Violet I snapped back to attention. Nicole was looking at me with that calculating expression I'd come to dread. "Sorry, what?" "I said," Nicole repeated with exaggerated patience, "there's a function this weekend. The Silvercrest Summit. Very exclusive. Only the founding families and their closest associates." My stomach sank. I knew where this was going. "Alpha Alaric insists the whole family attend," Nicole continued, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "It's essentially a pre-wedding celebration, but also an important political gathering. Lots of influential Alphas and their families are going to attend." The two girls immediately widened their eyes. “Oh, please let us in. We flew all the way here for you didn’t we?” Madison returned her attention to Nicole now that Elija

