.Good. Let them see she was claimed, that she had a mate who would tear apart anyone who threatened her."Lord Wynter," a voice called out as an elderly wolf approached, with sharp grey eyes. Expensive robes marked with the Council seal. High Councilor Brennan, not my alpha, a different Brennan. This one was ancient, powerful, and completely political."High Councilor," Thero
Beatrice pov I watched them work, their focus absolute despite the rocking carriage. Across from us, Silas and Corin pretended to read their documents at first, but I'd caught them smiling at us more than once when they thought we weren't looking."Stop fidgeting," Darius murmured, apparently noticing my restlessness even while my brothers worked."I'm not fidgeting." I shifted again, smoothing my dress. The deep blue silk was gorgeous but impractical for traveling. "I'm adjusting.""You're nervous," he corrected, squeezing my thigh. "I can feel it through the bond."Right, the bond. I was still getting used to that. How he could sense my emotions, and I could sense his."Aren't you nervous?" I asked quietly."Terrified." He kissed my temple. "But I have faith in you.""Faith doesn't stop Damon from being an arrogant bastard," Silas said from across the carriage. He set down his papers, giving up the pretense of reading. "But it helps.""Language," Corin chided automatically."She's
Beatrice POVThe carriage rocked gently as we traveled, days of preparation had passed in a blur, and now we were actually going to the Council Summit.I ran my fingers along the velvet interior of the carriage. "I still don't understand why we couldn't just drive. The SUVs would be faster."Silas snorted. "And cause a riot? Little sister Wynterhold is the only pack with advanced technology. The others still live like it's the 1800s.""They see our cars, our electricity, our modern conveniences as a threat," Corin explained gently. "They think we're abandoning the old ways. Losing our connection to the Moon Goddess.""Which is ridiculous," Darius added. "But politics rarely makes sense.""So we play along," I said slowly. "Use carriages when we're around other packs so we don't seem too different.""Exactly." Silas smiled at me like I'd passed a test. "At home, we use what works. But outside? We present the image they expect. Traditional. Respectful of the old ways and Non-threatening
Beatrice POVI threw. The ball of light streaked across the space, moving faster than an arrow. It hit the dummy dead center, exploding in a shower of white sparks. When the light faded, the dummy was gone. Just ashes on the ground."Good," Silas said, making notes. "What else?"I focused on the training weapons racked against the wall. Pushed with my mind. They all lifted at once, floating in the air. Swords, staffs, bows. All hovering."How many can you control?" Corin asked, fascinated.I pushed harder. More weapons lifted, then training posts. Then loose stones from the yard. Soon I had dozens of objects floating, all held by my mind."That's enough," Theron said. "Set them down gently."I did, lowering everything carefully back to its place. My head was starting to ache, but I wasn't exhausted like before."The mating bond strengthened you," Corin observed, studying me. "Your magic is more stable and easier to control.""Luna's stronger too," I said. "I can feel her better now."







