Chapter 6

A man in red ceremonial robes walked in, his dark hair tied high and fastened with a gold clasp. He was striking — deep fox-like eyes and a small dark mark at the tip of his nose.

He caught me staring and smiled. He reached up and let the strands of moonstones on my veil drop down over my face.

The moonstones swayed. In their light, his gaze went softer.

Rhys Thorne lowered his voice. "Your father was worried it had been too long. He sent me in to find you. Forgive the intrusion, Luna."

Then he offered me his hand.

He smiled slightly. Maybe it was the red robes that blunted the edge in his eyes.

I thought of what the capital said about him. A fearless young Alpha Warrior. And also reckless, with too many She-Wolves.

At first my father hadn't even wanted to match me to him. But when Rhys heard my father was looking for an Alpha for me, he'd hunted a pair of bucks himself and brought them to Ashford Manor to ask for me.

He'd bowed his head in front of my father. "I know my reputation in the capital isn't what it should be. I know I've been reckless. But I give my word to Alpha Ashford — once Marked, I'll be the Alpha a mate deserves."

That vow echoed in my head, and I laid my hand on his without thinking. The young Alpha's hand was rough with calluses, and his skin ran warm — warmer than mine. Somehow that steady heat quieted the fear in my chest.

Rhys noticed me take his hand and his mouth tipped up slightly. He started to lead me out — and a figure in white blocked his path.

Caius's face was dark. "Rhys Thorne. What's this about? You know she's mine, and you still move in on me?"

Caius had taken a Council seat young. He was not someone to cross lightly.

Rhys kept his grip on my hand and barely glanced at him. "Selene Ashford is my Marked mate. What business of yours is that, Alpha Langford?"

"Caius!" Before Caius could answer, a piercing cry came from behind him, and a She-Wolf in a pale yellow dress threw her arms around him. Her voice shook. "Caius, stop this. Let's go home."

It was Rhea. The five-year-old pup was right behind her, eyes wet, little hand tugging on Caius's robe. "Papa, don't leave Mina and Mama. Mina will be good, Mina promises."

"What are you saying?! I'm not your father!"

Caius snapped back at her, voice rough and hard, and the pup burst into sobs.

Every noble She-Wolf in the courtyard turned cold eyes on him.

"Alpha Langford is so proud. A little while ago you were going to give this She-Wolf and her pup a proper name. Now you turn your back on them? Don't tell me you want both at the same time. Our Selene doesn't need that kind of Alpha."

It was the daughter of a Council Beta, Celia Harrington, who spoke up for me first.

These She-Wolves were all friends of mine, and seeing Caius like this lit them up.

"Right! I thought Alpha Langford was decent. Taking his temper out on a pup?"

"A five-year-old pup doesn't lie. If she calls him Papa here, she calls him Papa at home."

"Putting on distance in public and playing house in private. What a spineless Alpha!"

Every eye on him was full of contempt and mockery. For the first time in his life, Caius was feeling what rumor actually does to a person.

The pup he'd been spoiling had shoved him straight into the storm.

Caius's panic only lasted a few seconds. He caught himself and spoke up. "Mina is five. Rhea left the capital five years ago and I stayed right here. How could she possibly be my blood pup?"

"Rhea saved my life when we were young. I couldn't stand to watch her be slandered, so I offered to Mark her. I wanted to give her a way out. I never meant to hurt the She-Wolf I truly love."

When he looked at me, his eyes were full of regret. I let out a cold laugh inside. He had no idea how transparent he was.

Sure enough, the noble She-Wolves laughed too. "Pretty words. You just realized the one you wanted got away and now you're sorry."

"Selene, I think you should settle this with him today. Otherwise Alpha Langford really will think he can have both."

The one speaking was Princess Elara Kingsley, the Alpha King's favorite. Caius heard her and didn't dare snap back. He just looked at me, almost pleading.

"Selene, I was wrong. Could you —"

Before he finished, I slapped him. Hard. His head snapped to the side.

Caius stood frozen, like he hadn't even imagined I could do it.

It wasn't enough. I swung again and slapped him across the other cheek.

"Caius Langford, you had the nerve to come to my home to start a scene today.