ALPHA KINGSLEY’S POV
Laughter—and then silence—followed her out of the hall.
Not the calm kind.
The kind that vibrates. Tight. Uneasy. Waiting to snap.
Every fork stilled. Every breath hitched. The murmurings low. The scent of humiliation, anger, and unshed tears hung thick in the air, sharp enough to taste.
I rose slowly from my seat.
The murmuring and whispers died instantly.
The room froze.
“Dismissed,” I said, my voice level.
No one moved at first.
I lifted my gaze.
Chairs scraped back immediately. Conversations vanished. Heads bowed as the pack scattered, pretending not to notice the storm they had helped create.
Kate was the last to stand.
She smiled—small, smug, satisfied.
That was her biggest mistake.
“Kneel,” I ordered quietly.
Her smile faltered. “Kingsley—are you
