The great hall of Riverstone was lit by the soft glow of hanging chandeliers, the golden light bouncing off the polished oak floor and long banquet table. The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread mingled with the faint earthy aroma of wolf fur, giving the hall a lived-in, warm feeling. Ember sat near the head of the table, her hands folded nervously in her lap. Her green eyes darted toward the entrance, anticipation fluttering in her chest.
She had heard so much about Alpha Aiden of Crystal Stone Pack, how he was a strong, just, and intelligent leader. She couldn’t deny it: she was fascinated. Not in a romantic way—her heart wasn’t tangled in that—but she felt drawn to his aura of calm authority, his presence commanding respect effortlessly. For a girl who had grown up with a father who
