Chapter 220
Elle’s POV
Calista’s smile faltered slightly, but the malice in her gaze only intensified. “Oh, how very… diplomatic of you. I suppose when you come from the human edge communities, you learn to keep your head down, don’t
you?”
The venom in her voice was unmistakable, but what confused me was the source of her hostility. I had
never met this woman before in my life.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand why you seem to have such strong feelings about me,” I said, genuinely
puzzled. “Have I done something to offend you?”
Before Calista could respond, a commanding voice cut through the tension.
“Calista.”
I turned to see a tall man approaching us, his dark hair and strong jawline marking him unmistakably as a
Hamilton. Peter Hamilton.
“Peter,” she said, her voice suddenly sweet and submissive. “I was just getting
ted with-
“I’m sure you were.” His tone was firm but not unkind as he looked between us. Perhaps you should rejoin the other guests. I believe Aunt Victoria was looking for you.”
Calista’s amber eyes flashed with what looked like warning as she glanced at me one last time, but she nodded obediently. “Of course. It was… interesting meeting you, Elle.*
The way she said my name made it sound like an insult, but she glided away with the practiced grace of a wolf who knew how to play the game.
Peter turned to me, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Elle West,” I replied, grateful for the interruption. “Thank you for stepping in, though I’m still not sure what that was about.”
Peter’s gaze lingered on my face with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. There was something almost… wistful in his expression, like he was seeing someone else entirely.
“You’re very photogenic,” he said suddenly, which seemed like a completely random observation. I saw
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Chapter 220
your pictures and… they’re quite striking.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Thank you? Though I have to say, you seem to be looking at me like you’re seeing someone else.”
A shadow crossed his features. “You remind me of someone. Someone I… knew.”
“Dakota Blair?”
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Peter’s face went very still. “You know about Dakota?”
“I do. I’m guessing you knew her?”
A bitter laugh escaped him. “Knew her? That’s… that’s putting it mildly.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking suddenly exhausted. “More than knew her. She was… fuck, she was everything. The only person in this lifetime who could leave me completely speechless… even though she was human.”
The pain in his voice was raw, and I found myself taking a step back from the intensity of it.
“You look so much like her it’s fucking uncanny,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “When I first saw your photo, I thought… for just a moment, I thought she was alive again.”
“I’m not Dakota,” I said firmly, feeling the need to establish that boundary. “I’m Elle West. Whatever happened between you and-”
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“I know who you are,” Peter interrupted, his composure cracking. “I know you’re not her. But seeing you…” He shook his head. “I should go.”
He turned to leave, but I caught a glimpse of the devastation on his face before he walked away with what looked suspiciously like retreat.
“Well, that was intense.”
1 spun around to find Abigail approaching, her expression thoughtful.
“How much of that did you hear?” I asked.
“Enough.” She moved to stand beside me, following Peter’s retreating figure with her gaze. “Poor bastard. He really loved her, you know.”
“What happened between them?”
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Abigail glanced around to make sure we weren’t being overheard. “Peter and my brother Raymond were both pursuing Dakota. It was quite the scandal actually a human girl having two suitors, one of them a wolf. Dakota chose Raymond, which caused quite a stir in both communities.”
“And Calista?”
“Ah, now that’s where it gets interesting.” Abigail’s expression turned grim. “Word of advice – you can probably trust Peter, but watch out for Calista. Wolf females can be… particularly vicious when it comes to jealousy.”
I thought about Calista’s inexplicable hostility. “But why would she have any reason to be jealous of me?”
“Because you look exactly like the human woman her precious brother was obsessed with,” Abigail explained. “Calista isn’t a direct Hamilton descendant – Victoria took her in when she was young. She has Hamilton blood, but she’s not a direct heir, which makes her more sensitive about her wolf status than
most.”
“So she’s what, protective of Peter?”
“More like possessive. Calista has always been… let’s call it a brother complex. When Peter fell for Dakota, a human, Calista absolutely lost her mind. From what I heard, she was the one who kept emphasizing the species differences, trying to sabotage their relationship.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. “And now she sees me…”
“And sees the woman who broke her brother’s heart walking around again, pregnant with an Alpha’s baby, no less.” Abigail shook her head. “She probably thinks this is some cosmic joke.”
“Great,” I muttered. “As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.”
“Hey,” Abigail bumped my shoulder gently, “at least now you know what you’re dealing with. Plus, you’ve got me watching your back.”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help b
smile. “Thanks. I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Come on,” she said, linking her arm through mine. “Let’s get back to the party before people start wondering where the guest of honor’s sister–in–law disappeared to.”
We made our way back to the main ballroom, where I immediately fell back into my role as Brad’s partner, making polite conversation with various pack members and allies.
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“My, my. Someone from the human edge communities who actually talks big here. How… surprising
The Beta I’d been speaking with looked uncomfortable bis gaze darting between Calista and me. I could feel other conversations around us quieting as people sensed the tension.
Before I could respond, Stella Blair appeared at my side her presence immediately commanding attention.
“The Blairs aren’t from some edge community. Stella said smoothly.
It was perfectly polite on the surface, but I caught the underlying steel in her tone. Calista’s eyes narrowed slightly, clearly recognizing the subtle challenge.
“Oh, I wasn’t referring to the Blairs, Calista said with false sweetness. I was speaking about Elle West. She is a West, after all, not a Blair. And certainly not wolf.”
I felt the attention of the entire room shift to me, and I knew this was a test. Not just from Calista.
from everyone watching.
Then I looked directly at Calista, my smile never wavering. “Thank you for acknowledging that I’ve managed to accomplish something remarkable as a human. After all, it’s not every day someone from my background becomes an Alpha’s mate.”
I saw Victoria watching from across the room, her expression unreadable b
kind of situation Brad had warned me about – a public challenge to my place in the family
Calista’s amber eyes flashed with anger at my response. Elle West, how DARE you talk to me like that,
human!”
The ballroom had gone almost completely quiet.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
