Page 49

But a small, traitorous part of her hoped he did.

24

JACE

Jace wasn’t in the mood for a festival.

But appearances were half the battle when you were alpha, and the Moonlight Festival was tradition—light, music, renewal. A time when the whole town came together beneath lanterns and stars and forgot, for a few hours, the weight of ancient pacts and looming threats.

He wore the dark tailored shirt one of the den mothers had insisted he buy last season—charcoal with silver-threaded cuffs that shimmered faintly beneath the enchanted lamps strung throughWillow Grove Park. His boots were polished, his hair tamed, and he even managed to fake a smile or two when elders greeted him at the gate.

But his wolf was already pacing.

And the minute he stepped through the veil of glittering lights and caught sight of her, all bets were off.

Lyra.Dancing.

WithEzra.

Her slate blue dress hugged her like a secret, catching candlelight as she spun, and her curls bounced with every laugh. Ezra had one hand resting just a little too low on her back, andhis smile—smug, snake-slick—twitched at the edges like he knewexactlywhat he was doing.

Jace’s breath went shallow. His wolf snarled, low and guttural, vibrating beneath his skin. But he didn’t move. Didn’t storm across the dance floor. Didn’t growl,mine.

Instead, he stood beside the drink table like he didn’t want to tear the damn place apart.

Logan appeared at his side like a ghost. “She looks good.”

“Don’t,” Jace muttered.

“I was going to saypissed.”

“She’s both.”

“You gonna do something about it?”

Jace’s eyes never left her. “No.”

“You sure?”

“No.”

Logan smirked, but wisely shut up.

Lyra twirled again, laughter escaping her lips like smoke and sugar.

Jace wanted to devour the sound.

Ezra leaned in close, saying something that made her smile—tight and brittle, not the real one—but enough to send fire coursing through Jace’s veins.

Her eyes found his. Across the crowd. Across the music and the lanterns and the weight of everything unsaid.

She met his gaze.

Held it.

For three heartbeats too long before she looked away.

Jace exhaled, slow and heavy, every muscle in his body on edge.