Chapter 21. Claim

Lotus’s POV

I tremble at Louis’s side. To avoid war, the Winter Alphas agreed to meet the other Alphas of the Crescent Realm on neutral territory. I was forced to come along, but Louis has promised that he won’t let them take me.

There are more men here than I expected to be here, and their eyes are focused on me. None of their eyes linger on my face for more than a second. No, their hungry gazes roam over my body, looking at me as if I am a prize.

I try to make myself as small as possible. My shoulders slump over, and I keep my eyes on the ground. I wish I were anywhere but here.

Lennox joins my other side, and his hand brushes against mine. “Be brave, little flower.”

I look up to see his dark eyes focused on one of the Alphas. I follow his gaze, and blink as I try to process the man sitting at the head of the table. His brown eyes narrow at the sight of me. My eyes.

Pushing away from the table, the Alpha gets to his feet. “Aster, you look