Chapter 18

—Sienna’s POV—

My dress was beautiful — and free — but my problems were bigger, taking center stage in my mind.

Asher didn’t know I’d lost my wolf, so he didn’t realize just how much Julian’s words terrified me. To him, it probably seemed like I was traumatized from the attack on me.

That really wasn’t it.

“You’re a real queen,” Asher said from the doorway, startling me.

I met my eyes in the mirror, amazed at just how exquisite I looked. Normally I wouldn’t give myself that high a level of compliment, but…

This dress really was made for me.

The way it fit my waist, cinching it in only to flow out wider, falling in gentle ruffles to the ground.

I’d pulled my hair up in a twisted bun, braids leading along each side of my head. An old necklace of my mother’s sat around my neck, glimmering the same pale blue as the dress.

She’d worn it all the time, out to any major event. It was only fitting I wore it tonight.

I waved Asher away, tired of analyzing myself, and really not wanting to flush too hard at how good he looked in that tuxedo. If I tried to say anything more, my voice was going to shake.

“We should get going,” I smiled tightly, stealing one last glance at the perfect dress on me. It sparkled in the light of my room, fanning out around me like the tail of a peacock.

The Alpha Ball took place in the middle of all the packs in a huge ballroom, purposely placed perfectly in the center of our nation, an equal distance from the packs.

Asher and I arrived arm in arm at the archway entrance, and I couldn’t help but feel horribly out of place. It was so fancy, all of the richest, most elite in attendance.

And then there was me.

Just enjoy it, a small part of me urged.

The issue was, the Lycan King was there, too. I would have to be on constant watch, never letting my guard down. Anyone could be watching at any time.

We entered the main ballroom, my breath catching in my throat.

Not one other Alpha acknowledged me, which hurt, considering the success of the banquet.

I was the only female Alpha there — the youngest, too. By a lot.

“Why aren’t they at least saying hello?” I mumbled to Asher, sadness washing over me. “After everything?”

“We might believe people are thinking about us, but they’re always more focused on themselves.” Asher squeezed my arm in reassurance. “They’ll talk.”

In the crowd ahead, Lucius parted through, his eyes locking on Asher and I.

His face lit up like he hadn’t seen us in forever.

“Sienna! Asher! My favorite couple of the evening,” he beamed, looking way too good in his navy suit, embroidered with the Blackmoon signet at the shoulders.

A noticeable shift in the atmosphere occurred the second Lucius said our names. The crowd reacted, their eyes turning to me, nodding in approval at my dress.

Finally, I existed to them.

“Very good to see you, Lucius,” I smiled, offering him a delicate nod.

“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Lucius grinned, kissing my knuckles.

Wow, his lips are soft. I had to hush my thoughts before I blushed.

“Thank you.” I bowed my head to him, thankful for the positive change he brought for me. Even if I was just a favor, it was benefiting me.

“Might I steal a dance with you later?” Lucius asked, his eyes flicking to Asher for approval, too.

“Absolutely.” My smile stretched across my face so far it ached. “It’d be my honor.”

“I’ll find you in a bit.” Lucius winked before clapping Asher on the shoulder, stepping away into the beckoning crowd. So many people wanted his attention at every second.

For what felt like a while, I mingled with Luna’s - they seemed to most understand my situation, the lone female Alpha in a sea of powerful males.

My heart began to pound in my throat as my eyes skimmed the room, landing at the entrance where Julian was just strolling in, most certainly looking for me.

It didn’t take him long to spot me in the middle of the room, practically lit up by a spotlight.

He immediately cut through the crowd towards me, his eyes cold.

I’m scared.

The second he was in front of me, he spoke up, loud enough to be heard over the music and all the crowds chatter.

His voice boomed through the open space, quickly catching everyone’s attention. The room quieted at record speed.

“There is an Alpha here who doesn’t deserve her position!” Julian bellowed, pointing directly at me.

I almost broke down on the spot.

No, no, no. He wasn’t doing this to me right now.

He couldn’t be.

But he is…

He waited until the crowd was completely silent to sink the knife in deeper.

“She’s lost her wolf!”

Gasps scattered through the crowd, the low hum of chatter washing through the room.

Julian continued, thirsty for more of the spotlight.

More of the power.

“Who would have thought…a wolf-less Alpha managing a pack? Until her wolf returns - if it ever does - her pack should be controlled by someone worthy.” Julian was absolutely drunk on the attention he had.

I couldn’t find my voice, entirely muted by his outing of my darkest secret in front of everyone. Though the crowd didn’t seem sure of how to react - they were more shocked by the interruption than anything else.

Like the knight in shining armor he was, Asher stepped up next to me, taking my hand. “This is a bit much, isn’t it?”

A few chuckles echoed through the crowd, the people relieved at any chance to lighten the tension.

“Barging in here, interrupting this beautiful night, all for what, a lie?” Asher raised his voice, letting it bounce off the space of the room, overpowering Julian’s. “What are you trying to achieve?”

“It’s not a lie at all. She’s lost her wolf — I’m sure of it.” Julian sneered at Asher, seemingly unafraid of him. “She’s welcome to prove me wrong.”

“Leave her alone!” Someone in the crowd called out.

“Get a room!” Another said snidely.

“This is extremely unprofessional,” Asher said, turning to address the crowd. “So sorry for the interruption, folks. Julian here has been acting out quite a lot.”

The chatter picked up at that, Julian’s eyes narrowing to slits.

“If she hasn’t lost her wolf, then she can — ” Julian’s words were cut off by Asher.

“All she has to do is — ”

I tugged on Asher’s sleeve as nonchalantly as I could, hoping he would get the hint.

Please don’t say it. Don’t say I can shift.

Because I wouldn’t be able to.

Asher’s eyes met mine as he stopped mid-sentence.

He understood my silent cry.

Slowly, he corrected his words. “All it takes is a little bite, right? A werewolf without their wolf can’t be marked.”

My heart was in overdrive, a sour taste sitting in my mouth. If Asher did that and I didn’t respond, I would be outed to the entire crowd, shamed in front of the Lycan King…who thankfully wasn’t there yet to witness all of the mess.

Or you could fake it.

“Then do it,” Julian purred, his eyes flashing with anger. “Bite her. Prove her wolf is there, prove that you have a bond.”

“Won’t you just be so disappointed when we prove how true we really are?” Asher sounded so confident that I almost believed him too. “Will you survive it?”

Julian growled softly, the crowd on their tiptoes, leaning in so eagerly for more of the drama.

I couldn’t speak out, couldn’t risk pushing Julian to say even more.

“And why should she even — ” Asher began, but I interrupted.

“I’ll do it.”