🪝 CHAPTER SIX

“What the hell is going on here?”

Damon’s voice cut through the tension like a blade through butter, and I watched Richard’s face drain of color. Everyone within earshot froze, conversations dying mid-sentence as heads turned toward us.

I felt Damon’s presence behind me before his hand settled possessively on my waist, pulling me back against his chest. His touch was warm, grounding, and I leaned into it despite myself.

“Alpha Blackwood.” Richard’s voice cracked slightly before he cleared his throat. “There’s been a misunderstanding.”

“Really?” Damon’s thumb traced circles on my hip, the gesture casual but the energy radiating from him was anything but. “Because it looked like you were manhandling my mate.”

The word ‘mate’ echoed in the sudden silence. I watched Kira’s fingers dig into Richard’s arm hard enough to leave marks.

“Your mate?” Richard forced a laugh that sounded like nails on glass. “That’s… I apologize. She just… she looks incredibly similar to someone I knew once. It was startling.”

“Startling enough to grab her?”

Richard released a breath through his teeth. “I overreacted. My sincere apologies, Miss…?”

“Sasha,” I supplied, my voice still carrying that hurt tremor I didn’t have to fake.

Kira stepped forward, her smile stretched too tight across her face. “Please forgive us. The resemblance is truly uncanny. We meant no offense.”

She couldn’t stop staring at me, her eyes darting over my face like she was trying to solve a puzzle that shouldn’t exist.

“We should get back to the party,” Richard said, already pulling Kira away. “Again, our apologies. Please, enjoy yourselves.”

I watched them retreat, Richard’s hand white-knuckled around Kira’s elbow as they disappeared into the crowd.

“Are you all right?” Damon’s breath was warm against my ear.

I nodded, not trusting my voice yet.

“Dance with me.”

It wasn’t a question, and I let him lead me onto the floor as a slow melody filled the hall. His hand splayed across the small of my back, holding me close enough that I could feel his heartbeat against my chest.

“You’re the most stunning female in this room,” he murmured, and heads turned as we glided past.

I caught whispers floating around us. “Is that really Alpha Blackwood?” “I’ve never seen him look at anyone like that.” “Who is she?”

“They’re staring,” I whispered.

“Let them.” His fingers traced up my spine, and I suppressed a shiver. “Let them see exactly what you mean to me.”

For a moment, I almost believed him. Almost let myself fall into the fantasy that this powerful man actually wanted me, that I wasn’t just a pawn in whatever game we were playing.

But I’d been here before. I’d believed before.

“Careful,” I said softly. “You’re a good actor.”

Something flashed in his eyes—hurt, maybe, or frustration. “This isn’t an act.”

Before I could respond, the music ended and we were being ushered toward the main table.

I slid into my chair between Damon and an elder I vaguely remembered from my childhood. Across from us, Richard and Kira arranged their faces into pleasant masks that didn’t quite reach their eyes.

“How are you enjoying the evening?” Kira asked, her fingers drumming against her wine glass.

“It’s lovely,” I replied. “Such a beautiful hall.”

Richard took a long drink, his jaw tight. Kira kept glancing at me like I was a bomb that might explode.

“There have been certain whispers, Alpha Richard.” Damon’s voice carried just far enough to make the elders at our table pause their conversations. “About the previous Alpha’s death.”

Richard’s glass hit the table harder than necessary. “Whispers are just that—noise made by those with nothing better to do.”

“Still,” Damon continued, “three years seems quick for such an established bloodline to simply… disappear.”

“The former Alpha was reckless.” Richard’s smile was all teeth. “His daughter too. They made poor choices.”

Kira nodded quickly. “Tragic, really. But Richard has done wonders rebuilding what they nearly destroyed.”

I dug my nails into my palms under the table, letting the pain center me. How datre they sit there and lie about my father?

Damon’s hand found my knee, and gave me a gentle squeeze.

“Interesting,” one of the elders said slowly. “I served under the former Alpha for thirty years. Never knew him to be reckless.”

Another elder shifted in her seat. “The transition was rather sudden.”

I watched doubt bloom in their faces, watched them look at Richard with questions they hadn’t asked before. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

Richard’s composure cracked just slightly—a muscle jumping in his jaw, his fingers tightening around his fork.

Perfect.

The rest of dinner passed in stilted conversation, and when Damon finally stood and offered me his hand, I took it gratefully.

“Leaving so soon?” Richard’s voice stopped us halfway to the door.

We turned, and saw Richard standing behind us, his expression calm and composed, hiding the thug I knew he was.

His eyes darted between Damon and me, lingering on our clasped hands.

“Permit to ask, Alpha but I was just curious. How did you hear those rumors?” The question came out sharper than he probably intended.

I felt Damon start to respond, but I touched his arm lightly. His eyes met mine, and something passed between us before he nodded.

I turned to Richard, letting a small smile curve my lips. “Like you said, Alpha Richard, they are just irrelevant murmurs. Do not let them rile you up so much.”

“Goodnight, Alpha,” I said sweetly, and let Damon lead me into the night.

We were halfway to the car when I started shaking with adrenaline and rage.

“You did perfectly,” Damon said.

I turned to him, and whatever he saw in my face made him pull me close. I buried my face in his chest, breathing in his scent, letting his strength hold me together.

“This is just the beginning,” I whispered into his shirt.

“I know.” His hand cradled the back of my head. “And I’ll be right here for all of it.”

I pulled back to look at him, and the intensity in his eyes stole my breath.

“Thank you,” I said.

He leaned down, his forehead resting against mine. “Always, little mate. Always.“