Alpha"Neah!"
My brother's sharp voice snapped me out of my daze. The tray slipped from my hands, clattering to the floor. The sound echoed through the hall like a thunderclap.
Every head turned.
Shame burned through me as I dropped to my knees, scrambling to gather the broken pieces. My fingers shook, nicked by the sharp edges, blood welling from tiny cuts.
"Useless," my brother hissed under his breath, low enough for only me to hear. His hand twitched, itching to strike me in front of everyone.
But then a deeper voice cut through the tension.
"Stop."
The command froze the room.
Alpha Dane's voice.
Slowly, I lifted my head.
He was watching me again. Crimson eyes burning, expression unreadable.
My brother straightened, forcing a laugh. "Forgive her, Alpha. She's clumsy and worthless, but I keep her around out of pity. She's no one."
No one.
That's all I had ever been to him.
But Dane's gaze didn't waver. He didn't laugh. He didn't dismiss me.
Instead, his nostrils flared slightly, as though he was scenting the air.
And for a fleeting second, something dark flickered in his eyes.
Interest.
"Bring her," he said.
My brother blinked. "What?"
Dane's tone dropped, colder, sharper. "I said—bring her to me."
The tray slipped from my numb fingers again, shattering what little strength I had left.
Because in that instant, I knew…
My fate had just changed.
And there was no turning back.