The next night, he waited for me at the base of the stairs, dressed in black trimmed with silver. Hair neat, posture rigid, eyes unreadable.
For the first time in years, I walked past him without a word.
His expression faltered—just slightly—but I caught the flicker.
The drive was silent. Suffocating. The air thick with everything we didn’t say. My wolf prowled inside me, restless, furious. But I kept my face still.
When we arrived at the Limited Edition Fashion Gala, every head turned.
I entered not just as Lyra Solari—daughter of the Solari line—but as the betrothed Luna of the Dravenwood Pack. They didn’t know yet, but soon they would. Even if my future husband lay cursed in eternal sleep, I’d walk as his equal.
Then she arrived.
Elowen. Glowing in pale silk, her smile syrup-sweet and calculated. She approached with a tinkling laugh. “Sister,” she greeted.
I turned sharply, voice cold enough to frost the air. “Don’t call me that.”
Behind me, Kael stiffened. I didn’t need to look to know his eyes had softened for her. They always did.
Then I saw her gown.
A masterpiece—midnight blue melting into silver like the night sky bleeding into dawn. Moonstones scattered across the bodice, the neckline trimmed with delicate wolf-thread lace. It was exquisite.
I hadn’t come for the spectacle or the applause. I came for a single purpose: to claim the perfect dress for my wedding to Alpha Dravenwood. Even if the ceremony lay weeks away, I intended to look every bit the Luna of an ancient, revered pack.
And that dress was mine.
“I’ll take it,” I told the designer.
She smiled apologetically. “It’s one of a kind. We’ve had offers—gold, gems, even blood-oaths.”
“I’ll pay double in gold.”
Then came her voice.
“Oh, I adore this one too,” Elowen cooed, brushing the sleeve with her fingers.
My spine stiffened. “I’ve already claimed it.”
Her lips curved sweetly, but her eyes gleamed. “Surely the designer doesn’t mind a bit of competition.”
Before I could tear into her, a man stepped forward—tall, dark suit, confidence radiating in quiet waves. He gave Kael a brief look before addressing the designer.
“I’ll take the dress,” he said. “Whatever the cost.”
The designer blinked. “And you are?”
He offered a slight bow. “Kaelen. Beta of the Luminara Pack. Our Alpha commands that anything Miss Elowen Solari desires tonight is to be hers—at any price.”
The room erupted in whispers.
“The Luminara Pack?”
“Why her?”