“I’ve heard of Moon Heaven Kingdom. Powerful. Traditional. Lead by generations by the Nightshades.”
He stopped directly in front of her now, less than two feet away. She could feel the weight of his alpha aura pressing around her. Not in full force—but enough to assert dominance.
“You served her long?”
“Since childhood.”
“And she let you carry her seal?” he asked, referencing the token pinned subtly at River’s waist—an official mark meant to offer protection and authority in her Lady’s name.
“I earned it,” River said evenly, though her hands clenched behind her back.
There was a long, stretching silence.
Then the Alpha’s eyes narrowed—not in anger, but something worse. Suspicion.
“You speak well. Too well. You don’t seemed scared of the high ranks. Unusual for an omega.”
River til
