Chapter 29 – The Alpha’s Daughter
(Rhianna's POV)
The morning light slid through the thin curtains in pale gold bars, catching the specks of dust in the air. I sat with my back to the headboard, trying to pretend I wasn’t waiting for Sebastian to say something.
The door creaked open. He came in quietly, almost cautiously — not the way the Alpha of the pack usually entered a room.
“Rhianna,” he said, voice low. “Can we talk?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
He sat down beside me on the couch, elbows on his knees, fingers rubbing together like he was trying to warm them.
“About yesterday…” His voice faltered for a second. “I’m sorry. For everything I’ve done. For all the times I let people treat you less than you deserve. For not standing up for you sooner.”
I studied his face. His jaw was tight, his eyes tired, but there was sincerity there.
“Sebastian,” I said softly, “I forgave you already. And… thank you. For standing up for me in front of the council. I didn’t expect you to, but you did. That means something.”
His shoulders eased a little.
“You deserved that and more. I’m going to do better. I promise.”
I smiled faintly, half-hopeful, half-guarded.
He cleared his throat.
“There’s something else I should tell you before the meeting later. The Alpha of Silver Hill pack is visiting today with his daughter, Evelyn. They want to renew the trade alliance with us — timber routes, border patrol, the usual agreements. Her father… he’s an influential man. We have to welcome them properly.”
“All right,” I said slowly. “What about her?”
“Evelyn’s… charming,” he admitted. “She can be a little forward. I just thought you’d want to know so it doesn’t catch you off-guard.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Forward as in… business-savvy? Or forward as in… the flirty kind of forward?”
He gave a small laugh that told me enough.
“Let’s just say she knows how to get what she wants.”
“Mm-hmm,” I murmured, not sure whether to laugh or groan.
Later — the Main Hall
The hall had been polished until the dark wood floors gleamed. Vases of pale lilies stood along the aisle, their faint scent mixing with the crisp air drifting in through open windows.
Tia appeared at my side, tugging at the waistband of her dress.
“This feels like a wedding.”
“More like a treaty signing,” I whispered back, “just with better outfits.”
We both bit back giggles because two elders in the front row were already frowning at us.
At the far end of the hall stood Sebastian — tall, composed, with his Alpha mask firmly in place.
Hardin stood on his right side, arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable.
The trouble with Hardin was that he looked like he belonged at the center of any room he was in.
The broad shoulders under his fitted black shirt, the slightly disheveled hair that looked like he’d just run a hand through it… and that quiet confidence that made it hard not to glance at him.
I told myself not to stare. Naturally, I stared for two full seconds before forcing my gaze to the double doors.
The doors opened.
Alpha Damian of Silver Hill strode in first — a dignified man with steel-gray hair and a firm handshake.
Beside him, Evelyn glided in like sunlight slipping into the room.
Long ash-blond waves framed her face. Her dress was soft cream that somehow shimmered when she moved. She carried herself like she’d been trained to charm a court full of royals.
She greeted Sebastian first.
“Alpha Sebastian,” she said warmly, bowing her head just enough to be polite.
“Evelyn,” Sebastian replied, returning the greeting.
Then her gaze shifted — and landed on Hardin.
For a heartbeat, something in her eyes brightened. The polite smile curved into something softer, more intrigued.
“And you must be Hardin,” she said, stepping forward. “I’ve heard a lot about you — the eldest Draven, finally home.”
Hardin’s brows lifted slightly but he inclined his head.
“I suppose I’m guilty of being myself,” he said dryly.
She laughed, a light, bell-like laugh that made a few warriors near the wall straighten unconsciously.
We all moved to the long table at the front.
Alpha Damian cleared his throat.
“We appreciate the invitation. Our packs have shared borders for decades. It’s time we strengthen the alliance again. We’re offering timber and iron from Silver Hill in exchange for protection along the western ridge.”
Sebastian nodded.
“We can allocate two patrol units to the ridge year-round and offer trade passes for your merchants on our roads.”
Damian smiled, satisfied.
The elders murmured in approval.
But I barely heard the rest of the political talk because Evelyn kept tilting her head toward Hardin, asking questions.
“I heard you’ve been overseeing the warriors’ training again. Is it true you spar with them yourself?” she asked, eyes bright.
“I try to,” Hardin replied. “I like to see where their strengths lie.”
“That’s admirable,” she said, touching his arm lightly as if to emphasize her words.
I felt my wolf inside me stir with a low huff.
Not my business, I reminded myself sternly.
Tia leaned toward me.
“You see that?” she whispered.
“See what?” I asked, pretending to admire the fruit tray.
“That girl is practically plotting to climb him like a tree,” she murmured with a wicked grin.
I nearly choked on the grape I’d just popped into my mouth.
“Tia!”
“What? I’m only saying what we’re all thinking.”
I shot her a look that said behave, but she just smirked.
Two elders sitting across from us were having their own quiet conversation.
“She’d make a fine Luna for Hardin,” one of them murmured.
“Strong bloodline, diplomatic,” the other agreed.
I rolled my eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck that way.
Of course. They already want to ship them together. Because what Hardin needs is a sparkly princess who laughs at all his jokes.
During dinner, Evelyn chose the seat beside Hardin even though there were plenty of empty chairs elsewhere.
Every so often she tilted her head back and laughed at something he said — I didn’t even catch the joke.
Tia elbowed me under the table.
“You okay, Luna?” she teased in a whisper.
“Perfectly fine,” I answered quickly.
“Uh-huh. Totally not jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” I hissed. “I just think it’s funny how she’s acting like he invented the moon.”
Tia stifled a laugh.
“You’re jealous.”
I ignored her and stabbed another piece of fruit with unnecessary force.
At one point, I caught Hardin’s eyes flick briefly in my direction.
It was only a glance, gone as soon as it came, but my heartbeat skipped anyway.
I looked away before I could read too much into it.
When the guests finally left the hall, I stood near the window, staring at the twilight-painted sky. Evelyn’s bell-like laugh still echoed in my ears.
I am not jealous, I told myself again.
I’m just observant. That’s all.
Tia walked up beside me.
“Still thinking about them, huh?”
“About who?” I said, feigning innocence.
“The Sparkly Princess and your not-so-secret almost-crush,” she teased.
“He’s not my crush,” I said quickly.
“Mm-hmm. Keep saying that. One day you might believe it.”
I groaned and covered my face.
“I don’t even know why it bothers me. I shouldn’t care.”
Tia’s tone softened.
“Maybe you care more than you think. And that’s okay, Rhi.”
I didn’t answer, because maybe she was right.
That night, lying in bed, I could still hear Evelyn’s laugh — like tiny bells — and picture the way she leaned toward Hardin when he spoke.
It’s not my business, I whispered into the darkness.
Not my business.
But my heart gave a different answer.