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“I don’t know what you mean,” Isabella’s friend huffed. “We’re simply showing proper respect to Alpha Archer.”

“Is that what we’re calling it now?” Sylvie mused, examining her perfectly polished nails. “And here I thought you were auditioning for theNew Vale Society Weekly. Social Climbing: A Lesser House Guide, perhaps?”

Isabella’s cheeks flushed an interesting shade of pink. “At least we understand proper etiquette. Unlike some who probablylearned their manners from… where was it your father’s company is based again?”

“You seem very interested in my background,” I noted, letting just a hint of fang show in my smile. “Almost as interested as you are in Archer’s arm. Though I have to say, watching you try to climb him like a social ladder is much more entertaining than any nature show I’ve seen.”

Archer actually choked on his coffee this time, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

“I never—” Isabella spluttered, her composure cracking like cheap foundation. “How dare you imply?—”

“Oh, he’s not implying anything,” Sylvie interjected sweetly. “He’s stating facts. Unlike those rumors about Blood Moon’s VIP list. Nowthoseare implications.”

Something hot and possessive curled in my stomach as Isabella’s hand crept back to Archer’s sleeve. An unfamiliar voice in my head growledmine, which was ridiculous because Archer was my brother—well, sort of—and definitely notminein any way that would justify wanting to bare my fangs at Isabella’s perfectly moisturized throat.

“Speaking of VIP lists,” Isabella continued, practically purring as she leaned into Archer’s space, “I’d love to hear more about the Whitlock Enterprise’s latest ventures. Perhaps over dinner?”

The growl in my head got louder. My fangs actuallyached.

“I’m afraid my schedule is quite full,” Archer said smoothly, shifting away from her touch in a way that made my inner vampire purr with satisfaction. “Family obligations, you understand.”

“Family?” Isabella’s laugh tinkled like cheap crystal. “Oh, you mean your little… business arrangement?” She glanced at me with false sympathy. “How sweet that you take such good care of your connections.”

“Connections?” Sylvie’s smile could have cut diamonds. “Isabella, darling, your desperation is showing. Almost as much as your roots.”

One of Isabella’s friends gasped. Another ducked behind her phone.

“I merely meant—” Isabella started, but I’d had enough. The combination of chocolate-eclair envy and watching her paw at Archer had shortened my already limited patience.

“You merely meant to establish dominance through social humiliation,” I said, letting ice creep into my tone. “Which might have worked better if you weren’t so obvious about it. Really, the hand-on-arm thing? That’s like, page one ofHow to Climb the Social Ladder for Dummies.”

“At least I understand my place in society,” Isabella snapped, her perfect mask finally cracking. “Unlike some who think a few shopping bags and borrowed status?—”

“Borrowed?” Something inside me shifted, a predator uncurling that had nothing to do with my vampire nature. The word struck too close to my deepest fears about not belonging. “The only thing borrowed here is your confidence, Isabella.”

Archer’s eyes widened at my tone, and that strange possessive feeling surged again when Isabella’s hand tightened on his arm.She shouldn’t be touching him. The thought came unbidden, fierce and primal.

“I don’t know who you think you are—” Isabella began, but Sylvie cut her off with a laugh that could freeze champagne.

“That’s becoming embarrassingly obvious,” Sylvie said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “Though I’m enjoying watching you dig yourself deeper. Please, continue. I’m sure there’s still some social capital you haven’t completely burned.”

Isabella’s friends had gone from tweeting birds to statues, their phones forgotten as they watched their queen bee’s perfect facade crumble.

“Alpha Archer,” Isabella tried again, pressing closer to him in a way that made my fangs throb. “Surely you don’t approve of such… disrespect from a mere business associate’s son?”

The urge to separate her perfectly manicured hand from Archer’s arm—possibly along with the rest of her arm—was becoming dangerously strong. What was wrong with me? Since when did I care who Archer let cling to him like a designer leech?

Archer’s eyes met mine, dancing with something that looked suspiciously like understanding. And was that a challenge in his smile?

“Actually,” Archer drawled, “I find Luca’s… perspective quite refreshing.” His gaze locked with mine, and something electric sparked between us. “It’s not every day someone calls out social climbers with suchprecision.”

That strange possessive feeling purred at his praise, even as I tried to squash it down. What was happening to me? Why did every brush of Isabella’s fingers against his sleeve make me want to commit acts of violence that would definitely violate New Vale’s peace treaties?

“Social climbers?” Isabella’s voice hit a pitch that probably had wolves howling three districts away. “I am a Kingston affiliate! My second cousin twice removed is?—”

“Desperately trying to get Blood Moon featured inNew Vale Society Weekly,” Sylvie finished for her. “We know. The whole city knows. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion, but with worse music.”

“Speaking of music,” one of Isabella’s braver friends attempted to salvage the situation, “I heard Whitlock Enterprise is launching a new entertainment venture. Perhaps Luca’s father’s company is involved?”