The forest was alive tonight. Shadows danced like phantoms between the trees as the full moon poured silver fire over the treetops. Alpha King Leon stood at the edge of the royal gardens, his wolf senses on high alert .
He didn't want this gala. Politics, fake smiles, pointless alliances… but his pack needed it. The whisper of a rival pack's move hung in the air—Roxas wanting Akira back.
_Akira._
The she-wolf who'd snarled at him hours ago. _Fiery princess._ Leon's lips curled. He'd claimed tougher wolves, but her defiance…
Guests arrived. Zara, his sister, glaited him—"Play nice, Leon." He nodded. Where was Akira?
_There._
Across the lawn, Akira stepped from a black car. Moonlight hit her like a spotlight—wild hair, red lips, curves in a dress slit to kill . Leon's grip on his glass tightened.
She spotted him. Eyes flashed. He felt it—a crackle in the air. _Mine._
Akira rolled her eyes and turned away. _Not. Yours._
Leon pushed off the wall. _Game on._
Akira sipped champagne, Lara at her side . "He's staring."
"Leon's an _alpha_," Akira muttered. "Thinks he owns everything."
"Uh, you're a princess. Play nice?" Lara whispered.
Akira snorted. "Not with _him_."
Leon appeared before them. "Akira." Low growl.
"A _king_." Akira batted lashes. "So formal."
Leon's eyes darkened. "Dance with me."
Akira laughed. "No."
He leaned close. "Not a request."
The music swirled. Akira found herself on the dance floor, trapped in Leon's arms . He smelled like _power_.
"You're trouble," he whispered.
" _You_ started this," she hissed.
He spun her into a shadowed alcove. Moonlight sliced through leaves.
"Want you," he growled.
Akira laughed cold. "Want _out_."
Leon pinned her to the wall. _"Mine."_
Akira bared teeth. "Never."
The kiss crashed like a storm. Leon claimed her lips, Akira bit back . Wolves howled in the dark.
They broke apart, breathing hard.
Akira slapped him. "Not. Yours."
Leon smiled dark. "Yet."
_Cut to chaos_
Roxas appeared, eyes on Akira. "Mine."
Leon's growl shook the air. "Leave. Now."
Akira fled into the night. _Find Jaden._
Leon watched her go, lips bruised.
Zara hissed, "She's _danger_—"
"Mine," Leon repeated.
_The moon hid behind clouds. Trouble brewed._