Chapter 5 Meeting room. Now.

SOMA

Everyone turns. I do the same, and my throat works in a swallow.

It's a woman. A she-wolf with sparkling blue eyes. She stands at the edge of the backyard, tall and powerful, commanding respect without a word. Her robe looks like it cost a fortune, and her blond hair sits in a twist that elongates the elegant curve of her neck.

She's easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Even in her silence, she exudes so much aura that it's nearly impossible to look away. Her gaze cuts through the entire backyard, staying too long on me and Mason.

When Brynne's vicious smirk fades, I immediately know who she is. Lilith, the high priestess.

The Alpha princes are powerful, but everyone, including them, has to respect the high priestess. Without Lilith, the Luna selection ceremony can't be held. And an Alpha isn't complete without his Luna.

Lilith steps forward, and the crowd parts. I've seen her face on my cousins' TVs so many times, but she's more beautiful in person. Not only is she the high priestess, but she's also the Alpha King's most trusted advisor. According to rumors, she wields so much power that nothing ever goes past her knowledge in Shadowspire.

If you have Lilith on your side, you can be sure to win the King's favor. But I don't hold any hope of her saving me from these three tyrants. After all, she's a form of royalty. They are all the same: proud, power-hungry, and greedy.

"Has the Moon Goddess seized your ability to hear?" Lilith demands. "What is going on here?"

"Priestess," Brynne says, with a polite smile.

"My prince."

Until today, I never thought I would meet members of the royal family, but here we all are, with me as the center of this epic joke.

Brynne's eyes light up, and his confidence creeps back in. "Pardon us, but I'm in the middle of disciplining a couple of cheeky servants. They spoke out of turn and need to be punished. You're welcome to join in if you like."

His tone is light. This is nothing more than a joke to him. Some twisted sense of fun. Mason's life hangs in the balance while I kneel naked in front of everyone. But it's nothing to him. I want to scream. I want to grab Mason and take him somewhere far away, but all I can do is lower my head, mumbling prayers beneath my breath.

"Discipline is important, but this petty, unnecessary task should be assigned to other people, don't you think?"

"Yes, Priestess, but..." He trails off when Lilith lifts a brow, her expression blank as she observes the crown prince like he's nothing more than a silly child. "You are right. I'll have someone else handle this matter."

"Since it has come to this," Lilith begins. Her eyes slide to me, and I raise a hand to shield my face. But her sharp gaze still cuts right through me, like she sees straight into my soul. I suck in a sharp breath, trying to shake off the weirdness I feel. "Let us leave them be."

"But, Priestess," Kade says with a pout. "He was rude."

"And now he's hanging on for dear life. Isn't that enough?"

Kade sighs dramatically. "Fine. You have a point."

Lilith's response doesn't dampen his mood. He scoots to her, stopping behind her to massage her shoulders. I blink in shock, as I'm sure everyone else does.

What the hell?

Her stern expression slightly cracks, but she doesn't push him away. I think I know her favorite among the brothers. If I hadn't been at the brunt of their wickedness, Kade might also be my favorite.

"Why are you here, anyway?" Kade whispers. But there's no point since we all hear him.

"There are important matters to discuss," she announces in a clipped tone that leaves no room for disobedience. Her gaze darts between the other two princes. Tristan is already on his feet, but I don't go to Mason yet. "I was asked to get you three. Before you object, the summons came directly from your father. He's waiting."

At the mention of the king, Brynne straightens his spine, and Kade stops the massage. Only Tristan remains passive.

Lilith gives them a fleeting look and turns her back to them. "Child, put on your dress now." My mouth opens in quiet surprise. Since I'm the only naked one here, I know she's talking to me. To the others watching us, she says, "The show is over. Does anyone want to take her place?"

They all vanish, except for those who'd been decorating the backyard with us. I shrug on my dress but remain on my knees. Lilith starts for the palace, and Kade falls into step beside her. Tristan follows behind, but Brynne turns to me.

"What is your name?" he asks. I consider ignoring him, but he puts one foot forward, and the answer rips out of my lips.

"Soma," I reply. "Somadina Bello."

"Brynne," Lilith snaps. "Meeting room. Now."

He gives me one last look, his smirk growing. "We will continue this later."

A shiver of dread runs down my spine. This isn't over? He observes me for a second longer, shakes his head and walks away like I'm dismissed and of no use to him. For my sake, I hope so. I never want to see him again.