eyed mead, their voices slurred with arrogance. Thalassa wove through the chaos, a pitcher of wine in hand, her pulse a frantic dru

"One sip, and he'll speak truths he'd r

obsidian crown glinting as he drained his cup. Lysandra leaned close

ow

m slid into the pitcher, clear and scentless. Her hands shoo

ale

his arms laden with firewood. His gaz

, blocking the cask. "

ion narrowing his e

She shoved past him, hea

ed the wine, the liquid glinting blood-red

d the pitcher. "

wine sloshing. "The Alpha prefe

ra sneered. "Yo

e cut through.

oblet, her breath sha

g happ

, her nails digging into her

elthar muttered suddenly, his v

frowned.

, his gaze unfocused. "Ome

est tightened

ed his goblet down, wine splatteri

y. Lysandra touched his a

*roar*." His gaze swept the hall, landin

"An Omega

the word. "A bl

m his lips, unfiltered. "I

forward. "The win

lls. He stumbled toward Thalassa, his breath reeking of venom

her voice steady.

p. "Respect is earned wit

a petal staining her palm. She clenched her f

stilled.

d, knife drawn

r ear. She darted into the crowd, the

owed, but his words slurr

, her back pressed to the cold stone wall. The vi

athless. "Fool girl. You lit

in her hand, its crimson hue

-

his reflection, the truth serum's ha

the Omega

spe

blet, the shards

are

ngered, sharper