Ellie POV
The king’s palace was lit in golden pools of light, glowing lanterns strung high in the trees lining the courtyard, gilded doors thrown open to welcome in the alpha families. It was beyond what I could have imagined.
The air was thick with perfume, expensive cigars, and the sharp edge of politics. Everyone here was playing a part, smiling too wide and laughing too easily, every gesture calculated for how it would be remembered tomorrow.
I smoothed a hand over the front of my dress, suddenly wishing I’d chosen something less conspicuous. Standing at Nolan’s side with Lance just behind us, I could feel every eye in the room flick toward us, then away, whispers rushing like wind through the crowd.
But one gaze didn’t flit away. It burned.
I knew before I even turned my head th
