She didn’t speak. Couldn’t. Her eyes flicked between them, two alphas locked in a silent war. Somehow, she was the battlefield.
Kaldrek looked at her, just for a heartbeat, before locking eyes with Obren again.
“She’s mine.”
The words hit like a blade. Not a declaration, but a warning. A challenge. Something inside her clenched so hard she didn’t know if it was want or shock that stole her breath.
Obren’s fingers shifted against her waist, the spark in his eyes dimming just slightly. He might have been bold, but he wasn’t foolish.
Not when Kaldrek was like this.
“Fine, fine,” Obren finally relented, raising his hands as he stepped back. “Didn’t realize the birthday girl came with a leash.” His grin was all teeth, but he backed off, melting into the crowd.
Evelyne barely noticed. Her attention was locked on Kaldrek.
Mine.
The word rippled through her, awakening something buried and primal. His gaze devoured her, and she felt its pull in the quickening of her breath, the tremble beneath her ribs, the thrum of her heartbeat echoing in her chest.
“Come here.” His voice was low, his finger curling in quiet command.
She didn’t even hesitate. Her body moved before her mind could catch up, drawn to him as if by gravity.
Kaldrek’s eyes dropped to her mouth, and she bit her lip without thinking. A flicker of dark satisfaction passed over his face, like he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Then he moved quickly—turning her in a single breath. Her back met his bare chest, his hands settling firmly at her waist like they belonged there. Their bodies found a rhythm, moving together with seamless precision as if they had always known how to do this, how to fit.
Every sway of her hips against his, every slow grind in return, sent sparks racing up her spine. She didn’t care who saw. Not the pack, not the crowd, not even the gods above. Tonight, she was his, and she wanted everyone to know it.
His grip tightened at her waist, fingers pressing into her skin like he was barely restraining something wild. Then he lowered his head, lips grazing the shell of her ear as his breath stirred against her skin. “Didyou hear me, Evelyne?” His voice came out rough. “You’re mine. And if another male touches you tonight, I’ll tear his throat out.”
A tremble rolled through her as a shaky breath escaped. She knew she should be furious, should push him away and remind him she wasn’t something to be claimed. But all she could think wasyes. Yes, she wanted him to say it again. Yes, she wanted his hands everywhere. Yes, she wanted him.
So she gave herself to him. And gods, did he take it.
***
She didn’t want his hands to leave her, but the pack would be shifting soon. With one last lingering glance over her shoulder, Evelyne slipped away with Alaric, the quiet weight of Kaldrek’s claim still clinging to her skin. They walked silently toward the lodge, the night air buzzing with leftover energy. Evelyne clutched her new book to her chest, barely registering the path ahead, her thoughts tangled in the memory of Kaldrek’s touch, the sound of his voice, and how he had looked at her like she was already his.
By the time she reached her room, her body was still humming. She drew herself a hot bath, sinking into the warmth as she scrubbed the remnants of the night from her skin, but no amount of water could wash away the way he made her feel. The way she still ached for his touch.
She must’ve dozed off, because she jolted upright when a knock came at her door, eyes blinking groggily.
Alaric?
“Just a second,” she called, stepping out of the tub and grabbing the thin robe draped nearby. Water dripped from her legs onto the woodenfloor as she padded to the door, pulling it open just enough to peer outside.
But it wasn’t Alaric.
“Kaldrek.”
He stood tall. His dark eyes traveled over her intensely, and suddenly, she became hyperaware of how the damp fabric clung to her body.
“I should be shifting right now,” he said thickly.
“Then what are you doing here?” she whispered, heart hammering.
“I needed to see you first.” He stepped closer, filling the doorway, his heat swallowing the space between them.
