Third Person's POV Though Riley was the true-blood daughter of the Ebonclaw Pack, the one who had been promised to Ronan Duskcliff in a formal mate-bond arrangement had always been Scarlett. Back then, when the Duskcliff family and the Ebonclaw Pack had sealed that engagement, Alpha Duskcliff and Lady Duskcliff already knew Scarlett was not Alaric's blood. And yet, they had still agreed to the match-because Scarlett had been the jewel of Ebonclaw's den at the time, celebrated, fawned over, her scent carried like perfume across every pack gathering. What Alpha Duskcliff had not expected was the venom that lay coiled in her heart. But for Ronan, a male of Duskcliff blood, only the true-blood daughter of Ebonclaw was worthy to stand at his side. The moment he learned Riley's true lineage, he had claimed her in his mind as his rightful mate. And yet-despite that silent claim-he had never once stood for her, never once offered her the shield and loyalty a bonded wolf should give. There had been no defense, only suspicion and cold accusations. Now, watching Riley fold herself into Lucien Duskgrave's embrace, head tucked against the Alpha Prince's chest as though he were her solid mountain, Ronan's jealousy flared into a feral blaze. His control frayed, and the words burst from his throat before his mind could catch them. "Duskgrave, release her! She's mine-she's my intended!" Alpha Duskcliff, Lady Duskcliff, and Tessa froze, the air around them heavy with shame. Their scents soured; they might as well have been wolves wishing for a burrow to crawl into. Lucien's voice was quiet when it came, but his gaze was pure steel, a blade drawn and ready. He lifted his eyes from Riley to spear Ronan with that cold, hunter's stare. His mouth curved, but there was no warmth in it-only mockery. Then, with deliberate slowness, he lifted one hand to cradle the back of Riley's head, his fingers threading through her hair like an unshakable claim. And before anyone could breathe, he bent and took her mouth in a kiss. The kiss was hard, dominant-a predator's seal-and Lucien didn't care that the Duskcliff Alpha family and half the room were watching. His lips moved against hers, coaxing and consuming all at once, and his gaze never once left Ronan.The message was clear: She's mine. You were never in the running. Ronan's heart kicked hard in his chest, his hands trembling with rage. "You-bastard! I told you not to touch her!" He lunged, fist raised. But Alpha Duskcliff moved faster, intercepting his son with a snarl. The sharp crack of palm against cheek rang through the den like the snap of a breaking branch. "Enough!" Alpha Duskcliff's voice was a growl, thick with fury. "Are you not shamed enough already?" Ronan's fists stayed clenched, but his eyes gleamed wet. "Father-he's stealing my mate!" "Your mate?" Alpha Duskcliff's lips peeled back from his teeth. "Riley accepted the Alpha Prince's proposal. That makes her his intended. As for your mate..." He hesitated, the muscle in his jaw ticking, the words tasting of ash. "...your mate is Scarlett." The truth hit like a winter gale. Ronan's shoulders sagged, his entire frame losing that furious tension, and yet his gaze stayed locked on Lucien. Lucien's arms tightened, pressing Riley into him until her flushed face was hidden against his chest. Then, without hurry, he bent and swept her off her feet as though she weighed nothing. He didn't look at Ronan again. He simply turned and carried her toward the staircase, every step an Alpha's victory stride. Ronan's voice cracked as he shouted after her. "Riley!" No response-she couldn't hear him. "RILEY!" Desperation drove him forward, but Alpha Duskcliff was there again, blocking his path, a wall of muscle and authority. Upstairs, a door closed with a soft finality, cutting Riley from view. Cold spread through Ronan's chest like frostbite, his last scrap of hope splintering. He didn't dare imagine what would happen behind that closed door-but the image came anyway, burning his mind. Lucien's mouth, Lucien's hands, Lucien's dominance unchecked. The thought made him sway, black creeping at the edges of his vision. If not for Alpha Duskcliff's steady grip on his arm, he would have hit the floor. Ronan clutched his face in both hands, dropped to a crouch, and his voice broke into a low, keening sound. "I was wrong... Riley... just look at me, once more..." Only his grief-filled cries filled the room now. Alpha Duskcliff and Lady Duskcliff stood in silence, their own guilt souring the air. They had wronged Riley too. They had no right to seek her gaze, no right to ask for forgiveness. Her mercy in sparing them was more grace than they deserved. Alpha Duskcliff's eyes hardened, his voice snapping like a whip. "Enough. You've no right to weep. We leave. Now."