Aegis's P.O.V

How is it that I know every torture that ever existed but never discovered this one?.

These shoes were death traps. Five-inch, pencil-thin, ankle-breaking, toe-pinching, nightmare inducing torture devices.

I have fought in wars, ripped out throats, and faced down entire rogue packs but somehow, these damn heels might be my greatest enemy yet.

I muttered a curse, shifting uncomfortably as I walked out of the black van we came in. Noah, ever the observant one, smirked. “Something wrong, Alpha?” I shot him a look.

“If I trip and die tonight, tell Brianna she's responsible for my death .” Noah chuckled. “Noted. Should I also let the King know he’ll need a new special guest?”

“You do that, and I’ll haunt you.” Talia who's currently fixing the last few details of my dress, grinned.

“You look good in heels, Alpha.” I scoffed. “I look like a baby deer learning to walk.”

Noah nodded. “Yeah, but a hot baby deer.”

I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow, making him grunt.

“Fine, fine,” he laughed, holding up his hands. “But admit it, Talia did good. This dress? Power and seduction in one."

I glanced down at myself and even I had to admit Talia outdid herself. It was black, of course. A deep midnight black that clung to my body in all the right places. The neckline was a teasing plunge, but nothing too revealing. The high slit allowed movement, giving the illusion of elegance and danger. It was the kind of dress that commanded attention. Unfortunately, it also meant I couldn’t wear my normal shoes. All this because a pig-headed king wants to see me in his party.

“Let’s get this over with,” I muttered, straightening my back.

We entered the grand ballroom and it was like everything stopped. For a long moment, the air stilled. Conversations dropped. Heads turned. A thousand eyes burned into me. Whispers. Hushed voices murmuring my name. The Poison Rose. The Alpha of WolfClaw.

I kept my face unreadable but it was irritating me. I hated these things. Too much pretense. Too many power-hungry men looking for an angle to defeat one of their own. Snakes, that's what they are. And, of course, it didn’t take long for them to come slithering over.

A group of Alphas approached us. Older, arrogant, reeking of wealth and self-importance. They barely looked at me instead looking on Noah. One of them, a man with too many rings and not enough sense, smirked.

“So you must be the infamous Poison Rose.” Noah’s brows lifted slightly. He glanced at me, amused, before turning back to them.

Another smirked. “I see now. You found the most stunning woman in your pack to warm your bed, eh?” Noah chuckled, a sound that made my lips twitch

“I’m flattered, but no,” he said smoothly. “I’m just the Beta.” He gestured to me. “This is Alpha Aegis.” Silence. Then laughter.

“Impossible,” one of them scoffed. “A woman? As the Alpha of Nightshade? Why she looks like she'll do a far better job servicing me in my bed. You know the way she's supposed to."

He crossed his arms, looking over me lustfully and my blood boiled. I minlinked Noah because if I opened my mouth, someone's going to die and the party's too early for that.

“You know, I’ve heard it said that wise Alphas don’t judge a book by its cover.” His gaze flicked to them equally as angry as I was but more controlled. My Beta for a reason.

“It also doesn’t bode well for an Alpha to talk too much especially bankrupt ones like yours.” The amusement drained from their faces. I smiled.

Then, without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away. We spent the next half hour mingling. I sent Zach, Taylor, and Emery off to socialize. They whined on and on about not wanting to but I made them. Only Noah waited.

“I don’t like leaving you alone in a room full of bloodthirsty, power-hungry Alphas,” he murmured, standing even close. I smirked. “Afraid they’ll eat me alive?”

“No,” he said simply. “Afraid I’ll have to save someone if you try to kill them.” A few nearby Alphas overheard and growled lowly. I sighed. “Go, Noah. I’ll be fine.” He hesitated. Then Emery called him over, and with a final reluctant glance, he left.

I need space. Wandering down a quiet hallway, I found myself in a dimly lit piano room. It was beautiful and familiar in a way. The air smelled like beautifully aged wood. And I wasn’t alone.

A man stood by the grand piano with his fingers lightly brushing the keys. He was tall and dressed simply, probably a servant.

“You’re not supposed to touch that,” he said without turning. I raised a brow. “Why? The King wouldn’t like it?” He smirked slightly.

“Something like that.” I stepped forward. “Seems fitting. The King doesn’t seem to like a lot of things.” He glanced at me then, sharp and assessing.

“You speak as if you know him.”

“I don’t need to know him to see his incompetence,” I said coolly. “He lets corruption fester. He enforces laws that only benefit the privileged. Tell me, is there a reason he lets weaker packs suffer while the stronger ones hoard resources?” His expression didn’t change.

"He may wear a crown but he isn't much of a king.

"But you believe you are?"

I was about to answer when Noah’s panicked voice filled my head through the mindlink. " Alpha! Where are you? Are you okay? Is someone dead?"

"Relax,” I replied. “I’m in some piano room.”

“What?! Stay there. I’m coming.”

I let out a frustrated sigh before turning back to the man. But he was gone. The room was empty. Frowning, I stepped back just as Noah burst in. His eyes immediately scanned me for injuries, his hands gripping my arms.

“Are you hurt?” His voice was low, frantic. I rolled my eyes. “Noah, I’m fine.”

“You disappeared! In this place? Aegis, do you have any idea__” “ Let me cut you short right thete. I’m the Alpha,” I cut in. “I can handle myself.”

He exhaled, trying to calm down. “You’re impossible.” I smirked.

“And yet, you’re still here.”

He shook his head, but his grip didn’t loosen. “What were you even doing in here?”

“Arguing with a footboy about the incompetence of the King.” Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course you were.”

Then his eyes widened. “Wait, that’s why I came to find you. The King is here.” I sighed. “Great. Is he being introduced like a bride at her own wedding?”

Noah gave me a warning look. We entered the ballroom just as the Roll Caller’s voice rang out. “Presenting—His Majesty, King Damian”

My gaze lifted. And locked onto him. The man from the piano room. Sitting on the throne. The King.

Noah, unaware, leaned close and murmured, “Be careful, Aegis. You shouldn't make the mistake of underestimating the King. I heard he's even more powerful than any of his ancestors. They call him The Insanity. And he's almost as psychotic as you are maybe even more."

I didn’t look away. He didn't either. My heart pounded with a kind of excitement. I exhaled slowly. “Well,” I muttered. “Would’ve been nice if you warned me before I insulted him to his face.”