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!"

Vespera Nightthorne cast a shy, practiced glance at Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck, waiting with bated breath for him to claim her before the assembled lords. As the pack elders whispered, they had been seen walking together across the Silvermoon Dominion for nearly six years. Vespera was growing anxious; if she did not secure her position as Luna of the Thornwyck Alpha Keep tonight, she would become the ultimate laughingstock among the northern territories.

However, Kaelen did not seem to hear a single word from the murmuring crowd.

A sharp spike of bitter disappointment pierced Vespera’s chest.

Kaelen stepped forward, approaching the high seat of High Alpha Odran Thornwyck. His posture was rigid, his voice deep and respectful. "May the moon grant you strength on your birthday, High Alpha."

Vespera quickly echoed, stepping into his shadow. "Happy birthday, High Alpha Odran. I brought this rare spirit-root from the eastern borders for you. May your claws remain sharp and your pack thrive."

High Alpha Odran took the carved wooden box, a doting smile breaking across his weathered face. "Brave child! Thank you for the gift, Vespera. I am pleased. I only hope you and Kaelen seal your mate bond soon so I can hold a strong Alpha great-grandpup before my time comes."

The old leader’s declaration practically stamped Vespera as the future Luna in front of every visiting pack delegate.

Vespera lowered her head, acting coy. "Please be patient, High Alpha. Kaelen and I are still focused on securing the territory borders."

"Yes, you are young," High Alpha Odran grunted warmly, "but I am an old wolf. If you do not give me an heir soon, my spirit will cross to the ancestral grounds without seeing the bloodline secured."

"Oh, High Alpha!" Vespera played at being sweet, her voice soft. "Do not speak of such things. Your wolf is as strong as ever."

"Sweet-talking female," Odran chuckled, clearly pleased.

Lady Morwen Thornwyck, Odran’s daughter-in-law, exchanged a knowing, smug look with Lyssara.

Lady Morwen stepped closer to the throne, gently reminding the old wolf, "Father, didn't you state you had an official decree to read to the delegates tonight?"

High Alpha Odran raised his heavy staff, signaling the pack heralds. "Ah, right! I have crucial news for the entire Dominion. Noble elders, visiting delegates, thank you for honoring the Thornwyck bloodline tonight. I take this opportunity to officially announce—"

Vespera held her breath, her heart slamming against her ribs. Tonight, she would finally be named the official Luna candidate. Even if Kaelen had remained icy earlier, she knew he would never publicly defy High Alpha Odran's command.

Suddenly, a heavy, iron-reinforced war carriage drawn by twin shadow-beasts pulled up to the main iron gates of the Thornwyck Alpha Keep. A low-ranking guard at the perimeter spotted the crest on the wood and gasped aloud.

"Is... isn't that Garrick Frostmere's iron carriage? The elite commander of the Frostmere bloodline? Why has a Frostmere set foot in our Keep?"

"The Thornwyck name carries deep respect, but the Frostmeres haven't attended a territory banquet since the betrayal three years ago!"

High Alpha Odran froze mid-sentence, his eyes darting toward the stone archway in anticipation. The Thornwycks held immense military power in Silvermoon Dominion, but the ancient Frostmere bloodline carried deep, sacred lineage. When the Keep had sent out the parchment invitations, the Frostmere elders had flatly refused to respond.

To everyone's absolute shock, they were standing at the gates now.

The heavy carriage door swung open, and a polished iron boot hit the stone floor. A broad-shouldered, massive male wolf stepped down, adjusting his dark leather armor with effortless authority. The females in the courtyard caught their breath.

"Is... is that Commander Garrick Frostmere? He looks far more lethal than the rumors say."

"Look at his presence! He carries the strength of a true warrior."

Garrick nodded curtly to the surrounding guards, his expression like forged steel. He turned back toward the carriage, extending his large, calloused hand to shield the top of the doorframe.

A moment later, a short, dark-skinned female stepped down into the light.

A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the entire stone hall.

A visiting pack leader let out a low gasp. "By the Moon... who is she? Her scent is staggering!"

"She stepped out alongside Commander Garrick... she must be his high-ranking mate or a noble lady of their court!"

