The party wasn’t quite as formal as I’d feared, but I got the feeling that was more for Ellie’s sake than because Leonie wanted it that way. She’d informed me that it was my duty as the Alpha’s mate to stand at the door and greet every guest as they came in, and by the time the party was in full swing, I was more than ready to leave.

At least Ellie seemed to be fitting in. Most of the pack had readily accepted her, and the ones who hadn’t were smart enough to keep their mouths shut about it. Even Andrei seemed to be enjoying himself. He’d tolerated the tiny tux just to make me happy, but the little imp couldn’t help tearing off his bowtie and stealing all the deviled eggs.

Nicolae was busy charming the wife of the neighboring pack Alpha. He’d invited more than a few new allies to make up for the one we’d lost in the Crow pack. Ansel’s betrayal had already been reported to the Courts, so his parents couldn’t take revenge without starting up another pack war, but that didn’t mean we were on friendly terms. Another development—one that was both unpleasant and ultimately positive—was that the Majerus pack had sent a representative as a gesture of good will. Damon and Claire still refused to show up, even though Nicolae had extended an invitation on Ellie’s behalf, but it was a start.

“You look like you’re being tortured,” Ellie remarked, finding her way over to me.

I stared at the drink in her hand and narrowed my eyes.

“It’s just sparkling apple juice, dad,” she said. “Relax.”

I snorted. “Good. Just because you’re an Alpha doesn’t mean you can get away with everything.”

She gave me a patient smile. “I know, I know. At least I —“ She stopped talking and her face went blank as she fixed on a spot across the room. I followed her gaze to where Leonie was standing, laughing and teasing one of the other Alphas’ sons. “Who’s that?”

“That’s Mario Padovano, I think.”

“Not him. Her.”

“Oh. That’s Leonie. I haven’t had a chance to introduce you yet,” I said, waving her over since she seemed to have grown weary of her conversation partner.

Ellie turned white as a ghost and clutched her glass in both hands like she was trying to hide behind it. Leonie wandered over, smiling pleasantly at us both. “You’re looking well, love,” she said, touching my arm before she turned her attention to Ellie. “And here’s the guest of honor. Hope you’re enjoying the party.”

“The party’s great,” Ellie said stiffly, staring at the beta like she was looking at an actual wolf that was about to bite. “Thanks for doing it. Planning, I mean. I—I like your dress.”

Leonie gave an awkward laugh and I almost laughed too. I’d never seen Ellie so tongue-tied and I was at a loss for words myself. “No trouble, I live for this kind of thing. And thanks,” she said, smoothing her hands down the soft fabric. “I made it myself.”

“Leonie is the best damn werewolf designer in Europe,” I said when it became clear Ellie really had forgotten how to speak. What the hell?

If Leonie noticed, she didn’t let on. “You should come by my studio sometime,” she said to Ellie. “I’d love to design something for you.”

“Okay,” Ellie squeaked.

“Well… I should go make sure the other guests are doing alright. It was nice seeing you, Jack, and nice to meet you, Ellie,” Leonie said, giving us both a warm smile before she left us.

“What was that about?” I asked, turning to face my daughter.

“Nothing. Um, I need to go,” Ellie said suddenly, setting her glass on the refreshment table before she took off toward the side door.

“Ellie, wait!” I called.

“I wouldn’t.” Kel’s voice gave me a start, especially since she was so short I had to look down to see her when I turned around.

“Geez, are you trying to give me a heart attack before my lungs rot out?”

She gave me an unapologetic smirk. “Sorry. But I’ve treated enough Alphas over the years to know what that’s about.”

“Well, in that case, do you mind telling me? Because I don’t have a damn clue.”

“It’s a mate bond,” Kel said, shrugging.

“A mate bond?” I frowned, doing a double take. “With Leonie? Ellie’s only sixteen!”

“The fact that she’s an Alpha is more of an issue,” she mused. “A mate bond doesn’t mean acting on it, it just means there’s a connection that will one day lead to romance.”

It took a while for her words to settle in. “But she’s supposed to be betrothed to some omega in another pack.”

“Yes. I can see how that would present a problem. Glad I’m not her,” said Kel. “Anyway, that’s not what I came to tell you.”

I was still reeling from her bombshell about Ellie, but whatever was important enough for Kel to feel the need to find me at a party couldn’t be good. “What is it? I’m not dying tonight, am I?”

“No,” she laughed. This woman’s idea of humor was a bit off. Then again, she was a werewolf. “But I did find something interesting in the secondary analysis of your blood.”

“Okay…”

“The first time, I was just looking for flags of disease. This time, I found a marker that’s only present in werewolf blood.”

“So I am part wolf?”

“Well, just a little. It’s distant. I’m afraid one of your ancestors has some explaining to do.”

“Yeah, well, one was a conman and another ran off to join the circus, so it wouldn’t be the first,” I said. “What does that mean for treatment? Or is that a conversation we shouldn’t have right now?”

“It means that there is an experimental and incredibly risky option we could try if all else fails.”

“You mean like we know it’s going to?”

She didn’t answer, but I knew she agreed. Nicolae was the one who couldn’t accept it. “If you are wolf enough to have manifested the traits of an omega after being marked by two Alphas, then I believe there’s a chance, albeit a small one, that you could survive a transformative bite. I’d estimate your odds of survival to be about twenty percent.”

“That’s a hell of a lot better than my odds right now,” I said as the news sunk in. My nonexistent odds, to be exact.

She nodded. “I’m telling you because I’m certain that once Nicolae knows it’s an option, he’ll run with it. I thought you deserved the chance to consider it on your own.”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling out of my body again. “I appreciate it. And I’ll definitely think about it. Thank you.”

Kel nodded. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“Enjoy” was a strong word, especially when I quickly went back to watching my daughter like a hawk to make sure she stayed away from the less innocuous drinks, but I certainly had a lot to think about.