Chapter 17:Jewels and Jealousy

(Alexander's POV) The ancient diamond and gold choker gleamed against Scarlett's neck, catching the light streaming through the mansion's tall windows. I couldn't tear my eyes away from it. The heirloom had adorned the necks of generations of Amber Pack Lunas, and seeing it on Scarlett stirred something primitive within Mason. My wolf pushed against my consciousness, radiating possessive approval that caught me off guard. This wasn't supposed to happen. Grace was my true mate, not Scarlett. Yet the sight of our pack's ceremonial choker against her skin made something in me want to claim her as mine. "Alexander?" My mother's voice cut through my thoughts. "Are you joining us for lunch, or do you plan to stand there staring all day?" I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. "Yes, of course." Scarlett's emerald eyes met mine with cool assessment. She knew exactly what the choker symbolized—my mother's very public declaration of her as the future Luna of the Amber Pack. And more