133 Good For Nothing

    The sound of someone clearing their throat cut through the air like a whip, snapping my gaze away.

    “Hello everyonei,” /iGrace’s voice rolled through the hall, silencing the rowdy chatter of the Alphas.

    “Grace!” a few called out, their congrattions ovepping in a rush. She giggled under the attention, glowing in the kind of way that made people lean in. But something was different. A few days ago, I’d swear every Alpha here had hungry eyes for her. Now, suddenly, they only smiled politely, harmless, almost reverently.

    I frowned. Weird.

    “It’s because Grace is mated and marked by Alpha Jude,” Asher murmured near my ear, clearly catching my expression.

    jerked my gaze to him, then to Grace. Sure enough, a fresh, bold mark curled along her neck. “Wowi…” /i

    So the rumors were true. Grace and Alpha Jude had disappeared for three days to get their parents‘ blessings and seal their bond.

    The group closed in around her, buzzing like ants over honey. She answered each with a smile until her eyesnded on us.

    “Asher!” she grinned, striding forward.

    “Congrattions! You finally got yourself an old man,” he teased.

    Her cheeks flushed pink. “He’s not that old!”

    He smirked wickedly. “Why? Did he go over four rounds like you wanted the first night-”

    “Hey!i” /iShe pped a hand over his mouth, her face bright red. “Don’t say things like that in public!”

    I bit down on my lip, fighting augh. I hadn’t expected that kind of fantasy from her…but apparently Asher knew more than I did.

    Then her gaze flicked to me and before I could brace myself, she stepped in and hugged me.

    i froze. My chest was bound tight, t under my shirt, but I still went rigid. She was a woman, she’d notice if…

    “Thank you so much,” she murmured into my shoulder.

    My hand hovered awkwardly in the air. “For what?” I asked, hoping she’d pull back.

    “I heard it was you who was the first ito /isay that you wanted to get me out of Nightshade Alley,” Grace said warmly. “I didn’t expect that. Thank you.” She hugged me tighter.

    Until a firm, possessive hand curled around her waist and drew her away. My eyes followed the motion up to Ryker’s arm, his hold on her looking more like he was keeping her from touching me.

    For the first time, his presence saved me, she didn’t notice anything was off.

    But the relief didn’tst. His gaze lingered on me, heat and intent heavy in it, as if it wasn’t Grace in his arms

    at all…but me.

    My heart mmed hard enough had to nce away, but it didn’t slow. That night, his voice, his confession, shed through my mind. I’d told myself it was just the rut talking. However, the way he’s been looking at me the past few days…no, he’d meant every word.

    The problem was he wasn’t the only one. Ronan had already said he loved me.

    I clenched my fists against my thighs, teeth sinking into my lip. Two dangerous Alphas with their focus locked entirely on me.

    “Of course, thank you, Alpha Ryker,” Grace chirped, turning to include the others. “All five of you who entered Sinspire for me. By the way, where are Alpha Finn and Alpha-” She stopped mid–sentence, eyes going wide. past Ryker’s shoulder. “Alpha Ronan!”

    I followed her gaze..

    Ronan walked into the grand hall, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. Only when his eyes found me, the curve in his lips faltered and something darker sparked instead.

    I looked away too quickly.

    Grace caught it. I felt her elbow nudge my side, a teasing whisper brushing my ear. “Did you two have a lover’s quarrel?”

    My stomach dropped.

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