“I’ll take the dress,” he said. “Whatever the cost.”
The designer blinked. “And you are?”
He offered a slight bow. “Kaelen. Beta of the Luminara Pack. Our Alpha commands that anything Miss Elowen Solari desires tonight is to be hers—at any price.”
The room erupted in whispers.
“The Luminara Pack?”
“Why her?”
“Has their Alpha chosen her?”
Elowen blinked innocently. “I don’t even know him…” Then turned to me with that saccharine smile. “Lyra, you’re not still bidding, are you? I’d hate for you to empty your vault.”
My nails dug into my palms.
Kael didn’t so much as glance at me. His eyes were fixed entirely on her.
And the evening descended into humiliation.
Each time a new gown appeared, or a jeweled necklace, or a rare moonstone ring—the Beta outbid everyone. Each time, the treasure went to Elowen.
At last, I faced him. “Tell me, does your Alpha intend to leave anything for the rest of us?”
He flicked a glance toward Kael. “Our Alpha only cares for the Second Miss’s happiness. The rest of you are irrelevant.”
The words struck harder than I expected.
Kael smiled—smiled—at Elowen like she was divinity incarnate. I had to fight the urge to bare my teeth.