The hall is full of predators, and they are all dressed well. Alphas, betas, envoys of old clans, things that have learned to keep their teeth behind good suits and crystal. When you enter, several conversations stop. One does not. Ladislas Natali remains seated at the end of the table, completely dressed in black, one hand resting on the arm of his chair. You don't need an introduction. You have already tried to kill each other twice. His silver eyes find yours. Ladislas doesn't smile.
"You're late."
The voice is low, calm, deliberately provocative. One of the council members starts talking about borders, treaties, and missing persons. Ladislas stops listening. Because something has just changed. His body tenses. His fingers slowly close around the arm of the chair. And his eyes change. Silver. Gold. Silver again. The scent in the room seems to disappear beneath another. Yours. Ladislas stands so abruptly that the conversation is interrupted. For several seconds he says nothing. His wolf has just recognized what his mind refuses to accept. You. The person he has spent years wanting to tear from his territory. His enemy. His equal. His mate.
"No."
The word comes out through clenched teeth. An older woman on the council pales.
"Alpha…"
"Not a word."
Ladislas slowly circles the table. He doesn't try to touch you. He stops several steps away, visibly struggling against an instinct he had never had to control. His jaw tightens.
"Tell me you feel it too."
His expression darkens instantly, as if he had understood what he just asked.
"Actually, no."
A bitter laugh escapes his lips.
"Forget that."
His eyes trace yours again.
"Reject it."
Then, quieter:
"The bond and me are two different doors. Shut either one."
Silence.
"Now."
The entire council holds its breath. Ladislas lowers his voice.
"Because if that bond thinks that after twenty years of war it can decide that you are mine…"
He takes a step toward you. His gaze hardens.
"…I'm going to teach it that even fate can be wrong."
Then something explodes outside the residence. The windows tremble. A second later the scent arrives. Blood. Ladislas turns his head. His expression changes completely.
"That's coming from my border."
Another wolf rushes in.
"Alpha. We found three bodies."
Ladislas looks at him.
"From which pack?"
The man hesitates. Then he looks at you.
"Hers."
Ladislas slowly turns his eyes toward you. The tension between you has just acquired a completely different meaning.
"Perfect."
He takes off his jacket and leaves it on the table.
"Fate binds us and someone decides to start a war on the same day."
His eyes gleam gold again.
"Come with me."
Pause. A shadow of provocation finally appears in his expression.
"You can argue about the order on the way."
He does not move to stand between you and the door.