Chapter 18
Rue
I ascend the exterior stairs of the banquet hall, which is the host of this year’s Alpha Heir’s ball. I’ve never attended one of these events before. When my father had claimed me as heir, we were under the dark veil of grief from my mother’s death. After my stepmother and sister came into the picture, Cassie took over attending on our pack’s behalf. It didn’t bother me at the time because I was so focused on school and martial arts that the event seemed like a waste of time. As I took each red carpeted step, my stomach twisted, a squirmy feeling in my belly making me regret not attending at least one of these previously.
The clicking of my heels drew a few looks my way, but I didn’t see James anywhere. We had agreed to meet at the bottom of the front steps, but he hadn’t been there. Maybe I’d misread the meet-up location, but the higher ground each step gave me would help to see if I’d missed him in the crowd. When I arrived at the top step and looked down, scanning the faceless crowd for James’s massive frame, I came up empty. At 6’2″, He usually stood out in any crowd. I should just call him. I pull my phone out of my hidden pocket in the folds of my dress. Yes, my fancy-ass dress has pockets!
I opened it to find a message from James: Something has come up with the pack. I won’t make it in time, but please don’t waste that gorgeous dress and still attend
the ball!
I didn’t want to spend an evening at a party where I didn’t know anyone. The only reason I attended tonight was that James needed me. I awkwardly stood at the top of the stairs, watching people of all varieties walk up these steps. I sighed. I’m already here, so I might as well take advantage of the free food and booze. It was a rare night off from my everyday life, so it was time to let myself relax. Squaring my shoulders and holding my head high, I decided to stay. I glide through the doorway and present my invite to the doorman, who advises me where James’s VIP table is. The U-shaped couch wraps around a small, finely decorated circle table. It’s already stocked with dinnerware, and the placard says James Knight & Guest in beautiful loopy handwriting. I snap a quick photo of the place card back in its spot and send it to James.
ME: The guest has arrived!
A waitstaff person walked by with a tray full of wine glasses, so I quickly swiped one and
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Chapter 18
sipped it. The cool, earthy liquid is so tasty against my tongue that I quietly
moan. Alcohol was a luxury item that I usually treated myself to on holidays. This wine certainly beat the $8 gas station bottles I’ve splurged on in the past. I gracefully slid into the couch and marveled at how comfy the cushions were. I could see myself sinking into this comfort at the end of a long day, watching trash TV and sipping this wine in my PJs. A small group settled into a general seating table across the aisle from me.
“Wow, I haven’t seen Jessica in two years, but she looks amazing on Travis’s arm!” A woman gossips to the she-wolf beside her.
“I cannot believe she bagged Alpha Heir of the Dark Night pack.” The she-wolf responds. They stare in jealous awe. My eyes follow their line of sight to see Jessica in a dress that resembles Jessica’s Rabbits. The plunging V line ended under her belly button while the slit ran from the floor-length bottom to the top of her hip. The material was a sparkly ruby red that hugged her slight curves. Jessica’s hand lay in the crook of Travis’s arm while her other hand gave little waves to different people. She gracefully worked the crowd with a practiced smiley mask that would put a politician to shame.
I stare at Travis, utterly amazed by the transformation a haircut and a tux can make. In all the encounters I’ve had with Travis, his shaggy brown hair has made it difficult to see his facial features, but now his hair has been cut into a sharp buzz on the sides and a styled mop on the top. His chiseled features were on full display, and my pulse skittered- a primal desire warmed in my core, forcing my thighs together. I yanked my gaze from him, taking a huge gulp of my wine to ground myself.
I look in their direction again, my eyes meeting Travis’s intense gaze. I’m close enough now to see the reflection of deep icy blue irises that are so familiar I almost faint. How Travis looks now is so identical to my son that I felt like I was looking into Reece’s future. I conjured up the image of Reece’s mean mug toward my stepmother, which was a mirror image of the one Travis currently wore. How could that be? My chest heaves as I realize I’m suddenly looking directly into an all-consuming fire of desire simmering in Travis’s gaze. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from his. It was like the whole world had fallen away at that moment, and only the two of us existed. A bubble formed around us, silencing the outside world, and the air inside sizzled with static electricity.
Travis’s expression turned feral as his searing, hot gaze slid over me. It felt as though his eyes caressed my skin, and I bit the inside of my cheek to distract myself from the
sensation.
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Chapter 18
Jessica’s hand snakes up the front of Travis’s tux and grasps onto his stylish bearded chin to turn his gaze toward her. The muscles in his jaw feathered under Jessica’s fingertips. Instantly, the bubble popped, and I felt empty. My lungs filled with the stale ballroom air as my mind reeled back in the strange feelings Travis’s gaze had brought out. I’d never
felt such a strong desire toward anyone before. I picked up one of the water cups off the
table to cool my feverish body.
I heard Jessica’s loud giggle and couldn’t help but look their way again. Travis’s eyes were no longer turned toward me; he was engaging in a conversation with the two she-wolves who were admiring Jessica earlier with a playful smile on his lips. The way his upper lip dipped and curled into a dimple was a replica of Reece’s playful grin. They were so close I could reach out and touch him if I wanted to. Jessica looped her arm under his and walked her two fingers up his back. My anger surged as Jessica ran her fingers through the bottom of his hair on the nape of his neck. I wasn’t going to sit here and watch this disgusting display of ownership from Jessica on a man who resembled my son so much. I down the last of my drink, set it on the table, grab my small clutch, and seek an escape to
the bathroom.
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Wolfless, Fateful Encounters
