Riley's POV I didn't spare the driver another glance. Turned around and walked straight back into the Ebonclaw estate, heels echoing against the marble like a declaration of war. He'd barked at me like a mutt, thinking just because he drove for Alpha Alaric, he could speak down to me. Guess he forgot-I'm not a dog. I'm the daughter they buried and now suddenly need. Let him sweat. Which he did. It didn't even take a full minute before I heard his panicked footsteps behind me. Gone was the arrogance-he was all smiles now, practically groveling. "Miss, please-Alpha and Luna are waiting for you at the summit. If you don't come now, we'll be late." I didn't answer. Sat down on the leather couch, poured myself a cup of jasmine tea, and sipped it slowly. Deliberately. The driver hovered like a fly in summer heat, pacing and fidgeting like a rogue in heat season. "Please," he tried again, nearly begging, "it's my fault. I spoke out of turn. But the summit's already begun-if we don't leave now, we'll miss it entirely." I finally looked up, locking eyes with him. "Know your place," I said quietly. "You're a driver, not a Pack Elder. If it's not your concern, stay out of it." He paled. "Yes, Miss. I understand." No, he didn't. But at least he pretended to. I finished the last sip of tea and checked the clock. 8:00 PM sharp. The summit must've already started. I let another thirty minutes tick by just to be petty. Then I rose, set the cup down gently, and said, "Let's go."He looked like he'd just been pardoned from a death sentence. Practically sprinted to the SUV to open the door for me. This time, I didn't argue. Slipped into the back seat, one leg crossed over the other, and leaned back with my eyes closed. Nyra stirred faintly inside me. "You should've made him crawl," she growled. "No," I answered silently. "That comes later. After I've won." Third Person POV At the same time, the summit was already halfway through. The Ebonclaw delegation sat clustered in the front row of the Silverfang Auction Hall-Alpha Alaric, Luna Zara, Kael Vale, and of course, Scarlett. Alaric's jaw was locked tight, face stormy with barely leashed fury. "Where the hell is that ungrateful brat? It's been over thirty minutes!" Zara twisted her hands in her lap. "Alaric, do you have her number? Just call her." "If I had it, don't you think I would've already tried?" he snapped. "You don't have it?" "I thought you had it," she hissed, visibly flustered. Kael groaned and pulled out his phone. "I'll call the driver." The line connected quickly. "Where are you?" Kael barked. "The summit started half an hour ago." The driver's voice was hesitant. "We just left the estate, Young Alpha..." "You what?" Kael's voice exploded like a whip crack. "We told you to pick her up before the summit began!" "She... refused to leave. I tried-" "I don't care what she did," Kael growled. "She better be here before the final lot is announced." He hung up without waiting for a response.Across the row, Scarlett was paying attention to something else entirely. Her gaze had been fixed all night on one man-the Stormridge heir from Northhaven. Lucien Duskgrave. He stood alone, detached from both council and crowd, like a phantom who tolerated no presence but his own. There were whispers everywhere, of course. That he was cursed. That he couldn't bond with a mate. That every Luna chosen for him either ran, died, or lost her mind before the mating bond could fully seal. They said he was born during a blood eclipse-an omen of doom-and marked by a red peony on his chest, one that no healer could erase and no silver could scar. The blood peony. The mark of the Lonely Alpha. They said he was destined to live without love. To rule without mercy. That even the Moon Goddess herself turned her face from him. Scarlett had believed the stories. Until now. Until she saw him in the flesh. He was... breathtaking. Angular cheekbones, piercing silver eyes, a jaw carved like it belonged to a god of war. And that suit-gods, that suit. It wasn't just expensive. It was divine. Midnight-black. Hand-stitched. And across his chest, a single, blood-red peony embroidered with such precision it looked alive. Scarlett's breath caught. No one who dressed like that-no one who looked like that-could be as monstrous as the rumors claimed. Could they? Jealousy twisted in her gut like poison.That monster... was supposed to marry Riley. Riley, the forgotten daughter. The girl who'd spent half her life in chains, then returned like a ghost the Pack wished would disappear again. Why should she be gifted a man like that? Scarlett's lips pressed into a thin line. If the Stormridge Prince was truly as cruel as they said-so be it. Let Riley rot in that marriage. But if the rumors were wrong... if this Prince was powerful and desirable... then Riley didn't deserve him. No. Scarlett wouldn't stand by and let Riley get a single shred of happiness. Not when she'd spent her whole life stealing scraps of attention that rightfully belonged to her. She grabbed her phone and typed out a message quickly. The driver glanced at Riley through the rearview mirror. She was leaning back in the seat, eyes closed, serene and composed. But in his eyes, a cold glint flickered. He had just received the message. And it came from Scarlett.