Gaia's POV

Dennis's eyes swept over me with dismissive contempt—he clearly had no idea who I was. Just another gambling tourist who'd stumbled onto his scheme.

Then his gaze shifted to Astrein, and recognition flared like wildfire.

"You." The word dripped with venom. "The Rose Heart Alpha himself. Couldn't mind your own damn business, could you?"

"Dennis." Astrein's voice was ice cold, carrying the weight of an Alpha's authority. "You've caused enough trouble. It ...