Tessa Frostmere clutched her head as the screaming headache tore through her skull. She stood right outside the thick wooden doors of the Moonhowl Banquet Chambers in the heart of the Silvermoon Dominion. Her bestie, Brynna Ashvale, stared at her with deep concern from the heavy oak frame.

"Are you all right, Tessa? Shall I go with you?" Brynna asked, her hand resting on the carved lintel of the private room. Tessa was practically stumbling after consuming half a barrel of fermented wolf-mead.

"No, thanks. I'll go to the washroom. I'm not drunk. Enjoy yourselves."

Tessa flicked her hand, gripping the cold stone wall to steady her small four-foot-five frame. Her curvy, plus-size body swayed inside her tight black tunic. Being the only omega werewolf in the entire pack meant she had to work twice as hard just to look half as composed.

Exhaling a sharp breath, she had to admit these warriors could drink anyone under the table.

The chamber's washroom was occupied, forcing her to stumble out into the main stone corridor of the tavern.

After stepping out of the public washing area, Tessa stared blankly at the glowing runes carved into the heavy wooden doors along the hallway. Her dark face flushed with heat, her brown eyes completely blurred from the alcohol.

She squinted at the silver door handles, completely unable to read the numbers, so she picked a door at random and shoved it open.

Inside, magical colorful lanterns sparkled against the dim stone walls. Tessa was too tipsy to realize she had stumbled into a high-ranking pack meeting. Her wolf whimpered softly in the back of her mind, but Tessa ignored the instinct.

To cover her utter embarrassment, she grabbed a heavy clay jug of ale from a nearby table and raised it high. "Come on! Let's make a toast!"

The alpha guards and high-ranking pack members in the room gaped at her in pure shock.

Who is this omega?

However, Roric Winterclaw instantly recognized the short, dark-skinned girl standing in the middle of the room.

"Alpha... isn't she..."

The giant man sitting elegantly on the central leather throne emanated an icy, suffocating aura. Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck sat at five-foot-eight of pure, dense muscle, his shoulders broad enough to block out the firelight. He wore clear-lens glasses—glasses he had zero medical need for, using them only when he wanted his enemies to think he was harmless.

The moment Tessa stepped into the room, he smelled her. That sweet, dark honey scent he had craved for three agonizing years hit his senses like a physical strike.

Seeing no one move, Tessa circled the room, holding the ale jug sloppy against her chest. "Why don't you drink? Are you afraid of getting drunk, big bad wolves?"

Suddenly, her hazy gaze locked onto the central throne. Drawn by an invisible, magnetic pull, Tessa kicked aside a heavy wooden stool, swinging her hips as she stumbled directly toward him.

Without a shred of caution, she plunked her plump body right onto the armrest beside Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck.

The air in the room instantly turned to sub-zero ice.

Kaelen breathed in her scent, his pulse spiking rapidly under his dark tunic. On the outside, he remained a marble statue, but beneath the surface, his inner beast pounded against his ribs, demanding he mark her on the spot.

Tessa leaned closer, her blurred vision catching his striking profile. She traced her eyes over his sharp dark brows, his terrifyingly intense golden stare, his straight nose, and his firm, dangerous lips. He looked like an unyielding god of war.

Slowly, Tessa reached out her hand, pressing her index finger under his square jaw. She lifted his chin, staring into his cold eyes.

"Gee... You look just like my lying ex-mate."

Roric's jaw hit the floor. He couldn't tell if this tiny omega had a death wish or if she was truly out of her mind.

Holding Kaelen's face, Tessa glared at him as painful memories resurfaced. Three years ago, this man had used every cruel trick in the pack law to cast her out. First, he let his mother hand her a purse of gold to buy her silence. Then, he stood by while his entire elite bloodline tormented her for being a weak omega. His house servants had spat on her feet, and to top it all off, he was already betrothed to another noble female. He had hunted her down, claimed her as his mate, and sworn she was the only female he would ever touch.

Pure rage exploded in Tessa's chest, washing away the alcohol haze.

SMACK!

Her hand flew across the Alpha's face, the crack echoing like thunder through the stone room.

