Chapter 33
1553words
"She acts so high and mighty, as though Paris is beneath her. But we all know what she's about. "Christina said with uncontrolled anger,
"I still remember the things she said when Mum and I went over to the house. She threw us out and said it was hers by right. Even if she and Paris where to get a divorce, it was still going to be hers. She truly believed that." Kate said calmly.
I wanted to say something because I remember that day too. Ember had called me out on not replying to her text, and not giving her a divorce. I still didn't know what text she spoke of.
"It's kind of true though." I cut in, "It's hers even after a divorce. Among other things."
"just your luck, that you ended up with a gold digger," Christina said,
"What do you mean?" I asked,
"Just look at it. The both of you haven't even gotten a divorce yet, and she's already trying to skin you dry of your possessions, and I'm sure she has plans for more. Perhaps it's a good thing you haven't gotten a divorce yet. Who knows what more she'd try to take from you." Christina said vehemently and I just reached for my drink. I wasn't sure that was Ember's plan. But to be honest, I wasn't sure of anything anymore.
"We can't let her do that." Kate said, her voice bordering on hysterics as she reached for my arm, " we can't let that happen." she said more calmly and I shook my head,
"it's not going to," I said quietly, and she tilted her head,
"How come? Do you have a plan?"
"not much of a plan. I just don't see it happening."
She looked at me, as though I had grown a second head. As though I was supposed to know better. But it was she who should have known better. It was she who should have known that Ember wasn't that way. That the worst of her that we saw was truly the monster I had made.
"marry me then," Kate said simply and it was my turn to look at her like she had grown a new head,
"What?"
"Marry me. If you do, it'll be mighty hard for Ember to take so much from you."
"Ahh, Kate. Don't let what she might take or not take be your problem at the moment." I said reaching for my drink to hide the sudden panic I had felt at her proposal.
"so, what are you saying?"
I set down my drink and turned to look at her, "I'm saying that we shouldn't feel the need to rush into anything." I said calmly, but I felt anything but calm, not when I was slowly breaking one woman's heart because of another. Again.
Ember's POV
"wear the brown dress, it's very flattering," Ashley said, after rummaging through my wardrobe with vengeance,
"thank you for your input," I said, accepting the dress,
"but none of this was necessary," I said, wearily pointing to the heap of clothes she'd left on the ground,
"Of course it was. You've got to look your best!" she said and helped me put on the dress.
I suppose you could say it was all worth it because Lily gushed when she came to pick me up
"Wow, you look breathtaking!" she exclaimed and I blushed in spite of myself,
"thank you," I said, making myself comfortable,
"I know this is a bit short notice, but I promise you a good night. If you don't have one, you're allowed to sue me." Lily said and I laughed,
"It's okay. I trust you." I said and I was right to do so. Because the night became several times better when my eyes caught sight of William.
He looked so handsome in a blue suit, and he smiled when he saw me.
"who's the pretty lady?" he said, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips,
"just a girl in a brown dress," I said, surprised that I could be shy under his gaze,
"One hell of a girl in a hell of a fine dress," he said, and I playfully patted his shoulders, but it was hard to pretend that being around him, and being looked at as though I was something beautiful didn't do wild things to my heart.
"Oh right, Ember. Before we continue, there's something I'd like you to have." Lily said and reached into her bag to draw out a small black case.
"I hope you like it," she said and drew me into a hug, before handing it to me.
"Thank you," I said, somewhat dumbfounded. But she was waving me off, and immediately God knows who, or what,
"I'll be right back!" she said and was off, leaving me alone with William,
"That girl never stays in one place." William said, shaking his head, and then shrugged, "Well, open it, let's see."
"Okay," I said and opened the case that revealed a silver necklace, with a diamond-cut pendant, and I gasped,
"Lily," I said with a sigh and looked up at William who smiled at me,
"It's beautiful," I said with some emotion, and he nodded,
"I'm glad you think so. I'd help you put it on, but then you'd have to take off your moonstone, and I'd rather you didn't just yet."
"Once I'm able to regulate my shifting, It'll be on my neck for a while."
He nodded with a smile that was suspicious, and playfully patted his shoulder once again, "What's up with you?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that Lily beat me to this one, that's all."
"lily? I don’t understand."
He ran a hand behind his neck, "I sort of got that for you, and was going to give you at the end of the night, a kind of thank you gift for coming."
"Ohh," I said, and looked down at the necklace, before closing the case, then I took his hand,
"I'm here. And I would still be here without this necklace. Thank you, it's the most beautiful necklace ever, but I don’t need you to thank me for coming here, especially with the fact that I'm simply glad that I get to be with you."
He nodded and squeezed my hand, "yeah."
"yeah?" I asked and he brought my hand to his lips again,
"yeah."
I stayed by William's side most of the night, with Lily appearing and disappearing, but every time William introduced me to someone new it was the same funny questions,
"Wow, you're so beautiful! Are you an actress or something? You like someone who should be on billboards or something!" one of William's friends said,
"I wish," I said, sorry that I had to pop their bubbles that way.
But they were relentless in their questions.
"you just have to face it." William said, when we finally got off our feet to eat some food, "You just look that good. They can't help but think you belong on the covers of a magazine. Which you do, by the way."
"Oh please." I said, reaching for some shrimp, "If they knew the sort of past I was trying to outrun, they'd probably at their words."
"Come on now, don't be like that."
"it's the truth though," I said, with my mouth half full of shrimp,
"it's what they'd like you to believe. Stop giving them what they want."
"speaking of them," I said, and watched as Christina, Paris's sister made her way toward me,
"I didn't know the likes of such were welcome here.." I said and braced myself,
"What are you doing here?" she said without preamble and I sighed,
"the same thing you are. Obviously."
"You think you're all that, don't you?"
"What I think is that I was perfectly at peace moments ago before you got here. " I said, and raised a shrimp at her before popping it in my mouth, and it seemed as though that move made her angry. one point for me.
"Damn girl. It's because no one's gotten evidence of you cheating at the Alpha's banquet. It's because you managed to cozy up at my brother's house. Be rest assured that the time will come when everything will be stripped off you. Your fall will be mighty."
"Thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to get a mattress for a soft landing."
"why you-"
"William! Alpha William! I've been looking everywhere for you." William rose to greet the man and my attention was turned to them,
"I've lowkey been doing the same. This is Ember, my special guest."
I rose to shake hands with the man, "the pleasure is all mine, lass." he said and brought my hand to his lips.
"Ember, he's the manager of this place."
"Nice to meet you, sir. You've got a fine venue."
"I'm glad you think so because it is of my thinking to show you to the VIP section once the party officially begins," he said, and I caught sight of Christina's face falling.
"That sounds wonderful," I said with delight, knowing Christina watched, and nothing made me more glad than knowing my enemies would stand and watch an uprising of some kind of mine.
