: Welcome to the Circus-

The moment Nene stepped out of the car, she felt it.

The weight of too many Alphas in one place.

The estate was massive, elegant, and filled with high-ranked werewolves dressed in formal attire—but none of that mattered.

Because the second she crossed the threshold, she could feel the tense, heavy presence of multiple dominant Alphas in one space.

Her stomach tightened.

This wasn't a birthday party.

This was a territorial battlefield disguised as a social gathering.

And she was the centerpiece.

Nene barely had time to process before a broad-shouldered Alpha with sharp features and cold eyes stepped forward.

Her stepfather.

Zhao Zhenyu.

His gaze immediately zeroed in on Alexander, assessing, measuring—his expression unreadable but clearly irritated.

"Zhao," he said, his tone polite but clipped. "So you actually came."

Alexander tilted his head slightly, completely unbothered. "It would've been rude not to."

Zhenyu's jaw tightened slightly.

Then his gaze flickered to Nene, cool and unreadable.

"You look like your mother," he said.

Nene wasn't sure how to respond.

She didn't know him. Didn't owe him anything.

But she could tell—he wasn't thrilled about this party.

And then, as if confirming her thoughts, he let out a slow exhale, rubbing his temple.

"My mate informed me this was necessary," he muttered. "My in-laws are here. You understand what that means?"

Nene's stomach flipped.

Her mother's family.

Her Alpha grandmother and Alpha grandfather, both of whom led powerful packs in their own right.

Which meant—

There were three separate Alpha bloodlines present at this party.

Three packs. Three political powers.

Her throat tightened.

Zhenyu exhaled sharply, clearly bracing himself. "Try not to start anything."

Alexander smirked. "No promises."

Nene resisted the urge to groan.

Alexander didn't wait.

He never waited.

The moment Zhao Zhenyu finished his half-hearted greeting, Alexander shifted the balance of the room.

He did it effortlessly—placing a hand on Nene's lower back, stepping slightly closer, tilting his head just enough to look completely at ease but entirely in control.

And suddenly, he wasn't just standing next to her.

He was claiming space.

A silent but undeniable message.

She belongs to me.

Zhenyu's jaw ticked.

Nene felt it too.

The subtle way the surrounding Alphas tensed—not openly, not aggressively, but in the way predators notice a shift in hierarchy.

Alexander had walked in as her husband.

Now, he was making sure they all understood exactly what that meant.

"Playing Nice"

Zhenyu's gold eyes flicked between them, assessing.

"Your presence here is political," he said, voice low. "You understand that, don't you?"

Alexander smiled. "Everything I do is political."

Nene exhaled sharply. "Can we not start a war at the front door?"

Zhenyu barely spared her a glance. "That depends on your husband."

Alexander didn't flinch. "I have no interest in challenging your position, Zhao."

Zhenyu narrowed his eyes. "Then what do you want?"

Alexander's fingers pressed slightly against Nene's back.

The message was clear.

"My wife," he said smoothly. "That's all."

Nene's stomach flipped.

Her stepfather didn't react outwardly, but the tension in his shoulders shifted just slightly.

Because Alexander's move had been perfect.

By making his claim the center of his presence here, he had removed any potential challenges before they could begin.

He wasn't here to fight for territory.

He wasn't here to make a power play.

He was here for her.

And that made him dangerous in an entirely different way.

Zhenyu exhaled sharply, muttering something under his breath.

Then, with the look of a man who had far too many problems, he finally said, "Just don't cause trouble."

Alexander's smirk was lazy. "I never cause trouble."

Nene snorted. "That is a lie."

Alexander's hand lingered for just a second longer before he finally stepped back.

"Shall we go inside?" he murmured, gold eyes glinting.

Nene exhaled.

This night was going to be a game.

And Alexander had just made his first move.

The moment they stepped into the grand hall, Nene felt the weight of every gaze turn toward them.

It was subtle—a shift in conversation, a pause in movement, the kind of quiet attention only Alphas knew how to give.

They weren't being welcomed.

They were being evaluated.

Assessed. Measured. Judged.

Nene hated it.

But Alexander?

Alexander thrived in it.

He walked with effortless confidence, his hand resting at the small of her back, guiding her with just enough pressure to remind everyone exactly who she belonged to.

A silent declaration. A strategic move.

And it worked.

She could see the way certain Alphas stiffened, the way whispers started—because whatever lingering doubts had existed about this marriage were now gone.

Zhao Alexander had come to claim his place.

And that place was right beside her.

Nene barely had time to process the tension before they were approaching the front of the hall—

Where her mother and her in-laws were waiting.

Her mother stood in the center, looking as composed as ever, dressed in soft silks that contrasted the steel in her eyes.

But beside her?

Two figures radiated nothing but pure Alpha presence.

Her grandmother—Li Xiu's mother—was tall, regal, and sharp-eyed.

And her grandfather—leader of yet another Alpha pack—stood beside them, his expression unreadable but entirely focused.

Nene swallowed hard.

These weren't just family members.

They were powerful Alphas who had been watching from the shadows, waiting to see what would happen next.

And now?

Now she was standing right in front of them, with Zhao Alexander at her side.

Her mother spoke first.

"You came," she said softly.

Nene exhaled sharply. "Did I have a choice?"

Li Xiu's lips twitched slightly. "No."

Then, she glanced at Alexander. "And you—"

Alexander tilted his head slightly, waiting.

Li Xiu studied him for a long moment.

Then, finally, she said, "You move quickly."

Alexander smirked. "I don't waste time."

Her grandmother made a sound—half amusement, half evaluation.

And Nene?

She knew, in that moment, that the real game was about to begin.