---- he just using Sage Rivers? A fake mating ceremony could be held casually-why all this trouble?" Another person shook his head. "Something's wrong. Really wrong." Damon seemed not to hear their discussions. He reached into his suit jacket again and pulled out a deep blue velvet box. He steadily opened the lid. Inside wasn't a necklace, but an extremely vintage platinum brooch set with an enormous blue diamond. The main stone was deep as the ocean, with surrounding diamonds casting scattered cold light under the chandelier. He looked up, his gaze falling on the pack member nearest to him, asking casually, "Do you think she'll like this?" The wolf leaned in for a closer look and suddenly gasped, his voice changing pitch. "Holy shit! This... this can't be the 'Heart of the Ocean'? The antique brooch bought by a mysterious buyer at last year's Sotheby's auction? The sale price broke nine figures! ---- Alpha, you're really giving this to Sage Rivers?! This is too..." He couldn't find the right words, just felt this investment was shockingly massive. Damon's expression was somewhat unnatural, but his tone remained cold. "Only this way will she love me even deeper." The Beta guards sighed in relief. Someone laughed and patted his shoulder. ''So the Alpha is playing the long game! Worthy of being our Alpha-such meticulous thinking!" Damon didn't respond, just put the box away and swept his gaze over every corner of the banquet hall, as if confirming everything was perfect. His focused expression seemed unfamiliar, as if this banquet meant more to him than just a tool for revenge. Soon, guests began arriving. Most were influential figures in the Werewolf Alliance. Seeing Damon, they smiled and approached to greet him. "Isn't this the northern territories' top 5 Alpha! Such ---- a grand mating ceremony-you must really love your mate. What a generous gesture!" Damon smiled slightly, his tone composed. "Yes, she's been with me for five years. I want to hold the most magnificent mating ceremony for her, so I don't let her down." The guests laughed heartily, praising his devotion. His guard wolves stood aside, listening to his responses with increasingly complex expressions. Someone said quietly, ''The Alpha's acting so convincingly? I'm almost believing it myself." Another person shook his head repeatedly. " Something's wrong. Really wrong. The Alpha has never been this serious before." The banquet officially began with brilliant lights and melodious music. But the guest of honor, Sage Rivers, was nowhere to be seen. Damon stood in the center of the banquet hall, his ---- gaze occasionally sweeping toward the entrance, his frown deepening. He pulled out his phone, about to make a call. Suddenly, the main door was pushed open.