Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Zane
The words tasted like ash in my mouth the moment I said them.
Because Kaius knew, he knew exactly what he was doing—standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders, his fingers brushing the bare skin of her neck as he fastened that necklace.
Asking me what I thought with that innocent tone that didn’t fool me for a second.
My nephew wasn’t stupid. He’d been raised in this world, taught to read power dynamics and exploit weaknesses. And right now, he was exploiting mine.
The fact that I had a weakness toward Tiana—that was the problem.
I should have been immune and be able to watch another man touch my mate and feel nothing beyond the mild territorial instinct the bond demanded.
Instead, I’d wanted to rip his hands off her body and break every finger that had dared linger on her skin.
The violence of the urge had caught me off guard. It still was catching me off guard, even as I sat here trying to maintain the blank expression that had served me well for years.
But Tiana’s eyes had held mine for a beat too long, searching for something I couldn’t give her. Then she’d looked away, and I’d felt the loss of her gaze.
This was getting out of hand.
“The necklace suits you, Tiana,” Leila said, breaking the tension that had wound itself around the room like a noose. “Kaius has excellent taste.”
“He does,” Tiana murmured, her fingers still touching the pendant at her throat.
I tracked the movement. Couldn’t help it. The silver chains caught the light, drawing attention to the elegant line of her neck.
The outline of her neck pulsed through me with every heartbeat, primal and possessive in ways that had nothing to do with the contract or the heir I needed.
A knock at the door interrupted whatever Kaius had been about to say.
“Enter,” I said, grateful for the distraction.
Beta Ezra stepped inside, a cream-colored envelope in his hand. The formal kind, sealed with red wax.
“Apologies for the interruption, Alpha,” he said. “This just arrived by courier. Marked urgent.”
He crossed the room and handed me the envelope. I recognized the seal immediately—the Lunar Council’s insignia pressed into the wax.
Right. The Convergence Ball.
I’d known it was coming up, having received the preliminary notice weeks ago. But with everything else, I’d let it slip to the back of my mind.
I broke the seal and scanned the contents quickly. Same formal language as always.
“The Council requests the honor of Alpha Zane Blackthorne’s presence at the annual Lunar Convergence Ball.”
Attendance was mandatory for all regional Alphas. Mates were expected to attend as well.
“What is it?” Leila asked, though the knowing look in her eyes suggested she already had a good idea.
“The Convergence Ball,” I said flatly. “Two days from now.”
Leila’s face lit up. “Oh, how wonderful! I haven’t been to one in years. Are you excited, Tiana?”
Tiana looked like a deer caught in crosshairs. “I… I should be. But I’m not sure what it should be like.”
“It’s a political nightmare disguised as a celebration,” I said, before anyone could paint it in prettier colors. “All the regional Alphas gather to discuss territory, trade agreements, and generally posture at each other for hours.”
“It’s also beautiful,” Leila countered, shooting me a look. “Music, dancing, the finest food and wine. It’s one of the few times our kind actually socializes across pack lines.” She turned to Tiana, enthusiasm bright in her eyes. “You’ll love it. Well, parts of it anyway. The politics can be tedious, but the spectacle is worth it.”
“You’re going?” Kaius asked his mother.
“Oh, I’d love to,” Leila said wistfully. “But I’ve been away from home too long as it is. Your father has been sending increasingly pointed messages about my absence.” She smiled, soft and fond in a way that made a bit of unease shift in my chest. “I should head back north in the next day or two. He gets insufferable when I’m gone too long.”
The way she said it—with affection rather than obligation, made it clear their bond was nothing like the disaster I’d created with Tiana.
“He misses you,” Kaius grinned.
“He does.” Leila’s expression turned almost smug. “Thirty years bonded and he still can’t sleep properly when I’m not there. It’s quite satisfying, actually.”
Thirty years. Three decades of partnership, and she talked about her mate like they were still in the honeymoon phase.
I didn’t look at Tiana. Didn’t want to see whatever expression might be on her face as she listened to Leila describe what a real bond looked like.
“You’ll be going, of course,” I said to Kaius.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he replied easily. “The northern packs always send their heirs. Good opportunity to network.”
“Wonderful,” I replied, injecting just enough dryness into the word to make my feelings clear.
Kaius’s grin widened. He knew exactly how I felt about him attending.
He was always loud in events like this, and I did not appreciate it so much as it brought extra attention to the one I was already dealing with.
And sometimes, a bit of comparison from people about the contrasts in our characters.
“Tiana will be attending with me,” I said, directing the words at the room in general but meaning them for Kaius specifically.
Tiana’s head snapped toward me. “I will?”
“You’re my Luna,” I said, finally allowing myself to look at her. “Your presence is expected.”
“But I…” She trailed off, uncertainty written all over her face. “I don’t know anything about these events. About how to act, what to say—”
“You’ll be fine,” Leila interjected warmly. “Just be yourself. The other Lunas aren’t as intimidating as they like to pretend.” She paused. “Well, most of them aren’t.”
That didn’t seem to reassure Tiana. If anything, she looked more panicked.
On the good side, the nervousness won’t make her wander about at the ball and socialize with everybody, just as she did with—
I cut that thought off viciously. This wasn’t about keeping her away from other males. This was about pack politics. About presenting a united front.
Nothing more.
Liar, my wolf growled.
“I wish I could be there to help you prepare,” Leila continued, reaching over to squeeze Tiana’s hand. “But I really do need to get home. My mate is patient, but not infinitely so.” She laughed. “He sent a message yesterday threatening to come drag me back himself if I didn’t leave soon.”
“He wouldn’t,” Kaius said.
“He absolutely would. Your father is not above making dramatic gestures when he feels I’ve been gone too long.”
The fondness in her voice when she talked about him—her mate and partner—was unmistakable.
I watched Tiana’s face as she listened. I noticed a shift in her expression. Longing, maybe. Or grief for something she’d never have.
Because she wouldn’t. Not with me.
I’d made sure of that.