Chapter 44 The Gathering Begins
I spun around. Scanned the room. Servers moved between tables. Musicians arranged chairs. Elena talked to the caterer. Everything looked normal.
But someone had been close enough to photograph me. Someone in this room right now.
Through the bond, Lycian felt my spike of fear. He appeared within seconds. Eyes already shifting gold.
“What’s wrong?”
I showed him the photo. Watched his expression go cold. Dangerous.
“Everyone out,” he called. Voice sharp with Alpha command. “Now. Staff included.”
People froze. Looked confused. But they obeyed. Filed out quickly. The room emptied in minutes.
Only Lycian, I, and Cade remained. Cade had materialized from somewhere. Always watching.
“Check every corner,” Lycian ordered. “Cameras. Bugs. Anything that doesn’t belong.”
Cade moved methodically through the space. Checked behind the curtains. Under tables. Inside flower arrangements.
“Clean,” he said after twenty minutes. “No devices. No cameras I can find.”
“Then someone took that photo and sent it in real time,” I said. Voice steadier than I felt. “Someone who was just in this room.”
“Staff has been vetted. Background checks. References.” Lycian’s jaw clenched. “But we’ll vet them again. Question everyone.”
“There’s no time. Guests arrive in ninety minutes.” I took a breath. Forced myself to think clearly. “We proceed as planned. But I wear the wire. And security stays close. Visible.”
“That defeats the purpose of catching them,” Cade said. “If they see heavy security, they won’t make a move.”
“I don’t care anymore. I’m not getting hurt to catch someone.” My hands shook. I clasped them together. “Let them see security. Let them know I’m protected. Maybe they’ll back off.”
“Or maybe they’ll escalate,” Lycian said quietly. Through the bond, I felt his internal war. Protection versus strategy. Love versus logic. “But it’s your call. This is your trial.”
“Then I choose safety over trap.” I looked at both of them. “Increase visible security. Station people at every entrance. I want everyone to know this gathering is locked down.”
Cade nodded. Left to coordinate.
Lycian pulled me into his arms. Held tight. His heart hammered against my ear.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should never have agreed to use you as bait. This was stupid. Dangerous.”
“It was my idea, remember?”
“Still stupid. Still dangerous.” He pulled back. Cupped my face. “After tonight, we’re done. No more traps. No more risks. Just protection until we find them.”
“Okay.”
He kissed me. Desperate and claiming. The bond flared hot between us.
When he pulled away, his eyes were still gold. Still wild. “I love you. If anything happens tonight, I need you to remember that.”
“Nothing’s going to happen. We’ll get through this dinner. I’ll pass the trial. Everything will be fine.”
I didn’t believe it. He didn’t either. But we pretended anyway.
Staff returned. Finished preparations under Cade’s watchful eye. Security appeared. Dressed formally but obviously present. Posted at doors. Corners. Everywhere.
Elena found me in the preparation room. “What’s going on? Why all the security?”
I told her about the photo. Watched her face go pale.
“We should cancel,” she said. “Postpone until we know it’s safe.”
“I can’t. That’s exactly what they want. For me to fail. To prove I can’t handle pressure.” I smoothed my dress. “I’m doing this. Tonight. No matter what.”
“Then I’m staying close. The whole time.” She squeezed my hand. “You’re not alone in this.”
The first guests arrived at seven. I stood in the entrance hall with Lycian. Greeting people. Shaking hands. Smiling until my face hurt.
Every person who walked through the door was a potential threat. Every smile could be fake. Every kind word could hide malice.
Paranoia crept up my spine. Made my skin crawl.
Lycian’s hand found the small of my back. Grounding. “Breathe. You’re doing great.”
Alpha Reeves from the Crescent Pack arrived with his Luna. Older couple. Kind faces. They’d supported me at the pack meeting.
“Lovely event,” Luna Reeves said. Warmth in her voice. “You have excellent taste.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you could come.”
More guests flowed in. Valor Pack members. Allied packs. Some faces are friendly. Others neutral. A few are openly skeptical.
I greeted them all. Remembered names. Asked about families. Played the perfect hostess.
By seven thirty, the hall was full. One hundred and fifty wolves. All watching. Judging. Waiting to see if I’d succeed.
Thaddeus stood. Called for attention. The room quieted instantly.
“Welcome to Valor territory. Tonight, we gather to witness the social trial of Elowen Hale. Future Luna. Mate to my son.” His voice carried authority. Pride. “She has planned and will host this evening. I ask that you enjoy the hospitality. Respect the effort. And judge fairly.”
Applause rippled through the crowd. Polite. Measured.
I stepped forward. Heart hammering. “Thank you all for coming. Tonight is about unity. About different packs sharing space and finding common ground. Please, enjoy the meal. The music. Each other’s company.”
More applause. Warmer this time.
Dinner service began. Servers brought plates. Wine flowed. Conversation hummed through the room.
I moved between tables. Checked that everyone had what they needed. Made small talk. Laughed at jokes. Acted natural despite the fear coiling in my gut.
At the head table, I sat between Lycian and Thaddeus. Barely touched my food. Too nervous. Too aware of every person. Every movement.
“You’re doing well,” Thaddeus said quietly. “They’re impressed. I can tell.”
“They’re waiting for something to go wrong.”
“Perhaps. But so far, nothing has.” He sipped his wine. “That speaks to your planning. Your attention to detail.”
Halfway through the main course, someone dropped a glass. It shattered. The sound echoed through the hall.
Everyone froze. Looked toward the noise.
My heart stopped. Was this it? The attack?
But it was just an accident. A young server. Mortified. Apologizing profusely.
I stood. Walked over. “It’s fine. Accidents happen. Can someone help clean this up?”
Staff rushed to assist. The moment passed. Conversation resumed.
I returned to my seat on shaking legs.
“You handled that perfectly,” Lycian murmured. “Calm. Gracious. Luna's behavior.”
After dinner, the musicians played. Some couples danced. Others talked in small groups. The gathering flowed naturally.
I danced with Lycian first. His arms are around me. Moving in sync.
“Three hours in,” he said against my ear. “Nothing’s happened. Maybe the security scared them off.”
“Maybe.”
But I didn’t believe it. Felt wrong. Too easy.
I danced with Thaddeus next. Stiff and formal but respectful. Then with Alpha Reeves. With Garrett. With Damien, who stepped on my toes twice and made me laugh despite everything.
Around ten, I excused myself. Needed the bathroom. Needed air. Needed five minutes without performing.
Elena followed. “I’ll wait outside.”
The bathroom was empty. Cool tile. Soft lighting. I splashed water on my face. Careful not to ruin makeup.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out. Another message.
Unknown number.
My hands shook.
Look under the sink.
I bent down slowly. Opened the cabinet under the sink.
A box. Wrapped in black paper. My name is written in silver.
Every instinct screamed not to touch it. To call for help. To run.
But I was tired of running. Tired of being afraid.
I opened the box.
Inside was a dead rose. Black. Dried. Crumbling.
And a note.
You don’t belong here. This is your last warning. Leave tonight or face consequences.
The bathroom door opened.
I shoved the box back under the sink. Stood. Turned.
Sarah stood there. Marcus’s assistant. The one who’d helped set up my scholarship sabotage.
She smiled. Cold. Triumphant.
“Did you find my gift?”