ugh the live music like a scream of a hyena. Heads turned, e

lifted her chin up showing her c

my's blacklist. Her gown glittering as though trying to outshine her fury. "Don't you dare, Riana. You don'

th her words, "Funny, I don't recall betrayal in my vows. Only loyalty to

into their wine. Amy's painted smile wobbled. She knew her wa

r council will welcome you? You're a stain. And stains don't get seats. Go b

y. I'll earn their respect, and one day yours too. And the fact you're screaming in public right now.." She paused and

Don't forget who my husband is" Amy's cheeks burned cri

old general of an army of her pack. He was twice her age and was trappe

eady to fight the guards if required. Her nails we

ing through the tension like a blade. Again

ation was

who had once made her laugh so hard she couldn't breathe, the

ed from stone, his ey

on Gala this year, I confirm the invitation for Mrs Winters, Luna of A

allenge the council yourself" he said before he

e could be expelled from the Gala if

Amy without turning his b

y sputtered, humiliated, before st

ting in her chest. She wanted, truly want

e moved on, as though she never existed in his life.

tter ache in her heart. If not for that accident ei

ected their bond back then. She had no right to pursue him

her head. 'Tonight isn't about him

d the opposite

perched like vultures with wine glasses in hand. T

older wolf with a mane of sil

, keeping her voice stea

eaders who had survived both fire and shame and still stood taller than before. She played her words like c

e that night. She was a woman r

ast, that w

has. Riana felt his presence like a tug on her skin. She caught herself stealing glances-when he adju

bruise she hid w

s exchanged glances heavy with consideratio

wolf said at last, "you do

rious. "Sharper tee

e felt the shift, the smallest tilt in her favor. A

ty glass, her eyes betrayed her again. Sli

, finally brushed-just for a

words ever could. 'Perhaps, I

, she saw someone she had wished not to m

Stella, Wesley's

ia

ate. She had to brace herself facing Wesley'

in closer to Riana like they were co-c

yin

ed, "Grandmama sent you, didn't she? To

and emptied the content in her mouth. "Oh, honey, i

She doesn't trust me to win the Gala Queen title. She pr

rows. "You're runn

arby wolves roll their eyes. "I've been preparing to win this y

d-a slow, regal wrist twist followed by a dram

s like you're airin

How dare you! You're just saying that

on sequins blinding the judges into submission.

laws. Stella sniffed. "The title isn't abou

ractice being a trophy wife for.

to pop out from her socket, "You are exhausting, Riana. No wond

again, and the air shifted like prey sensing a predator. Ria

sband had

perfection. And clinging to his arm, dripping in