"You scumbag, Kaelen Thornwyck!"

Before anyone could react, Tessa grabbed a full tankard of foamy ale from the side table and dumped it straight over Kaelen's head. The sticky, amber liquid ran down his dark hair, dripping off his clear-lens glasses and soaking his spotless leather tunic.

The entire room froze in utter horror. Kaelen Thornwyck was the most ruthless Alpha in the entire Silvermoon Dominion. He controlled every piece of territory, every pack resource, and every trade route across the northern lands.

He had one high-status fiancee, and no female in the entire Dominion dared to even look him in the eyes. The last warrior who disrespectfully touched him had his throat ripped out before sunset.

Every pack member in the room covered their eyes, praying to the Moon Goddess they wouldn't be collateral damage.

Tessa completely ignored the lethal, bloodthirsty glare radiating from Kaelen's dark eyes. She dug into her leather waist-pouch with clumsy fingers, pulled out a handful of silver coins, and hurled them directly into his wet, handsome face.

"Think you are awesome because you control the pack resources? Think you can bully a weak omega like me, huh? I just hit you. There's your compensation!"

The coins bounced off his chest and scattered across the stone floor.

Tessa let out a long, satisfied breath, feeling a massive weight lift off her shoulders.

She casually reached down, grabbed an unspilled glass of sweet wine from a nearby tray, and took a deep sip. She turned to the terrified crowd of warriors and gave a bright, cheerful wave.

"Girls, boys, have fun! I'm super happy today. Please excuse me. See you!"

She spun on her heel and glided out of the chamber as if she had just won a war.

Inside the chamber, the silence was suffocating.

No one dared to breathe. No one dared to look at Kaelen, wishing they could melt into the stone floor.

Slowly, Kaelen lifted his hand. He took off his clear-lens glasses, folding them closed, one temple at a time. The harmless act was over. His inner wolf roared with a possessive, furious vengeance.

He clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.

Bravo, Tessa Frostmere. It's been three years... and you still know exactly how to drive me wild.

The next morning, the harsh sunlight streaming through the window woke Tessa up. A terrible, throbbing migraine hammered inside her head from the dark ale.

Her communication rune on the nightstand pulsed violently, buzzing with Brynna's panicked voice.

"Why are you calling me so early, Brynna? I'm still trying to sleep."

"My princess, you've offended Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck, the absolute monster of Silvermoon Dominion! How can you still be in the mood to sleep?!"

Tessa's breath hitched in her throat. The haze instantly cleared from her brain.

"What did you say? Who did I offend?"

"The Alpha of the Dominion, Kaelen!" Brynna shouted through the magical connection. "Sweetheart, do you have enough silver? If not, I can send you some from my pack vault. Grab a swift horse and run away! Right now! Hurry!"

Kaelen Thornwyck?

Tessa pressed her palms to her burning face. Did she really see him last night? Did she... hit him?

"You don't have time now, girl!" Brynna cried out, abruptly severing the connection.

A moment later, a magical notification flashed on her desk—Brynna had transferred four thousand silver coins directly to her account.

Before Tessa could even get out of her bed, a heavy knock echoed against the front door of Frostmere Cottage.

Thinking it was her older brother, Garrick, coming to check on her, Tessa didn't bother changing out of her thin silk nightgown. She threw on her fur slippers and hurried down the short wooden hallway, throwing the heavy front door open.

"Garrick, you won't believe the nightmare I—"

The words died in her throat.

Standing on her porch was a massive, mountain-like man. Tessa stared up at his handsome, lethal face, completely overwhelmed as his dark mint and cedar scent washed over her senses. Her omega wolf let out a helpless, desperate whine deep within her chest.

It wasn't her brother. It was Alpha Kaelen.

Before she could process the shock, Tessa gasped and slammed her weight against the heavy wooden door to shut it.

Kaelen didn't even sweat. He casually kicked the door wide open, stepping into her tiny cottage. His massive frame dominated the entryway. In one fluid movement, he grabbed her tiny waist, lifting her off her feet and trapping her firmly between his rock-hard chest and the cold plaster wall.

