Chapter 3

That's how I found myself standing in the ceremonial grounds three days later, wearing a dress I definitely couldn't afford (Kael had sent it over with a note: "Make it believable"), trying not to panic.

The full moon hung heavy overhead, and wolves from three neighboring packs mingled under the lantern light. I spotted Ronan immediately—he'd always had a presence, even back in our training days. Tall, confident, with Vivienne Frost draped on his arm like an expensive accessory.

She saw me first. Her eyes widened, then narrowed.

"Lyra Ashenheart," Vivienne's voice cut through the chatter. "I heard a rumor, but I didn't believe it."

Ronan turned, and I saw the moment recognition hit. Then confusion. Then something calculating.

"Lyra." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's been a long time."

"Not long enough," I muttered.

Vivienne's laugh was sharp. "I heard you managed to snag yourself an Alpha. Quite the upgrade from your usual station." Her gaze raked over me. "Though one has to wonder how you managed it."

Heat flooded my face. This was exactly what I'd been afraid of—the assumptions, the judgment, the implication that I wasn't good enough.

My wolf bristled, but before I could respond, I felt him.

Kael's presence at my back, his hand settling on my waist with unmistakable possession.

"Vivienne Frost," he said, his voice carrying that Alpha authority that made people straighten involuntarily. "Still as charming as ever, I see."

Vivienne's confident smirk faltered. "Alpha Nightshade. I didn't realize you'd arrived."

"Clearly." His hand tightened slightly on my waist—protective, claiming. "And Ronan Thornfield. I believe congratulations are in order on your position with Northwood pack."

Ronan's chest puffed out slightly. "Thank you, Alpha. I've worked hard to earn my place. My family has strong ties to the Northwood leadership—my father serves on their council."

Lies. I'd known Ronan's father worked maintenance for the Northwood Alpha's estate. But I bit my tongue.

"How fortunate," Kael said mildly. "Family connections can be so valuable."

Was that sarcasm? I couldn't tell.

Vivienne recovered her composure, linking her arm through Ronan's. "We were just surprised to hear about you and Lyra. She never mentioned being involved with anyone during our training days."

"That's because I wasn't," I said before I could stop myself. "This is... recent."

"Very recent," Kael agreed, and something in his tone made my stomach flip. "Though I've had my eye on Lyra for quite some time."

My breath caught. He was really selling this.

"Really?" Vivienne's eyebrow arched. "That's interesting, considering—"

"Considering what?" Kael's voice dropped to something dangerous.

She backtracked quickly. "Nothing. Just that Lyra always seemed so... focused on her work. Archives, wasn't it? Such a quiet, simple job."

The dismissal in her voice stung more than it should have.

"My mate doesn't need to 'manage' anything," Kael's voice was deceptively soft. "She simply is."

His scent rolled over me—over all of us—and I felt Vivienne step back instinctively. Even Ronan's confident smile faltered.

Kael's thumb traced circles on my hip, a casual gesture that sent heat pooling in my stomach. "Now, if you'll excuse us."

He guided me away, but not before I caught Ronan's expression. Jealousy and something else. Resentment?

When we were out of earshot, I let out a shaky breath. "Thank you."

"They were looking at you like you were beneath them." His voice was rough. "My wolf didn't like it."

I glanced up at him, and something in his eyes made my pulse skip. This was supposed to be pretend. But the way he was looking at me—

"Kael—"

"I know," he said quietly. "I know this is just an arrangement. But when others disrespect you, my wolf doesn't understand the difference between real and pretend."

The honesty in his words made my chest tight. For a moment, I let myself imagine this was real. That an Alpha like him actually wanted to protect me, defend me, claim me as his.

Dangerous thoughts.

"I didn't know Ronan was such a liar," I said, needing to break the tension. "Council family?"

"I noticed." His jaw tightened. "I also noticed he couldn't keep his eyes off you."

"Jealousy, probably. I'm the Omega he didn't think was worth his time, and now I'm with the most powerful Alpha in the territory." I tried to laugh, but it came out bitter. "Must sting his pride."

Kael stopped walking, turning to face me fully. The moonlight caught his silver eyes, making them almost luminescent.

"Is that what you think this is about? Pride?"

"Isn't it?"

"Lyra." He stepped closer, and I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. "Any wolf with sense would see your worth. If Ronan was too blind to recognize it, that's his loss."

My heart did something complicated in my chest. "You're good at this. The fake mate thing."

"Am I?" His expression was unreadable. "Or am I just telling the truth?"

Before I could process that, another wolf approached—an elder from the pack council. Kael straightened, shifting seamlessly into Alpha mode, and I was introduced, smiled at, and assessed like a prized acquisition.

It happened three more times before the gathering ended. Each time, Kael's hand never left my waist. Each time, his scent surrounded me, pine and earth and safety.

By the time we left, my head was spinning.

The walk to my apartment was quiet. Kael insisted on escorting me—"for appearances," he said, but something in his posture seemed tense. Alert.

At my door, he hesitated. His hand came up, almost touching my neck where a real mark would be.

"The scent," he murmured. "I should—to make it convincing."

My wolf perked up immediately. "What do you mean?"

"Scent-marking. Nothing permanent, just..." He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "Layering my scent on yours. So other wolves know you're claimed."

Oh.

"Is that... necessary?"

"After tonight? With Ronan circling?" His eyes flashed gold for a moment. "Yes."

Before I could ask what he meant by "circling," he leaned in, his face brushing against my throat. I felt him breathe deep, and then—warmth. His scent sinking into my skin, mixing with mine.

Not a mark. Not a bite. But something.

My knees went weak. This was intimate in a way I hadn't expected. His breath against my neck, his scent wrapping around me like a physical touch, his body so close I could feel his heat.

"There," he said, voice strained. He pulled back, but his eyes had shifted—more gold than silver now. "That should... that should last a few days. Make it believable."

"Kael—"

But he was already stepping away, putting distance between us like he couldn't trust himself to stay close.

"Get some rest," he said, his voice rough. "I'll see you Monday."

He left quickly, like he was running from something.

I stood at my door, hand pressed to my throat where his scent now clung. My wolf was purring, content in a way she'd never been before.

Traitor.

I didn't know it then, but that scent-marking would have consequences.

Big ones.