Chapter 196

Freya’s POV When Professor Nolan eventually excused himself to greet other guests, I took a measured sip of my champagne, letting the bubbles settle on my tongue. As I lowered my glass, I caught Levi staring at me from across the room, his expression hovering somewhere between amusement and challenge. When Levi noticed my gaze, he raised his eyebrows and lifted his crystal tumbler in a mock toast. I frowned, trying to decipher the message. Why would Levi, Granite Ridge Alpha's son and supposedly one of Silvano's closest friends, be giving me loaded looks across a crowded room? Then it clicked. *He thinks we bullied Aurora,* Selene growled, her instincts sharper than mine. *As if that ice queen couldn't hold her own.* Of course. In their eyes, Johnny and I had cornered poor, precious Aurora—the perfect she-wolf who could do no wrong in their circle. And now Levi was silently promising retribution on her behalf. I narrowed my eyes slightly. Let him try. Half an hour later, our host—Mr. T