Author’s POV

As expected, the Stormridge bPack’s /bDuskgrave family–a lineage of Alpha royalty–had dominated the auction without blinking. Dropping one hundred billion credits as if it were nothing, they crushed thepetition with terrifying ease. Kael Vale exchanged a nce with his father, Alpha ric of the Ebonw Pack. Both understood what had to be done. There was only one way now to tie themselves to the East Crescent project–by marrying Riley to Lucien Duskgrave, the enigmatic Alpha prince of Stormridge.

Kael rose, adjusted his suit, and approached Lucien with practiced calm, extending a hand. “The Duskgrave name precedes you, Alpha Lucien. And tonight proves the legends true.”

Lucien didn’t show much expression but epted the handshake with cold politeness.

Alpha nic followed, forcing ? bgrin /bso wide it folded his weathered face. “Now that the auction is over, how about we continue the conversation in the banquet hall? Perhaps over some wine?”

Lucien gave a brief nod. Before he turned, he flicked a subtle nce at his Beta, Duke

immediately followed the auction host toplete the transfer paperwork.

By the time they reached the banquet hall, Riley had also just arrived.

The driver spotted Scarlett first. He rushed over to her, slipping something small and discreet into her hand. “Scarlett, here’s what you asked for.”

He vanished just as quickly.

Scarlett turned her gaze to Riley, who was scanning the opulent bbanquet /bbhall/bb, /bunaware of the danger stalking her.

Scarlett grabbed a ss of juice from the refreshment btable /band discreetly poured the powder from the packet into it. After giving it a swirl, she waved over a passing bserver/b.

“Please deliver this drink,” she said, nodding in Riley’s direction with a smile.

The server nodded and carried the ss over to Riley.

Riley bdidn’t /bthink much of it. It wasn’t unusual for servers to offer bdrinks /bat formal gatherings like this. Besides, she hadn’t eaten anything all evening. Starving, she took the drink, grabbed a few pastries from the dessert table, band /bstarted nibbling while sipping the juice.

Scarlett watched as she drank, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

She sauntered over, hips swaying like a predator closing in. “Look at you, stuffing your bface /blike you’ve never seen breal /bfood before. Embarrassing

Riley was just about to take another bite when she heard that smug, nasal voice.

Her gaze sharpened. “Scarlett Are you begging to get pped tonight?”

“You’d better back off before I smash this bcake /bin your face. Let’s see bwho’s /bmore embarrassed then.”

Scarlett’s smirk froze, fury bubbling beneath her skin, She wanted to w the smug expression off Riley’s too–beautiful face.

But not yet. Not when victory was moments away

After all, Riley had just drunk the spiked juice.

“You won’t be so smug in bfive /bminutes Scarlett sred

Riley narrowed her eyes. “What the hell does that mean?

Scarlett leaned in, lips barely moving, mouthing the bwords /bThat juice was drugged. Get ready to make a scene, whore.

+8 Pearls

Chapter b54 /b

She thought Riley wouldn’t catch it..

She was wrong

Riley knew how to read lips–and those words cut through her like a de.

Her pupils contracted in shock. bAnd /bright on cur, the heat began to bloom beneath her skin–rising, surging, crashing over her in violent bwaves/b,

Her face flushed crimson. Panic set in.

Scarlett’s triumphant stare only made it worse.

Riley lunged for her, but Scarlett dodged beasily/b, folding her arms and grinning like a viper ready to strike.

“Aw, what’s the matter, slutb? /bLosing control already?” Scarlett tainted. “You think you can marry Lucien Duskgrave? prince of Stormridge? Let’s see how much he wants you after tonight–when you’re stripping naked and writhing in front of

That every elite Alpha in the room“.

Herughter rang bout/bb, /bsharp band /bcruel..

The world tilted. The chandeliers overhead flickered and warped, casting strange shadows across the hall.

The fire beneath Riley’s skin made her want to tear her clothes off. Every fiber of her being screamed to escapeb, /bto run, to find cold water–anything-

She dug her bnails /binto her armsb, /bwing her own skin, trying to use bpain /bto stay lucid.

No one noticed her struggle. Everyone else was mingling, drinking,ughing.

She couldn’t fall apart here. Not in front of them.

She turned and bolted for the exit, heart thundering.

But Scarlett wouldn’t let her go that beasily/b. She darted forward and grabbed Riley’s arm, putting on a sweet, fake smile,

“Riley,e on. Dad and Mom are over bthere/b. Let’s go say hi together, yeahb?/b”

Riley fought her grip, but the heat was making her limbs weak and sluggish, From across the banquet hall, Alpha ric, Luna Zara, and Kael heard Scarlett’s and looked over.

voice

“There she is Zara beamed. “Riley,e here, sweetie. I want to introduce you to Alpha Lucient”