Chapter 77: Chapter 77

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= Menu As everyone gathered near the stage, Finn urged me to join them. Ruby caught up with me on the way, and we walked there together.

The crowd buzzed with excitement, eager to see the Iron Crown Pack’s princess. I’d almost forgotten about her, my thoughts consumed by Selene. I tried to shake her from my mind and focus on the stage.

But when Alpha Malcolm called his daughter forward, my world turned upside down.

I squinted at the stage in disbelief. This couldn’t be real.

Was I dreaming? Was I seeing Selene where someone else should be?

I looked away and shook my head, blaming it on too many drinks. But Alpha Malcolm’s next words stopped my heart cold.

“This is my daughter, Avalon, though she’ll go by Selene Hawthorne. She prefers this name, so we’ve made it official.”

I slowly turned back to the stage, my eyes fixed on Selene.

There she stood, smiling between Alpha Malcolm and his wife, Evelyn Hawthorne.

How could she be an Alpha’s daughter? And not just any Alpha – the former head Alpha of the Iron Crown Pack!

“Impossible!”

The angry whisper came from my left – Ruby’s voice, barely controlled. But I couldn’t tear my eyes from the stage.

I watched her parents embrace her as the crowd applauded. When Alpha Magnus joined them, standing next to Selene, reality hit me like a punch to the gut.

‘I accused her about her own brother! Damn it!‘ I mentally kicked myself.

“Something’s not right. How can she be from a royal family? She doesn’t look-”

I whipped my head toward Ruby, silencing her with a glare. She flinched and looked away.

“You’re the one who gave me those photos,” I growled.

“Ka–Kane, I had no idea-”

“Didn’t your friend supposedly overhear them planning to spend the night together?”

“I–I...” Ruby trailed off, hanging her head. Before I could unleash my anger, Finn yanked me aside.

“Everyone’s watching. Get it together,” Finn warned.

I glanced around to find several Alphas staring our way.

I clenched my fists, trying to contain my rage.

“Look, I get it’s a shock. I’m floored too. Who’d have thought she was a head Alpha’s daughter? The Iron Crown Pack isn’t some small–time operation – they’re our biggest business rival.”

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Menu Finn fell quiet, finally reading the room. After a while, he whispered, “This is all Ruby’s doing.”

I looked around for Ruby, but she’d vanished.

Guilt hit me for snapping at her. She might not be the real culprit here.

“It’s her friend’s fault. Track down whoever followed Selene that night.”

“You’ll need to ask her about that.”

“I have all the security footage. Check it. Find out who was there. Get their IDs.”

“On it,” Finn said, pulling out his phone.

I forced myself to calm down and approached the group of Alphas talking with Selene.

Alpha Magnus raised his eyebrows at my approach. Despite whatever he felt, he maintained protocol in front of the others.

“Alpha Kane.”

The other Alphas turned, startled. They parted to make room for me.

“Good to see you, Alpha Kane,” one said. The others bowed.

I couldn’t help but smirk. Some Alphas ruled packs where members had no choice but to bow.

I nodded briefly, noting how Alpha Magnus stood tall and proud – no bow from him, given his pack’s considerable power.

“Alpha Magnus,” I returned the greeting. My eyes drifted to Selene.

She was studying me, clearly trying to gauge my reaction. I didn’t give her the satisfaction.

Instead, I smiled and extended my hand. “So, you’re the lost princess of this pack, Avalon Hawthorne.”

She eyed my hand, but before she could respond, her brother intercepted the handshake.

I met his gaze, seeing the anger there.

“Alpha Kane, glad you could make it. But I’m protective of my sister.” He released my hand.

“Protective or overprotective?” I muttered.

He chuckled, but his words carried a clear warning.

“Actually, she’s been through hell because of someone who didn’t deserve her. I always wondered how he’d face me. But I guess some people really have no shame.”

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