My lips moved against Kaius’s, hesitant at first, then with growing urgency. The world around us seemed to fade away as an unfamiliar heat spread through my veins.

“Pretend,” Kaius whispered against my ear, his lips brushing my skin.

“Why would I—” I began breathlessly, but was cut short by the sensation flooding through me. This wasn’t anything like Dorian’s weak kisses. This one made me wet instantly.

I didn’t have time to make sense of it. Dorian cut through the crowd, his face contorted with rage. “She is not your mate. Release her at once.”

Kaius turned slowly, keeping his arm possessively around my waist. “And why would you say that?”

“Look at her,” Dorian sneered, gesturing at me dismissively. “She is a low rank here, barely above omega. An Alpha like you could never be mated to filth like her.”

Something flashed in Kaius’s eyes—something dangerous. “Why should that bother you? Unless… she means something to you?”

I watched Dorian’s face as he realized the trap he’d stepped into. His eyes darted to Selene, who was glaring at him with suspicion.

“She wouldn’t be good enough for an alliance,” Dorian backtracked hastily. “She is nothing. Worthless. I’m merely protecting the honor of your bloodline.”

The growl that emanated from Kaius’s chest shook the very air, rattling the crystal chandelier overhead. “Watch. Your. Tongue.”

The collective gasp from the pack was audible. Several members dropped to their knees instinctively, bowing before a power they recognized as far superior to their own Alpha’s.

Dorian’s face paled. “I… apologize, Alpha.”

Frost smirked from behind Kaius. “The mighty Mistwood Alpha, bowing like a pup.”

“I believe the female beside you is your mate and Luna, correct?” Kaius asked, his voice dripping with condescension. “The one you’ve been flaunting all evening?”

Dorian was trapped in his own lie. He glanced at Selene, whose face had grown increasingly suspicious. “Yes… this is my mate and my Luna.”

“Dorian, what is happening?” Selene hissed. “Why does he even care about that lowborn pack rat?”

Kaius’s voice dropped to a deadly soft tone. “Then I would warn you only once: do not ever speak in such a manner to my mate again. Else I will remind you why the Ravenhollow Pack borders have expanded three times in as many years.”

I fought to keep my face neutral, but inside, a small part of me glowed with satisfaction. For once, Dorian was the one being humiliated. The one being put in his place.

“Understood,” Dorian said, swallowing hard.

“Come with me, mate,” Kaius commanded, turning to me. “This place is beneath you now.”

As he guided me toward the exit, the whispers began.

“How did trash like her catch his eye?” a female pack member whispered, not bothering to lower her voice enough.

Another wolf responded in a hushed tone, “Do you think he knows what she was to our Alpha?”

Kaius paused, turning to address the entire room. “My mate will be addressed as Luna Elowen of Ravenhollow from this moment. Anyone who forgets will answer to me personally.”

The silence that followed was absolute. I could barely process what was happening. How did Kaius even know my name? We had never met before, of that I was certain. And why would he claim me as his mate when the bond we shared was clearly not real?

I glanced back once as we left the hall. My mother stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock and worry. I tried to communicate with my gaze that I would be okay, though I had no idea if that was true.

When we were alone, my heart hammered against my ribs. I could run, but what was the point? If the stories were true, Kaius could catch me before I’d taken three steps.