He lowered his head, his sharp golden eyes locking onto her wide brown ones with a dark, predatory amusement. A dangerous, slow smile spread across his lips.

"Don't you recognize me, my little omega?" he purred softly, his voice deep and dark, vibrating through her very bones like a dark cello string.

Tessa's heart slammed against her ribs like a trapped bird.

She knew he was deadly, but looking at him up close now, he was infinitely more gorgeous and terrifying than he was three years ago. The raw, pure power of an Alpha radiated off his skin, suffocating her defenses.

"We met last night," Kaelen murmured, leaning down until his lips brushed the shell of her ear. "How can you forget me so fast? Do you need me to remind you how you laid your hands on your Alpha?"

His scorching breath spilled across the sensitive skin of her neck. Tessa's entire body went rock hard, her core instantly throbbing with an embarrassing, traitorous heat. Her mate bond screamed at her to yield, to let him sink his teeth into her flesh.

Kaelen felt her shudder. He let out a low, dark chuckle against her skin, his large, calloused hand gripping her plump hip tightly, digging his fingers into her soft flesh.

"It's been a long while," he whispered, his voice dripping with pure possessive lust. "I didn't expect your sensitive spot to still react to me like this."

Tessa snapped back to reality, placing both of her small hands against his solid chest, pushing with all the meager strength her omega body possessed.

"Let go of me!" Tessa spat, her dark eyes flashing with pure irritation and deep-seated hatred. "What on earth do you want from me, Kaelen?!"

Kaelen didn't budge an inch. His thumb trailed up her stomach, pulling her thin nightgown higher, exposing her dark, smooth skin to the chilly cottage air.

"What do I want?" Kaelen grinned, his eyes darkening as he lowered his head to press his hot lips against her throbbing pulse point. "I want what's mine. And you're coming back to the Thornwyck Alpha Keep."

Tessa Frostmere stood pinned against the cold plaster wall, her plump, four-foot-five frame shivering as Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck towered over her. His five-foot-eight muscular body pressed flush against her curves, his dark scent of cedar and mint completely overwhelming her senses.

"I remember an ancient pack law," Kaelen purred, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous rumble that vibrated straight through her skin. "If a male wolf and his true mate haven't marked each other before breaking their bond, they must finish what they started when they cross paths again."

"Well..."

Kaelen broke his icy composure for a fraction of a second, his dark golden eyes trailing slowly down her throat, past her collarbone, and directly over her chest.

"You certainly seem to be ready for your Alpha."

Following his heavy gaze, Tessa checked her own body. Her black silk tunic only wrapped limited parts of her curvy plus-size frame, leaving her smooth, dark skin completely bare to his intense look. Being the only omega werewolf in the territory, her body naturally radiated an intoxicating heat when her true mate came close, making her look agonizingly delicious.

Any male wolf who saw her like this would lose control of his inner beast.

"I dare you, Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck!" Tessa spat, her dark eyes flashing with pure fire.

"Oops, you finally recall who I am," Kaelen chuckled softly, his hot breath brushing against her lips. "You must have been pretending you didn't know your mate at the Moonhowl Banquet Chambers last night."

Tessa couldn't recall every detail of what she had done the previous night. However, Brynna had phoned her in a panic and wired her silver coins, so she knew she must have done something wild to the pack leader.

"Did you come to the Frostmere Cottage just to get even with a weak omega?" Tessa asked, forcing her racing heart to calm down as a mocking, sharp smile touched her dark lips.

She was completely different than the broken girl he had exiled three years ago.

Kaelen's golden eyes became steely and dark. His large, calloused hand moved up, his thick fingers wrapping gently yet possessively around the front of her throat. They were so close their chests touched with every breath.

"You suddenly vanished from the Silvermoon Dominion three years ago," Kaelen growled, his wolf clawing at the surface. "Now you appear in my territory again. What do you want, Tessa?"

"Suddenly vanished?" Tessa repeated his words playfully, her voice laced with venom. "Is that the lie your noble pack elders fed you?"

