Chapter 3

I narrowed my eyes, letting my gaze sweep slowly over the way Zoe stood with Ivy pressed against his side. A laugh—low, sharp, bitter—slipped from my lips.

“Zoe, there’s only one question you need to answer: me… or her?”

He froze for a beat, then gave a scornful laugh.

“And what exactly are you? Besides shopping, sipping tea, and buying handbags, what else can you do? Everything you have is because of me. A decoration should know its place. Take my advice—don’t make a fool of yourself. Otherwise… you’ll be the one crawling out of here.”

Eva rose inside me, hackles bristling, her voice a growl in my mind: He’s already chosen.

My eyes turned to ice.

As his mate, I’d once imagined standing beside him on every battlefield. But time after time, he had chosen to stand against me instead.

“This painting—I’ll have it today.”

I didn’t look at him again. Since he had abandoned me, I had no reason left to guard him.

Zoe shot me a strange look, half amused, half cruel.

“Nina, you know nothing. You’re just a pretty shell, completely dependent on me. You don’t even have a shred of bloodline dominance to lean on.”

Beside him, Ivy deliberately looped her arm through his, staking her claim.

“Well, Luna insists on playing, then I’m in,” she said sweetly, lips curling with malice.

Her voice rose, pitched to stir the room. “And since other Alphas are here, why not let them enjoy a little show? Wouldn’t it be fun to have Zoe’s Luna put on free entertainment for everyone?”

Feigning fragility, she stepped back with a dramatic sigh.

“Oh, Zoe, Luna must just be jealous. The mate bond has her rattled—she can’t stand to see me by your side. Perhaps… I should leave?”

But before her performance could finish, Zoe’s hand lashed out, dragging her back into his chest.

“The one who should leave is you, Nina. Challenge an Alpha’s authority, and you’ll crawl out of here on your knees.”

The cloying mix of Ivy’s perfume and Zoe’s own scent tangled in the air, choking me. The searing pull of the bond-mark hooked deep into my soul, tearing at me with every heartbeat. The pain of a mate-bond trampled underfoot was sharp, merciless—its fracture widening with every second.

The Alpha dominance in the air pressed so heavily my fingertips trembled.

A corpulent old Alpha—drunk on wine and flesh—leaned forward, Iris, his name. His thick hand slapped Zoe’s shoulder, voice heavy and oily with mock sympathy.

“Who wouldn’t want a beauty like Ivy? She’s gorgeous, obedient—no wonder Zoe keeps her on his arm wherever he goes.”

Pride flickered in Zoe’s eyes at the praise. Ivy’s smile bloomed, bright with victory, her gaze locking on mine like a blade. She hissed a challenge, her words dripping triumph.

“Tell me, Luna—how big do you dare? A million per round?”

My brow arched, lips twisting in disdain.

“Is that the limit of your strength?”

The words pricked Iris like a thorn. His meaty fingers drummed the armrest, his voice rumbling, thick with challenge.

“A million is nothing. Here’s a real game: when the public auction begins, whoever wins the painting claims it outright. The loser pays ten percent of the final price—on the spot. Do you dare?”

Ivy’s smile froze, fear flashing in her eyes. Ten percent—if the painting sold for a hundred million, that would be ten million on the line. Her lips pressed thin, teeth catching the corner as she whispered, uncertain:

“Iris… isn’t that… a bit too much?”