Author

The jewelry store should have been a quick in-and-out errand.

Elara had come to pick up her wedding ring after getting it resized. The ring Alpha Dominic had chosen was slightly too big for her finger, so she’d had it adjusted to fit properly.

After the staff handed her the ring box, she tucked it into her purse and headed for the door.

That’s when her day took a sharp turn for the worse.

Alpha Zack had walked into the store feeling irritated and on edge. When Selina suggested they pick out engagement rings together, he wasn’t thrilled about it but couldn’t say no without making Selina suspicious. The whole charade was wearing on him, but he had to keep up appearances.

Now he was stuck here, pretending to be happy.

Elara kept her face blank. She wanted to leave quietly, but Selina spotted her and pounced like a cat on a mouse.

"Elara!" Selina grabbed Elara’s arm hard. "What a surprise! You missed Zack’s proposal at our house. We’re getting married!"

Elara kept her voice flat. "Congratulations. I need to go now."

But Selina wasn’t done showing off. She smiled sweetly and turned to Zack. "Honey, picking our rings is so important. Can my sister help us choose? Her opinion means everything to me."

Zack’s eyes flashed dangerously. "Of course," he said, staring right at Elara.

"You asked him, but nobody asked me," Elara snapped. Her patience was running out. "I have things to do. And honestly, Selina, we’re not close. So take your fake sisterly act somewhere else."

"Oh Elara, always so dramatic," Selina’s smile tightened.

"Drama? That’s rich coming from you."

Elara tried to walk away, but Alpha Zack blocked her path.

His Alpha power filled the air around them. "Say sorry to her," he ordered in a cold voice.

Elara said coldly. "What if I don’t?"

Zack’s eyes got darker. His dominance pressed down on her. "Then you don’t leave."

For a split second, Elara felt her heart race. Two against one wasn’t great odds, especially when one was an Alpha.

But she’d be damned if she’d show weakness now.

This whole thing was like a bad TV drama. Elara smiled coldly at the sales lady. "Miss, please show us your most expensive rings."

The sales lady got excited. "Of course! This is our special collection. Are you interested?"

Selina pouted. "Well, expensive doesn’t mean good. These look boring. Do you have something different?"

"How about these? They’re very popular with customers."

Selina made a face. "Popular? Zack, I don’t want what everyone else has."

"Of course not," Elara muttered. "Can’t have common taste to match your common sense."

Elara crossed her arms. She decided to give this stupid show one more minute. Then she’d call security herself.

--

"Mr. Wolfe, this way please."

Alpha Dominic walked through the shopping center. He was checking on his company’s property. His team followed behind him. It was supposed to be a routine inspection, nothing more than checking quarterly reports and rental agreements.

Then he saw someone familiar across the hall. His wife looked uncomfortable between two big men who were clearly bodyguards. Even from a distance, he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she held herself ready to bolt.

He watched her take out her phone. She was probably going to call for help.

Something primal stirred in Alpha Dominic ’s chest. Nobody cornered his wife on his territory.

Alpha Dominic’s protective side kicked in hard.

"You," he pointed at the mall manager beside him. "Go to that jewelry store. Tell those customers to leave. Now."

The manager looked confused. "W-What?"

"Did I stutter?"Alpha Dominic’s voice got dangerous. His wolf was coming out.

"No, Mr. Wolfe! Right away!" The manager rushed across the hall.

The manager barely looked at Elara as he entered the store. "Sorry, but we have to close the store right now."

Alpha Zack frowned. "You’re closing at three in the afternoon?"

The manager looked at the sales lady, who caught on quickly. "Yes, sir. Sorry for the trouble, but we must close now."

Selina’s face turned red with anger. "You can’t just kick out paying customers! What kind of service is this?"

"I’m very sorry," the sales lady kept smiling even though Selina was getting loud.

"What if we want to buy something?" Alpha Zack demanded.

"That’s not possible right now, sir."

While they argued, Elara saw her chance. She slipped past the distracted guards and left the store. She couldn’t help the small smile that crossed her face. Sometimes the universe had perfect timing.

Zack’s face got dark with rage. "Do you know who I am? I could buy this whole store tomorrow."

No matter how much he threatened, the staff just kept saying sorry.

Finally, Alpha Zack and Selina were pushed out of the store. Only then did Alpha Zack notice Elara was gone.

He called his assistant right away. The assistant confirmed what he thought. The mall belonged to Wolfe Enterprises. This was Alpha Dominic ’s territory.

And right now, Alpha Zack couldn’t afford to make an enemy of the Alpha King. Not when rogue attacks were increasing along his pack’s borders. Not when he desperately needed the King’s military support to protect his lands.

The recent raids had left three of his border patrols dead, and his pack was getting nervous.

Alpha Zack clenched his jaw so tight it could crack stone. He had no choice but to swallow this humiliation. For now.