The next day, Marcus returned from clearing out rogue wolves, and Lucian threw a massive welcome-back feast at the manor.

I got to the dining room first, and Marcus pulled me aside with a massive grin on his face. He leaned in close and whispered, "The servants told me Lucian's heat broke last night, and you were in his quarters at the time..."

He waggled his eyebrows. "Look, I know you've had it bad for that kid forever. So did you two finally—"

The dining room doors swung open.

Lucian walked in carrying Ayara in his arms—full-on bridal style, like something straight out of a romance movie. He set her down in a chair as if she were made of glass and had a servant bring extra cushions so she'd be comfortable.

Marcus's jaw dropped. "What the—"

Everyone knew Lucian was a stone-cold Alpha who showed zero interest in women. The guy was a killing machine on the battlefield and kept everyone at arm's length. So seeing him act like this? It didn't compute.

Lucian's voice was flat and emotionless. "Ayara is my woman now. I've marked her, and we're having the official ceremony in five days."

He sounded calm, but that raw Alpha possessiveness rolled off him in waves.

Marcus started to say something, but I grabbed his sleeve and shook my head. Don't ask.

Ayara giggled and swatted at Lucian's arm. "You're being ridiculous. I told you I'm fine—just a little sore. You didn't have to carry me in here. Now Eve's gonna be upset with me."

She turned to me with this sickeningly fake smile. "Oh, speaking of which, I heard you were standing out on the balcony for ages last night. Did you catch a chill? Let me send you that portable heater from my room. Consider it a thank-you for letting Lucian and me have our moment."

She hit that last part hard, making damn sure I caught her meaning.

Lucian kept peeling shrimp for her with those hands that were usually holding weapons and pulling triggers. He didn't even look up. "You're my fiancée, Ayara. Of course I'm going to carry you. No one else gets a say in that."

His eyes flicked to me for half a second, and his tone went ice-cold. "Besides, Marcus is my brother-in-arms, so Eve's practically my little sister. Now that I'm getting married, she should be happy for me. Eve's always been tough. You don't need anyone worrying about her."

Dinner was a disaster, and Marcus looked just as miserable as I felt.

We spent the whole meal watching Lucian and Ayara's little love show—he piled food on her plate, refilled her wine glass before it was even empty, and kept brushing the back of his hand against her forehead to check if she had a fever.

Those gentle touches used to be everything I wanted from him.

After dinner, Marcus pulled me into a corner of the hallway and frowned at me. "What the hell is going on? You've been crazy about Lucian forever. Why would you practically gift-wrap Ayara and deliver her to his bed?"

I laid everything out for Marcus.

The truth was, marrying Draven wasn't some reckless decision—I'd actually thought it through. Ever since our parents died in that rogue wolf attack, our family had kept the hero title, but we'd lost most of our real power. If I married into the royal pack, Marcus would have connections that mattered. The King would owe us something, and that meant Marcus's career in the pack military would be secure, and our family's future would be safe.

Marcus had always protected me, so I knew if he found out I was walking into what everyone called a death sentence, he'd never agree to it.

I was still trying to figure out how to convince him when Marcus suddenly laughed. "Draven killed twelve mates? He's hideously scarred and loses control during marking, killing his brides? That lunatic really is—"

He stopped and grinned at me. "Eve, this is perfect! But I'm not saying that because I give a damn about some career advancement. Lucian thinks he's so special? Please. My sister is amazing, and there are plenty of Alphas who'd kill for a chance with you. He's not good enough for you anyway!"

I didn't understand what Marcus meant. Was there more to Draven's reputation than the rumors suggested?

Before I could ask, Marcus said he had something to take care of and that he'd drive me back to the capital for the wedding in a few days. Then he rushed out the door.