Chapter 3

The circle tightened.

Warriors stepped into the clearing, muscles rolling under skin, claws glinting beneath torchlight.

Victoria’s smile was patient.

“Trial by fang,” she said lightly. “Unless your former Alpha wishes to claim you.”

Every gaze turned to Leonardo.

He didn’t move.

But the air around him shifted.

Controlled.

Coiled.

“She won’t fight,” he said.

“Then claim her,” Victoria replied instantly.

The challenge landed like a blade between them.

Claim her—

And break the Bloodfang alliance before it was sealed.

Refuse—

And she stands alone.

Leonardo looked at me.

And in his eyes, I saw it.

Not indifference.

Warning.

If he claimed me now, Bloodfang would not just lose face.

They would retaliate.

And I would be the first target.

“I won’t claim her,” he said.

The words were steady.

Public.

Final.

A murmur rippled through the pack.

Victoria’s lips curved.

“Then the rite proceeds.”

Two warriors stepped forward.

The torches burned hotter.

The circle widened.

I didn’t move.

Didn’t struggle.

Didn’t shift.

Victoria tilted her head at me.

“Any last words?” she asked softly.

I looked at her.

Then at Leonardo.

Then at the warriors waiting for permission.

And finally, at the sky.

“Actually,” I said calmly, “I was waiting.”

Victoria frowned.

“For what?”

I smiled faintly.

“For my people.”

The courtyard went still.

Leonardo’s eyes sharpened.

Victoria laughed once.

“Your people?” she repeated. “You think a few stray Betas can—”

The sound cut her off.

Low.

Distant.

Growing.

Not howls.

Engines.

Every wolf froze.

Leonardo turned first.

Then the Betas at the perimeter.

The torches flickered in the sudden wind.

A deep mechanical thrum rolled over the territory.

Helicopters.

Three of them.

Black.

Unmarked.

Descending beyond the tree line.

They did not ask permission to enter Bloodfang airspace.

They did not circle in hesitation.

They hovered.

Dominant.

Victoria’s confidence faltered for the first time.

“Who authorized this?” she demanded.

No one answered.

Because no one had.

Moments later, the outer gates opened.

Not broken.

Opened.

As if someone inside had already granted access.

Black SUVs rolled in.

Not ceremonial.

Not tribal.

Strategic.

Disciplined.

The Beta guards stepped forward to intercept—

Then stopped.

Instinct.

Something older than pack hierarchy pressed through the air.

Something that did not roar.

Did not flare.

But commanded.

The first vehicle door opened.

Men stepped out in tailored black suits.

No partial shifts.

No exposed claws.

Their power was contained.

Refined.

Deadly.

Victoria’s grip tightened around Leonardo’s arm.

“What is this?” she whispered.

Leonardo didn’t answer.

Because he already knew.

The rear door of the final vehicle opened slowly.

Polished shoes touched gravel.

A tall young man stepped forward.

Composed.

Unhurried.

His gaze swept once across the courtyard.

Not lingering on Victoria.

Not acknowledging Leonardo.

Until it reached me.

Then he inclined his head.

A subtle gesture.

Respect.

“Miss Moretti,” he said clearly.

The name carried.

Like a verdict.

Silence crushed the courtyard.

Victoria’s fingers loosened.

“Moretti?” she echoed faintly.

Leonardo went completely still.

Understanding hit him in real time.

I stepped forward.

Just one pace.

The warriors in the ring instinctively moved aside.

No command given.

None needed.

“I told you,” I said quietly to Victoria.

“Tonight isn’t your territory.”

The wind from the rotors swept through the torches.

And the alliance that had just been sealed—

Began to fracture.