Chapter 9 AURORA Amy screamed .


    I set the cup back on the tray .


    All of the wolves whod beenughing the moment before now stared at me in shock .


    I leaned into Amy and kept my voice low .


    You may have heard things about me in the past .


    Those things .


    are no longer true .


    You will not disrespect me again .


    Especially not when Evelyn Bary puts you up to it .


    Evelyn had been there , up on the balcony , watching .


    Bitch ! Amy screamed .


    Her eyes shed yellow .


    Her teeth grew into fangs and her fingers into aws .


    What happened ? Evelyn hurried down the stairs toward us .


    She looked at me in shock , too .


    She was a good actress .


    I was almost convinced she was scandalized .


    Youre making a scene , Ann .


    You ought to be ashamed .


    She cut a nce at Amy , who retracted her fangs and ws .


    Instead , she put her face in her hands and pretended to cry .


    Loudly .


    I am making a scene , Evelyn , I said sweetly , but my smile Chapter 9 showed teeth .


    Isnt that what you wanted ? Evelyn spluttered .


    I dont know what you mean .


    2/5 I looked out at the crowd .


    So many of the wolves were watching us .


    Up on the balcony , we had the attention of the Alphas and Lunas of half a dozen packs .


    I shivered with old fear , but I refused to let it control me .


    Before , the only power I had was what I got from being married to Dane , and that was nothing .


    He hated me , so he let people treat me badly .


    I knew now that power went to the people who took it .


    I was taking mine .


    Evelyn had been Danes mistress for all of our marriage .


    Shed embarrassed me in public so many times when I was Danes wife .


    I hated her .


    But pouring wine over someone at a g was already extreme .


    I wanted people to know not to cross me .


    I didnt want them to think I was out of control .


    I know you put Amy up to this , I said .


    My smile never faltered , even though I was shaking inside .


    I used to put up with your little pranks .


    Not anymore .


    Next time something red spills , it will be your blood .


    Evelyn gaped , true shock in her eyes , now .


    Chapter 9 Id never stood up to her before .


    3/5 What the hell is happening here ? Danes voice cut across the whispering crowd and Amys pretend sobbing .


    Evelyn whirled so fast her skirt red out around her .


    Dane ! Thank the goddess youre here .


    Do something about Ann .


    Shes out of control ! Thats right ! someone piped up from the crowd of hangers on andckeys clustered at the bottom of the stairs .


    Amy tripped on ident and Ann Reed dumped wine on her ! Its all right , Evelyns voice was gentle .


    She put an arm around Amy but gave me a fake sugary smile .


    I think Ann is just nervous .


    She hasnt been around a crowd of people this important in a long time .


    I let out a humorlessugh .


    If only Evelyn Bary knew the ces Id been .


    The wolves Id met .


    People who could grind her under their heel in a moment and never be sorry or think of her again .


    I have an extra dress , Amy , Evelyn said loudly , so everyone could hear how kind she was being .


    You can change into that .


    We wont let this ruin the g .


    Oh ,e on , Evelyn , darling , said a new male voice , low and mocking .


    We all know you were the one behind it .


    Dont pretend to be nice when we all know youre a two faced hag .


    People audibly gasped , and everyone turned to look at the new Chapter 9 4/5 arrival .


    He was a tall , lean man with artfully messy light brown hair ,ughing blue eyes , and a wicked smile .


    Like Dane , there was a maism about him .


    But Danes maism came from his confidence , his dark looks .


    This man -Holden Coleridge , Alpha of the Fall Line Pack drew people in because of his charm .


    When Holden Coleridge looked at you , it was easy to believe you were the only person who mattered in the entire world .


    Dane hated him .


    Of all the Alphas in the Southeast , Holden was the closest to him in age , in wealth , in power .


    But where Danes grandfather had to sweat and bleed for everything the Montagues had , the Coleridges simply floated by .


    They were old money .


    Old , old , in the way only a handful of families in the world could im .


    There had been hard times in thest few generations , though .


    And while the Coleridges had seen their wealth decline , the Montagues were still on the rise , thanks to Dane .


    Alpha Coleridge , Dane grated out .


    Hed turned to face the other man with a look on his face like he was about to take on an army alone .


    I thought you werent going to make it .


    A change of ns , Holden grinned .


    Then his charming smile disappeared , and the steel strong power of the Alpha beneath rippled through the air .


    Now , Amy .


    Do you want to apologize to Ms.


    DeVere for what you did ? Or would you like me to speak to your Alpha ? Chapter 9 5/5 Im s s sorry ! Amy squealed .


    She tore out from under Evelyns arm and ran away .


    I knew it .


    Holden grinned and winked at me .


    Besides , my Aurora would never lie .


    Would you dear ? My voice dry , I said , Never .


    Your Aurora ? Dane growled .


    What the hell are you talking about ? Holdenughed , a light , sparkling sound .


    Then he took my hand and pulled me close .


    She didnt tell you ? What a modest woman .


    Shes my fiancé , of course .


    Soon to be the Luna of the Fall Line Pack .