bChapter /bb3 /b

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38

ra’s POV

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Thorne.”

I didn’t move from the doorway. I just watched his stunned expression shift from confusion to something far darker–something possessive and hollow.

His eyes didn’t leave mine, not even for a second. “You’re alive…”

The disbelief in his voice would’ve meant something once. Now, it was just noise.

Mi looked like she’d swallowed fire. Her perfect lips parted, but no words came out.

“You were supposed to be dead,” she whispered, too low for anyone but me to hear.

I tilted my head, amused. “You disappointed?”

Thorne stepped closer, cutting in. “Why didn’t you let me know? I searched for months, ra. I looked for you-”

“Is that what you’re calling it now? Searching?” I interrupted coldly. “Because thest time I remember hearing your voice, you were rejecting me while I

bled out.”

“That’s not-” He faltered. “I paid the ransom,

“Don’t lie to me.”

Before he could answer, Mi shoved herself between

usb, /b

that fake smile of hers stretched too tight.

“My sweet sister,” she cooed. “We’ve all been worried sick. Our parents, the boys–everyone’s been hoping you’de home-”

“Worried?” I repeated, lifting an eyebrow. “You mean like when they begged the rogues to save you and not me?”

Mi’s smile twitched.

“I’ll arrange a car,” she offered quickly, grabbing my hand like we were close. “You shouldn’t be here anyway. This meeting is for Alphas.”

Iughed–light and sharp. “Is that so?”

I turned to the usher standing stiffly at the side. “Did you check her invitation?”

The usher bowed slightly. “Alpha Thorne’s invitation was confirmed. This woman wasn’t listed.”

“Well theni,/i” I said, pulling my hand free from Mi’s cold grip, “escort her out.”

Two guards stepped forward immediately.

“What?!” Mi’s voice rose an octave. “You don’t have that authority!”

“Does sheb?/bb” /bbI /basked the usher again, nodding toward her.

“No, ma’am,” he replied firmly. “Rules are clear–no unlisted guestsb./b”

Thorne’s gaze darkened. “She’s with me.”

I bmet /bbhis /bbstare /bbwithout /bflinching. “Did the rules change to allow personal battachments /bbat /bbofficial /bbAlpha /bbevents/bb?/bb” /b

bThe /bbusher /bquickly bresponded/bb, /b“bNo/b, they did notb.” /b

b1/3 /b

b15:07 /bbMon/bb, /bb28 /bbJul /bG·

b“/bThen you know what to do,” I said simply.

The guards moved in. Mi shrieked, trying to dodge their hands. “Don’t touch me! I’m his Luna–to–be!”

“You’re not,” Thorne said abruptly. “You’re not my Luna.”

Mi froze. “But you said-”

“I said this is a political meeting,” he cut her off. “You’re not an

She looked like someone pped her.

Alpha, and you don’t hold a title.”

Then she turned on me. “If I can’t be here, then what about her? She’s not on your precious list either!”

“She is.”

A deep voice echoed down the stairs behind me.

All heads turned.

Alpha Cael walked in, calm and deliberate, every step heavy with authority. His eyes locked on Thorne as he reached my side and ced a hand at my waist.

“She’s family. Blood Moon Pack sent the invitations, and ra

Thorne flinched–not visibly, but I could feel it.

“You’re joking,” Mi said, her voice shaking.

“I never joke about family,” Cael said coolly, pulling me closer.

son ours,” he said inly.

For a second, no one spoke. Thorne stared at the way Cael touched me like it physically hurt him.

Was it guilt in his eyes? Or jealousy?

Cael kept his voice even. “Isn’t that right, Alpha Thorne?”

Thorne finally nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Alpha!” Mi gasped.

“I told you before we left–you’re not part of this council,” he said bluntly.

Mi’s lip trembled. She suddenly swayed, gripping her chest like she was about to faint. “I… I’m not feeling well… the trip…”

“Oh, spare the performance,” I muttered.

But then I stopped and turned. “Let her stay, if she must. I won’t let her ruin tonight by copsing in the hallway.”

Without another nce, I walked through the double doors leading bto /bthe ballroom.

Cael followed closely. Just before the doors shut I heard him murmur to the guardsb, /bb“/bbEscort /bour bguests /belsewhereb. /bbThis /bblounge /bbis /bbreserved /bbfor /bBloodMoon’s Alpha and his guest.”

Thorne bdidn’t /bfollow.

bHe /bbjust /bstood bthere/bb, /bbrooted /bbto /bthe bfloor/bb, /bstaying after me like I’d bslipped /bbthrough his /bbfingers /bbfor /bbgood/b.

bAnd /bbI /bbhad /b