Kaelen stared down at her, his grip tightening just a fraction. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing at all, Alpha Thornwyck," Tessa sneered, digging her short fingernails into his rock-hard forearms. "You have a high-ranking betrothed waiting in your den. Please let the bygones stay in the dirt. A qualified ex-mate should stay hidden as if he died in battle."

Kaelen suddenly increased the pressure around her neck, pulling her plump body so close she could feel the rock-hard heat of his thigh pressing between hers.

"Why did you walk into my private chamber last night then?" Kaelen demanded, his tone turning dark and possessive. "Why throw your silver at my face? Tessa Frostmere, what is your game?"

Tessa mocked him openly, leaning into his touch despite the pain. "Alpha, I didn't expect you to be so deeply affected. Have you really failed to forget a tiny omega like me over the last three years?"

Tessa giggled, bringing her small hand up to cover her mouth while her brown eyes sparkled with hate. "I didn't expect the mighty ruler of the Silvermoon Dominion to be so obsessed with my body. I feel honored..."

"You'd better stop challenging my patience," Kaelen growled, his thumb pressing right over her pulsing artery.

Tessa gasped for air as her breathing was cut off, but she stubbornly locked her eyes onto his golden pair, refusing to shed a single tear or beg for mercy. Her omega wolf whimpered for him to kiss her, but her heart burned with pure hatred.

Suddenly, the front door rattled as a heavy-set male wolf with a powerful aura strode straight into the small living room.

"Alpha Thornwyck, release her!" Garrick Frostmere barked, his voice filled with protective anger. "You are standing inside my family's cottage!"

Hearing the deep voice, Kaelen slowly shifted his head, looking Garrick up and down with cold disdain. "Garrick Frostmere."

"Alpha, I appreciate you still remembering my name," Garrick said, stepping forward with his broad shoulders squared. "What brings the ruler of the Dominion down to our humble omega cottage today? What business do you have with my sister?"

"Is this your house?" Kaelen asked, his dark tone dripping with a quiet threat.

"It belongs to the Frostmere bloodline," Garrick answered without a shred of hesitation.

Kaelen darted his dark eyes back down to Tessa's flushed face. Slowly, reluctantly, he released her neck, his thumb tracing her jawline one last time before he pulled away. He shoved his large hands into the pockets of his dark trousers and took several steps back into the shaded corner of the room.

From the shadows, his face was unreadable, but his possessive scent still filled the small room.

"Tessa Frostmere," Kaelen whispered, his deep voice carrying an undeniable promise of capture. "I will see you again very soon."

His low words sent a dark, shuddering electricity straight down Tessa's spine.

Garrick strode over immediately, his large frame blocking Tessa from Kaelen's sight. Gazing at the Alpha's broad, muscular back as he walked toward the exit, Garrick said coldly, "Alpha, remember to close the door behind you."

Garrick was easily the only male wolf in the entire pack with the guts to speak to Kaelen like that.

"Humph," Kaelen snorted, his heavy boots echoing on the porch as he vanished into the morning light.

The moment the door slammed shut, Garrick turned back to his little sister.

"Did that monster lay his hands on you, Tessa?"

Tessa instantly slumped against the wall, taking deep gulps of air as her hands trembled. "No. I'm fine. Why were you so late, Garrick?"

If she had known it was Kaelen standing on her porch, she never would have unlocked the door without checking first.

"The pack guards held up the border roads, so I was delayed," Garrick explained, setting a heavy wooden basket of fresh meat and bread onto the table. "Why did he come straight here?"

Tessa's short fingers trembled against her silk tunic. "Garrick, I asked you for that favor yesterday. Did you manage to get it?"

Garrick had doted on Tessa since they were pups. Seeing her dodge his question, he chose not to push her.

Reaching out, Garrick patted her soft dark hair with a warm chuckle. "Tessa, you are my only sister. How could I fail you? Look at this."

Garrick pulled a thick, silver-embossed parchment from his coat and laid it on the table.

Tessa picked up the heavy invitation, reading the glowing silver letters etched into the surface: Official Moon Ceremony and Birthday Feast at the Thornwyck Alpha Keep. Please RSVP.

