The day of the Alpha’s Ball dawned heavy, like the sky itself had been holding its breath all night.

I wasn’t ready. Not for the spectacle, not for the stares, and certainly not for Karen’s smug smile that I knew would be waiting the moment we stepped foot into Darkclaw territory. My nerves coiled tighter with every tick of the clock.

But I had my armor—the midnight blue dress. Sleek, elegant, powerful. For three weeks, I had convinced myself that maybe, just maybe, I could walk ...