"Where were you, Issa?" Morgana asks as I rejoin her and the other ladies surrounding Luna Amelia's phonograph.

Luna Amelia looks up as she removes the record and slides it back into its sleeve. Our eyes briefly meet and the realization that I've entered a deadly political game hits me as I sink onto the remaining chair. The luna busies herself by shuffling through her collection of records, but I can feel her attention is directed toward me.

"Uh ... outside," I reply, crossing my legs at the ankles and laying my hands in my lap. I grip my fingers tightly, wedging them between my knees.

Morgana studies the record Luna Amelia passes her. "Isn't it hot out?"

My heart jumps and I swallow. "There's a garden with a water feature on the patio."

"Ah," Luna Amelia interjects smoothly. "I see you found my little slice of tranquility. I had it installed a few years after Thorne and I were mated. Lovely, is it not?"

"It is, Luna," I reply, praying to the goddess that my voice doesn't betray me.

Morgana snorts and pulls a record off of the pile. She turns it over to read the notes on the back. "Issa's always been fascinated by plants. She gets it from her parents."

Luna Amelia raises a thin, elegantly-arched eyebrow. "Oh?"

"My parents are the pack herbologists," I clarify.

"Indeed," the luna replies conversationally, then turns to Morgana. "That is an excellent choice, Your Majesty. Newly-released."

"Tea, Lady Wintergale?"

I look up and see Russell Crimsonshadow standing next to me holding a teacup and saucer. Alpha Thorne strolls by, a lit cigar clenched in his jaws. Even though he doesn't look at me, I can feel his intense presence weighing heavy on my shoulders. Goddess. My stomach clenches, but I reach up for the teacup regardless.

"Thank you."

Lord Crimsonshadow nods, a small smile on his lips.

Letitia, seated to Morgana's right, perks up like the slimy bitch she is. "How kind of Lord Crimsonshadow to fetch Isabel a drink," she comments to everyone and no one at the same time. Even though she is sitting still, I can imagine her bouncing up and down with glee, reveling in the opportunity to get Morgana to steal another man from me.

Goddess, I could smack her.

"Russell, dear, why don't you fetch Her Majesty a fresh cup," Luna Amelia prompts, smoothing her skirts with short flicks.

Her son bows and starts to turn, but Morgana waves him off. "I tire of tea. Alaric, I could use some of that whiskey I smelled your uncle open."

Lord Blackwood, standing behind her chair, shoots a look at his aunt. Go, she mouths, making a shooing motion with one hand. "Of course, Your Majesty." He pivots abruptly and walks towards Alpha Thorne in the corner.

I don't need to slap Letitia, for the goddess has done that for me. I hide my smile behind the teacup as her mouth drops open and she whips her head in my direction. Her expression darkens like an approaching storm and I can't help but shrug my shoulders insolently in response.

"Let me put that one on, Your Majesty," Luna Amelia says, reaching for the record sleeve in Morgana's hands.

Morgana passes it over and slumps in her chair, propping her chin on one fist. The light, airy melody of a flute pours from the phonograph's horn, filling the sitting room.

Lord Blackwood returns and presents Morgana with a whisky tumbler. Her eyes cut sideways before snatching the glass from his hands. She tosses the contents back and swallows the whole thing in one gulp, much to the wide-eyed horror of Luna Amelia.

Slamming the tumbler on the table, Morgana gets to her feet. The phonograph jolts, needle scratching across the black surface of the record with a shriek. "I'm going to bed," she announces, walking toward the door.

Letitia, Petra, Elaine, and Thara leap to their feet, tea sloshing onto the floor in their haste to attend. I'm slower to rise, gently setting cup and saucer on the table.

Luna Amelia, bent over her phonograph and trying to sop up hot liquid with a decorative woven mat, performs a sideways curtsey. Her lips curl as Morgana disappears, muttering under her breath.

"Good night, Lady Wintergale," Alpha Thorne says quietly, the glow from his cigar illuminating his face like dragonflame.

I drop a quick curtsey, pick up my skirts, and hustle after them. Don't worry, Alpha, I haven't forgotten.

"Quit following me, you stupid bitches," Morgana rails as I exit the room, stomping down the hallway. "ALARIC!"

I step to the side just as Lord Blackwood rushes to her side, smoothing his hair. The beta girls cluster together, effectively preventing me from retreating to my room.

"Do we follow her?" Thara asks Letitia.

"I highly suggest you do not," I tell them.

Letitia spins in a whirl of pale blue fabric. "It is improper for a queen to walk unescorted at official events," she snaps. "Or have you forgotten that, Isabel?"

Her eyes bore into mine, beta warring against gamma. I straighten, squaring my shoulders. "No, Letitia," I retort in a mocking tone that causes her eyebrows to lift. "I haven't forgotten. I know her better than you."

"Oh, is that right?" Letitia puts her hands on her hips and begins to stalk around me. My inner wolf triggers and I turn to keep her in my sight. "Do you know what I think, Isabel?" She doesn't wait for my reply and forges on. "I think the Whore of Daroonga is losing her influence over the Alpha Queen."

My lips draw back in a snarl. Letitia waggles a finger at me, her smile poisonous. "I've been watching you these past two days. Something is off." She takes a quick step toward me, teeth flashing. I rear back, a low growl curling in the back of my throat. "I don't know what it is just yet, but I intend on finding out."

Anger infuses my spine, making me straighten up. "Watch yourself, Letitia."

She cocks her head, twirling a lock of hair around one finger. "Or what, gamma? You'll tell the queen?"

The bitch is calling my bluff. After three years of chipping away, she's finally chiseled her way past my defenses.

Swallowing hard, I stare at her, fists clenched at my sides. My wolf strains at the edges of my mind, demanding to be set free and right this wrong. Letitia ignores all the warnings and jabs me in the chest with one manicured finger. "Go fuck another enforcer, Isabel," she states, eyes flashing amber as the other girls stand silently by. "That's all you've ever been good for."

I snarl and snap my teeth. Letitia chuckles humorlessly. "Come, girls, let's retire to our rooms—alone." She opens her arms and ushers the others forward like a swan herding her offspring.

I'm left alone in the hallway, throat burning in anger. How dare they—

Well, of course they dare. I've never been their equal.

"Lady Wintergale?"

I spin around and come face to face with Russell Crimsonshadow. "Is there something amiss?" the alpha's son asks, brows drawn together.

"Tell your father I will do what he asks," I tell him. Before he can say anything more, I pick up my skirts and flee to my room before I can come to my senses.