Music pulsed in the background, drums beating steady as if echoing the heartbeat of the Alphas and their wolves. But the rhythm broke when a sharp cry sliced the room apart.
“Don’t!”
Zarya’s voice cracked like thunder across the hall. She stumbled out from behind one of the carved pillars, her body trembling as though invisible chains yanked her spine. Her face was pale, her lips cracked, her eyes wild. They froze their forks mid-air, their conversations halted, even the musicians silenced their strings and drums, uncertain.
Alpha Logan’s hand paused mid-air, the jeweled goblet of wine inches from his lips. His piercing gaze narrowed on Zarya, his Beta, his second in command who had no business interrupting a feast.
And then...
Zarya lunged. Her hand smacked the goblet from his grip,
