bChapter /bb188 /b

    ra’s POV

    I couldn’t breathe. The weight of the moment pressed down on my chest, but I forced myself to respond. “I haven’t decided yet.”

    Thorne’s voice was low, incredulous. “Two whole weeks, ra? You need that much time to decide?”

    Dorian leaned forward, a sly smile tugging at his lips as he spread his arms wide. “The best option is right in front of you.”

    The whispers ignited. They spread through the hall like fire, tiny embers of gossip igniting into full–blown mes. A triangle of tension, a battle between the Alpha, the Lycan King, and their princess–me. I could hear the soft murmur of their voices, but none of it reached me. I could only focus on the two men standing across from me, as if the rest of the room had faded into the background.

    Cael cleared his throat, and the chatter died down instantly. He had a way ofmanding attention. His eyes flicked between Thorne and Dorian, then

    back to me.

    “You both argue that you’re the one for ra,” Cael said, almostzily. “But what does that solve, huh? It doesn’t solve a damn thing” He shifted in his seat, looking bored. “How about you both put your money where your mouth is? Stop the insults, the childish banter, and show me something real.”

    Thorne’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. “You want us to fight for her?”

    Cael’s expression didn’t change. “Yes. But not with fists. I’m done watching you two destroy my packhouse with your bickering, You want her? Then prove it. Woo her. Buy her flowers. Handbags. Jewelry. Whatever it takes. You both know how to chase a woman, right?” He shrugged.

    A silence filled the room, thick and tense. Neither Thorne nor Dorian moved.

    Vessa rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “Or are you too proud? Too Alpha or too Kingly to chase after a girl? Does it hurt your egos?”

    A chorus of boos echoed from around the table.

    “We don’t want a man with a chip on his shoulder to be our princess’s husband!” someone barked from the crowd.

    “Plenty of good men here, none of them as powerful as you, but they know how to treat her right!” an elder snapped, his voice cutting through the

    tension.

    The murmurs of agreement were louder now, as others voiced their support.

    “Yeah, right!” someone added sarcastically.

    “If you’re too good for her, go home,” another voice joined in, ba /bchallenge in every word.

    Thorne’s eyes red with determination, his chin lifting. “I’ll prove to ra that I’m the right one for her,” he said, his gaze never leaving me.

    “I’m with Thorne,” Dorian added casually, a grin spreading across his face. “So, when does this little contest start?”

    Cael’s finger tapped the table, signaling for silence. “Some ground rules first.” He leaned forward, his tone turning serious.

    “Rule one,” he said, counting off on his fingers. “No more trash–talking. ra’s heard enough of that.”

    I nodded, my head pounding from the weight of their rivalry.

    “And rule two,” Cael continued, “no violence. We all know iyou /itwo can throw fists, but in this caseb, /bactions speak louder than punches.”

    “And one more thing,” Vessa’s voice rang out “You can’t pressure ra into making a decision. She’s got to make her own choice, her bown /bway.

    Thorne gave a firm nod. “I can live with that.”

    b1/3 /b

    b10.19 /bbMon/b, b18 /bbAug /b

    “So can I,” Dorian added, though his tone was lighter, teasing even.

    Cael pped his hands together, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. “Let this crowd be the witness. Anyone who breaks these rules in the

    next two weeks is out. Got it?”

    Both men nodded, though their gazes still locked onto each other, simmering iy /i

    “So, the contest begins,” Dorian said, winking at me,

    to join

    iWith /i

    spokenpetition.

    for a drink after the party, Princess?”

    Before I could respond, a servant rushed into the room, whispering something into Cael’s ear. His face darkened as he listened.

    “What is it?” I asked, my heart picking up pace at the sudden

    his demeanor.

    b+25 /b

    Cael waved the crowd away, gesturing for them to continue with their festivities. But he leaned closer to me, lowering his voice. “There’s been a problem. A shipment meant for the pack was stolen on its way here.”

    1 stiffened. “What was in the shipment?”

    Cael’s expression hardened. “A 39.8–carat fine–cut diamond, some sapphires, and tworge, pear–shaped pearls. The gems were meant for Vessa’s wedding tiara.”

