Chapter 0050

His gaze locks onto mine. "Let Selene come forward." I obey, allowing my wolf spirit to surface. Julian steps closer and lets out a low whistle. "Damn."

A few nearby warriors turn at the sound, their eyes widening as they take me in. Their reactions range from stunned silence to muttered curses. "What?" I snap, impatient.

Sebastian studies me with a soft smile. "Those jewels your mystery man gave you? They're an exact match for your eyes when Selene's in control. That emerald green with gold flecks—it's uncanny. Whoever he is, he's putting us all to shame. He's clearly obsessed with you, Evelyn. If he's not your mate, he's determined to make you believe he is."

Julian grins, immediately jumping in. "New wager. Odds on the secret admirer being Evelyn's fated mate?" The betting starts before I can protest.

"Are you idiots forgetting I'm still months away from turning eighteen?"

They ignore me completely, tossing numbers back and forth.

Rolling my eyes, I turn back to my father. He's deep in conversation, so I gesture to his empty glass, silently offering a refill. He nods, and I head toward the bar. I could use a drink myself.

I order a whiskey neat for Dad and a merlot for me. Scanning the room, my gaze lands on Adrian's harem, clustered around him like overeager groupies. One girl wears what looks like a repurposed tablecloth—scarlet and barely covering anything.

Shaking my head, I reach for the drinks when heat presses against my back. A familiar voice murmurs in my ear, "Should I be worried you're ordering two drinks?"

I spin to face him. "Alpha Sebastian." My lips curve into a smile. "What a pleasant surprise."

He flags down the bartender, barely glancing away from me. "Trust me, sweetheart, the pleasure's all mine. You're breathtaking."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," I tease, deciding against mentioning my anonymous gift—or that the sender plans to reveal himself tonight. Sebastian already seems to sense tonight's significance.

"Care to join me by my father?" I ask.

He gives me a look that could melt steel. "I'd follow you into a burning building."

He grabs his bourbon and trails me across the room.

I toss him a smirk over my shoulder as we approach Dad and the warriors. Introductions are made, hands shaken. Turning back to Sebastian, I ask, "Did you already wish the birthday boy well?"

He takes a slow sip of his drink, eyes darkening in a way that sends heat straight to my core. Memories of last night—his skilled fingers, my breathless moans—flood my mind. He licks his lips. "Got distracted the second I saw you."

These lace panties won't survive another minute of this.

Before I can respond, Alpha Alistair taps his glass for silence. The room stills as he begins his speech.

"As you know, today marks my son's eighteenth year. He's a man now, soon to lead this pack." Cheers erupt. Sebastian and I offer polite applause.

Alistair turns to Adrian, pride shining in his eyes. "Son, my greatest wish for you is to find a love like I share with your mother. To meet your mate, to build a family." The crowd howls approval.

He raises a hand. "Until then, enjoy this." He tosses Adrian a set of keys. A freaking car. Must be nice.

Adrian embraces his parents before taking the mic. "Thank you all for celebrating with me." His eyes find mine, and my breath hitches. Was that meant for me?

"I hope to find my Luna before taking my father's place," he continues. "A partner to rule beside me." More cheers.

"Now, I'd like to open the dancing with someone very special." The girl in the red tablecloth preens, clearly expecting to be chosen.

I turn to Sebastian, ready to chat while Adrian entertains his latest fling—until his next words steal the air from my lungs.

"Evelyn Sinclair, may I have this dance?"

The room vanishes. All I see is his outstretched hand.