Chapter 6: Frost in Hiding

Selene

The thin layer of frost spreading across my fingertips betrayed me again. I quickly curled my hand into a fist, watching as tiny ice crystals fell to the wooden counter like diamond dust.

Three months of practice, and I still couldn't fully control it—especially not when thoughts of him invaded my mind.

"It's happening again, isn't it?"

I looked up to meet Martha's concerned gaze. The elderly coffee shop owner had been nothing but kind since my arrival at Mist Mountain, yet I couldn't help but feel like a burden.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, brushing the melting crystals from the counter. "It won't affect the drink quality."

Martha's weathered face softened. "I'm not worried about the drinks, dear. I'm worried about you and the little ones."

My hand instinctively moved to my swollen belly, now prominent at four months along.

As if responding to my touch, I felt a flutter within—accompanied by that familiar coolness seeping through my palm. One of the twins reacting to my abilities again.

"They're fine," I assured her, though the constant fatigue and dizzy spells had grown more frequent lately. My pregnancy was progressing normally according to the pack doctor, but hiding in plain sight while carrying twins was taking its toll.

I returned my attention to the signature drink I'd been preparing—our "Moonlight Frost" latte with its distinctive silver-blue hue.

The irony wasn't lost on me; I'd created a beverage that matched my eyes perfectly, in a place where I was desperately trying to hide who I truly was.

"After you finish that order, I need you to prepare samples of the special Winter Moonlight Ball blend," Martha said, adjusting her apron. "Alpha has requested a silver-blue theme this year." She beamed with pride. "Fifty years, and our little shop has always provided the signature drink for the ball."

I arched an eyebrow. "Silver-blue? That's... unusual."

"Very. Traditionally it's gold or amber to represent wolf eyes." Martha shrugged. "But who questions an Alpha?"

Silver-blue was the color of my eyes—my true eyes, not the contacts I now wore to disguise them.

Just coincidence, I told myself. It had to be.

"It's quite the event, you know," Martha continued. "Alphas from neighboring packs attend, along with representatives from the North American Werewolf Alliance. You should see the decorations—"

The vibration of my phone interrupted her. I glanced at the screen, recognizing the encrypted number immediately. Vivian.

"Martha, could I—"

"Go on," she waved me toward the door. "Take your break. The morning rush is over anyway."

Outside, the cobblestone street was shrouded in the perpetual mist that gave the territory its name.

"Viv?" I answered quietly, glancing around to ensure no one was within earshot.

"Hey," came Vivian's hushed voice. "Sorry to call during the day, but I thought you should know."

My heart clenched. Vivian rarely broke protocol. "What happened?"

"Vortend saw your pregnancy report." The words hit me like ice water.

"And?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"I told him you lost the baby after the rejection." She paused. "I had to protect you, Selene."

I closed my eyes, fighting the ache that spread through my chest at the mention of his name. "Did he... did he believe you?"

"Yes, but..." Vivian hesitated. "He didn't react how I expected. When I told him, his eyes—those dark gold eyes—they flashed with something that looked like genuine pain. He excused himself immediately and didn't return to the office that day."

Despite everything, a treacherous part of me ached to know he cared, even a little. I pressed my palm against my belly, feeling the twins stir as if in response.

"There's more," Vivian continued. "Malcolm and Elizabeth Fenrith just returned from Europe. And even though Adriana has moved into Vortend's home, she's not his Alpha mate. He hasn't disclosed the severance ritual to anyone outside the immediate family."

My breath caught. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know. But I thought you should be prepared, just in case."

After exchanging a few more words, I ended the call, my mind racing. What was Vortend planning? And why keep the severance ritual secret if he'd truly chosen Adriana?

I was so lost in thought I didn't notice the mist thickening around me until it was too dense to be natural.

The air shimmered, particles coalescing until they formed the silhouette of a man.

Within seconds, Alpha Archer Pierce stood before me, materializing from the mist itself.

"Ms. Bennett," he greeted, his deep voice warm. "I've been looking for you."

Archer was handsome in a refined way, with light gray hair that seemed to capture the softness of moonlight and deep gray eyes that conveyed both strength and gentleness.

Nearly as tall as Vortend, his muscles filled out his custom hunting attire impressively, the collar revealing the embroidered totem of the Mist Mountain Pack.

"Alpha Pierce," I acknowledged with appropriate deference.

"Archer, please," he corrected with a smile. "How are you feeling today? The little ones giving you trouble?"

I'd been surprised by his attentiveness since our arrival. For an Alpha of a prestigious pack to take interest in a supposedly ordinary pregnant wolf seeking refuge was unusual.

My mother had warned me to be careful—his kindness might hide ulterior motives.

"We're managing," I replied. "Martha mentioned you've requested silver-blue drinks for the Winter Moonlight Ball."

His smile widened. "Indeed. I first tasted your Moonlight Frost latte last month and knew it would be perfect. Which reminds me—I'd like you to attend the ball."

The suggestion caught me off guard. "Me? I don't think that would be appropriate."

"Nonsense," he countered gently. "Everyone should see the face behind the extraordinary drink. Besides..." he studied me with those perceptive gray eyes, "your silver-blue eyes would complement our theme perfectly."

I tensed, my hand instinctively touching the contact case in my pocket. Had he somehow seen through my disguise?

Before I could respond, his phone rang. As he answered, his expression grew serious, and the mist around us thickened slightly—a reflexive response to his changing mood.

"That was interesting," he said after ending the call. "Alpha Vortend Fenrith has expressed interest in accepting our invitation to the ball. That's unprecedented."

The shock hit me like a physical blow. My vision blurred momentarily, and my eyes, I knew without seeing, had flashed to pure silver.

"Are you ok?" Archer asked, genuine concern in his voice.

"Yes," I managed, forcing myself to breathe normally. "I've just... heard stories about Alpha Vortend. "

Archer's expression softened. "He's not quite the monster people make him out to be." His gaze dropped to where my arms had instinctively wrapped around my belly.

"Just a habit when I'm distracted," I explained quickly. "Alpha, I'm concerned about the security implications. Having the Black Pine Alpha here—"

"I understand your concern," he interrupted smoothly. "But we can't allow potential enemies to move freely through Mist Mountain without surveillance."

The way he studied me as he spoke sent a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with my abilities. Did he suspect who I really was? Or worse—was this all an elaborate trap?

As Archer disappeared back into the mist, leaving me alone on the cobblestone street.

One thought dominated my mind: Vortend was coming. And I had nowhere left to run.