Chapter 157 Prince Charming
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I guided Sophia to the middle of the dance floor and took her hand in mine to start the presentation of the Gamma with her first dance. Soft music began to play as the entire pack and our visitors watched with wide eyes. Excitement brewed in the room. My mind, however, reeled over where Alpha Christian was.
"What's wrong?" Sophia whispered, low enough for only me to hear. I shook my head, not wanting to worry my sister on her big day. "Nothing, Soph, just taking in the moment. Dad waited his entire life for this moment to give you away to your mate."
It hadn't been a lie. I vividly remembered my parents' constant chatter about how one day a charming prince would scoop Sophia off her feet. They'd read her fairy tales and told her mating stories instead of the usual bedtime stories I received. I'd admit those had always been Sophia's favorite bedtime ritual.
It wasn't long before I saw cruel icy blue eyes lock with mine as Alpha Blake approached Sophia and me.
"May I?" he interjected, and I knew better than to say no with a room full of shifters. I gave Sophia a small kiss on the cheek and told her, "If you need to knee him in the groin, be my guest." She let out a giggle and placed her hand in Alpha Blake's.
"I wish I was the lucky one," he told her before spinning her around the dance floor. I wanted to cringe at his words—he already had a chosen mate. I heaved a sigh and moved to find my mate, who was seated at our table. The waitress came around and filled the glasses with red wine and the other glass with champagne.
"There's my sweet little mate," I said before pressing a kiss into the back of her head. She smiled and pulled me into a quick kiss that made my entire body feel like it had been electrocuted as sparks danced across my skin. I moved to sit down beside Adeline and watched as various suitors approached Sophia, asking for her hand in a dance.
I watched one after another give it their best shot, all coming up short as expected. We knew who her mate was—the jackass just hadn't bothered to show up. Resisting the mating bond was a new low. I didn't know a single shifter who'd been able to resist the pull of the sacred bond. Unless... I wondered, unless he did plan to reject her after all. Adeline moved to reach for the wine glass on the table, bringing it up to her lips.
"Are you sure you should be?" I questioned in a low voice.
Adeline shrugged her shoulders. "Well, no one's told me otherwise," she said and stuck her tongue out at me. That's when I caught sight of it. Piercing blue eyes watched Adeline's movements like a hawk. He was examining her, studying her, and intrigued by her. No one outside this pack knew there was even a minuscule chance Adeline could be carrying the next heir of Midnight Moon, yet Alpha Blake's movements seemed to suggest otherwise.
Two girls I nearly didn't recognize came up behind Adeline, and I felt Titus sprint forward. I had to reel him in and remind him that these girls were safe.
"Guess who?" one of them said in a high-pitched voice as she placed her hands over my mate's eyes.
"OH MY MOON GODDESS!" Adeline squealed.
I watched as my mate jumped out of her chair and sprang toward the girls, throwing her arms around them.
"Leah! Bailey! I thought you guys forgot about me!" Adeline whined. I decided to give the three of them some privacy, also because my wolf had now picked up on the daggers that Alpha Blake had been throwing with his eyes toward us. As soon as I stood up, the two girls dropped his gaze and addressed me,
"Alpha," they said in unison.
I nodded at them. "Girls, I hope you're enjoying the presentation. I'll let the three of you catch up," I said and gave them a smile in hopes of relaxing their growing unease around me.
They stayed quiet until I started to move away. I could hear their whispers and chatter growing louder with every step away from them and closer to the bar. As I neared the bar, the bartender spotted me and immediately stopped what he was doing to make my drink.
"All good?" I asked over the mind link with Beta Don.
I stood at the bar, my eyes surveying the room as suitors crowded Sophia. I mean, she already liked the attention. Whiskey, neat, slid over toward me by the bartender. I lifted the crystal tumbler and pressed it against my lips, taking a much-needed sip to ease my anxiety. I chalked it up to my anger revolving around Alpha Christian and took another large gulp.
"Alpha," a cold voice said behind me. I didn't need to turn around—I knew exactly who it was.
"Alpha Blake," I responded.
Alpha Blake held a single finger to the bartender to signal for a drink.
"Well, well. Such a beautiful presentation for your Gamma," he said, trying to make small talk. I felt my jaw clench. I had no will to chat with him right now, but I knew asking for a favor was the fastest way to get a pack doctor. One that I desperately needed, might I add.
I gave him a nod as the bartender slid another glass of whiskey over.
"To Sophia?" he asked.
I nodded and knocked my glass against his. "To Sophia."
