The traditional mating dance drew to a close, the final notes of primal rhythm fading as the orchestra transitioned to slower, more elegant melodies. Around me, couples began to pair up for the formal dance—the one where, according to centuries of tradition, the Alpha and Luna would lead the pack in a display of unity and strength.

I stood alone at the edge of the dance floor, scanning the crowd for Raymond, who had disappeared. As Luna, I couldn't initiate the dance without him. Protocol was clear—the Alpha leads, the Luna follows, and together they demonstrate the harmony that guides the pack.

But Raymond was nowhere to be found.

Minutes ticked by, the awkward pause stretching as guests began to notice my isolation. Whispers rippled through the crowd, heads turning as eyes darted between the empty space beside me and where Raymond had last been seen with Giana.

"Luna Aurora," a visiting Alpha approached, extending his hand. "Perhaps you would honor me with this dance, since your mate appears... delayed."

I smiled politely but shook my head. "You're very kind, Alpha Donovan, but tradition dictates I wait for my Alpha."

Another approached, then a third. Each time, I refused as gently as possible, even as the whispers grew louder and less discreet.

"Where is the Alpha?" "Has he abandoned his Luna on the ceremonial night?" "The disrespect is unprecedented..."

My cheeks burned with humiliation, but I maintained my smile, refusing to let them see how deeply this latest insult cut. I stood taller, chin lifted, every inch the Luna I'd been raised to be—even as my heart crumbled further with each passing moment.

Just as the whispers threatened to become impossible to ignore, a tall figure cut through the crowd, moving with predatory grace.

Kane.

He wore formal black attire that accentuated his powerful frame, his presence commanding attention without effort. What surprised me was that Lydia—his date for the evening—was no longer attached to his arm.

He stopped before me, offering a formal bow. "Luna Aurora," he said, voice carrying just enough to be heard by those nearest us. "The Alpha has asked me to stand in his place for the opening dance while he attends to an urgent matter."

We both knew it was a lie. Raymond had made no such request. But Kane was offering me a way out of this public humiliation, and despite our recent tensions, I couldn't refuse.

I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me to the center of the floor. As other couples joined us, Kane's hand settled at my waist, sending an unexpected warmth through me despite the formal distance between our bodies.

"You deserve better than this humiliation," he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

I kept my smile in place, aware of the many eyes watching us. "I'm fine."

"Liar," he murmured, the word without heat.

Our bodies moved in perfect synchronization, as if we'd danced together for years rather than just this once. I noticed several influential pack members watching with interest, particularly Luna Elena, whose expression seemed both concerned and calculating.

"Elena's planning something," Kane observed, following my gaze. "She's been watching Giana like a hawk all evening."

"You've been observing the politics while pretending to flirt with half the unmated females?" I couldn't keep the edge from my voice.

A hint of a smile touched his lips. "Jealous, Luna?"

"Don't flatter yourself," I replied, though we both knew it was a lie.

As we turned, Kane nodded subtly toward a cluster of younger wolves. "Notice how those three have been shadowing Giana all evening? They're from the lowest ranks, yet she's brought them to an event usually reserved for warriors and council members."

I hadn't noticed, but now I saw the pattern. "She's building loyalty among the lower ranks."

"Smart strategy if you're planning something that might face resistance from established leadership," Kane agreed.

The dance continued, our conversation hidden beneath the music. With each turn, I found myself moving slightly closer to him, drawn by both the need for secrecy and something deeper I didn't want to examine.

"Your father-in-law's watching us," Kane murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "He doesn't look pleased."

"Neither does your date," I replied, catching sight of Lydia's furious expression.

Kane chuckled, the sound reverberating through his chest. "She's not my date. She's my informant. Her sister works in Giana's new entourage."

The revelation surprised me, and I nearly missed a step. Kane adjusted seamlessly, his hand tightening slightly at my waist.

"Careful," he whispered, and I wasn't sure if he meant with the dance or with my reactions.

The music swelled toward its conclusion, and I became suddenly aware of how intimate our dance had become. The proper distance had vanished, replaced by a closeness that drew whispers from those watching. Kane's eyes held mine, something unspoken passing between us as the final notes approached.

"Aurora," he said, my name a caress on his lips.

Our faces were inches apart, gazes locked in a moment that felt outside of time and place. I felt myself swaying toward him, drawn by something stronger than gravity. The rich amber of his eyes seemed to darken as they dropped to my lips, my heart thundering in my chest so loud I was certain he could hear it.

For a suspended moment, I forgot where we were, who was watching, what was at stake. There was only Kane, his warmth, his strength, the intoxicating scent of him surrounding me.

A hand clamped down on my shoulder, breaking the spell.

"That's enough," Raymond's voice cut through the music like a blade.

I stepped back from Kane, my heart hammering in my chest, to find Raymond glaring at us both. Giana stood a few paces behind him, her expression a perfect mask of concern that didn't reach her calculating eyes.

"What the hell is this?" Raymond demanded, loud enough that nearby dancers paused.

Raymond's voice cut through the moment like a knife. He pushed his way between Kane and me, silently demanding more space between us. His face was dark with fury, his eyes moving between the two of us with unconcealed suspicion.

Kane's expression shifted instantly to cool detachment. "Just fulfilling my duties as your representative, Alpha," he replied smoothly. "Since you were... occupied elsewhere."

"I made no such request," Raymond snapped, stepping forward. His voice carried just enough for nearby guests to hear, creating exactly the scene I'd hoped to avoid.

"A misunderstanding, then," Kane replied with easy confidence. "When I saw the Luna standing alone while you were absent, I thought it best to maintain protocol rather than let whispers spread about the Alpha's unusual absence during the ceremonial dance."

The audience we'd attracted grew still, sensing the brewing confrontation between Alpha and his supposed ally. Giana's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched the tension unfold—this was exactly what she wanted: division and public discord.

"We need to talk," Raymond growled, his eyes fixed on me rather than Kane. "Now."

As the crowd watched with undisguised interest, the midnight dance may be over, but I knew whatever was coming next promised to be anything but harmonious.