Page 27

"Summit?" I asked, keeping my voice mild and curiosity light.

"Every three months, she hosts a bunch of pack matriarchs at a private estate," Astrid grumbled. "It’s completely off the grid—no phones, no digital networks, and zero armed male guards. Mom insists 'women's business stays between women' and refuses to let Dad's enforcers anywhere near the estate. It's just a bunch of terrifying females sipping tea, trading political secrets, and locking down regional treaties in private. And I'm expected to sit there in a flowy dress and make nice like a dutiful daughter."

I knew about the summit. Even though the Blackwoods and the Lobos had a contractual agreement, Mei Ling hadn't considered Sorsha a friend. So she hadn't been invited. Until this year, when my contract came due.

Before I could form a reply, a scent hit my nose that instantly ruined my appetite. The heavy, smothering perfume of absolute control.

"Hello, baby girl."

Speak of the devil and all. My mother stepped up to our table, her heels clicking against the marble floor with military precision. She bent down and pressed two cool kisses against my cheeks.

"Marriage is clearly agreeing with you," Sorsha declared, patting at my flat stomach. "I'm sure there will be a pup expanding that waistline soon enough."

I breathed in through my nose, holding tight to my fake smile.

"Hello, Astrid."

"Alpha Lobo."

"No, darling, you must call me Sorsha."

"Alright, Sorsha."

"Actually, no." I could hear the wrinkle in my mother's nose. "Perhaps, Mother, the Sequel?"

Once again, I heard Astrid's throat constrict. Only this time it didn't relax. And still, no words came out. But that didn't matter to my mother. She was happiest hearing her own voice.

"You know Celeste Moretti and Amara Okafor?" Sorsha said smoothly.

The two women immediately stepped forward, showering Astrid and me with sweet, practiced compliments about our outfits, our families, and how radiant I looked as a new bride.

"Don't let us interrupt your lovely lunch," Sorsha said, leaning down to press one final kiss to my cheek. Her voice dropped into a low, commanding register right against my ear. "Call me soon with an update."

"I will, Mother," I replied, keeping my tone flawlessly obedient.

The moment Sorsha and her entourage strutted out of the bistro, Astrid let out a long, heavy breath, leaning back in her seat with a creak of wooden chair legs against vinyl flooring. "Goddess, I am so glad my mother isn't here right now. She absolutely cannot stand those two women."

"Oh, really?" I asked, my tone sounding completely innocent and unbothered as a wicked thrill danced through my veins. My mother thought I was working on her agenda. She had no clue I had my own. The first item on the list was her demise. "I need to use the restroom before our food gets here."

"Do you need help to find it?"

A flare of irritation pricked at my chest, but I kept my posture smooth. "No," I answered, my tone dripping with practiced patience. "I can manage."

I rose from the table, smoothing the silk of my dress. With my dark sunglasses firmly in place, I navigated the restaurant's layout. Floral hand soap and disinfectant grew stronger beneath the scents of food and perfume. Somewhere ahead, a toilet flushed, followed by the rush of water through the pipes and the hiss of a faucet.

As I walked, a very specific scent drifted into my nose, trailing behind me at a careful distance. One-too-many splashes of aftershave and mooning wolf. I pushed through the wooden door into the plush ladies' room with an eye roll. Before the brass latch could even click fully shut, the door opened again and slammed shut behind me.

"Did he hurt you?" Diego demanded without preamble, his breathing shallow and tight. "Rose, tell me. Did Gunnar Blackwood touch you?"

I actually liked my name. My whole name, not any truncated version. I sure as hell wasn't a summer rose. But that was the role I'd played my whole life. So, I stepped back into character.

"I'm fine," I murmured softly, letting my voice quiver just enough to sound vulnerable. "Did you do what I asked? Did you get my message to Corin Petrakis?"

I caught the faint rustle of movement before Diego answered. “Yes, but…”

He sighed long and low. I wanted to snap at him to use his words, but that was out of character for the precious princess who needed protection.

"Just as I left, Petrakis was taken by the Blackwoods. I suspect Gunnar has him in one of their underground sites right now. If that brute has him, it's over. Gunnar will break him, and Corin will spill everything he knows."