Chapter 8 AURORA Evelyn made her way up the stairs , practically shoving the pack guards out of the way .


    Connall Montague saw hering and sighed .


    Please excuse me .


    Id rather not ruin my night by having to speak with a mongrel from Hundred Lakes .


    Shes my fiancé , Dane growled .


    The old man shook his head .


    You know my history with them .


    I will never ept her into our pack or our family .


    He left .


    Evelyn stomped up the stairs in her candy pink and crystal designer stilettos .


    I had no problem with things being pink and glittery feminine things are beautiful , after all .


    But Evelyn wore her femininity like a weapon to use against other women , and I hated that .


    My eyes went to Dane .


    His whole body had gone tense , the muscles of his chiseled jaw flexing .


    I was surprised .


    That look was one he used to get when he was about to face a challenger , or when he had to face down his Chapter 8 2/5 greatest rival : the Alpha of the Fall Line Pack , Holden Coleridge .


    To be this tense when his own fiancé approached him meant there was trouble in paradise .


    I thought you were going to wait for me near the door , Evelyn pouted , slinking up to him .


    She pressed her body into his side and pouted up at him .


    I told you I wasing twenty minuteste so I could make an entrance and people could take pictures , and you ruined it .


    Then she turned on me .


    Even though shed shrieked when she first saw me , now she hadposed herself .


    She put her left hand on Danes shoulder , wiggling her fingers so the massive diamond on her ring finger glittered .


    Forgive me , Ann .


    I was so surprised to see you .


    What brings you back ? I wondered what would happen if I told her that hed been in a dark hallway kissing me instead of waiting .


    I met Danes eyes and smirked .


    His brows drew together like he could read my mind , and he glowered at me .


    I could practically hear his thoughts .


    Dont you dare .


    So , I gave Evelyn a dry smile and answered her question .


    Just business .


    Evelyns eyes widened in fake interest .


    Oh ! Are you having financial trouble ? She leaned in like we were the best of friends and whispered , If you need money , I can ask Dane to help you .


    Chapter 8 We try to help the less fortunate whenever we can .


    3/5 I matched her fake smile and kept my voice nd .


    How kind .


    But no .


    I have no need of your … charity .


    Before she could ask more , I took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and said , Excuse me .


    I need to find my date .


    As I walked away , Evelyn started whispering furiously at Dane .


    Other people had been watching with interest and whispering , Loo .


    I found Trajan leaning against a wall , scanning everyone and everything in sight , like he always did .


    Time as a rogue mercenary made it impossible for him to rx in public .


    I sipped my champagne .


    Im surprised you let me out of your sight for that long .


    He dipped his head toward the balcony , between tworge columns , and I realized hed had a perfect view the whole time .


    I didnt .


    I moved to look and saw that Dane was gone , but Evelyn was there talking to the woman in white whod confronted me when I got here .


    Have you finished your business ? Trajan asked .


    I pressed my lips into a thin line and handed him the champagne .


    Almost .


    Dane knows who I am , anyway .


    It may take him some time to ept it .


    But I … should say goodbye to Chapter 8 his grandfather .


    4/5 He took it , tossed it back , and set the crystal flute on a side table .


    I told you the guilt was going to get to you .


    I red at him , hating that as my best friend for most of thest five years he knew me that well .


    You were right , I said .


    Speaking of which , did you bring his gift ? Obviously .


    He produced a small bag from somewhere .


    I pped my hands .


    Despite my wealth , my gift wasnt expensive .


    Id brought a clever little carved bird made by an artist who lived high in the Alps .


    Id also brought a small wheel of his favorite cheese from Italy .


    Those who knew Connall best knew hede from humble beginnings and still treasured small things .


    Ill just give him these , then we can go .


    I stepped away from the wall and back into the crowd with Trajan behind me like a shadow .


    Just as I was about to go upstairs again , Trajan said , Watch out ! I paused just in time to watch Amy Miller who pretended to trip spill wine all over the floor right in front of me .


    Oh , Im so sorry ! she said .


    Unlike Evelyn , Amy was a bad actress .


    Her voice dripped with insincerity .


    She even winked at a nearby group of people clustered at the bottom of the stairs .


    I Chapter 8 5/5 would have hated to ruin the only nice dress you can afford .


    Even if you had to rent it .


    They burst outughing .


    I knew their type , and Amys .


    Hangers on who were desperate for the attention of their Alphas .


    Or anyone more important than them , really .


    Amysughter cut off when she saw my face though .


    I waspletely expressionless .


    Wolves only abuse those they believe to be lower than them in dominance .


    Without a wolf , that meant me .


    Always , always me .


    No longer .


    I had bigger tes spinning .


    There was no time for petty disys with petty wolves like these .


    I smiled sweetly , picked up a ss of bloodred wine off the table next to me , and poured it slowly over the front of Amys white satin dress .