5 hours later;

The dining hall glittered tonight.

One by one, the three royal houses arrived. They took their seats along the long table, cloaked in silk and goblets already waiting for them.

Plates were laid out before them, heavy with food. Their plates had the fineat cuts of meat. Glazed fruits. Bread still steaming. And dark wine.

Soft music drifted through the hall yet no one was relaxed.

An eight-hundred-year-old council elder had died five hours ago, and the moon goddess had let out an angry thunder.

That was worse than mourning.

The council elders had returned to their respective packs, but the royal houses remained. They were guests under Alpha Elijah’s roof until the next day.

Aire entered last.

Madam escorted her down the steps like a display piece. Her fingers were tight on her arm as though daring her to stumble. Aire wore a vintage sea blue dress this time. It complimented her eyes this time.

Her back still burned beneath the fabric.

She kept her head down.

Every eye followed her anyway.

She was guided to her seat and pressed down between Alaric and Xanden. Nate sat directly across from her, lounging back in his chair. Even seated before trays of meals, he had a lollipop stuck in his mouth.

Aire folded her hands in her lap and stared at the table.

Her plate was empty, and everyone else’s was not.

The goblets were filled around her, and meat was already being cut.

Aire swallowed.

Her throat felt too tight. She haven’t eaten for so long, and he body was beginning to reach its limit.

She turned slightly toward Alaric, her voice barely there when she parted her lips. "I—"

A servant stepped forward instantly.

The man moved between the chairs, lifting a wine jug carved from black glass. He stopped beside Aire. His eyes flickered down to her goblet with exaggerated politeness.

He tilted the jug, and the wine missed the goblet.

It spilled deliberately—thick and red—down Aire’s chest, soaking into the sea blue fabric she wore, and splashing against her lap. The liquid ran warm and sticky against her skin.

A sharp intake of breath escaped her before she could stop it. Her relief of being served was short lived.

The table erupted.

Not loudly. No, that would have been crude.

Soft chuckles ran through the hall. Amused exhalations, and smiles hidden behind goblets followed.

Someone snorted. A young man with silver eyes.

Someone else murmured, "Careful. She might stain."

Aire froze.

The servant gasped theatrically. "Oh—how clumsy of me."

He did not move to help.

Alaric’s body went rigid beside her. Xanden’s jaw tightened so hard a muscle jumped.

Across the table, Nate’s mouth twitched. A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes before vanishing completely.

Mabel of Rowanfall did not laugh.

She stared at the servant with open disgust before turning her gaze pointedly away, wih her fingers tightening around her goblet.

The servant finally stepped back, bowing slightly, eyes still refusing to meet Aire’s face.

No apology followed.

Aire stared down at herself. The wine looked too much like blood, and it terrified her a bit.

She didn’t wipe it away.

Her hands stayed folded in her lap as if they belonged to someone else.

Alpha Elijah leaned back in his chair, surveying the table with satisfaction. His lips curved into a soft smile.

"Now," he said smoothly, raising his goblet. "Let us speak of futures."

The leaders of the three royal houses straightened immediately.

House Rowanfall spoke first.

"My daughter is of age, yet I stopped her from attending the mate ball," Mabel’s father said calmly. "Her bloodline is pure. She would make a fitting Alpha mate."

House Ashmere followed. "My daughter has already begun exhibiting strong wolf traits. The bond would form naturally in time. You just have to say yes to the marriage between her and one of your sons."

House Blackfen finished. His voice was sharp with certainty. "We have three Alphas, and three houses. This would be a balance."

Alpha Elijah nodded slowly, pleased. "The mate bond will come in time," he agreed. "It always does."

Aire might as well have been invisible. She sat there soaked in wine, starving, and ignored.

Xanden’s hand clenched on the edge of the table while Alaric’s knee bounced once beneath the cloth before stilling.

Nate watched her over the rim of his goblet, expression unreadable.

Alpha Elijah’s smirk deepened.

Aire stared at her empty plate. Then slowly, she reached for her goblet.

Her fingers wrapped around the stem, steady despite the tremor in her chest. She lifted it just enough for the remaining wine to swirl.

She raised her eyes, and Alpha Elijah met her gaze at last.

That smirk was still there.

Aire inhaled.

She lifted the goblet, just high enough to empty it straight into his face.

Before she could act, a soft voice drew her back to the people around. "You have such beautiful eyes, Aire." Mabel of Rowanfall noticed.

Aire blinked. She swallowed, unable to form a word. Compliments are new to her. Also, she never expected a compliment from a royal blood.

Nate’s eyes locked into Aire’s, a silent command for her to behave, as he returned his gaze back to the goblet she held.

Aire’s pulse hammered, but her mind slowly cleared. Her breath steadied, and with careful perception, she released the goblet, and returned it to the table.

Alpha Elijah let out a deep chuckle. "I almost thought you had that directed at me." He let out a loud laugh, tapping the shoulder of Alpha Blackfen.

Alpha Blackfen laughed back.

Aire timely folded her hands on her lap. That had been stupid. Also, there was no way the wine would had reached him, given her distance from him.

Xanden straightened his posture, and called for the servant close to him. It was the same servant who had poured wine on Aire.

"Did you forget to serve food to your future Luna?" His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath it.

The chatter died down immediately. Everyone switched from amused to uncertain.

The servant blinked, his eyes widening in shock. "I’m sorry, Alpha." He stammered. "This was a mistake."

The air grew heavy.

Xanden nodded. "A mistake." He tasted the word. "Do you know how I correct those who make mistakes."

The servant paled immediately. "I_"

"Well, you should know that I don’t tolerate disrespect." Xanden cut him off. "Especially not towards your Luna."

Alpha Rowanfall chuckled. "You’re mistaken, Xanden. Your only Luna here would be Mabel you_"

"Shut up!" Alaric growed at him. "Let my brother speak."

The servant breathing grew shallow, and Alpha Elijah’s face reddened in embarrassment.

"I’m sorry." The servant begged, bowing. "I’m sorry, Luna."

Aire blinked, confused. Why would Xanden stand up for her? Also, why would he refer to her as Luna right here?

Food was immediately placed in her plate by other servants, and her dress and part of the table with wine was wiped clean immediately.

Alpha Elijah parted his lips to say something. However, he sealed them when Nate spared him a glance.

Aire clenched the table, looking around. She needed to leave this place immediately, unnoticed.

Her chest tightened with discomfort, and right at that moment, Nate took his lollipop out of his mouth.

"Little phoenix, who touched you?"