6.The Scandal

Nina

I stand near the bar, gripping my champagne flute so tightly I’m afraid it might shatter. My heart’s racing, my skin feels too tight, and all I can think about is getting the hell out of here. I can still feel Jaxon’s presence, even though I walked away from him minutes ago. His voice, the way he looked at me, like he still has some claim over me—fuck. It’s too much.

The charity event swirls around me in a blur of laughter and clinking glasses. My father hosts this thing every year to support werewolf packs across the country—helping fund education, infrastructure, all the things smaller packs can’t afford. It’s a noble cause, and I should be focused on that, but all I can think about is how fucking suffocated I felt the moment I locked eyes with Jaxon.

I take a deep breath, leaning against the bar, trying to ground myself. The ballroom is packed with elites—wolves in designer suits, powerful Alphas, and humans too, mingling like they belong. This event is a big deal, but I can b