Page 20 of Fated
Lena blinked. Every head in the room swiveled toward them, the weight of countless eyes pressing against her skin until her cheeks burned and her breath came faster.
The male’s presence was overwhelming, towering over most of the room, voice and energy impossible to ignore. His green eyes, so like her mate’s, sparkled as they darted between them, cataloging reactions and measuring responses with the precision of a seasoned hunter.
“Alpha,”Elara whispered within her, the wolf’s presence shrinking instinctively as the raw power radiating from him pressed against their shared consciousness.
Cian materialized at her side, his shadow falling across her like a shield. His shoulders hung loose while his feet planted firmly in the stance their father had drilled into him since childhood—ready to move in any direction, ready to lead.
He nodded respectfully to both males standing before them. “Alpha Darius.” Cian extended his hand, smile polite despite the guarded look in his eyes. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. This is my sister, Lena.”
Darius met Cian’s hand with a firm shake, grin broadening. “It appears our families may have news to celebrate.”
The words made Lena’s head spin.
Cian offered his hand to her mate next. “And you must be Kai. We’ve never formally met. I’m Cian, alpha-heir to Moonshadow.”
Kai hesitated for a fraction of a second before accepting the handshake, grip firm but not overly aggressive. “Cian.”
Elara whined at the underlying strain in his voice.
A band of pressure squeezed around Lena’s ribs as she watched the exchange, each breath becoming shallower than thelast. It was happening so quickly—tooquickly—but her thoughts stumbled over a new realization that made Elara’s tail want to wag with pride.
My mate is Kai Bloodstone. Heir to the wealthiest, most powerful pack in the region.
The Bloodstone pack controlled vast lands, held alliances with fierce wolves, and were known for their unmatched strength. Lena was well versed in the stories of their lineage, of the power that ran in their blood.
Lena’s pulse quickened, fingers tingling with an electric current that seemed to flow directly from the Goddess Herself.
“Look what Selene chose for us.”Elara preened.“Mate is strength, power, prestige.”
And yet, Kai’s demeanor pulled her back to earth. He looked anything but proud to have found her, his rigid posture making Elara’s earlier joy falter.
“It seems so,” Cian replied evenly, gaze flicking between Kai and Lena, then back to Darius.
She recognized that careful tone—the one Cian used when weighing opportunity against threat.
A murmur rippled through the crowd, gossip spreading like wildfire through the gathered wolves.
“Fated mates? A Moonshadow and a Bloodstone?”
“Imagine the strength of that bond…”
“This could change everything…”
Each whispered speculation made the reality of the situation press harder against Lena’s chest. This wasn’t just about her and Kai anymore. This was about packs. About alliances. Aboutpower.
“But it should be about us,”Elara protested.“About our bond.”
Darius paid the murmurs no mind, though his excitement radiated outward like a kinetic force. His focus was squarely onCian as he gestured toward a hallway leading out of the banquet hall. “Come. Let’s discuss this properly.”
Cian nodded, demeanor calm despite the magnitude of the moment. “Of course. Lena, Kai, with us.”
As they moved toward the exit, Lena glanced over her shoulder, seeking something familiar in the chaos of the moment. She caught Ryker’s eye near the buffet table. Unable to help herself, she mouthed, “OMG, so hot!” while fanning herself dramatically. Even with everything happening, even with the conversations swirling around them, she was still Lena—and her mate wasgorgeous.
Ryker choked on his drink, eyes widening before he shot her that wolfish grin she knew so well. He mimed a lewd gesture, thrusting his tongue into his cheek.
Lena bit back a laugh, the moment of levity stabilizing her amidst the chaos.
She turned her attention back to Kai, who walked just ahead with a straight spine and measured steps that betrayed no awareness of her exchange with Ryker. Each stride deliberate, as if every step cost him something. Her eyes lingered on him, studying the tight set of his jaw. Despite his reluctance, she couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