The moment her eyes touched the coat of arms, dark memories of betrayal, public humiliation, and broken mate bonds flooded her mind before she coldly pushed them back down.

After eating a quick breakfast, Tessa's communication rune pulsed on the desk again. Brynna's loud voice echoed into the room.

"Hello, my little omega! Have you escaped the territory yet?"

Tessa let out a small laugh, her dimples showing on her dark cheeks. "No. Why would I run?"

Brynna gasped through the rune connection. "Aren't you terrified that Alpha Kaelen will tear you apart for what you did at the tavern?"

"Have you forgotten why I stepped foot back into the Silvermoon Dominion?" Tessa asked, her voice turning icy.

Brynna went silent on the other end for a moment before letting out a loud screech. "Gosh! Don't tell me... Alpha Kaelen is the scumbag mate who rejected you and cast you out?!"

"Congratulations, you score a hundred points," Tessa replied plainly.

"Wait!" Brynna yelled. "I thought you were just playing a dangerous game at the tavern last night! It turns out he was..."

Furrowing her dark brows, Tessa asked, "What exactly did I do to him last night? My memory is completely wiped."

Brynna snorted. "Well, since everyone was drunk out of their minds, one of the tavern guards recorded it. I just sent the memory crystal connection to your desk. Look at it yourself!"

Tessa tapped the crystal, watching the magical projection show her tiny self dumping a full jug of ale over Kaelen's head and throwing silver coins at his face. A slow, satisfied smile spread across Tessa's face as she watched the powerful Alpha stand there soaked.

Brynna giggled loudly. "Well, you certainly gave him a taste of omega rage! You took your revenge fast. Shall we go to the Moonstone Jewel Forge and the silk shops to celebrate?"

"Why not?" Tessa agreed immediately. "I need a high-ranking gown if I'm going to crash the Alpha Keep banquet, and I want to see the new armors and silks."

An hour later, inside a high-end silk boutique in the heart of the Dominion, Brynna pulled a stunning crimson dress made of enchanted spider-silk off the display.

"Tessa, this red dress will look absolutely breathtaking on your curvy body! You have to try it on!"

"Let me see," Tessa said, touching the rich fabric. She loved the bold color instantly and reached out to take it.

Before her hand could touch the hanger, a tall, slender female wolf stepped over, shoving her hand forward and speaking in a high, arrogant tone.

"I want that red dress. Let me try it on first."

The sharp, entitled voice was instantly recognizable to Tessa's ears. They hadn't seen each other in three painful years, but this female hadn't changed a single bit.

The shop attendant bowed her head nervously, looking at Tessa with deep apology. "I am so sorry, young omega. This is Lady Lyssara Thornwyck, daughter of the high bloodline and our top SVIP customer. I must let her try the dress first."

Tessa stood at her short height of four-foot-five, turning her head slowly to look at the high-ranking female with absolute grace and calm superiority.

"Is that so?" Tessa said, her dark voice smooth as silk. "Since she belongs to the Thornwyck family, I am even less inclined to yield anything to her."

Lyssara's eyes widened in utter disbelief as she finally looked down at the short, dark-skinned omega standing before her.

"You! You... Tessa Frostmere?!"

Lyssara took a step back in shock, her high-bred scent spiking with sudden rage.

Tessa took a step closer to her, offering a polite, razor-sharp smile. "Lady Lyssara, why do you look so terrified to see a weak omega return to the pack?"

Tessa Frostmere stood her ground in the high-end silk boutique of the Silvermoon Dominion, her small four-foot-five curvy frame radiating absolute authority. The moment Lady Lyssara Thornwyck recognized her, the noble female's eyes widened in sheer panic, but that shock instantly turned into toxic wolf rage.

"Tessa Frostmere, you shameless omega bitch!" Lyssara roared, her sharp claws extending as she pounced forward. "How dare you try to creep back into the Dominion to hit on my brother again! I'm going to rip your throat out on my sister-in-law's behalf!"

Tessa didn't even flinch. She shifted her plump weight half a step to the left, taking advantage of Lyssara's wild, uncoordinated lunging. Lyssara tripped over her own heavy silk skirt and hit the polished stone floor hard, landing flat on her cheeks.

