Chapter 2

Zoe watched me with eyes like iced steel, saying nothing at all.

“Nina—wasn’t he our mate?” my wolf Eva’s puzzled whisper brushed my mind.

There was a heartbeat of suspended silence. His mute refusal had already severed whatever thread still bound us. I soothed Eva with a whisper only she could hear: He will pay for this betrayal.

I forced the frosty curl from my lips into a mask of authority, voice low and unchallengeable. “Stripping and crawling? That’s petty. If we bet, do it properly. Raise the stakes.”

The room went quiet. This was no longer simply about a painting—now honor, bloodline, and rank were on the table.

Before Zoe promoted her, Ivy had been little more than a connoisseur at the auction house—cute features, sharp tongue, and a knack for reading rooms. That was how she had climbed into his orbit.

My acceptance and the escalation drew every gaze. Some looked delighted, some incredulous.

“She must be mad. Even if she becomes Zoe’s Luna, she can’t erase her lowborn blood.”

“Whoever ends up with Zoe will be infuriated—does she even have the skill to win?”

“Tsk. Nina’s lineage gave her only ignorance and a savage temper. She’s useless in business. Ivy is the one Zoe can fully trust.”

“Why not be a pretty ornament? Alphas like Zoe surround themselves with women—why make a fuss?”

“Right—Zoe’s the unlucky one. Tying himself to a dead weight and cleaning up after her.”

My fingers trembled before I realized it; I exhaled slowly. If I hadn’t kept the true purpose of my trip in mind, rage would have consumed me.

Now all I wanted was to shift into wolf and tear open their throats—make them pay for belittling my family, my blood.

Zoe’s face darkened; impatience carved his features. Finally, he snapped.

“Nina—stop this nonsense! How can you be so childish?” His tone was scolding, the sort of reprimand reserved for misbehaving pups. “Ivy’s young and outspoken—don’t take it seriously. I brought important investors today. Don’t embarrass me. Go home. Now.”

Something in my chest rumbled low and animal: He’s not worthy to be our mate.

I straightened, calm and steady. No tremor touched my face.

“This painting was reserved in my name a week ago. Auctions have rules: first reservation gets the viewing; if the price is right, you may purchase. There is no reason for me to hand it over.” I spoke slowly, each word measured. “I accepted the challenge she proposed—that’s me giving all of you face. But if anyone expects me to yield, don’t blame me for not being merciful.”

Zoe leaned forward. The smell of liquor and Alpha dominance hit me like a physical force; his voice dropped to an uncompromising rumble. “Nina—have I spoiled you too much? Don’t forget—you eat, you dress, you live on what I provide. When I tell you to leave, you leave.”

The threat pressed down, the kind that would typically make any wolf bow.

But beneath my skin, the mark of our bond seared hotter, a brand that burned through the lies. The mate-bond was tugging, a fresh ache—reminding me not only of the tie I’d promised to him, but of everything he had already broken: my trust, my dignity.