"Who else could it be? Of course it's Elliot."
Francis' voice carried the unmistakable pride of an Alpha announcing a powerful alliance. The bond between him and the idea of Elliot had already shifted—no longer just approval, but possession by association, as if Elliot's rising dominance reflected directly on his own pack's future.
"They'll be formally bound two weeks after Christmas," he continued, unable to hide his satisfaction. "My daughter will finally be claimed in an official engagement."
His words radiated certainty, the kind that came when a pack leader believed the future was already secured.
Naomi stood beside him, her expression carefully composed. On the surface, she mirrored approval, lips curving into a practiced smile that didn't reach her instincts.
"That's wonderful," she said lightly. "Anastasia is very fortunate."
"Yes," Francis agreed without hesitation. "She is."
But when Naomi turned away, the mask cracked.