Tessa snorted softly, her dark eyes looking down with cold amusement. "Lady Lyssara, you used your noble status to drive me into the wilderness three years ago, but I didn't expect you to be so polite as to bow down at my feet today. Thank you for your kindness."

Her sharp words hit Lyssara like a slap, twisting the female wolf's face into a mask of embarrassment. "Bitch! I'm going to tear your skin off!"

Tessa narrowed her eyes, her inner omega alert and lethal. As Lyssara scrambled to her feet and rushed her again, Tessa simply lifted her small foot, hooking it neatly behind Lyssara's ankle. Lyssara hit the stone floor a second time with a loud, painful crash.

"Ouch!"

"Lyssara!"

A sleek, fair-skinned female wolf trotted quickly into the boutique, rushing to Lyssara's side. "Are you all right?"

Lyssara had never been so publicly humiliated in front of the shop attendants and noble customers. Glaring up at Tessa, who stood above her with a triumphant, sharp smile, Lyssara pushed herself up with Vespera Nightthorne's frantic help.

Lyssara's eyes burned with red anger. "I'm all right, Vespera. No worries. I just didn't expect to meet this exiled omega trash so quickly. Vespera, she must have snuck back into the Silvermoon Dominion to steal Alpha Kaelen away from you!"

Vespera turned slowly, her pale face locking eyes with Tessa.

No! Impossible! How could Tessa Frostmere be standing here...

Tessa didn't miss a single shift in Vespera's flickering green eyes. The scent of fear radiating off the noble female was intoxicating.

Tessa mocked her coldly, "Vespera Nightthorne, you really didn't expect to see me step foot in the territory again, did you?"

Vespera's body stiffened completely, her breath catching in her throat.

Lyssara looked back and forth between the two of them, her eyebrows furrowing. "Vespera, what does she mean by that?"

Every drop of color drained from Vespera's face. Tessa could tell in an instant that Vespera had kept her dirty schemes hidden from Lyssara all these years. Tessa withdrew her dark gaze, letting out a heavy, disdainful laugh.

"Lady Lyssara," Tessa said, her rich voice cutting through the store. "You are utterly mistaken. I have a broad-shouldered older brother in the Frostmere pack, so I have zero interest in stealing your brother's territory or his bed. It's been three long years, but why do you high-blooded wolves still love stealing things that don't belong to you? What is wrong with your mind?"

Lyssara went completely ballistic, her claws digging into Vespera's arm. "Stop lying, you omega filth! You know exactly what you came back for! You're a delusional psycho!"

Before Lyssara could take another step, Brynna Ashvale stepped up from behind her. Reaching out with a ruthless grip, Brynna grabbed a massive handful of Lyssara's styled hair, dragging her backward until Lyssara was forced to tilt her head all the way back.

Brynna chuckled dangerously into her ear. "Who are you calling a psycho, Lyssara Thornwyck?"

Lyssara shrieked, "I wasn't talking to you, Ashvale! What does this have to do with you?!"

Brynna snorted, her hands pulling tighter on the silk-smooth hair. "Tessa is my pack sister and my bestie. How dare you hurl insults at her in the middle of the Dominion! I've listened to your arrogant mouth for three years and I've been dying to teach you how an omega bleeds a noble bitch like you!"

Brynna yanked harder, forcing Lyssara down to her knees.

Vespera rushed forward, her hands hovering nervously in the air. "Please let go of Lyssara, Tessa! It was all my fault! Lyssara is innocent in this!"

Lyssara screamed through her teeth, "Stop begging this omega, Vespera! I'm fine! Argh!"

Brynna didn't hit her; she just held her by the roots, and the noble female couldn't bear the physical pain for even five seconds.

Tessa shook her head in sheer disdain. "Vespera Nightthorne, you are just as fake and hypocritical as the day you forged those pack papers. And Lyssara is truly such a simpleton to believe a single word out of your dirty mouth."

"Simpleton?! I dare you to say that again!" Lyssara howled, thrashing against Brynna's tight grip.

