Marcus took two steps toward them, smoothing his suit jacket.
His expression remained carefully composed, but his eyes remained cold.
“Alpha Colette,” Marcus said, his tone heavy with fake warmth.
“Let’s step into my study for a moment.
I have a business deal to propose to you, one that could benefit both our packs.” Colette turned to face him, her expression fixed, giving nothing away.
She shook her head, adjusting Laura on her hip.
“Let’s discuss this tomorrow,” she said.
“I’m here as a guest tonight, not for business.” Marcus’s jaw tightened.
“Tomorrow, then.
But don’t let it wait too long, Colette.
Opportunities like this don’t stay open.” He turned and walked off toward the far end of the hall without waiting for a reply.
She watched him go, wondering what he wanted this time, and how much it would eventually cost her.
Henrik reached for Laura again.
“Let me take her.” Laura shook her head and pressed closer against Colette’s shoulder, her small fingers touching the bandage.
“Does it hurt?” Colette shook her head.
“No, sweetheart.” Henrik tried to reach for Laura again, but she wouldn’t budge, clutching tighter instead.
Henrik gave up trying to pry her loose and let his hand drop.
“Let me get you something to drink then,” he said to Colette, and stepped away toward the bar at the edge of the hall.
He’d barely gone a few feet when Pridda appeared out of nowhere, cutting into his path.
Her hand landed on his arm before he’d even slowed down.
“Henrik,” she said, putting on a sad face.
“There you are.
That whole thing with Derek was terrible.
Are you alright?” Colette watched Henrik from across the room.
She set Laura down gently.
“Hold on a second, sweetie.
I’ll be right back.” Laura nodded.
She crossed the floor and reached them just as Pridda’s fingers curled tighter around his arm.
Colette grabbed her wrist and tore her hand off him.
Pridda gasped, cradling her wrist.
“What is wrong with you?” “Why are your filthy Omega hands all over him?” she asked coldly.
Henrik looked between them, confused.
“Colette, what’s going on?” “Nothing,” Colette said, not taking her eyes off Pridda.
“Just making something clear.” A few heads had turned nearby, conversations dying mid sentence.
Pridda’s shock burned off fast, replaced by something colder.
“What gives you the right to lay hands on me?” “Keep your hands off him and I won’t have to,” Colette said.
“He’s my childhood friend.” Pridda straightened her sleeve, chin lifting.
“You don’t get to decide who I can talk to.” “I don’t care what he is to you.
He’s mine.” Pridda’s eyes flicked to Henrik, then back, a slow smile creeping in.
“Mine.
Listen to yourself.
You sound unhinged.” Colette felt the anger rise before she could stop it, hot and physical, crawling up her spine.
Her pheromones rolled out across the space between them, thick and heavy.
Pridda’s breath hitched, a faint whine threatening to escape her throat as her knees buckled under the weight of it.
One hand flew out to catch the back of a nearby chair.
Colette jabbed a finger against Pridda’s shoulder.
“Touch him again,” she said, low, “and I will rip your hands off.” Pridda stared at her, wide eyed, saying nothing.
Henrik grabbed Colette’s arm.
“That’s enough.” Colette turned and leveled him with a look, her violet eyes flashing.
Then she noticed the people staring at them, and realization dawned on her.
What did I just do?
She glanced back at Laura, still standing where she’d left her, watching them with wide eyes.
She looked at Henrik, the fury draining out of her just as fast as it had come, leaving her hollow.
“I need air,” Colette said, and walked toward the glass doors at the back of the hall.
Henrik scooped Laura up from where she’d been left and caught up to Colette at the doors.
“Colette.” She didn’t stop until they were outside, down the stone path, into the estate’s greenhouse.
The air inside was warm and heavy with jasmine.
He set Laura down by a bed of white lilies.
“Stay here a second, sweetie,” he whispered to her softly.
She walked further in, needing distance before her hands stopped shaking.
She stood with her back to him, breathing through her nose, trying to force the wolf back down.
Henrik walked softly behind her, watching her.
When her pulse finally slowed, she turned to face him.
“My instincts took over.
But I won’t tolerate another woman marking my mate.
I had to make a statement in front of everyone.” His eyes went to the cloth still wrapped around her hand.
“Is that all it was?
A public statement?” “You’re my future mate and everyone in that hall knows it.
Letting an Omega touch you in front of them makes me look weak.
I don’t tolerate weakness.” He stepped closer, his scent of cedar and musk settling over her.
“You told her I was yours.
Then you threatened to tear her hands off.” His voice dropped.
“That wasn’t strategy, Colette.
That was a wolf claiming her mate.
You called me your husband downstairs, and now this.” “Don’t,” she said.
“We’re getting married, are we not?” “Then tell me what it is.” She didn’t answer right away.
The jasmine was too sweet, the air too close, and his eyes hadn’t moved from hers once.
“I told you.
Appearances.” “You don’t believe that any more than I do.” She closed her mouth stubbornly.
“Look what I got!” Laura skipped over and held up a fallen lily, and Colette breathed out, grateful for the interruption.
Henrik crouched down as Laura ran to him.
“That’s very pretty, sweetheart.” He looked up at Colette.
“Ready to go?” “Yes,” she said.
“Let’s go.” They didn’t bother finding Marcus to inform him of their departure.
At the cars, Henrik opened the back door of his SUV instead of sending her to her own driver.
“Come to SilverFang tonight,” he said.
“We need to talk.” “I should go home.
It’s been a long day.” “No!” Laura reached out and grabbed Colette’s sleeve.
“Pretty lady, please.
Come with us.
I want you to sing me a lullaby again.” Colette looked down at her and felt her resolve go soft.
“Alright,” she said, a faint smile breaking her composure.
“Just for tonight.” She climbed in beside Laura, and Henrik shut the door before circling around to the other side.
As the driver pulled away from Dunehall, she glanced back at her home for the last time.
She knew the next time she came it wouldn’t be for a friendly visit.
The drive was quiet, Laura’s chatter filling the gaps between them.
Colette kept her eyes on Laura the whole time, trying to distract herself, painfully aware of Henrik beside her the whole way, his scent settling over her like something she couldn’t shake off.
Halfway there, Laura finally dozed off against her arm, thumb near her mouth.
Henrik glanced over, his expression softening for the first time since the greenhouse.
“She’s been asking about you for days,” he said quietly.
“Every night.
Wanting to know when you’re coming back.” Colette looked down at the sleeping child, something tightening in her chest that had nothing to do with Marcus or Pridda or the wedding.
“I didn’t know that.” “Now you do.” Neither of them said anything else for the rest of the drive.