30 Taking Chances

**Darius’s POV**

"Taking a slave to a banquet?" Leonard, my Beta, burst out in disbelief, his voice sharp with outrage.

"And why should that be a problem?" Declan responded coolly, glancing at him as we adjusted our suits in the fitting room mirror. His calm tone contrasted with Leonard's agitation.

Leonard scoffed, his frustration simmering beneath his words. "She's marked and branded, Darius! You know what that means—she can't be seen with you in public. I understand she's beautiful, but her place isn't in the spotlight. She should stay in the shadows, where she belongs."

The irritation bubbling inside me erupted in a low growl, my wolf stirring beneath the surface. I turned to him, my gaze sharp and commanding. 

"Are you questioning my decision?" My voice carried the edge of a warning, and the room seemed to tense.

Leonard immediately stepped back, raising his hands slightly as if to shield himself from the rising tension. 

"No," he said cautiously, "but I think the other one—your usual date—is better. She's beautiful, too. And... untouched. She’s someone worthy to be seen by your side."

A dry chuckle escaped me. His words, though predictable, grated on my nerves. "That will be my date," Declan interjected, a sly grin playing on his lips. 

I could see the flicker of eagerness in his eyes. He was talking about Leah. It was part of the arrangement we’d made—he would keep company Annabel on her free time, not just for show but as a test.

I had wanted to see how she would behave, given her desperate situation and the cold distance I’d kept between us. 

I half-expected her to throw herself at Declan, hoping to escape her fate. But she hadn’t. Instead, she’d surprised both of us with her grace and self-respect. 

She wasn’t like the others. There was something... different about her. Something I couldn’t ignore.

"Leonard," I said, my tone low and firm, "I didn’t appoint you to advise me on who I should associate with. Watch your tongue."

Declan let out a laugh, the sound cutting through the tension. "You know," he began, adjusting his cufflinks casually, "she’s actually fun to be around. You should stop focusing on that mark on her neck and start looking at who she really is. If you can see past all of that, you’ll find there’s nothing wrong with her."

Leonard sighed heavily, his exasperation palpable. He didn’t understand. Not yet. But I did. I wasn’t just making a decision—I was navigating something far more complex. 

Something that demanded my attention, my instincts, and maybe, just maybe, a piece of my heart.

Maxwell Stormrider had always been a thorn in our side, a relentless obstacle in our conquest. The thought of him meeting his end elsewhere still felt surreal. Leonard’s voice was tight with unease as he spoke, letting his true fears surface.

"Maxwell slowed us down like no other. If someone had told me he'd meet his demise away from us, I would’ve called it a lie. There’s no way his wife doesn’t share the same grudge he held against you," Leonard said, his words heavy with concern.

I met his gaze, my tone steady as I corrected him. "His widow," I emphasized, "And she doesn’t. That woman is just relieved to be alive and free of his oppressive family." It wasn’t just a guess—it was a calculated observation.

"Enough of this," I said sharply, shifting my focus. "We have a banquet to attend." I turned to him, my voice firm. "And Leonard, you will be polite to my date—mark or no mark. Do I make myself clear?"

He hesitated but nodded reluctantly, and with that, we moved to the entrance where the vehicles awaited. 

The cool night air greeted us as we stepped outside, but it was her scent that truly hit me—a soft, sweet fragrance that sent a ripple of warmth through me. I fought to keep my composure as we approached.

There she was, standing at the entrance, likely instructed to wait for me. Annabel. Her presence was striking, even amidst the grandeur of the evening. Tabitha stood beside her, beaming with a radiant smile, and Leah was nearby as well, exchanging words with Declan. But it was Annabel who captured my attention completely.

She was breathtaking. The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Her elegance was undeniable, her grace something that couldn’t be taught. There was a regal quality about her—a presence fit for a Luna, fit for a queen. But life hadn’t been kind to her. It was evident in the delicate way she held herself, like someone wary of the world’s cruelties.