Chapter 3

Nickolas broke the connection first, inclining his head respectfully toward Alpha Holland, who had emerged from the main house. The Storm Strider heir moved with a fluid grace that betrayed his wolf nature, powerful but controlled, every step deliberate.

"Alpha Holland," Nickolas's voice carried across the courtyard, deep and resonant. "Thank you for welcoming us to your territory. The Eternal Eclipse Pack's hospitality is renowned."

Her father stepped forward, clasping Nickolas's forearm in the traditional greeting between pack leaders. "Nickolas Harvey. Your father would be proud of the man you've become. Come, refresh yourselves after your journey."

As the formal greetings continued, Ioannis studied Nickolas more carefully. His dark hair was shorter than was typical among Alpha heirs, cut in a style that would blend seamlessly in human society. The wolf tooth pendant at his throat matched the one Federico wore, symbols of their alliance. But it was the way he carried himself that fascinated her most, the perfect balance between strength and restraint, between wolf and man.

"Ioannis," her father called, gesturing her forward. "Come greet our honoured guest."

She stepped forward, acutely aware of every pair of eyes watching this first meeting. Violeta had somehow materialised among the gathering crowd, her expression carefully neutral, though her eyes missed nothing.

"Heir Harvey," Ioannis said, offering the formal bow of greeting between pack nobles. "Welcome to our home."

Nickolas returned the gesture with perfect form, but when he straightened, a hint of a smile played at his lips. "The famous midnight orchid artist. Your brother speaks highly of your talent."

Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Federico exaggerates."

"I doubt that." His gaze was direct but not intimidating. "I'd be interested to see your work sometime. The midnight orchid is notoriously difficult to capture."

Before she could respond, her father interjected. "There will be time for such pleasantries later. Nickolas, let me show you to your quarters. We have much to discuss before tonight's welcome feast."

As they moved toward the main house, Nickolas glanced back at her once, curiosity evident in his expression. That single look contained more genuine interest than she'd experienced from any potential suitor before.

"Well," Federico murmured beside her, "that was interesting."

"What was?" she asked, still watching Nickolas's retreating form.

"That look. I've known Nickolas for months now, and I've never seen him quite so... intrigued." Federico stated.

“Intrigued? No one finds me intriguing, Fed.” Ioannis pointed out, “Not one of our pack members has ever tried to get to know me, even when we were young pups, you know, maybe that’s why I like drawing flowers so much.”

Federico's expression softened as he draped an arm around her shoulders. "That's because they're intimidated by you, Io. The Alpha's daughter who can wield both charcoal and blade with equal skill? You're formidable."

"Formidable isn't exactly what most wolves look for in a mate," she sighed, watching as Violeta smoothly inserted herself into the group following Nickolas and their father.

"It is if they're worth your time," Federico countered. "And speaking of time, you should probably change before the feast. Unless you plan to attend in training clothes?"

Ioannis glanced down at her simple attire, now smudged with dirt from their morning sparring. "Point taken."

As she headed toward her quarters, her mind kept returning to that brief moment when Nickolas's eyes had met hers. There had been something there, a spark of recognition, perhaps? She shook her head, dismissing the thought. Political alliances weren't built on sparks; they were calculated decisions made for the good of the pack.

In her room, Ioannis found a gown already laid out on her bed, midnight blue with silver embroidery that mimicked the night sky. Her mother's taste was impeccable as always. She bathed quickly, scrubbing away the morning's exertion, then sat at her vanity as her hair dried in silver-blonde waves down her back.

Almost without thinking, she reached for her sketchbook and began drawing, not the midnight orchid this time, but the sharp lines of Nickolas Harvey's profile, the intensity in his storm-grey eyes.

A knock at her door startled her from her reverie.

"Enter," she called, quickly closing the sketchbook.

Her mother glided in, elegant as always in her role as Luna. "I see the gown meets with your approval."

"It's beautiful," Ioannis said sincerely. "Though rather formal for a simple welcome feast."

Luna Holland's smile was knowing. "Nothing is simple anymore, my daughter. Not with your Coming of Age approaching and the Storm Striders' heir in our home." She moved behind Ioannis, gathering her hair with practised hands. "What did you think of him?"

Ioannis met her mother's eyes in the mirror. "He's... not what I expected."

"In what way?"

"He seems... genuine. Most Alpha heirs I've met wear their status like armour."

Her mother's fingers worked deftly, weaving Ioannis's hair into an intricate style that emphasised her high cheekbones. "Nickolas Harvey has faced trials that most heirs haven't. Losing his mother so young, then stepping into leadership when his father was injured in the territory dispute with the Forest Mountain Pack."

"I didn't know," Ioannis admitted.

"There's much you don't know about him," her mother said softly. "Just as there's much he doesn't know about you." Her mother secured the last strand of hair with a silver pin. "That's the purpose of these next few weeks, to discover if there's more than political advantage to be found between you."

Ioannis turned to face her mother directly. "And if there isn't?"

Luna Holland's expression remained serene, but her eyes held a depth of understanding that comforted Ioannis. "Then no match will be forced. Your father may be Alpha, but even he recognises the importance of compatible unions. The pack suffers when its leaders are at odds."

Relief flooded through Ioannis, though she tried not to show it too plainly. "Thank you, Mother."

"Don't thank me yet," her mother replied with a slight smile. "The welcome feast begins in an hour, and Violeta has already been seen wearing her finest gown."