Aegis's P.O.V

She cut their neck off right at the jugular vein. And from the way she was looking at me, I was next.

How the hell did Brianna talk me into this?

"You need to be seen,” she'd said, smiling so sweetly. I took in a spoon of the lasagna in front of me. “You’re our Alpha, Aegis. You’ve got power and presence but no one’s going to know that if you continue hiding in the shadows. Let the world see the Poison Rose. Let them see why they should fear you.”

I took in another spoon.

That sounded reasonable, it was making sense until she added, “Besides, there’ll be handsome Alphas at the ball. Maybe even the King himself.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. I'm not searching for a man, a mate, or any of it. What I wanted was to be left alone. But Brianna was like a storm, relentless, unavoidable and absolutely impossible to fight without getting drenched.

I successfully avoided her the entire week but now here I was sitting at the dining table, cornered. How she expected my food to digest properly while staring at numerous cut out pictures of headless magazine models. I'll never know.

And the fact that I knew she cut each of their heads off one by one. Help.

“Look at this one!” Brianna chirped, holding up a picture of a sleek black dress. “The slit on the side is perfect for movement. And it’ll show off those long legs of yours.” I folded my arms. “The slit is indecent. And I’m not going.”

“Oh, yes, you are,” Brianna shot back. “And you’re not dressing like a nun. You’ve got a great body, Aegis. It’s time you showed it off.”

“I don’t need to show it off.”

“Because you’re too busy scaring men away, right?” I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t want a man, Brianna.”

“Well, maybe you don’t now,” she teased pushing the picture of another dress in front of me, “but that’s because no one’s seen this version of you. Trust me, the right Alpha might change your mind.”

The boys seated at the far end of the table, weren’t even trying to hide their amusement. Emery chuckled into his coffee, while Noah smirked openly. “I can hear you laughing,” I muttered darkly, my voice low enough to make their heads snap up.

Noah raised his hands in mock surrender. “Sorry, Alpha.”

“Oh, you will be.”

“Come on, Aegis,” Brianna said, holding up a picture of a slinky backless black dress that shimmered in the light. “What about this one?”

“No.” “It’s elegant, sexy, and powerful. You’d look incredible in this.”

“No.” She sighed dramatically and muttered something about my stubbornness.

A new voice chimed in. “I think she’d look amazing in that,” Talia said, walking in with a confidence that didn’t match the way her hands shook. I glanced at her and narrowed my eyes. Zach’s rogue mate. She’d been with us for a few weeks now. She was a strange addition to the pack.

I'm not used to rogues staying this long, let alone speaking up. Talia smiled nervously. “I mean, you’ve got the perfect figure for it, Alpha. That dress would be stunning on you.”

I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers on the table. "Zach,” I said quietly, not looking away from her, “get your mate before I tear off her head.”

Zach straightened. “Talia....”

“I’m just saying,” Talia cut him off. “ Look I used to be a stylist okay. I’ve dressed celebrities, high-ranking wolves. I could help.” I tilted my head.

“You think I want your help?” Her jaw tightened. “I think you deserve to look as incredible as you are. And I know how to make that happen.”

“You’re still a rogue,” I said sharply. “Don’t forget that. You don’t get to stand here and tell me what I deserve.”

Her gaze didn’t waver. “Yes, I’m a rogue. But you don’t know why, so you don’t get to judge me either.” The room went very deathly still.

Noah shifted uncomfortably, while Brianna raised a brow in amusement. Talia’s voice softened.

“I heard stories about you. About the Poison Rose. You gave girls like me hope that we could survive. That we could be something more. You’re a legend, Alpha. Let me help you live up to it.” I stared at her, unblinking.

Talia straightened her shoulders. “I’ll make you a deal. Only one person in this room gets to style you. If I can’t come up with something that’s both powerful and comfortable for you, I’ll never bring it up again. What do you say?” Silence fell over the table.

“Did she just....” Noah whispered, leaning toward Emery.

“ Oh, she’s dead,” Emery muttered under his breath. Brianna grinned. “She’s got guts. I like her.”

I didn’t say a word. I just locked eyes with Talia, letting the weight of my stare press against her. To her credit, she didn’t look away. But I could see the tension in her shoulders that she tried to hide.

I finally leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “You’ll meet me in my room at seven tonight. Show me what you’ve come up with.” My voice dropped. “Don’t let me down, Talia.”

Her breath hitched, but she nodded quickly. “I won’t. Thank you so much Alpha. I...."

I stood and turned to leave. Behind me, I heard them congratulating her, laughing and talking. “She was glaring at me,” Talia said, her voice trembling slightly. “I thought I was going to die.”

I stopped in the doorway and called out, “Oh, and Zach?”

“Yes, Alpha?”

“I approve.”

The room erupted into cheers and teasing as I walked out with the faintest smirk tugging at my lips.

The Poison Rose. I quite like that name.

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