Page 18 of The Onyx Covenant

“Wonderful.” Damien grins, offering his arm. “Shall we give him a show to remember, then?”

I take his arm, my smile feeling almost natural for the first time today. “Lead the way.”

We stroll along the edge of the ballroom, Damien keeping up a stream of witty commentary about the other guests that has me genuinely laughing. I’m acutely aware of Theron’s gaze following our progress, and I can practically feel the tension radiating from him, even across the crowded room. And it’s wonderful.

“He’s moving closer,” Damien murmurs. “And if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.”

“Let him be jealous,” I say, though my heart hammers against my ribs. I lean in as though Damien has just said something delightfully scandalous, letting my hand linger on his bicep.

“Brave woman.” He chuckles. “I think he might actually be growling.”

“Good,” I say, loud enough to be heard by anyone nearby. Then I laugh, high and musical, tossing my head back in a practiced gesture I’ve seen other women use to display their throats in subtle invitation.

Damien plays along beautifully, his hand coming to rest lightly on the small of my back as he leads me toward a less crowded area. I catch a glimpse of my parents across the room, my father deep in conversation with some dignitary, while my mother watches me with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“I should be careful,” I murmur. “My parents are watching.”

“Mine, too,” Damien admits. “Though they’re probably thrilled to see me talking to someone from a proper pack family instead of hiding among the potted plants.” He tilts his head, studying me. “You know, you have the most fascinating eyes. Like twilight captured in?—”

“Mooncrest.”

The deep voice comes from directly behind me, dark and dangerous and achingly familiar. Damien’s expression shifts from playful to wary as his eyes lift to meet those of the man standing over my shoulder.

“Shadowmane,” Damien acknowledges, his arm tensing beneath my fingers. “I was just?—”

“Leaving,” Theron finishes for him, stepping to my side. He towers over both of us, radiating the kind of lethal grace that reminds everyone he’s not just a man in formal attire but a predator in a thin veneer of civilization. “Alone.”

The command in his tone makes Damien hesitate, clearly torn between gentlemanly obligation to stay with me and self-preservation. I decide to spare him.

“It’s all right, Damien,” I say, squeezing his arm once before releasing it. “An old friend who’s forgotten his manners, nothing more.”

Theron’s jaw tightens exactly as I’d hoped it would.

“If you’re certain,” Damien says, skepticism clear in his tone.

“She’s certain,” Theron growls, his hand closing around my upper arm. Not painfully, but with enough pressure to make his intentions clear.

Damien gives me one last questioning look, which I answer with a nod.

“A pleasure meeting you, Lady Mooncrest,” he says, backing away with a formality that feels like armor. “Perhaps we’ll continue our conversation… later.”

The subtle emphasis makes Theron’s fingers tighten infinitesimally on my arm. Damien turns and disappears into the crowd, leaving me alone with the wolf who broke my heart.

“Get your hand off me,” I hiss, quiet enough that only he can hear.

“We need to talk,” he responds, equally quiet but with an undercurrent of barely contained fury. “Now.”

I glance around, aware of curious eyes watching our interaction. Making a scene would only draw more attention, something neither of us can afford.

“Fine,” I concede, yanking my arm from his grasp. “But not here.”

Without waiting for his response, I turn and stride toward the nearest exit, a set of glass doors leading to a balcony. My skin burns where he touched me, anger and something far more dangerous coursing through my veins.

I burst through the doors onto the balcony, gulping the cool air. Solmane sprawls below, but I barely register the view. I twist around toward Theron as he steps through the doors behind me, shutting them.

“How dare you?” I spit. “You have no right to dictate who I speak with.”

Theron’s eyes gleam dangerously. “Are you trying to make me jealous?”

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