The gala wasn't just a party; it was a display of predatory wealth. The grand ballroom of the Obsidian Hotel was filled with the scent of expensive champagne and the heavy, metallic tang of Alpha power.
Faith stood at the top of the marble staircase, her hand trembling slightly as it rested on Killian's arm. She was wearing a floor-length gown of liquid silver that clung to her like a second skin. Around her neck sat the Nightshade diamonds—cold, heavy, and a clear mark of ownership.
"Breathe, Faith," Killian murmured, his voice a low vibration near her ear. He looked handsome in a midnight-black tuxedo, his hand covering hers on his arm. "You look like a Queen. Act like one."
"A Queen or a prisoner?" Faith whispered back, the weight of her mother's message in the journal still fresh in her mind. Don't trust the Nightshades.
Killian held her hand tighter. "In this room, there is no difference. Just stay close to me."
As they descended, the room went silent. The "Dud" was no longer a maid, she was now the Official Consort of the most powerful Alpha in the North. The scandal was electric.
"Alpha Nightshade," a voice called out. A stout, grey-haired man with the symbol of the High Council stepped forward. "A bold move. Taking a human consort without a lineage check?"
"Her lineage is my business, Councilman," Killian said, his voice dropping into that lethal, icy tone. "She is under my protection. Any insult to her is a declaration of war against the Blackwood Pack. Understood?".
The Councilman bowed his head, terrified. Killian was playing the part of the obsessed lover perfectly—too perfectly.
By midnight, Faith's feet started to ache, and her head was spinning from the fake smiles of the elite. Killian was pulled away by a group of investors, leaving her near the balcony for a brief moment of air.
"The diamonds look heavy, little bird ",a smooth, dangerous voice whispered from the shadows.
Faith spun around. Silas was leaning against the stone railing, a glass of dark red wine in his hand. He looked at the sapphire ring on her finger and let out a mocking laugh.
It is faith to you Silas, I'm not your little bird! Faith said confidently.
But really? "A Consort ring? Killian is more desperate than I thought. He's trying to brand you before you realize who you actually are."
"He's protecting me from you," Faith snapped, though her heart was racing.
"Is he?" Silas stepped into the light, his blue eyes glowing with a strange intensity. "Did you read the journal, Faith? Did you see the photo of his father and your mother?"
Faith went cold. "How do you know about that?"
"Because my pack was there the night your parents 'disappeared,'" Silas said, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper.You know you sound like you are a saint, you keep saying these things about Killian but what about you, why are you telling me all of this? What are you trying to achieve? You bought me from my aunt Silas! If it had been successful, if I hadn't escaped, what would you have done to me? So now that your plan failed, you'd say and do anything to get me exactly where you want me isn't it? Hearing you blab is irritating! Because you are even worse! Silas smirked, aren't you a smart little bird? You may be right but you do not know a lot of things! But "I know Killian tells you his father was a friend. He doesn't tell you that his father was the one who signed the order to have your mother's research seized. The Nightshades didn't find you by accident, Faith. They've been watching you since you were a child, waiting for your brain to mature enough to unlock the blueprints your mother hid."
"You're lying," Faith breathed, but the memory of the note in the journal hit her like a physical blow.
Ask your Alpha about the 'Red Cell', Silas challenged. "Ask him what happened to the last scholar who worked for the Nightshades. Then, if you want the truth, meet me at the South Gate in ten minutes. I have the other half of that photograph."
Silas vanished into the crowd just as Killian returned, his expression dark. He saw the look on Faith's face and immediately scanned the room.
"What did he say to you?" Killian demanded, his hand reaching for her waist.
Faith stepped back, avoiding his touch. The sapphire ring felt like a shackle. "He told me to ask you about the Red Cell."
Killian froze. The color drained from his face, replaced by a raw, jagged guilt that he couldn't hide fast enough. "Faith, it's not what you think. My father…he was a different man. I am not him."
"But you're using his methods," Faith said, her voice trembling. "The 'Consort' title, the debt, the school….it's all just a way to keep me in a cage until I give you what you want, isn't it?"
"Faith, listen to me—"
"No Killian, stay away from me! she said, backing toward the exit. "I'm done being an investment."
Faith turned and ran toward the South Gate, ignoring Killian's roar of her name. She burst through the heavy doors into the rainy night, desperate for the truth Silas promised.
But as she reached the gate, she didn't find Silas. She found a group of men in tactical gear, their faces covered by wolf-masks. Before she could scream, a heavy cloth was pressed over her mouth.
As the darkness took her, she heard a voice over a radio: "We have the asset. Tell Alpha Nightshade the trade is open.