    I felt my breath catch in my throat. The shipment wasn‘

    iJust /ivaluable–it was crucial to Cael’s wedding ns. “So, it’s gone?“..

    “No,” Cael replied, his voice low and tense. “The

    bers /bare a

    already on it. They believe a group of bandits are responsible.”

    “But can they recover it in time?” I asked, my mind racing. “What if they can’t?”

    Cael’s frown deepened. “They’re working on it, but the odds are slim.”

    “I’m going down there.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

    “What?” Cael shook his head. “No. I’ll handle it. My men-‘

    “No, Cael. You need those gems for Vessa’s tiara. I’ll go. 1 can handle this.”

    “Handle what?” The sudden interruption came from behind us. Both Thorne and Dorian hade up beside us.

    I stood up abruptly, throwing the napkin on the table. “I need to go Now.”

    tried to move past them, but Thome grabbed my wrist, his grip firm yet gentle. “What’s the

    rush? Haven’t yet. Is something iwrong/i?”

    I nced up at him, but it was Dorian who spoke next, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh,e on, ra. If you’re really going, at least let us help.”

    “Let them help?” Cael’s voice held a trace of mockery. “That’s what they’re here for, right?”

    Thorne’s voice was firm, “I want to help you, ra.”

    Dorian grinned, raising a hand to his chest. “At your service, mydy.”

    I sighed in frustration. “Fine. Come with me. But let’s talk in the car.”

    We rushed out of the packhouse, none of us bothering to change out of our formal clothes. I climbed into the driver’s seat, hoping the two men wouldn’t fight over the wheel. “Let’s go,” I said, putting the car in gear.

    The drive was quiet at first, and I briefed them on the situation. “Cael just texted me the details. The shipment was supposed to arrive btonight/bb, /bbut it bwas /bstolen 50 miles outside the city.”

    “Any leadsb?/bb” /bDorian asked.

    b2/3 /b

    bAug /b

    “Not yet. The soldiers are still investigating.”

    “But bandits this close to the capital?” Thorne said, skepticism in his voice. “That doesn’t make sense.”

    “We’ll see soon enough,” I muttered, my hands gripping the steering wheel.

    Hourster, we arrived at the scene.

    “Gamma ra!” A captain rushed toward us. “I’m sorry you had toe out thiste.”

    “No problem,” I said, brushing off his apology. “Show me where it happened.”

    The scene was grim. A truck was wrecked just off the main road, the tires clearly out of control before it crashed into a tree.

    I approached the truck, my heels sinking into the dirt as I pulled the passenger door open. Inside, the driver was slumped over the wheel, lifeless.

    20

    “Shot,” the captain said, his voice grim. “From a distance. Probably a sniper. The rest of the escort team is dead too. We found their bodies deeper in the

    woods.”

    My stomach twisted at the sight. This wasn’t just robbery. It was cold, calcted murder.

    I stepped back, shaken, but then I felt a jacket drape over my shoulders. I turned to find Dorian standing there, his eyes warm.

    “It’s chilly out here,” he said with a smile.

    “Thanks,” I muttered, my eyes flicking back to the captain. “Have you found anything?”

    “Nothing yet. No footprints, no blood. No more tire tracks.” The captain shook his head, defeated. “It’s almost like they vanished.”

    I frowned. “We’ll find something,” I said firmly. “Let me look around.”

    I was struggling with my high heels when I heard Dorian behind me, offering his arm. “Do you want to hold my hand?”

    “No thanks,” I replied, keeping my tone polite. “I’m fine.”

    “Please,” he said, his voice teasing. “Don’t rob me of the chance to be a gentleman.”

    I smiled, but before I could take his arm, Thorne’s voice called out from the deeper woods.

    “ra, you might want to take a look at this.”

    1 spun on my heels, my heart racing. “What did you find?”

    Thorne crouched down, holding something in his hand. “This might be our lead.”

    Dorian snorted. “That? That’s your big lead?b” /b

    bI /bwalked toward Thorne, my eyes narrowing on what he was holding. Whatever it was, it might be the key to solving this.

    AD

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