Evaline:
Professor Kieran.
He was standing near the far end of the ballroom, in a sleek dark suit, flanked by two Alphas I didn’t recognize. His posture was regal, commanding, and his expression unreadable.
But his eyes?
They were on me.
And they weren’t the only ones.
Because to his right, Oscar was standing with a wine glass in hand, his jaw slack with surprise. And just behind him, partially hidden in the crowd, was Draven.
I swore under my breath.
All four of the Rogue Alpha brothers were present in the same room, and while it shouldn’t have been weird, a familiar feeling started blooming deep inside me.
But before I could have focused further on that feeling, River placed a hand on my lower back and gently, but firmly, guided me toward a cluster of Alphas standing near the center of the ballroom.
His touch wasn’t feeling friendly. It felt calculated.
"Come," he said smoothly with that unshakable composure on his face. "There are people I would like you to meet."
I knew that tone. That calmness. It wasn’t kindness. It was warning.
And the second we stepped into the circle of powerful men and their perfectly groomed companions, I knew I had been thrown into a pit of wolves, and not the kind that bared fangs. These smiled with poison-laced words.
"Evaline," River introduced. His voice was strong enough to pull the attention of every Alpha around us. "Class President. Top of this year’s Academy entrance exams. She’s actually the only wolfless entrant to ever achieve it."
Silence followed his words. And then came the stares. Some were skeptical. Some amused. While some openly judgmental.
Yet, I stood tall. Straight spine. Even breath. Neutral expression.
"She’s quite... casual, isn’t she?" one of the women said with a too-sweet smile. She was wearing emerald silk and enough diamonds to weigh her down. "Is this your usual wardrobe for high-level gatherings, Miss Evaline?"
"It’s a work outfit," I replied evenly, not flinching. "I wasn’t aware I would be attending until a few hours ago. Besides, Alpha River told me that I’m here to observe and learn, not to join a fashion show."
The last one hit its mark, upsetting all the right people.
Another chuckled behind her wine glass. "It’s brave of you to come anyway. Most girls wouldn’t risk being mistaken for a waitress."
There was laughter. Soft, vicious.
"She has unique coloring," an Alpha chimed in. "The silver hair and amber eyes are quite striking. Very... wild."
"She would fit in well at a carnival," someone muttered just low enough to be audible.
I said nothing. Doing so once ended up flaring their dislike toward me. So, I let their words hit, sink, and slide off me. It wasn’t the first time I was being picked apart. It wouldn’t be the last.
But River wasn’t done.
"She’s more than just a pretty face," he said smoothly as he sipped his drink. "Evaline chose to be my assistant over a full year of training under experts or access to the entire Silver Moon library. Bold, don’t you think?"
My stomach twisted.
Each word was stinging like acid across raw skin. He was lifting me up just to drop me harder. He knew what he was doing. And I knew, deep in my bones, that he had brought me here for this.
To show me off. To remind me what I was. To push me until I cracked in front of every person who mattered in our world.
"She also defeated Oscar in the final round of the Academy entrance trials. Caught him completely off guard with an unexpected move. Remarkable how far instinct can carry a rogue."
There it was. The twist in his words. The knife dressed as praise.
"Rogues do tend to be... unpredictable," another Alpha commented only for his companion to add, "And aggressive when cornered."
I could feel eyes on me... burning from across the room. I didn’t have to turn to confirm that the other three brothers had their full attention on me.
And then, I felt him.
Kieran.
I didn’t see him arrive, but I felt the shift in the air beside me. Warm. Calm. Like a wall at my side.
His voice was quiet, but firm when he spoke. "River."
River barely turned. "Kieran."
"I believe Evaline’s already met most of the gathering’s key members. No need to parade her further."
"Oh?" River smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "She deserves the recognition. Don’t you agree, brother?"
I flinched, just a flicker, but it was enough. The warning was clear in River’s tone. No matter how much he loved his brothers, he wouldn’t tolerate them questioning him in front of outsiders. He was the Rogue Alpha King, and his authority wasn’t to be questioned.
Kieran stepped in closer to me, subtly shielding me with his body from the surrounding Alphas and their women. "She didn’t come here to be your conversation piece."
River’s eyes glittered. "Of course not. I simply want our future generation of leaders to be inspired."
He was enjoying every second of this.
And I...
I wanted to leave.
I wanted to disappear from the scrutiny, the whispers, the polished knives disguised as compliments. But I couldn’t... wouldn’t... give River the satisfaction of seeing me break.
So I stepped forward. Just half a step. And I gave the circle my most polite, Academy-perfect smile.
"Thank you, Alpha River, for the generous introduction." My voice didn’t shake. "And thank you all for your... insightful commentary."
I could feel Kieran holding back a breath beside me.
"I’m afraid I’ll have to excuse myself now. My work hours are over and I have plans with my friends. If you will excuse me."
A lie. A graceful, convenient one.
Without waiting for permission, I turned. I wasn’t too fast... just confident. I walked away with my head high and my spine straight.
It was only when I reached the hallway outside the ballroom did I let out a slow, shaking breath.
My walls didn’t crumble. Not yet. But there was a crack now. A fracture beneath the armor.
River had aimed his arrow well, and I felt the sting.
But I didn’t fallen. Not this time. And I was not going to forget it.
Not the laughter. Not the looks. And certainly not the man who wore a mask of calm while twisting the blade in my ribs.