Chapter 41

Aria's POV.

I sat beside Kael in the event hall, the charity event for the homeless pack members buzzing around us.

The hall was bright, chandeliers glowing, tables draped in white cloth, flowers everywhere, the air filled with the scent of food and laughter.

Kael's presence was warm, his black suit sharp, his onyx eyes scanning the crowd, but his silence weighed heavy on me.

My heart raced, my mind spinning with Seraphina's threat—"Leave the Alpha. He's mine."

She'd heard Celeste call me the wrong Luna, knew I was Aria, and demanded I ignore Kael tonight, let her dance with him, or she'd expose me.

My hands trembled in my lap, my blue dress tight, my wolf Kyra whining, her fear mixing with mine.

The event was peaceful, pack members smiling, their voices soft as they ate, but my thoughts were loud.

Kael's coldness that morning, "Go to the room. Don't cause a scene" still stung, his grip on my wrists a faint ache.