CLAIRE’S POV
Later that night…
I was stunned the moment I stepped into the banquet hall.
Is this what Serena called a welcoming party? It felt like walking straight into a wolf pit.
The place was packed with men—wolves and humans mingled—powerful ones.
Their scents hit me first; sharp colognes tinged with pride, ambition, and the faint musk of testosterone. Some wore tailored suits, others went casual, and a few flaunted styles that almost made me laugh out loud.
But what really made my skin prickle was the weight of their eyes. Every gaze landed on me, sizing me up like prey—or more like a prize.
My wolf stirred inside, a low growl of disgust echoing in my chest. Still, I straightened my spine and walked in. I’d been stared down by worse.
Beside me, Serena was perfectly at ease, p
