CHAPTER 45: CRACKS ON HER MASK

Tonight, I decided on three things.

First, I would stay in the Undercity. For now.

I would play along, listen carefully, and bide my time until I found the best way to slip free of Rion Morrigan’s grasp. Because sooner or later, I would have to look him in the eye and tell him the truth: I would never allow myself to be his mate.

And when that day came, I needed to be prepared for the storm that would follow.

Well, that is if I’d be alive to see that day.

Second, I would find a way to grow stronger. To gather knowledge, resources... To sharpen myself into something more than prey.

Because Finn was still out there, and I refused to rest until his blood paid for my mother’s. I would do everything in my power so he would pay for what he did. Unless death claimed me, nothing could stop me from demanding the price for his cruelty.

Third, when both those things were done, when I had survived Rion and destroyed Finn, I would vanish.

Far away from packs, power struggles, and ruthless Alphas. Far away into a life that would be mine alone. Somewhere peaceful.

A life where I could breathe without someone else’s chain around my throat. The life I’ve always dreamed for myself and my mother.

The thoughts burned through me like oaths etched into my bones.

After Rion vanished from the balcony, swallowed by his shadows, I stayed there for several long minutes, gripping the bannister until my knuckles ached.

The night air was cool against my skin, but my chest burned with a heat I couldn’t soothe.

The Undercity didn’t look as bad as I imagined, I could even say it was beautiful, yet it didn’t feel... home.

Leika whispered words of comfort in my mind.

Only when I felt calmer, when I had tucked my fury and fear back behind a mask, did I step back into the hall.

The noise rushed over me in a wave. Laughter rang, music danced through the air, and the scent of spiced wine mingled with roasted meats.

Males and females in jewel-toned silks twirled across the polished floor, their eyes gleaming with delight, their smiles easy.

For a moment, I stood frozen, the strangeness of it striking me again.

This was the Undercity. The empire of wolves whose name made the world shiver.

And yet the party looked... normal. Too normal.

Several people cast glances my way when I entered. Sharp, curious, lingering too long before darting away. But most of the guests returned quickly to their dances and their drinking. I was no more than a shadow on the edge of their merriment.

Until Raye spotted me.

She stood by a long table laden with drinks, glasses of every shape glittering under golden lights.

The wine shimmered in colors I barely recognized... deep red, pale gold, even one with a greenish hue that caught the light like emerald glass.

Raye was not alone. Two men towered beside her, their presence striking enough that I noticed them before I noticed her hand waving me over.

"Oh, here she is," Raye called, her face brightening as she caught my eye. She caught my arm when I drew close, her grip warm and oddly reassuring.

My stomach sank. They had been talking about me. I could tell by the way both men’s gazes shifted toward me in unison.

"Vivien, these are the two Betas of the Undercity," Raye said, her tone light, almost proud. "And my friends." She gestured to the first—tall, olive-skinned, with messy brown hair that curled against his temples. His grin was wide, dimples flashing as if carved there permanently. "This is Ares."

The other man stood a little apart, his posture straight, his black hair falling neatly to frame his sharp jaw.

He didn’t smile. His eyes were a dark, burnished gold, cool and watchful. "And this is Diaval."

"It’s always a pleasure to meet a beautiful lady," Ares said cheerfully, dipping his head with exaggerated charm. He extended a hand toward me, his grin only widening when I stiffened.

I instinctively stepped back, my pulse spiking.

"Oh, no worries," he laughed, letting his hand fall without offense. "I’m harmless."

Harmless.

My eyes flicked over his tall frame, the easy strength in his shoulders, the faint scars at his knuckles. Harmless was the last word I’d use.

I narrowed my eyes but said nothing.

He caught my wary look, but instead of bristling, his grin deepened as though he enjoyed the challenge.

"I told you not to scare her, Ares!" Raye scolded, her small frame straightening as though she could glare him into submission.

Ares only chuckled.

"So you’re Vivien, the newcomer," the other one spoke at last.

Diaval. His voice was smooth, but his words carried weight, his eyes fixed on me with unsettling intensity. He didn’t look at me as a man looks at a woman, but as a soldier sizes up an opponent across a battlefield.

The hairs at the back of my neck prickled.

Then, with no shift in his voice, he added, "Condolences."

The word landed like ice water poured over me.

I froze.

My breath caught in my throat, and my hands clenched at my sides. The air seemed to thin, the music fading behind the rushing in my ears.

I wanted to ask, how did he know? Did he stand among the wolves who came with Rion three nights ago? Did he see my mother’s blood spill across the earth? Or had Rion whispered it to him, shared my wounds as casually as wine at a feast?

But the words never left my lips.

I bit them back hard, my teeth pressing into my tongue until I tasted iron.

Silence pressed heavy between the four us.

"You shouldn’t have mentioned it, you idiot," Ares hissed under his breath, though his whisper carried easily enough that I heard.

Heat climbed into my chest, spreading fast, a tight ache rising behind my eyes.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to falter, not to let either of them see the cracks forming in my mask.