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A week passed in a blur of isolation. My door remained locked as promised, meals delivered by servants who never spoke. Frost visited daily, changing my bandages and sitting in silence while I ate
Kaius did not return. His absence was both a relief and a new kind of torment, Each night, I lay awake wondering it tonight would be the night he came back to continue my punishment.
When he finally did return, I was sitting by the window, watching the moon rise over the mountains. I heard the door open but didn’t turn, recognizing his step, his scent.
“Get dressed,” he commanded without preamble.
I set down the brush, turning to face him with slowness. “Why?”
His eyes narrowed at my tone. “There’s a ball taking place in a few minutes, and since you missed the feast, I thought y make it up.
t you could
“Are you serious, Kaius? You locked me in for a whole week and expect me to come with you, dressed and ready for this ball.” T couldn’t keep the incredulity from my voice.
“Yes.” His expression remained impassive, as if we were discussing the weather rather than my week–long imprisonment.
I won’t. You could go alone, or better yet, go with Lysandra; you seem to have some chemistry with her.” The words were a barb designed to hit where it might hurt.
His voice took on that dangerous edge I’d come to recognize. “You either dress up, or I do just that for you.”
“Want to find out?” I challenged, though a knot of apprehension formed in my stomach. I’d learned the hard way what happened when I pushed him too far.
Without another word, he strode to the wardrobe and selected a dros–deep burgundy, with a neckline that plunged dangerously low and a slit that would reveal most of my thigh when I walked. He possed it onto the bed.
“And how are you intending to dress me up?” I asked, eyeing the garment with distaste.
He smiled, the expression not reaching his eyes. “Put it on, Elowen.
I moved to the dressing rooms, only to find the door locked. “Why is the door to the dressing room locked?”
“Because I want you in that dress,” he replied.
I weighed my options, I could refuse and face whatever punishment he devised, or I could swallow my pride and comply. After the week I’d had, self–preservation won.
“Well, I have no underwear on,” I said, a last attempt at deterring him.
His smile widened slightly. That is the idea.”
With as much dignity as I could muster, I changed into the dress, painfully aware of his eyes tracking my every movement. The silk shid against my bare skin, cool and smooth, the fabric clinging to every curve as if it had been designed specifically for my
on the exposed skin the dress revealed. “Now, we’re late.”
1/3
As we walked through the corridors of the pack house, eyes followed–curious, speculative, pliying. Everyone knew, of course. The Alpha’s Luna had tried to escape and failed. Now she was being parsed before them as a reminder of his power, of the futility of defiance.
The grand hall was transformed for the ball, crystal chandeliers casting warm light over the assembled wolves Music flowed from a string quartet in the cornet, and couples twirled across the dance for in elegant patterns
Kalus guided me with a firm hand at the small of my back, steering toward a group of distinguished–looking wolves near th center of the room. Their conversation halted as we approached, alles turning to assess me.
“Alpha Kalus, greeted one of them, a tall man with striking blue–green eyes and dark hair streaked with silver. here.”
an honor to be
“Alpha Orion, nice to see you ton,” Kams replied, his tone condial, was hoping you would tarry after the ball; I’d like to have a chat with you.”
Orion
nodded, then turned his attention to me. “Laina Elowen.” He inclined his head in a respectful bow.
was surprised by the genuine courtesy in his manner–so different from the calculating coldness I’d come to expect from Alphys
“May I request the pleasure of a dance with you?” he asked, extending his hand.
Before I could respond, I felt Kalus nod his assent beside me. His nonchalant permission for another man to dance with me. treating me like property to be passed around, ignited fresh anger within me.
Sure, Orion, the pleasure is all mine,” 1 replied, dropping his title as accepted his hand. If Kaius wanted to punish me for the slight later, so be it.
Orion led me to the dance floor, his hand warm and steady against mine. “I’m not a very good dancer,” I admitted as we took our positions.
“That’s alright, I’ll take the lead,” he assured me with a smile that seemed genuine.
As we began to move with the music, I was acutely aware of Kaius watching us from the sidelines, his amber eyes tracking our eve
movement.
“So how d
do you
like it here?” Orion asked, skillfully guiding me through the steps of the dance.
“What?” The question caught me off guard. Was he genuinely asking about my wellbeing, or was this some kind of test?
Sorry for being so ‘nosy but you’ve become quite popular,” he explained, his voice low enough that only I could hear.”
WB–Me?
Popular? Please.” I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped me.
“Alpha Mius had never had a mate before, and many are surprised, Orion continued, his eyes studying my reaction carefully.
I said the only safe thing I could think of. “He was bound to find his mate one day.”
“Many place bets,” he added, something cryptic in his expression.
- “Bets on me?” | asked, curiosity overcoming caution.
“Yes, they don’t–think you will survive long.”
The blunt assessment should have frightened me, but instead, I felt strange sort of validation.
2/3
“What do you think?” I couldn’t help but ask as he guided me through a turn.
His blue–green eyes met mine, unexpectedly serious. I think you are stronger than anyone cares to give you credit for. The fact that you could sleep right next to the man is proof enough.”
The dance with Orion ended with an unexpected twirl, his skilled glance making me look far more graceful than I felt. The music faded, and I found myself actually smiling–the first genuine smile it what felt like weeks.
ateful for this
“Thank you for the dance,” I said, genuinely grateful for this brief respite.
Before Orion
could respond, a familiar hand clasped my shoulder. The tension radiating from that touch was unmistakable.
“I like to have a dance with my Luna if you may, Kalus said, his tree deceptively pleasant.
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