Tessa leaned down, her dark face inches from Lyssara's tearing eyes. "Lyssara Thornwyck is a simpleton. A brainless, loud-mouthed idiot."

"You—!"

"Release her right now."

A massive, terrifying presence washed over the shop as heavy leather boots echoed against the stone floor. Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck strode through the entrance, his broad chest filling out a dark leather tunic. He emanated an aura of absolute death, his clear-lens glasses sitting neatly on his sharp nose, making him look deceptively restrained.

Tessa's inner wolf shivered at his dark cedar scent, her core throbbing with a sudden, treacherous heat that made her dark skin flush.

The moment he appeared, Vespera trotted straight to his side, grabbing his muscular arm tightly. "Please help Lyssara, Kaelen! Tessa's friend is hurting her!"

Kaelen didn't even look at Vespera's hand on his arm. His dark golden eyes locked onto Brynna first.

Brynna felt the overwhelming pressure of an Alpha's aura crushing her chest, but she held her ground beside Tessa, refusing to drop her hands.

Then, Kaelen shifted his gaze slowly over to Tessa's four-foot-five frame. His eyes dragged down her dark curves, tracking the rise and fall of her chest under her clothes.

Tessa didn't run. She swung her plump hips casually, stepping right up to the kneeling Lyssara.

Lyssara gritted her teeth, her voice dripping with poison. "Tessa Frostmere, my brother is the supreme Alpha of this entire Dominion. If you don't have a death wish—"

PAK!

Tessa's small, heavy palm flew across Lyssara's face, the crack echoing like a whip through the entire boutique.

"Lyssara!" Vespera cried out in horror, clinging to Kaelen's arm as if she were the one who had been hit.

Brynna gave Tessa a massive thumb-up, grinning wickedly. She had thought Tessa might back down the moment Alpha Kaelen walked into the room.

Lyssara held her swollen, burning cheek, staring up at the short dark girl in absolute shock. "How dare you... how dare an omega strike a Thornwyck..."

PAK!

Tessa slapped her back across the other cheek without a second of hesitation.

"Lyssara Thornwyck, you owed me blood from three years ago. I am merely paying back the first installment," Tessa declared, her dark voice dropping to an icy, lethal whisper. "I don't care if your brother is here. Even if the High Alpha himself stood behind you today, I wouldn't tremble before a single one of you."

Tessa stepped closer, her brown eyes blazing with dark fire. "You will never, ever pay back what you took from my wolf."

"Let's go, Brynna," Tessa said cleanly.

Brynna gave Lyssara's hair one final, violent tug, letting the noble female flop face-first onto the cold floor before stepping over her to follow Tessa.

Lyssara pulled herself up, her face bright red and swollen, ready to scream curses after them. But when she turned her head, she froze. Kaelen was standing completely still, his golden eyes fixed on Tessa's retreating waist with a terrifying, unreadable intensity.

As Tessa passed Kaelen and Vespera, she deliberately brushed her soft, curvy arm against Kaelen's muscular side. She reached up, resting her small hand on his solid shoulder for a fraction of a second, feeling the rock-hard heat of his body beneath her palm.

"You deceitful bitch and your cold-blooded Alpha still haven't sealed your mate bond after all these years?" Tessa mocked right into Kaelen's ear, her sweet honey scent driving his inner wolf wild. "Hurry up and complete the ritual. You'd better tie yourselves together so you never ruin another innocent wolf's life again!"

With those sharp, burning words, Tessa pulled her hand back and walked straight out of the boutique alongside Brynna, never looking back once.

Lyssara scrambled up, her claws reaching out. "Kaelen! Did you hear how that ugly omega cursed us?! She called me a simpleton and called you a cold-blooded bastard! How could you just let her walk out of our territory's shop?!"

Kaelen didn't look at his sister. He reached out, his massive fingers closing around Lyssara's forearm with crushing strength.

"Lyssara. Enough is enough."

Lyssara looked at him pitifully, tears of rage welling in her eyes. "Kaelen, she hit me! She said we could never pay her back for what we owed her! What did she mean by that?!"

