Justin relaxes slightly. “The Alpha heir has many responsibilities. Tuesday and Thursday evenings he oversees border patrols personally. Mondays are council meetings until late.”
“And Wednesdays?” I ask innocently.
“Private training sessions,” he replies. “In the east wing facility. Very strict about not being disturbed then.”
I nod, filing away this information. “How thoughtful of him to be so dedicated.”
Justin beams, pleased to have helped the future Luna. As he moves away, I take a small sip of champagne, my mind working. Wednesday private sessions that cannot be disturbed. Interesting.
A light touch on my arm makes me turn.
“There you are!” Candice exclaims, pulling me into a hug that lasts a beat too long. “The woman of the hour!”
I return her embrace, noting how she positions herself to be visible to as many people as possible. Always performing.
“Candice,” I say warmly, “you look stunning tonight.”
“Oh, this old thing?” She laughs, smoothing down her obviously new dress. “Nothing compared to the glow of a newly bonded mate.” Hereyes flick to where Ronan stands across the room. “You must be over the moon.”
“It’s overwhelming,” I admit, letting vulnerability show in my voice. “Everything’s happening so fast.”
Her eyes light up at my apparent weakness. “Oh, sweetheart.” She takes my hands in hers. “That’s why you need friends who understand the pressure. I’ve grown up in pack politics, I can help you navigate all this.”
“Would you?” I widen my eyes hopefully. “Ronan expects so much, and I don’t want to disappoint him.”
“Of course!” She squeezes my hands. “What are friends for? In fact, why don’t we have lunch tomorrow? I can give you all the insider tips about being the perfect Luna.”
The perfect doormat, she means,my wolf sneers.
“That would be wonderful,” I say, squeezing back. “I need all the help I can get.”
She leans closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Between us girls, Ronan can be... demanding. He has very specific expectations for his mate.”
“Has he talked about me with you?” I ask, injecting just the right amount of insecurity.
“We’ve been friends forever,” she says with a casual wave of her hand. “He tells me everything.”
“Everything?” I repeat, allowing my voice to waver slightly.
Her smile turns predatory for just a moment before smoothing back into concerned friend. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you know exactly what he wants.”
Over her shoulder, I catch sight of Ronan watching us, his expression unreadable. When Candice notices my gaze, she turns and waves at him, her body language shifting subtly, shoulders back, posture straightening, a private smile playing on her lips.
He gives her a slight nod before turning back to his conversation.
See that?my wolf growls.The familiarity. The secret signals.
I see everything,I assure her.
“I should mingle more,” I tell Candice, stepping back. “Ronan would want me to make a good impression.”
“Of course.” She touches my arm again. “Tomorrow, noon? My quarters?”
“I’ll be there,” I promise with a grateful smile.
As she sashays away, I move through the crowd, pausing to speak with key pack members, building my mental map of alliances and rivalries. I note which hallways lead to Ronan’s office, which corridors Candice frequents, which security cameras are already in place and where the blind spots are.
An hour later, I slip away to the restroom, using the moment of privacy to retrieve the tiny camera I’d hidden in my clutch over the last two months. Quick, practiced movements secure it above the mirror, angled tocapture the entire room without being obvious. Women talk, especially when they think no one’s listening.
