Chapter 3 -THREE-

Ingrid's Point Of View.

The ringing in my ears was a high pitched scream that drowned out the world. Through the haze of white smoke and the stinging scent of flash bang chemicals, I saw the silhouette of men- heavy, armored and smelling of silver and self righteous arrogance.

I felt Erebus's heat before I saw him. His massive hand clamped onto my shoulder, pulling me back into his chest. He was a solid wall of muscle, his heart thrumming against my spine like a war drum. He wasn't shifting- not yet- but I could feel his wolf, dark, pulsing energy that made the air in the room feel heavy enough to drown in.

"Alpha Valerius!" Lord Vane's voice cut through the fog. He stepped forward, his silver tipped cane clicking against the marble floor. Behind him stood Marcus, his eyes downcast, his scent a sour cocktail of guilt and cowardice. "Move away from the beast. You're under investigation for harboring a threat to the Great North Pack."

I blinked, my vision finally clearing. I stood tall, shaking off Erebus's hand just enough to reclaim my own space, though I stayed close to his warmth. I wiped a smudge of soot from my cheek and donned my most freezing expression.

"Lord Vane," I said, my voice sharp as a blade. "I assume you have a warrant for this....theatrical entrance? Or is breaking and entering a new hobby of the Council?"

"We have footage, Alpha Ingrid," He said. "We know he's the wolf slayer. We know you brought a Rogue into your home. We have evidence," he then looked over at Marcus whose head was now high up. "And proof."

I felt Erebus stiffen behind me. I could sense his claws itching to slide into Marcus's throat. I reached back, my fingers finding the rough, scarred skin of his hand, squeezing it

Stay still.

"Rogue?" I laughed, a cold mocking sound that made the enforcers hesitate. "Marcus, your incompetence continues to astound me. Is that what you told the Council? That I brought a stray into my penthouse?"

I turned slightly, gesturing to Erebus. In the dim light of the smoke filled room, with his charcoal suit and lethal aristocratic grace, he looked more like royalty than anyone in this room.

"This is Prince Elio of the Obsidian Peak Pack," I lied, the words flowing as smooth as silk. "An ancient lineage from the Northern Tundra. He's here on a private diplomatic mission to secure the Valerius jewel supply. I didn't announce his arrival because of the..... sensitive nature of our arrangement."

Lord Vane's eyes narrowed, his gaze raking over Erebus. "Obsidian Peak? That pack hasn't been heard from in decades. And the scars on his face-"

"Were earned defending his borders from Rogues like the one you're looking for," Erebus interjected, his voice a deep, cultured growl that vibrated through the floorboards. He stepped forward, placing a possessive hand on the small of my back. "Is this how the Great North treats visiting royalty, Lord Vane? With flash bangs and accusations?"

Vane hesitated. The mention of a prince and a diplomatic mission was enough to give him pause. The Council thrived on bureaucracy, they feared a political scandal more than a Rogue.

"If he is who he says he is," Vane hissed, looking back at Marcus with a flash of doubt. "Then why did your beta report him as a prisoner in your holding cells?"

"A misunderstanding," I said, stepping closer to Vane, my Alpha aura expanding until the enforcers took a step back. "We were roleplaying a security breach to test my guards. Clearly, they failed," I looked over at Marcus. "Marcus, consider yourself demoted to perimeter patrol effective immediately."

Marcus' face turned a violent shade of red. "Ingrid, you can't-"

"I am your Alpha!" I barked, the power of the word making the glass in the remaining windows rattle. "You will not call me by my name. Leave my home. Now. Or I'll consider this an act of war against the Valerius Empire."

Vane stared at me for a long, agonizing moment. He knew I was lying, but he couldn't prove it- not yet. He looked over at Erebus, who stood behind me like a statue of dark, lethal stone.

"In that case. You will have no problem introducing him officially at the Gala tonight. If he fails to produce his credentials by midnight, the Council will take him. And they will take you."

He turned on his heel, his enforcers following him out. Marcus lingered for a second, his eyes filled with a terrifying vengeful light, before he too disappeared.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, I collapsed against the desk, my knees finally giving away.

"That was... incredible," Erebus whispered. He was at my side in an instant, his hands on my shoulder. "You're a natural liar, Ice Queen."

"I'm not lying about Marcus when I said this," I said looking up at him. "He's going to find a way to kill me and Vane won't stop until he gets rid of us both. We have four hours to make you a prince. And that you will now be Prince Elio."

|•|

The Valerius Gala was the event of the season. The grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel was a sea of glittering gowns, expensive champagne and hidden agendas.

I stepped into the light, my white silk gown clinging to every curve, the Valerius Star glowed like a small sun on my hand. Beside me, Erebus looked like a god of shadows. He wore the suit with an ease that shouldn't have been possible for a man who lived in the wild. He looked like he was born to rule, and every woman in the room was staring at him with a mixture of fear and hunger.

"Stay close," I murmured. "My uncle is here."

Victor Valerius was waiting near the champagne fountain. He was a tall, silver haired man who believed that a woman's place in the pack was in the nursery, not the boardroom. He had been trying to claw the Alpha title from me since the day my father's heart stopped beating.

"Ingrid," Victor said, his voice dripping with fake affection. He didn't look at me, he looked at Erebus. "And who is this....imposing gentleman?"

"Uncle Victor, may I introduce Prince Elio of the Obsidian Peak peak," I said, my voice high enough just to catch the ears of the nearby socialites. "He's my fiance."

The glass in Victor's hand shattered. Champagne spilled over his expensive shoes, but he didn't seem to notice. His face turned a violent shade of purple. "Fiance? Ingrid, you can't be serious. A marriage without Council approval? Without consulting the family?"

"As Alpha, I don't need your approval, Uncle," I said, leaning into Erebus. "The merger between Valerius Jewels and the Obsidian Peak resources is a strategic necessity. It solidifies my position and ensures the prosperity of our pack for the next century."

"It's an abomination," Victor hissed, stepping closer. "You're bringing a stranger into our bloodline. You're securing your seat with a man we know nothing about!"

"You know enough," Erebus said, his voice dropping to a low tone. He took a step toward Victor, his height looming over the elder man. "I am the man who will be standing beside her when she becomes Luna of the Great North. If you have an issue with the union, you can take it up with me....in the dueling ring."

Victor flinched. He was a politician, not a fighter. He looked at the ring on my finger, then back at Erebus, his eyes burning with a hatred so deep it made my skin crawl.

"This isn't over, Ingrid," Victor whispered. "The Council will not accept this." He turned and stormed away, his scent radiating pure, unadulterated fury.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "He's going to talk to Vane."

"Let him," Erebus said. He led me towards the dance floor as the orchestra began a slow waltz. He pulled me into his arms, his hand splayed across the small of my back, his other hand clasping mine.

We moved together with a grace that felt ancient. My body hummed against his, the fated bond finally beginning to bridge the gap between us. For the first time in my life, I didn't feel like an Alpha standing alone against the world. I felt like a Queen protected by her King.

He leaned in closer. "Do you feel it, Ingrid?"

"I do," I said with a shaky breath as I rested my head on his chest.

"They are all watching us," he whispered, I could feel the slow smirk playing on his lips. "They are all looking for Rogue and they don't see him,"

"Have we done it?"

"Yes," he said, using his finger to lift up my chin. "We've done it, Ingrid. We have successfully deceived them all. Now, all that's left is to see who survives the night."