"She's also here!" Patric said, looking at Natalia.

I couldn't pay attention to him; my eyes were fixed on Natalia. She was talking to a young woman standing beside her. A few men approached, shaking her hand. I disliked their looks, but she seemed cold and distant.

Then Patric murmured, "Oh, yes. How could I forget? Beta Eric. Natalia's his fiancée. That's why she's here."

My gaze immediately shifted to Eric, who was walking toward Natalia. "Beta Eric," I muttered. My eyes remained on him as he approached Natalia; they exchanged smiles. She hadn't been nearly so soft with the other men just minutes before.

"Adrian!"

Someone shouted my name, drawing everyone's attention. I turned to see Lynda waving. She had a bright smile and seemed to have changed clothes; she wore a red dress, more fitted than before, one sleeve long, the other sleeveless. I watched her approach. People glanced at her, curious.

Lynda linked her arm with mine and grinned. "I'm back," she said. Turning to Patric, she asked, "What did I miss?"

Patric glanced at me, shook his head, and went to the bar, leaving me with Lynda. She asked, "Why didn't he answer?"

I started to remove her arm, but her eyes fell on Natalia, who was looking at me. Instead of removing her arm, I patted her hand. I looked at Lynda, smiling softly. "Nothing happened. It's a boring party."

Lynda's eyes lit up. Moving closer, she whispered, "Then I'll make the night pleasurable after the party."

I wondered if I'd lost my desires, or if Lynda was simply needy. She always spoke like this, and I needed to push her away. I was not

Suddenly, everyone fell silent. Alpha Jason had entered. Everyone in his pack bowed; he was the head Alpha. He had a commanding presence, though it didn't intimidate me. I knew his fighting skills from the war; he was the best Alpha for the Blue Bloods.

His parents entered as well. Everyone bowed to the former Alpha and Luna. The elderly couple still held themselves with grace, even years after stepping down.

I wondered why they never approached our pack for a deal. My parents weren't unkind. In fact, I knew they were quite amicable.

Alpha Martin and his wife spoke with a few former royal couples, apparently friends. Meanwhile, Alpha Jason went to Eric. Eric hugged him and left Natalia's side. My eyebrows rose when I saw Natalia hug Alpha Jason. He kissed her head; she giggled, as if he'd paid her a compliment.

I stared, jaw clenched. How dare he kiss her head? How could she laugh like that?

I noticed Lynda's arm loosen. She looked shocked, also watching Natalia. She cleared her throat when I looked at her.

"I think Alpha Jason likes her. Maybe Eric's social media post was to protect his Alpha's girlfriend."

I frowned. She continued, "Actually, my friend overheard them talking that night. They were planning to spend the night together."

My blood boiled. I pulled my hand away, leaving Lynda speechless. "Don't follow me," I said, my anger directed at her.

I went to the bar where Patric was watching. "What happened?" he asked.

I ordered a drink, turning back to Natalia. "Do something, Patric. This woman is driving me crazy."

"It's your fault. You wanted to make her your Luna. Now deal with it," Patric laughed, mistaking my meaning.

The bartender put down my drink. I grabbed it and drank it quickly.

"Bro, calm down. We're not in our pack," Patric warned.

I ignored him, focusing on Natalia. Another man gestured for her to join us. Her eyes met mine briefly before she turned and walked toward me with the man.

She stopped inches away. I closed my eyes as her scent reached me, awakening my inner beast.

"What would you like?" the man asked Natalia.

I scoffed when she said she didn't drink. She turned to me. "Excuse me? Do you have a problem?" she asked, as if she didn't know me.

I glared, nodding toward the man. "Is he your new target?"

The man's eyes widened. He started to speak, but Natalia stopped him. "Leave."

After the man left, Natalia looked at me. "So what were you saying?"

(Note: The final sentence is incomplete and requires further context.) The promotional material for FindNovel.net has been removed as it is not part of the story itself.