Julian POV
I step back into the banquet hall, the heavy scent of silver and cheap perfume hitting the back of my throat. My suit jacket is fresh, but my skin still burns from the silver wash.
Then I hear it.
That pathetic Beta boy is standing on the main stage, microphone gripped in his trembling fist. His voice echoes through the rafters.
"I admire girls like Penelope."
The words ring out, clear and sickening. I stop dead near the velvet curtains. My fingers twitch against my trousers.
I look at Penelope. She does not look angry. She does not look disgusted by his weakness. Instead, her lips curl up at the corners. She smiles at him. It is a soft, indulgent look, the kind of look she used to give me before everything fell apart.
Asher is screaming inside my skull. The wolf claws at