Tessa Frostmere naturally slid her small hand onto Garrick's armored forearm. Her plus-size, four-foot-five body moved with absolute confidence, her curves wrapped tightly in the dark gold spider-silk gown. A warm, genuinely sweet smile softened Garrick’s severe face as he looked down at his younger sister.

To every wolf watching, the two of them looked completely unstoppable.

Tessa smiled up at Garrick softly, her dark eyes glowing with quiet triumph.

Standing several yards away, Alpha Kaelen Thornwyck felt a sudden, violent thrum in his chest. His golden eyes locked onto her waist, a sharp, physical pain shooting through his inner wolf as he saw her touching another male wolf's arm.

Vespera caught the dramatic shift in Kaelen's posture, her blood turning to pure ice. She dug her manicured nails into her palms, forcing herself to stand taller beside him to remind the room who held the Alpha's side.

Garrick led Tessa straight toward Kaelen, stopping just a few paces short. "Good evening, Alpha Thornwyck."

The air between the two powerful male wolves crackled with instant, territorial tension.

"Nice to meet you again, Commander Frostmere," Kaelen replied, his voice dropping an octave into a low, rumbling Alpha register.

They exchanged a brief, crushing grip before letting go.

Kaelen could not tear his golden gaze away from Tessa.

Standing beside her brother, her dark face was radiant, her soft lips pulled into a bright, dangerous smile. The shimmering gold fabric clung to her plump hips, making her small frame look impossibly tempting. Kaelen felt a dark, possessive urge roar to life inside his gut, his cock hardening thick against his trousers just from the sweet honey scent rolling off her skin.

His golden eyes darkened behind his clear-lens glasses. He hadn't realized how badly his beast craved to pin her down right here on the stone floor.

What is her true connection to Garrick Frostmere? he demanded silently, his wolf snarling at the back of his mind.

"Tessa Frostmere?!" Lyssara’s shrill voice shattered the tension as she forced her way through the guards. "Why are you here?! Who allowed a weak, banished omega like you to step inside our Alpha Keep?!"

Lyssara had been praying for Kaelen to announce Vespera as Luna tonight, and seeing the very omega Tessa crash the feast sent her into a blind rage.

Garrick stepped forward instantly, his broad chest blocking Lyssara’s path as his powerful voice boomed through the hall. "Is this how the Thornwyck pack treats invited delegates? Tessa, we are leaving."

"Apologize to Lady Frostmere right now, Lyssara!" Kaelen ordered, his voice cutting through the room like a steel blade.

Lyssara flinched, remembering the slaps Tessa had dealt her at the boutique, but her pride refused to yield. "Kaelen! I am speaking the truth for your own good! This omega likes crawling between high-ranking male wolves! You think she cares about the Frostmere name? She only hungers for territory power and silver resources! If she finds an Alpha stronger than you, she'll abandon—"

"Silence!" Kaelen snapped, his Alpha command echoing off the stone walls, forcing Lyssara’s throat to lock up.

Lyssara looked at her brother with tear-filled, aggrieved eyes. "Kaelen, I am telling you what she did three years ago! Back then, she—"

"I apologize, Commander Frostmere," Kaelen interrupted coldly, keeping his eyes glued to Tessa's face. "My sister has forgotten her manners. I offer an apology on her behalf."

Lyssara gaped at her brother in absolute disbelief.

Garrick, however, did not drop his defensive stance. "I traveled to these grounds strictly to deliver our father's formal greetings to High Alpha Odran. Since my sister is subjected to insults the moment she steps over your threshold, no member of the Frostmere bloodline will ever honor this Keep again."

"Please wait, Commander Frostmere!" High Alpha Odran called out, hurrying down from the raised dais with his heavy staff.

The old Alpha glared fiercely at Lyssara as he reached them. "Foolish girl! Where are your manners?! Bow your head and apologize to Commander Frostmere this instant!"

Lyssara trembled, terrified of her grandfather's wrath. With both her brother and High Alpha forcing her hand, she lowered her head, squeezing the words through her teeth. "I am sorry, Commander Frostmere. It was my misstep."

A cold, mocking sneer played on Garrick's sharp lips. "You do not owe your apology to me, Lady Lyssara. You owe it to the future Luna standing by my side."