Kendrick’s POV
The clinking of glassware and murmurs of conversation filled the dining hall, but my focus was razor-sharp, zeroed in on one thing: Alpha Xander’s unwavering gaze on Alison. Each time I looked his way, his eyes were fixed on her, tracking her every movement as she served the guests, her posture humble, head lowered. Irritation flickered in my gut. Xander’s stare didn’t seem like casual curiosity; it held a possessive spark that I recognized all too well.
“The arrogance,” I thought, narrowing my eyes. Dinner hadn’t even begun, and already he’d already began crossing a line. His eyes were too focused, too intense on something or rather, someone that wasn’t his to want.
I raised my glass abruptly, cutting through the chatter around the table in a bid to divert his attention. “A toast!” I called out, my voice booming across the hall. Conversations died down as everyone turned their attention to me, lifting their glasses.
“To new alliances and strong friendships between our various packs, and most importantly to my beautiful, soon-to-be Luna,” I continued, throwing a brief, pointed glance at Xander, hoping to shift his focus. “May our bond bring prosperity and strength.”
There was a murmur of agreement as the Alphas and their Lunas clinked their glasses. But as I set my drink down, I felt a fresh wave of frustration wash over me; Xander’s attention was still locked on Alison. She moved gracefully around the table, her steps light and her expression carefully blank, yet there was no mistaking the pull of his gaze on her or her unsuccessful attempts to avoid it.
“Enough,” I thought, as a plan began to form.
Clearing my throat, I stood up again, lifting my glass to recapture everyone’s attention. I gave a charming smile, but my gaze was locked directly on Xander. “Alpha Xander,” I said, keeping my tone light though my words carried an edge, “it seems you’ve graced us without a Luna by your side tonight. If you don’t mind me asking, haven’t you found your mate yet?”
The room went silent, every eye turning to Xander. I watched as he shifted, a brief flash of provocation crossing his face before his expression returned to its usual guarded mask. He opened his mouth to respond, but I wasn’t finished.
“In Silver Moon, you can’t just come and leave without having a good taste of our gorgeous women,” I pressed on, a smirk tugging at my lips, “so if you’re still seeking a mate, why not choose one from the beautiful ladies in my pack? No offence to yours but I could present you with many fine ladies tonight.”
The tension in the room grew thick as I gestured to the ladies of noble families seated around the table. Some blushed, exchanging glances, clearly intrigued by the attention. I introduced a few young women, daughters of high-ranking pack members who would be honored by Xander’s interest. But his gaze remained distant, inevitably returning to Alison.
My jaw tightened as irritation surged within me. Before I could speak again, Xander finally responded, his voice calm but with an unmistakable hint of steel. “I think I would take you up on your offer, Alpha Kendrick,” he replied, his tone slicing through the air, “but I don’t think I want any of the ladies before me, I want the young lady who just left. I believe her name to be, Alison.”
The dining hall plunged into stunned silence, every face turning my way, waiting to see my reaction. My blood ran cold, anger rising in a wave I struggled to contain.
“She is…” I forced a laugh, short and tense, barely hiding my fury. “She’s a slave, Alpha Xander. Hardly a fitting companion for an Alpha of your caliber.”
Xander’s expression remained unmoved as he held my gaze, his voice steady and unyielding. “Then perhaps it’s time to reconsider who is ‘fitting’ for an Alpha.”
I clenched my fist under the table, my patience slipping. Xander’s boldness was like nothing I’d seen in an alliance negotiation. Before I could respond, Priya, my fiancee, cleared her throat beside me.
“I see no harm in it, Kendrick,” she said lightly, a glint of challenge in her eyes. “If Alison’s company pleases Alpha Xander, why not let him have her?”
I turned to Priya, fury flashing in my gaze, lowering my voice to a low growl only she could hear. “What the hell are you playing at?”
She smiled, tilting her head with mock innocence. “You invited Alpha Xander because you wanted a stronger alliance with his pack, didn’t you? Then Let him have her company for the night, as long as you get what you want. What’s the harm?”
My nostrils flared. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. To let Alison, my once fated mate, the one I was reluctant to acknowledge as my equal, spend time alone with the ever charming Alpha Xander? The thought churned in my stomach. But Priya’s gaze held mine, defiant, daring me to refuse.
“Fine,” I hissed, anger barely contained. Forcing a pleasant smile, I looked back at Xander and nodded. “Very well, Alpha Xander. If you wish for Alison’s company tonight, then so be it.”
Xander inclined his head in thanks, and the room’s tension slowly eased as conversations resumed. I, however, could barely contain the storm brewing inside me. Excusing myself from the table , I gripped Priya’s arm, leading her down a secluded hallway, away from prying eyes.
The moment we were alone, my temper snapped. “This better be worth it, Priya,” I snarled, my voice a low threat.
Priya crossed her arms, unflinching. “Or what? Because from where I stand, you sound like a jealous boyfriend, Kendrick unless there’s something you are not telling me.”
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair, trying to regain composure. “That’s not the point, Priya. She’s not some toy to be passed between Alphas over an alliance.”
Priya’s gaze was cool, calculating. “Then tell me what she is, Kendrick. You say she’s just a slave, but we both know there’s more to it than just that. If you don’t care about her, then let Xander have her for the evening. You want this alliance, don’t you?”
My hands clenched at my sides, frustration and anger swirling inside me. Alison wasn’t just a slave.. not to me. But I’d kept those feelings buried, hiding behind duty and responsibility. I couldn’t take a slave as my mate, yet the idea of handing her over to Xander, even for one night, ignited a visceral rage within me.
“Fine,” I muttered, my voice strained. “But this isn’t over, Priya. We’ll talk more about this later.”
Without waiting for her response, I turned and headed back to the dining hall, my mind a tangle of conflicted thoughts. I had to act as if Xander’s request didn’t matter, as if I didn’t care. But as I resumed my seat, every muscle in my body was tense, barely containing the anger roiling beneath the surface.
Xander met my gaze, his expression unreadable. I returned it coolly, refusing to let him see any hint of the turmoil within me. Dinner continued, but I couldn’t focus on the conversation, my thoughts consumed by what might happen between Alison and Xander.
As the evening drew to a close, I forced a tight smile, raising my glass for a final toast. But as I did, I caught Alison’s eye across the room, her face pale and uncertain. In that instant, I knew that tonight would change everything.
Yet, I buried my emotions, keeping them hidden under layers of duty and resolve. For now, I would play the role required of me, maintaining the fragile peace and the alliance I’d worked so hard to build.
But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.