Chapter 54
As expected, the Stormridge Pack’s Duskgrave family–a lineage of Alpha royalty–had dominated the auction without blinking. Dropping one hundred billion credits as if it were nothing, they crushed the competition with terrifying ease. Kael Vale exchanged a glance with his father, Alpha Alaric of the Ebonclaw Pack. Both understood what had to be done. There was only one way now to tie themselves to the East Crescent project–by marrying Riley to Lucien Duskgrave, the enigmatic Alpha prince of Stormridge.
Kael rose, adjusted his suit, and approached Lucien with practiced calm, extending a hand. “The Duskgrave name precedes you, Alpha Lucien. And tonight proves the legends true.”
Lucien didn’t show much expression but accepted the handshake with cold politeness.
Alpha Alanic followed, forcing å grin so wide it folded his weathered face. “Now that the auction is over, how about we continue the conversation in the banquet hall? Perhaps over some wine?”
Lucien gave a brief nod. Before he turned, he flicked a subtle glance at his Beta, Duke
immediately followed the auction host to complete the transfer paperwork.
By the time they reached the banquet hall, Riley had also just arrived.
The driver spotted Scarlett first. He rushed over to her, slipping something small and discreet into her hand. “Scarlett, here’s what you asked for.”
He vanished just as quickly.
Scarlett turned her gaze to Riley, who was scanning the opulent banquet hall, unaware of the danger stalking her.
Scarlett grabbed a glass of juice from the refreshment table and discreetly poured the powder from the packet into it. After giving it a swirl, she waved over a passing server.
“Please deliver this drink,” she said, nodding in Riley’s direction with a smile.
The server nodded and carried the glass over to Riley.
Riley didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t unusual for servers to offer drinks at formal gatherings like this. Besides, she hadn’t eaten anything all evening. Starving, she took the drink, grabbed a few pastries from the dessert table, and
started nibbling while sipping the juice.
Scarlett watched as she drank, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.
She sauntered over, hips swaying like a predator closing in. “Look at you, stuffing your face like you’ve never seen real food before. Embarrassing
Riley was just about to take another bite when she heard that smug, nasal voice.
Her gaze sharpened. “Scarlett Are you begging to get slapped tonight?”
“You’d better back off before I smash this cake in your face. Let’s see who’s more embarrassed then.”
Scarlett’s smirk froze, fury bubbling beneath her skin, She wanted to claw the smug expression off Riley’s too–beautiful face.
But not yet. Not when victory was moments away
After all, Riley had just drunk the spiked juice.
“You won’t be so smug in five minutes Scarlett succred
Riley narrowed her eyes. “What the hell does that mean?
Scarlett leaned in, lips barely moving, mouthing the words That juice was drugged. Get ready to make a scene, whore.
+8 Pearls
Chapter 54
She thought Riley wouldn’t catch it..
She was wrong
Riley knew how to read lips–and those words cut through her like a blade.
Her pupils contracted in shock. And right on cur, the heat began to bloom beneath her skin–rising, surging, crashing over her in violent waves
,
Her face flushed crimson. Panic set in.
Scarlett’s triumphant stare only made it worse.
Riley lunged for her, but Scarlett dodged easily, folding her arms and grinning like a viper ready to strike.
“Aw, what’s the matter, slut? Losing control already?” Scarlett tainted. “You think you can marry Lucien Duskgrave? prince of Stormridge? Let’s see how much he wants you after tonight–when you’re stripping naked and writhing in front of
That every elite Alpha in the room“.
Her laughter rang out, sharp and cruel..
The world tilted. The chandeliers overhead flickered and warped, casting strange shadows across the hall.
The fire beneath Riley’s skin made her want to tear her clothes off. Every fiber of her being screamed to escape, to run, to find cold water–anything-
She dug her nails into her arms, clawing her own skin, trying to use pain to stay lucid.
No one noticed her struggle. Everyone else was mingling, drinking, laughing.
She couldn’t fall apart here. Not in front of them.
She turned and bolted for the exit, heart thundering.
But Scarlett wouldn’t let her go that easily. She darted forward and grabbed Riley’s arm, putting on a sweet, fake smile,
“Riley, come on. Dad and Mom are over there. Let’s go say hi together, yeah?”
Riley fought her grip, but the heat was making her limbs weak and sluggish, From across the banquet hall, Alpha Alaric, Luna Zara, and Kael heard Scarlett’s and looked over.
voice
“There she is Zara beamed. “Riley, come here, sweetie. I want to introduce you to Alpha Lucient”