Taking a deep, steadying breath, I channel my focus on the reassuring weight of Alex's hand against my back, allowing his familiar scent to wash over me and calm my frayed nerves. The press conference didn't rattle me nearly as much as tonight's high-stakes event. Any misstep here could cost Alex his future as Alpha, a consequence I desperately want to avoid. While his accusations of cheating infuriated me, I never wished for him to be stripped of his rightful position in such a humiliating manner.
As we step through the grand doors of the ballroom, every eye turns towards us, the weight of their scrutiny palpable. It's hardly surprising, given that we've become the subject of intense gossip in both the human and werewolf worlds. I plaster a polite smile on my face, nodding in recognition at the familiar faces from our engagement ceremony. Their reciprocated greetings are a promising sign - no one is pretending not to know us, at least not yet.
We continue making our way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and handshakes, my smile never faltering. That is until my gaze lands on a figure that sends a shiver of dread down my spine - Alpha Collins. Our earlier confrontation comes rushing back, the memory of his cruel words and bruising grip still fresh in my mind. The evidence of my slap has faded, my handprint vanishing as if it never marred his skin - an expected outcome given our accelerated healing.
Collins excuses himself from his companions and begins making his way toward us. Alex doesn't pull us away to show the werewolves around; they aren't fighting, but there is nothing I would love more right now.
"Alex," Collins greets with a curt nod.
"Collins," Alex returns, his tone clipped but respectful.
"Hai..." Collins begins, turning his attention towards me, but he's swiftly cut off by a booming voice that commands the attention of the entire room.
"Wonderful, the both of you are here," the Alpha King declares, his presence commanding an air of authority that sends a hush rippling through the crowd.
"Good evening, Your Majesty," Alex greets, extending his hand in a show of deference.
"Hello, son. How are you?" the King replies, clasping Alex's hand in a firm shake.
"Well, your majesty, and yourself?"
"Excellent." The King's piercing gaze shifts towards me. "And you must be Hannah."
I nod, suddenly self-conscious under his scrutinizing stare.
"Will she be joining us?" he asks, turning back to Collins, who shakes his head in response.
The implication is clear - the Alpha King wishes to discuss the matter privately with Alex and Collins without my presence as a potential distraction.
"Very well," the King concedes. "Shall we speak here, or would you prefer a more private setting?"
"Private, please, Your Majesty," Collins responds, his tone respectful but laced with an undercurrent of tension.
"As you wish. Let us adjourn, then." The King turns on his heel, leading the way.
Alex leans in, pressing a reassuring kiss to my forehead. "I'll be back shortly," he murmurs.
I nod, watching as he follows the Alpha King and Collins into the crowd, praying that the conversation will go smoothly and that Collins won't say anything to further jeopardize Alex's standing.
Turning away, I make my way to a secluded corner of the ballroom, snagging a flute of champagne from a passing waiter's tray. Socializing is the last thing on my mind right now, so I settle into a plush armchair, content to observe the festivities from a safe distance.
I occupy myself with my phone, indulging in online videos and even responding to a few work emails while snacking on a generous helping of appetizers. I'm partway through my second glass of champagne when a looming shadow falls across me. Glancing up, I find Collins standing over me, a smug grin plastered across his face.
"Found you," he purrs, his eyes raking over me in a way that sets my body on edge.
I immediately rise to my feet, intent on putting as much distance between us as possible, but he smoothly blocks my path.
"Are you still angry about this afternoon?" he asks, his tone deceptively light. "I apologize, I shouldn't have called you that word."
"No, I'm not," I reply curtly, "but right now, I don't want to be around you."
I attempt to sidestep him, but he mirrors my movements, effectively trapping me in place. Leaning in, his lips graze the shell of my ear as he murmurs, "Why? Because you'll finally realize I'm better than him?"
His words wash over me, leaving me utterly unmoved. "I don't want to talk about Alex," I state firmly. "Just let me go."
"No!" he snaps, taking a step forward and forcing me to stumble back into the chair. Panic begins to claw at my throat as his behavior grows increasingly erratic. "I want to talk, and you're going to stay!"
"Collins, you shouldn't force someone to speak to you," I reason, rising to my feet once more. "It should be their choice."
"No!" he snarls, reaching out to grab my arm, but a familiar voice cuts through the tension, causing him to freeze.
"Is everything alright here?" Alex's tone is deceptively calm, but I can sense the undercurrent of barely restrained fury simmering beneath the surface.
Relief washes over me as I turn towards the sound of his voice. "Yes, I was just leaving," I assure him, deftly sidestepping Collins and making my way to Alex's side.
Without hesitation, he wraps a possessive arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his solid frame. The comforting warmth of his embrace instantly soothes my frayed nerves, and I find myself clinging to him, silently grateful for his timely intervention.
"You sure?" he murmurs, his gaze sweeping over me in concern.
"Yeah, I was just saying goodnight," I reply, offering him a small, reassuring smile.
"You want to leave already?" There's a hint of surprise in his voice, but he doesn't press the issue.
I nod, acutely aware of Collins' watchful gaze boring into us from across the room.
"Alright, no problem," Alex concedes. "Let me just toast with Collins in public, then we can go."
"Okay, I'll wait for you in the car," I agree, reluctantly disentangling myself from his embrace and making my way toward the exit.
True to his word, Alex joins me shortly after, sliding into the driver's seat with a weary sigh. As we pull away from the castle, he fills me in on the details of his meeting with the Alpha King.
"Collins did his best to assure the King that our quarrel wasn't severe enough to deem me unfit to rule in the future," he explains, his knuckles tightening around the steering wheel. "He didn't make matters worse, thankfully."
"That's good to hear," I reply, relieved that the evening didn't end in complete disaster. "And tomorrow is the groundbreaking ceremony, right?" Apparently, Alex wasn't only going to provide funds to renovate the H Continental resort but was also partnering to build another branch here in the city.
Alex nods. "Yes, and then Collins can finally be on his way out of our lives for good."
"I can't wait," I murmur, leaning back against the plush leather seat and allowing the tension to slowly bleed from my body.
As we make our way home, I can't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. While the road ahead is sure to be fraught with challenges, at least we've managed to clear this latest hurdle. With Collins' impending departure, perhaps we can finally begin to move forward, leaving the turmoil of the past behind us.