Chapter 6

Nicole Appearances were currency in Faellac Town;and tonight, Alpha Damien was letting me spend his. The moment we stepped deeper into the grand ballroom, we were swarmed. Alpha Damien, Thornfang Pack's most eligible and elusive leader, had entered the room—and the elite of Faellac Town weren't about to waste the opportunity to be seen by his side. He barely blinked as politicians, business heirs, and high-ranking Pack members surrounded us, each eager to gain his favor, offering flattery wrapped in wine-slicked smiles. Finally, when Alpha Damien was pulled aside by a Thornfang Elder for some political nicety, I slipped from the circle of admirers and retreated to the edge of the ballroom—the only place that didn't feel like it was closing in on me. I barely had a second to breathe before Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Dumber showed up behind me. "Nicole! Fancy seeing you at this Conference." Bella's sugary voice dripped with false sweetness as she clutched Francisco's arm, clearly proud of having replaced me in his life. Hearing that familiar voice, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. The audacity of these two shameless cheaters. It was time they got a taste of their own medicine. After composing myself, I turned around with a cool smile. "Yes, Bella.What a coincidence. " "I'm here with Francisco," Bella replied with a smug smile, pressing herself closer to him. What a pair of shameless, backstabbing traitors. I didn't get angry. Instead, I let out a cold laugh and fell silent, having no desire to continue this conversation. Francisco's brow furrowed at my indifference. "Nicole, I never took you for this type of woman," he accused, his voice cold. "So you're willing to sell yourself for money? Why pretend to be so proper with me?" "Nicole, I thought I was seeing things, but it really is you standing next to Alpha Damien," Bella chimed in with fake concern. "If this is...financial, you could've asked me. I would've helped—for old times'sake." My expression turned blank as I stared at them. My mood had soured, and I refused to waste another second on this despicable pair. As I turned to leave, Francisco grabbed my arm from behind. "Do you feel guilty, Nicole?" he demanded, his face contorted with anger, complexion turning ashen. "For two years you wouldn't sleep with me, but after we broke up, you jumped right into Alpha Damien's bed? You're nothing but a whore! Do you think Alpha Damien would actually like someone like you? In his mind—" "Oh? What kind of woman do you think I would fall for?" A cold, gravelly voice interrupted from behind me. Strong arms encircled my waist, assertively claiming possession. I froze for a moment before realizing Alpha Damien had come to my rescue. Relief flooded through me. Francisco stared at his hand suspended in mid-air, a strange emptiness washing over him. He looked up at Alpha Damien, who towered over him by half a head, and his confidence instantly deflated. "Alpha Damien..." he stammered. Francisco had to admit he could never match Alpha Damien's nobility and elegance. His jealousy was palpable. "Alpha Damien, do you even know who this woman is?" Jealousy had made Francisco reckless. "She's my ex-girlfriend, a slut who slept with countless men behind my back. Don't be fooled by her appearance!" This was beyond intolerable. Did Francisco really think I was so easily bullied? My eyes widened with fury. "Francisco," I said icily, "don't mistake my tolerance for weakness. I'm not someone you want to cross." Alpha Damien gave Francisco a chilling look before leaning down to whisper in my ear. "Tell me, is what he's saying true?" "Of course not," I replied calmly, fighting the strange sensation his closeness created. "He's my ex, Francisco Lacey from Ashclaw Pack; we met through mutual work with Moonwatch., and that's my former best friend, Bella Saylor. The night before I met you, I caught them in bed together." "Is that so?" Alpha Damien's face darkened as he fixed his cold gaze on Francisco. "Alpha Damien, don't listen to her lies!" Francisco tried to maintain his composure. "She betrayed me first, sleeping around with other men!" Alpha Damien's expression grew thunderous, his black eyes blazing with anger. "You have no right to speak about my Luna that way," he growled, his voice like ice, sending shivers down everyone's spine. Francisco was stunned. Alpha Damien was protecting me. "Alpha Damien," he said through gritted teeth, "regardless of my personal standing, I am still a member of the Ashclaw Pack. Are you suggesting you look down on the Ashclaw Pack?" Damien The nerve of this pathetic excuse for a wolf. I could smell his jealousy from across the room—sour and rancid, polluting the air around us. ,"This little bastard dared touch our stuff!"My wolf, Ford said. The moment I'd seen him grab Nicole's arm, something primal had snapped inside me. I'd crossed the room in seconds, my vision tinged with red. This wasn't just about our arrangement anymore—this was about someone daring to lay hands on my Luna. "Your family connection is the only reason you're still standing," I said, my voice deceptively calm as I tightened my grip around Nicole's waist. I could feel her pulse racing under my fingertips, her wine-scent spiking with anxiety. Francisco's attempt at intimidation was almost laughable. The Ashclaw Pack had always been small, their territory hardly worth mentioning compared to Thornfang Pack's expanse. "Let me make something perfectly clear," I continued, meeting his gaze until he had no choice but to look away. "My Luna's honor is not negotiable. Question it again, and business ties won't save you." I leaned closer, pitching my voice so only he could hear the wolf in my words. "Your pack might be useful to mine, but never mistake utility for necessity." "I—I apologize, Alpha Damien," he stammered, finally remembering protocol. "No disrespect was intended to you or your..." he swallowed hard, "...Luna." The word seemed to pain him. Good. Nicole looked between us, confusion evident in her beautiful eyes. "Nicole," I said, my tone softening just enough for her to notice, "shall we find our table? I believe the meeting is about to begin." Without waiting for Francisco's reaction, I guided her away, my hand possessively at the small of her back. Once we were out of earshot, I leaned down. "Are you alright?" I asked, surprising myself with the genuine concern in my voice. She nodded, though I could see the tension in her shoulders. "Thank you for intervening." "Don't thank me yet," I murmured, scanning the room for our assigned seats. "The night is young, the events ahead will be even more difficult."