The flash of cameras blinded me as we stepped out of the royal vehicle. Pack reporters swarmed around us, shouting questions about my relationship with Alpha King Jack, but he ignored them completely. His hand tightened around mine as we walked toward the massive garden where Lord Adrian's celebration was being held.
I had never attended such a formal kingdom gathering before. Wolves in elegant attire filled the grounds, their conversations hushed and respectful. This was where the powerful gathered, where alliances were made and broken.
Lord Richard approached us first, his mate Nonna beside him. Both bowed their heads slightly in respect to Jack.
"Alpha King, we are honored by your presence," Richard said formally.
Jack nodded but did not release my hand to shake Richard's. I felt the weight of his possessiveness, the way he kept me anchored to his side.
"Welcome, Aurora," Richard said warmly, leaning forward to kiss my cheek.
Nonna hugged me tight, but her eyes widened when she realized Jack still held my hand. He never let go. Not even for my best friend.
Jack positioned us near the center of the garden. Wolves of all ranks began approaching, bowing, offering greetings and compliments. He responded with one or two words at most, his face carved from stone. This was the Alpha King everyone feared and respected.
Across the garden, I spotted John, Jack's younger brother. He had his arm around a blonde woman I did not recognize. I watched Jack's jaw tighten briefly before he looked away. John went through women like humans went through clothing.
"Alpha King, may I borrow you for a moment?" Richard asked carefully. "Just a brief discussion about kingdom matters."
Jack glanced down at our joined hands, then at my face. His dark eyes searched mine for something I could not name.
"Stay with Nonna," he said quietly. It was not a request. He nodded once at Nonna, a silent command to protect me, then released my hand and walked away with Richard.
I watched them go, feeling oddly exposed without his presence beside me.
"I cannot believe you are here with the Alpha King himself," Nonna whispered, grabbing my arm. "Everyone is staring at you."
"I know," I muttered. The weight of curious eyes pressed against my skin. "Richard's father is finally announcing his candidacy for the High Council position, right?"
"Yes, tonight," Nonna said, her face glowing with pride. "You will love Lord Adrian when you meet him. He treats everyone with equal respect, regardless of rank."
We stood together, two women dressed in formal gowns that probably cost more than most wolves earned in a year. I felt like an imposter playing dress up in someone else's life.
"Have your parents found a mate for the eldest Keyamo son yet?" Nonna asked quietly.
I sighed and looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I do not know. That is their problem to solve, not mine."
Nonna started to respond, but I cut her off. The words I had been holding back for weeks suddenly poured out.
"The truth is that I am not Ned Bluey's biological daughter," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I do not know who my real father is. But I will find him. Dead or alive, I will know the truth."
Nonna went very still beside me. Her eyes moved past me toward where Lord Adrian stood with a group of high-ranking wolves. Her expression shifted into something strange, something I could not read.
"Nonna?" I touched her arm. "What is wrong?"
She blinked and forced a smile. "Nothing. Just thinking about how Richard and I spent last night together."
I laughed, grateful for the subject change, but I noticed the distraction in her eyes. She was hiding something from me.
A woman approached us then, her smile bright but fake. Nonna stiffened immediately.
"Hello, I am Tessa Wilson," the woman said, extending her hand to me. "I am a friend of Richard's."
I shook her hand briefly out of politeness, but something about her made my wolf growl low in warning. When she offered her hand to Nonna, my friend stared at it for several long seconds before gripping it hard.
"I am Nonna," she said coldly. "Richard's mate."
Tessa's smile disappeared. She glared at Nonna with open hostility before forcing the fake smile back into place. She looked Nonna up and down slowly, dismissively.
"Aurora Bluey," I said flatly, not bothering to smile. I wanted her to know she was not welcome here.
Tessa nodded and walked away. Nonna and I exchanged glances.
"Richard's ex?" I guessed.
"Yes," Nonna said tightly.
I was about to say more when I saw where Tessa was headed. Straight toward Richard and Jack.
Tessa walked up behind Richard and placed her hand on his waist. My stomach dropped. She caressed his back slowly, intimately, as if she had every right to touch him that way.
Richard did not turn immediately. He probably thought it was Nonna. But when her hand moved higher up his back, he spun around.
His face went white when he saw Tessa standing there, smiling at him.
Across from them, Jack had witnessed the entire thing. His eyes found mine across the garden, dark and assessing. Then he looked at Tessa with pure disgust. This was about to get very ugly.