Chapter 111: Overstepped

Kaelen's POV

"Whatever your Beta recommends." I tried to sound engaged. Professional.

But the bond was screaming. Sending me flashes of emotion. Her amusement. Her determination. And underneath it all—

Challenge. Pure, deliberate challenge.

She knows I'm watching. She's doing this on purpose.

"Come now, Kaelen." Kieran's smile widened. "Surely the great Shadowmere Alpha has opinions on convoy security. What about guard positioning? Front and rear, or distributed throughout?"

His gaze slid meaningfully toward the dance floor again. "These details matter when you're trying to protect something valuable."

The bastard was enjoying this.

"Three guards minimum," I snapped. "Plus a scout. Are we done?"

Zephyr blinked, taken aback by my tone. "Kaelen, what's wrong? If this is about Damien, we can handle it. You don't need to—"

"Nothing's wrong." I took a long drink, welcoming the burn. "Just tired of repeating myself."

Kieran's smile turned downright wolfish. "Of course. My apologies." He settled back in his chair, looking thoroughly entertained. "You know, Shadowmere's Spring Celebration really is impressive. So many unmated wolves finding connections." His eyes gleamed. "The energy in this room is incredible. Almost... electric."

His gaze landed deliberately on Seraphine.

"Some wolves seem particularly enthusiastic about the festivities tonight."

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack.

Down below, Seraphine's dance partner pulled her closer. Their bodies were nearly flush now. His mouth moved near her ear, saying something that made her smile.

That defiant, fuck-you smile I'd seen once before.

In the forest. When she'd challenged me.

When she'd been magnificent.

My wolf roared. Claws scraped at my control.

Kill him. Rip him apart. Show her who she belongs to.

"Actually," Kieran said, standing and stretching, his movements lazy but his eyes sharp with anticipation, "all this talk of patrol routes is making me restless. What do you say we join the party? You're the host, after all. Should probably mingle."

"Good idea," Zephyr agreed, oblivious to the tension. "Besides, I'm curious about your traditions. We don't do formal celebrations like this in my territory."

I wanted to refuse. Wanted to stay up here where I could maintain some semblance of control.

But refusing would mean explaining why. Would mean admitting that the sight of Seraphine in another male's arms was driving me fucking insane.

So I stood. Descended the stairs. Stepped onto the dance floor.

And promptly asked the nearest unmated female—some young wolf whose name I didn't catch—to dance.

The music swelled. We moved. My hand on her waist, hers on my shoulder. Perfectly proper. Perfectly acceptable.

But I wasn't looking at her.

I was watching Seraphine across the floor.

Watching her laugh. Watching her dance. Watching that male's hands wander lower and lower.

"Alpha?" My partner's voice was uncertain. "Are you—ow!"

I'd stepped on her foot. Hard.

"Sorry," I muttered, forcing my attention back to her.

But it was impossible. The bond was a live wire in my chest. Seraphine's emotions bleeding through. Excitement. Anticipation. And that sharp edge of defiance that made my blood boil.

She was doing this deliberately. Pushing. Testing.

Seeing how far she could go before I snapped.

I stepped on my partner's foot again. She yelped.

"Apologies," I said through gritted teeth. "I'm distracted."

"It's fine, Alpha, but—"

The music changed. A new song. Slower. More intimate.

And across the floor, Seraphine and her partner stopped dancing.

He took her hand. Not roughly. Not aggressively. But with clear intent.

And he led her toward the edge of the crowd.

Toward the stairs.

The stairs that led to the second floor. To the private rooms. To—

No.

My partner said something. I didn't hear it. Didn't care.

Every instinct was locked on Seraphine as she reached the base of the stairs.

She paused. Turned.

And looked directly at me.

Those green eyes found mine through the crowd with perfect, deliberate precision.

Cold. Challenging. Mocking.

Her expression said it all: You can be with Vespera. Why can't I do the same?

Then she turned away. Let that male take her hand. Started climbing the stairs.

The world went red.

My glass shattered. Whiskey and blood mixed, dripping onto the marble floor.

I shoved my partner away. She stumbled, crying out.

The music stopped. Conversations died. Every eye in the room turned toward me.

I didn't care.

My Alpha aura exploded outward like a shockwave. Omegas dropped to their knees. Betas bowed their heads. Even some of the stronger wolves flinched back.

Gold bled into my vision. Fangs extended. A growl built in my chest—low, deadly, promising violence.

"Kaelen?!" Zephyr's voice was shocked. Confused. "What the hell—"

"Whoa, easy there." Kieran's tone was lazy. Amused. Like he'd been waiting for exactly this. "It's just a party. No need to—"

But I was already moving.

Through the crowd. Wolves scrambled out of my way, their faces pale with fear.

My boots hit the stairs. Each step echoed like thunder.

Seraphine had disappeared around the corner. Into the upper hallway. Toward the private rooms.

With him.

My wolf was in full control now. Hunting. Furious.

She's ours. Our mate. Ours to claim. Ours to mark. Ours to—

I rounded the corner.

And there she was. Halfway down the hall. The male's hand still in hers.

They both turned at my approach. The male's eyes widened. He took one look at my face and went pale.

Smart wolf.

But not smart enough.

My boot connected with his ribs before he could speak. The impact sent him flying backward, crashing into the opposite wall with a sickening thud.

He crumpled to the floor, gasping.

I was on him in seconds. One hand fisted in his shirt, hauling him up until his feet barely touched the ground.

"How dare you?" The words came out as a snarl. "How dare you touch my mate?"

His face went from pale to white. "Your—what? I didn't know! She never said—"

"Kaelen!"

Seraphine's voice cut through the red haze.

Then her hands were on me. Shoving. Hard.

I stumbled back, releasing the male.

Seraphine stood between us. Chest heaving. Eyes blazing with fury that matched my own.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. The bond crackling like lightning between us.

Then she spoke.

Cold. Clear. Throwing my own words back in my face like weapons.

"Go away. What I do and who I spend my time with is none of your concern."