“Keep your head down and stay invisible,” I whispered to myself as I balanced the heavy tray of champagne glasses. The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as pack members gathered for the mating ball. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across the marble floors, and the air smelled of expensive perfume and anticipation.

The first group of Alphas entered, and my breath caught. These weren’t ordinary men. They commanded the room simply by existing, their presence electric and dangerous.

“That’s Alpha James from Northern Ridge,” whispered Sarah, another servant girl, as she passed me. “The dark-haired one is Alpha Benjamin from Mountain Stone Pack.”

Alpha Benjamin was stunning, with piercing blue eyes and a warm smile that made my heart flutter. But it was the man standing apart from the group that made Eos stir restlessly in my mind.

He was massive, with long chestnut hair and shoulders that seemed to span forever. Even from across the room, his presence was magnetic and terrifying.

“Who’s that one?” I asked quietly.

“Alpha Arthur from Dark Night Pack,” Sarah sighed dreamily. “Strongest Alpha in Europe. Still unmated.”

Something about his name sent shivers through me. I watched as he surveyed the room with cold, calculating eyes that seemed to see everything.

“Aurora!” Mrs. Avalon hissed. “Stop staring and serve table seven!”

I hurried across the hall, weaving between elegantly dressed guests. My plain black serving dress felt even shabbier surrounded by silk gowns and diamond jewelry.

As I approached the table, Alpha Benjamin looked directly at me. His smile was devastating.

“Excuse me,” he said, his voice warm honey. “Why is such a beautiful lady serving tonight? Surely you should be among the guests.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “I’m just a servant, sir.”

“Just a servant?” He stepped closer, his scent of pine and rain making me dizzy. “What’s your name?”

“Aurora,” I whispered.

“Aurora.” The way he said it made my name sound like music. “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

From the corner of my eye, I caught Luna Morgan’s furious glare across the room. Her face was twisted with rage, and she was making sharp gestures for me to move away from the Alpha immediately.

“I should go,” I said quickly, backing away from Alpha Benjamin. “I have work to do.”

“Wait,” he said, reaching out to gently touch my arm. His touch sent electric shocks through my skin. “I’d like to know more about you.”

Panic shot through me as Luna Morgan began stalking across the hall, her face murderous. “I really must go, sir. Please excuse me.”

I turned to flee, my heart hammering against my ribs. In my desperation to escape Luna Morgan’s approaching wrath, I didn’t watch where I was going.

I crashed directly into someone’s chest.

The tray dislodged from my hands. Crystal glasses shattered against marble, red wine spraying across expensive suits and evening gowns. A champagne bottle tumbled through the air, its contents drenching several shocked pack members.

The entire hall fell silent.

Strong hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me as I stared in horror at the destruction. Slowly, I raised my gaze to see who I’d collided with.

Golden eyes stared down at me, familiar yet strange. The scent of cedar and rain filled my nostrils, making my wolf howl with recognition. It was Alpha Arthur.

“Mate,” Eos whispered in my mind, her voice filled with wonder.

The word hit me like lightning. This dangerous, powerful man was my mate.

Alpha Arthur’s nostrils flared slightly, and I knew he could smell it too. The mate bond. His grip on my shoulders tightened, possessive and protective.

“You,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion.

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?” Luna Morgan’s shriek cut through the silence like a blade. “That clumsy slave has destroyed priceless crystal! Guards, seize her immediately!”

But before the guards could move, Alpha Benjamin stepped forward, his blue eyes blazing with determination.

“No,” he said firmly, his voice carrying Alpha authority. “She’s under my protection.”

The hall erupted in shocked whispers. Alpha Arthur’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he looked between Alpha Benjamin and me, his hands still gripping my shoulders.

“Benjamin,” Alpha Magnus said carefully, “surely you don’t mean—”

“I do mean it,” Alpha Benjamin interrupted, his gaze never leaving my face. “This woman belongs with me. I felt the connection the moment I saw her.”

My heart stopped. Two Alphas were claiming me? This couldn’t be happening.

Alpha Arthur’s grip became almost painful, his golden eyes burning with possessive fury. “She’s mine,” he growled, his voice deadly quiet.

“Is she?” Alpha Benjamin challenged, stepping closer. “Because I don’t see any mark on her neck.”

The tension in the hall was suffocating. Pack members backed away as the two most powerful Alphas faced off over me. I stood frozen between them, feeling like prey caught between two predators.

Luna Morgan’s face had gone white with shock and rage. Alpha Magnus looked like he might faint. The other Alphas watched with fascination.

“Gentlemen,” Alpha James tried to intervene, “perhaps we should discuss this privately—”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” Alpha Benjamin said firmly, his eyes still locked on mine. “I, Alpha Benjamin of the Mountain Stone Pack, formally declare my intention to claim Aurora as my mate.”

The words echoed through the silent hall. I felt Alpha Arthur’s entire body go rigid behind me, felt the dangerous energy radiating from him in waves.

This was about to turn very, very bloody.