O-

    “Alexander, that’s incredible!”

    I leapt to my feet, so overjoyed by the news that couldn’t help myself. Before I knew what I was doing, my arms were around my neck, lips passing a kiss against the stubble of his cheek

    Alexander fruze, arms slightly spread out to the sides, and it was only then that I realized what I’d done.

    The mate bond My mental shields had by fade, and withne meaning I had flooded every ounce of my joy into Alexander’s own mind

    For a long, breathless moment,

    unreadable, arms of

    yed, and

    then off us muted lexander’s face waspletely

    mellow he was worse than if he had simply

    shoved me away and gagged at the contact

    But then 1 felt that theum of happiness that went my own that gulise that belonged only to my mate at his own wallle came down just a dire and wrth that joy was something else

    Something that made my will guur with sarkan

    Slowly, Alexandey’s hands came up to be on my wallet The Sund hummed to life between us, sharing our emotions back and forth in a long sharkey memes. His happiness fed mine, which fed his, which Bad mine, all routa’s Sigue out where he began and mine ended.

    For a heartbeat, we just send there like that, caught in the acetate currene of our connection. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I found myself aning close without even meaning to

    Maybe this time would be different. Mayhe

    “Alpha, we need to discuss the uing electing requirements.”

    Gabriel’s t voice cut through the moment, and Alexander’s walls shammed back into ce, nearly making me copse with the sudden loss of them I jreked back from Alexander, my face burning as the Beta stepped into the room with a folder chitchard in his hands.

    Alexander released me and smoothed down his s. “Perfect timing”

    I couldn’t sense any sarcasm in his voice, whichdicated that he probably was d that the Beta had interrupted before the bond took overpletely. Just another not-so-pleasant reminder that despite being marked, Alexander would never want me like that.

    Gabriel nced at me, hesitating for a moment as if waiting for me to leave. But when I made no move to go anywhere, he reluctantly opened his folder. “The Alpha Council has scheduled a formal banquet for all the candidates advancing to the final phase. It’s in three days, ck-tie required. All the major pack leaders will be attending, along with the media.”

    “Alright. I’ll need a briefing on the other candidates,” Alexander said. “And a seating chart if they have one finalized.”

    “Already prepared.” Gabriel handed him a thick packet. “There’s one other thing, though. Given Luna E’s… condition… Perhaps it would be wise for her to sit this one out. Pregnant females should be resting, not subjecting themselves to the stress of high-profile political events.”

    The suggestion made meugh out loud.

    “I’m pregnant, not dying, Gabriel.”

    Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “Luna, with all due respect, the stress could be harmful to the pregnancy. These events can be quite intense, and since you only just recovered from your previous condition—”

    “I’m going,” I cut him off. “I’m perfectly healthy, my pregnancy is progressing normally, and I’m more than capable of attending a dinner party.”

    “But the cameras, the pressure-

    “Gabriel.” Alexander’s voice cut through the Beta’s protests with quiet authority. “My mate will be attending the banquet. End of discussion.

    Gabriel’s mouth snapped shut, although the quick ze of fury in his eyes wasn’t lost on me. I held my ground and folded my arms across my chest.

    Alexander pulled out his wallet and extracted a ck credit card. “You’ll need something appropriate for the asion,” he said, holding it out to me. “Get whatever you want. Don’t worry about the cost.”

    I stared at the card for a moment, surprised. Alexander had never just handed me money before, especially not for frivolous purchases like dresses. In the past, he would just have pack stylists pick something out for me.

    “Thank you,” I said, taking the card.

    “Gabriel.” Alexander immediately turned to the Beta. “You’ll be driving Luna E today. Wherever she wants to go.”

    Gabriel’s face went through several interesting expressions before settling on outrage. Alpha, I had nned to review the candidate files and-”

    ((