Skye’s POV

“Time to get up, Skye,” Ethan’s voice called, muffled through the wood.

I groaned, rolling over in bed. My head throbbed like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it, and my eyes felt gritty, swollen from last night’s tears.

“You okay?” Ethan asked, poking his head into the room.

“Fine,” I lied, my voice raspy.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Listen, the new Alpha of Stormhowl Pack, Maxwell, is visiting today. As the Beta’s family, we’re expected at the banquet tonight.”

“You think I’m in any shape to play dress-up and smile for some visiting Alpha?”

“You gonna hide in here forever? You’re stronger than that, Skye. Show up looking like a million bucks and prove to everyone you’re not broken.”

He stepped forward, placing a sleek black gift box on my bed.

“Picked this out for you. Wear it tonight.”

I stared at the box, the ache in my chest flaring. Ethan was right, I couldn’t let them see me crumble

“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll go.”

That evening, I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the fitted sky-blue dress Ethan had chosen. It hugged my curves, the silky fabric catching the light. I’d tamed my hair into loose waves and dabbed on enough makeup to hide the evidence of my breakdown.

I looked… presentable.

At the banquet hall, the air buzzed with chatter and the clink of glasses. The long table was laden with roasted meats, fresh bread, and pitchers of wine. My parents flanked me as we took our seats, Ethan across from us.

I scanned the room, my stomach twisting when I spotted Leon near the head of the table, his golden hair gleaming under the chandeliers. Our eyes met for a split second before I jerked my gaze away, focusing on the plate in front of me.

Alpha Maxwell, a broad-shouldered man with a salt-and-pepper beard, stood to raise a toast.

“To the Frostshadow Pack, and to Leon, a fine young wolf who’ll make a hell of an Alpha one day.”

Then he grinned at Leon. “Tell me, have you found your mate yet?”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. Leon’s gaze flicked to me, cool and unreadable.

“I have,” he said evenly. “But I don’t think she’s suitable.”

Whispers rippled through the room, and I felt every eye turn to me. Before I could process the sting, Maya’s voice cut through, sharp and gleeful.

“Alpha Maxwell, allow me to introduce the unsuitable woman sitting right across from you. Skye has no wolf and could never produce strong heirs for our pack.”

The room went silent. My face burned, and I gripped my fork so hard my knuckles whitened.

“Maya, enough,” Alpha James snapped, his tone sharp enough to make her flinch.

Maxwell’s eyes slid to me, appraising. “Shame, she’s beautiful.”

I wanted to disappear. To sink through the floor and never come back.

Maxwell turned back to Leon, his tone casual. “Here’s a thought. You don’t have to reject your mate. I could send you a strong, beautiful female warrior from my pack to be your Breeder. It’d strengthen the alliance between our packs. What do you say?”

The word “Breeder” hit me like a slap.

A Breeder? Some woman to bear Leon’s children while I—what? Sat by and watched?

My father’s voice cut through the haze. “Alpha Maxwell, that suggestion is inappropriate.”

But Alpha James, to my horror, leaned forward, his expression thoughtful.

“Actually, it’s not a bad idea. Skye’s always cared for Leon, hasn’t she?” He looked at Leon. “What do you think, son?”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify