Elliot's hand slid from my back to my shoulder, the motion slow and deliberate, as if he wanted me to feel every shift of his touch. Heat spread instantly through me, my wolf stirring in response. Then he leaned closer, his breath grazing my ear as he whispered, "Take good care of them on my behalf, Anastasia."
My body went rigid.
The words were simple, but the meaning beneath them wasn't. That wasn't how an Alpha addressed a guest. It carried something deeper—an unspoken claim, a quiet acknowledgment that placed me within his circle, within his pack.
My face burned, warmth flooding my cheeks before I could stop it. I didn't dare turn to look at him.
Before I could react, Jared's bright voice broke through the tension. "Mr. Presgrave, you look handsome tonight!"
