Chapter 29 Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Chapter 29
 Zane
 She stuttered.
 Not smoothly. Not convincingly.
 Her mouth opened, closed, opened again like she was searching for words that wouldn’t come.
 “I—we’re not—Kaius is just—”
 “Just what?” I kept my voice level. My anger controlled. But I felt the tension coiling tighter in my chest with every fumbled syllable.
 Before she could answer, footsteps approached from behind.
 I knew who it was before I turned.
 “Uncle.”
 Kaius stood there, his hands clasped loosely in front of him with an expression polite but determined. The kind of look he wore when he thought he was being reasonable.
 “I was hoping,” he said, his tone perfectly respectful, “that I might request a dance with the Luna.”
 The audacity of it made my jaw clench.
 “A dance,” I repeated flatly.
 “Yes.” He smiled. Like this was a simple, harmless request. “We practiced together earlier. For the Convergence preparations. It would only make sense that I have the honor of a first dance with her. As family.”
 His words grated against something raw inside me.
 I studied him for a long moment, trying to determine if he was genuinely this oblivious or if he was testing me on purpose.
 “Why,” I said quietly, “do you think it’s appropriate to make such a request?”
 His smile didn’t falter. “She’s my sister-in-law, Uncle. And we’ve already danced before. I don’t see why it would be an issue now.” He shrugged slightly. “Besides, it’s just a dance. Nothing improper about it.”
 Nothing improper.
 I could feel every wolf within earshot listening now. Watching. Waiting to see how I’d respond.
 Tiana stood frozen between us, her eyes wide and uncertain.
 I turned to her.
 “What do you think?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral even though my control was fracturing with every passing second. “About what Kaius is saying?”
 Her throat worked. She looked between us, clearly caught.
 “I… I don’t think…”
 “Do you want to dance with him?”
 The question landed harder than I’d intended.
 Her eyes met mine, searching for something. Permission? Guidance? I didn’t know.
 “I don’t want to cause…”
 “That’s not what I asked.”
 Before she could answer, the Mistress of Ceremonies’ voice rang out across the hall, bright and excited.
 “Honored guests! It is now time for the Gift Presentation! Each Luna will present their pack’s offering to the Convergence Council on behalf of their Alpha and territory!”
 The crowd shifted immediately, attention pivoting toward the raised platform where the Council members sat.
 Tiana’s face went pale.
 She turned to me, panic flickering in her eyes. “I don’t know about this. What gift do I present?”
 “It’s already prepared,” I said quietly. “Ezra has it waiting for you near the platform. You’ll know what to say when you see it.”
 “But I don’t…”
 “You’ll be fine.” I kept my voice steady. Reassuring in a way I rarely bothered with. “Just speak from instinct. They’re not expecting perfection. Just try to sound sincere.”
 She nodded once, still looking uncertain, then turned toward the platform where other Lunas were already gathering.
 I watched her go, my hands flexing at my sides.
 Kaius cleared his throat beside me.
 “Uncle—”
 “Not now.”
 He fell silent.
 Tiana stood among the other Lunas, looking small despite the grandeur of her gown, and size.
 One by one, the Lunas stepped forward to present their gifts.
 A ceremonial blade from a pack in the Northern Territories.
 A tapestry woven with pack history from the Eastern Highlands.
 A chest of rare herbs from the Coastal Packs.
 Each presentation was met with polite applause and formal acknowledgment from the Council.
 Then it was Tiana’s turn.
 Ezra appeared at her side, handing her a simple wooden box, unadorned, but clearly crafted with care.
 She took it with trembling hands and stepped forward.
 The hall went quiet.
 She opened the box carefully, revealing the contents to the Council first, then turning it slightly so the rest of the hall could see.
 Inside lay a collection of seeds. Dozens of them, each variety carefully separated and labeled.
 Tiana’s voice was soft when she spoke.
 “On behalf of Fangstain Pack and Alpha Zane Blackthorne,” she began, “I present seeds from the oldest trees in our territory. Some have stood for over three hundred years. Others are newer, but no less vital.”
 She paused, her gaze sweeping across the Council members.
 “These seeds represent growth. Renewal. The understanding that strength comes…” she took a pause before she continued, “…not from standing alone, but from planting roots deep enough to weather any storm.” Her voice steadied. “Fangstain offers these to the Convergence as a symbol of our commitment to unity. To growth. And to the future we build together.”
 Silence held for a beat.
 Then applause erupted—genuine, warm and respectful.
 The Head Councilman stood, inclining his head. “A thoughtful gift, Luna Tiana. Fangstain’s contribution is gratefully received.”
 Tiana bowed slightly, then stepped back, her face flushed but relieved.
 When she returned to our table, I could see the tension slowly easing from her shoulders.
 “You did well,” I said quietly.
 She glanced at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. “I didn’t know if I’d said the right thing.”
 “You did.”
 The presentations concluded, and the atmosphere shifted again.
 Music swelled—softer now and more intimate. 
 Wolves began moving toward the center of the hall, pairing off naturally.
 I was about to turn to Tiana when Kaius appeared beside her.
 Again.
 “Now seems like a good time,” he said, extending his hand toward her with that same easy smile. “May I?”
 Before I could intervene, he’d already taken her hand.
 And she—goddess help me—she didn’t pull away.
 He led her toward the dance floor. My vision narrowed.
 Around me, wolves continued their conversations, oblivious. But I couldn’t hear any of it.
 All I could see was Kaius’s hand on Tiana’s waist.
 Her hand on his shoulder.
 The way they moved together—practiced, comfortable, like they’d done this before.
 Which they had.
 During training.
 While I’d been occupied elsewhere, my nephew had been holding my mate. Guiding her and learning the rhythm of her body in a way that should have never happened. How did Madam Celeste allow this?
 The bond snarled inside me, vicious and possessive.
 I stood.
 Ezra noticed immediately. “Alpha—”
 I ignored him.
 I cut through the crowd silently.
 The wolves around me parted without realizing why. I guess their hierarchical instinct warned them to move aside.
 No one stopped me.
 No one dared.
 I reached them in seconds.
 As soon as Kaius saw me, his smile faltered.
 I took Tiana’s hand firmly, and stepped between them.
 She stumbled, her eyes going wide. “Zane…”
 “Uncle, I—” Kaius muttered, his hands dropping to his sides. 
 “You do not,” I said quietly, my voice carrying just enough edge to intimidate, “dance the Bonding Dance with another male’s mate.”
 “This isn’t the Bonding Dance,” Kaius protested, even as his voice had lost some of its confidence. “That’s later. This is just—”
 “Just what?” I didn’t raise my voice. Didn’t need to. “Just harmless? Just innocent?”
 The music continued around us, but the wolves nearby had stopped dancing. They were watching now, while Tiana’s hand trembled in mine.
 “Zane,” she whispered. “People are staring.”
 I ignored her, I was pissed enough and I feared I might just transfer the aggression to her.
 Kaius opened his mouth to respond, but something in my expression made him reconsider.
 He stepped back, hands raised slightly. “I meant no disrespect.”
 “Then stop touching her. That is what respect is.”