At the wedding reception, Misery escapes to a balcony but is cornered by the drunk Governor Davenport, who asks about her name and prompts Misery to reflect on how Humans misunderstand Vampyres. She remembers Serena’s childhood questions about crucifixes, garlic, mind reading, and feeding, and explains to herself that Vampyres and Weres are biological offshoots, not magical creatures. Looking down on the hostile reception, Misery notes that Vampyres and Weres have separated themselves, the atmosphere is close to violence, and Davenport praises her for being brave. He then drunkenly reveals that the Were collateral being sent is for the Alpha’s mate, which makes Misery wonder whether Lowe already has a partner and whether that is why he reacted so badly to marrying her.

Misery heads downstairs to find Owen and learn more, but instead overhears Lowe speaking with two Were advisers near the stairs. The men discuss serious consequences "if it really is her," suggest that Lowe and Misery should not live together, and imply that something about Misery may connect to a larger Were secret. Before Misery can hear the full conversation, a dispute between a Vampyre toddler and a Were toddler over a toy draws their parents and other guests into a dangerous confrontation. Human guards raise weapons, and the gathering teeters on the edge of another historic massacre.

Lowe steps directly between the children and calmly defuses the crisis. He shows that the toy is intact, returns it to the Vampyre boy, gets the Were boy to apologize, and carries the child back to his table. His intervention immediately releases the tension in the room, and he quietly orders his men to make sure nothing similar happens again. After the crowd disperses, Lowe realizes Misery has been listening on the stairs and tells her to come down.

Misery awkwardly tries to speak with him, gives him permission to call her by her name, and immediately makes a bad joke about Vampyres drinking Weres. Lowe remains controlled and distant, then leads her onto the dance floor for the required first dance. While they dance, Misery notices how appealing Lowe’s blood smells to her, while Lowe questions whether Henry hates her and says that, as his wife, she is under his protection. He lists the dangers Misery has already survived as Collateral, including assassination attempts, her illegal life among Humans under a false identity, and her decision to marry a Were. Misery insists that she is not powerless and refuses to tell Lowe that Serena is the real reason she accepted the marriage.

Their argument sharpens when Lowe says Misery belongs nowhere: Vampyres use her when convenient, Humans do not truly know her, and Weres do not claim her either. He says her scent tells him she knows this already. Before Misery can answer, a Human disguised as a waiter rushes her with a knife. Lowe catches the blade in his bare hand less than an inch from Misery’s throat, his green blood spilling as security finally drags the attacker away. After saving her life, Lowe quietly tells Misery that for the next year they should stay out of each other’s way, then leaves her standing alone on the dance floor.