Lyssara tried to meet his eyes, but Kaelen's golden gaze was so dark and suffocating that she subconsciously ducked her head, unable to look at her brother.

Vespera's hands trembled against Kaelen's sleeve as she quickly tried to break the heavy silence. "Kaelen, didn't you come to the Forge to help me pick out a silk gown for High Alpha Odran's grand birthday feast at the Keep? Look at that crimson dress over there... it would fit the occasion perfectly..."

Kaelen slowly folded his clear-lens glasses closed, one temple at a time, and tucked them into his tunic. He walked over to the crimson dress Tessa had touched just moments before, his dark scent filling the entire room.

Vespera let out a small, relieved breath, believing she had successfully diverted his mind.

By the weekend, the grand territory of the Silvermoon Dominion was alive with red banners and howling horns. The grand birthday feast for High Alpha Odran Thornwyck was being held at the massive stone gates of the Thornwyck Alpha Keep.

Alpha leaders, noble warriors, and elders from dozens of visiting pack delegates filled the great stone hall, presenting rare furs, enchanted silver, and monster cores to honor the old ruler.

When Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck entered the grand hall with Vespera Nightthorne by his side—Vespera wearing the striking crimson silk dress—every eye in the room locked onto them.

Kaelen was the undisputed ruler of the Dominion. Since taking control of the pack resources three years ago, he had expanded their hunting grounds, crushed rival packs, and multiplied the territory's wealth tenfold.

Though he was only twenty-five winters old, he possessed the unyielding presence of a legendary warlord.

The elders of the Thornwyck bloodline had been pushing for him to take a formal Luna to secure the bloodline, and since he had walked alongside Vespera for years, the entire pack treated her as the future Luna of the Keep.

Whispers rippled through the gathered delegates as the pair walked toward the high thrones.

"Alpha Kaelen and Lady Vespera truly look like a match made by the Moon Goddess herself."

"Indeed. They have been standing together for nearly six years now, haven't they? When will the Alpha finally mark her and host the grand Luna binding ceremony?"

Vespera lifted her chin proudly, holding onto Kaelen's thick arm as they approached High Alpha Odran's throne.

The old Alpha sat on his carved wooden seat, his grey eyes looking down at his grandson with heavy authority. "Kaelen. You bring honor to the Keep today. But a true Alpha needs a true Luna by his side to rule the winter moons."

Vespera's heart leaped with violent excitement. This was the moment she had engineered for three long years. She leaned closer to Kaelen, her voice dripping with soft submissive heat. "High Alpha Odran, Kaelen has worked so hard for the territory. I am ready to serve the Keep whenever he wishes."

Kaelen remained completely silent, his face an unreadable block of ice. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his clear-lens glasses, and slowly unfolded them, sliding them onto his nose to mask the lethal golden fire in his eyes.

Before he could utter a single word, the massive iron doors of the Alpha Keep burst open with a booming crack that echoed off the high stone rafters.

The heavy guard horns failed to blow. The entire hall fell into a dead, stunned silence.

Standing in the grand archway was a short, breathtaking figure.

Tessa Frostmere stepped onto the black marble floor, her four-foot-five frame dressed in a jaw-dropping, form-fitting dress of dark gold spider-silk that hugged every single luscious curve of her plump body. Her smooth, dark skin glowed under the torchlight, and around her neck sat a heavy silver necklace—the ancient, sacred crest of the original Frostmere Luna lineage that had been stolen three years ago.

Beside her stood Garrick Frostmere, clad in full elder armor, carrying a sealed wooden chest stamped with the old Dominion seal.

Tessa walked into the center of the hall, her short heels clicking sharply against the stone, completely ignoring the stunned gasps of the noble elders and the sudden, violent thrum of energy radiating from Kaelen's chest.

Tessa lifted her small head, her dark eyes locking directly onto High Alpha Odran and then shifting slowly to Kaelen's rigid face.

"Forgive the late arrival, High Alpha," Tessa's rich, smooth voice carried across the silent room like a war horn. "The Frostmere bloodline has returned to the Keep to deliver a gift... and to demand the immediate return of our stolen Luna sacred items!"