#Chapter 82: The Preparation

Third Person POV Alaric stood staring at the wide open space of one of the palace’s gathering halls, this one set to be for the Alpha’s the following night. Staff had been setting up over the last few days, clearing out the room and making way for all the buffet tables, dance floor and bars. Hanging on all the walls were garlands of colors representing each pack, transforming the space into a colorful work of art. Mia had wormed her way into the setup again, even though Alaric had banned her from taking part in any of the preparations — she couldn’t be trusted after what happened at Blackmoon. What if she was relaying information to the rogues, setting things up specifically to fail? She meets Alaric’s heavy gaze of scrutiny, a delicate smile spreading across her lips. A smile that, once upon a time, Alaric had fallen weak to. His wolf growled, still always irritated at any sign of attraction towards Mia, for good reason. She was bad news.