CHAPTER 144: Perfume and Poison

CHAPTER 144: Perfume and Poison
Alora’s POV

It was the largest engagement party the Bloodfang pack had seen in years. The halls of the Crescent Moon estate glowed with lanterns strung high across the rafters, chandeliers dripping with crystals that shone down on the polished carpet floor. The middle was laid in red carpet and every part of the room hummed with chatter as representatives of packs within the region arrived.

I was dressed in a shimmering sequin red dress, a gift from Morgan, and my hair was tied up, and some tendrils left to cascade down my face, while Morgan was dressed in a black Armani suit tailored specially for the occasion.

Every Alpha and Luna who mattered had answered the summons. They arrived with their escorts and guards, carrying a little gift to mark the occasion.

I forced myself to smile when I needed to, to nod politely when someone approached. My cheeks already ached from it.

The first faces I welcomed with relief belonged to Mike, Phoebe, and Ryan. I had the time to tell them about my engagement and also revealed who I was, but they were not even surprised. 

It turned out Ryan was a werewolf and the city of New York knew about the werewolf world long before me.

Phoebe and Mike took it with a little salt and Mike told me she understood why I couldn't even indulge him while he had been actively pursuing me. 

Jokingly, he said that he was fed up with my gender and would try his hands on something else. 

I was relieved that I didn't need to explain to them how I was a hybrid and what not. 

Now they stood in front of me brimming. Ryan’s hand on Phoebe’s. Apparently, they had taken their relationship to a whole new level. I was happy for them. Mike, on the other hand, was still single and not actively searching, according to him.

They weren’t pack members, but they were family in the kind of way I desperately needed tonight.

Leo darted past me, practically tackling Mike in excitement.

“You made it!” he shouted, jumping up in excitement.

Mike laughed, dropping down to hug him, and ruffled his hair before producing a gift wrapped in brown paper. “For you, kid. Don’t break it before the night’s over.”

Leo tore into it and gasped. A camera. Sleek and black, the strap dangling from his small hands.

“Oh, you’re in for trouble now,” Phoebe said with a laugh, kissing my cheek before pulling me into a hug. “He’s going to record every second of this party.”

As if on cue, Leo lifted the camera and began narrating into it like a reporter. “This is Leo, live from the Alpha King’s engagement party!” He swung it wildly, taking pictures of everything. Sometimes he got glares from people with half-eaten food, and some elders shushed him, but he didn't care. He was on a mission, and I was all about that. At least he was having fun for both of us.

My headaches had refused to leave, but I didn't care. It will be all over in a few days, and I was looking forward to having lots of rest. 

For a few minutes, I almost let myself feel normal.

The illusion broke when Selene’s voice carried over the hall. “The Alpha King and his mate, Alora, welcome you all.”

Every conversation quieted. Dozens of eyes pinned me in place as we sat on a long table.

I smiled, and lifted my glass. 

That’s when she entered.

Violet.

Her long flowing gown shimmered in the dimly lit room like she was royalty. Same crimson red I had on. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and also left to cascade down her face. She could easily be mistaken for the bride. 

Beside her was her father, Elder Carrick, with a solemn face and a fake smile.

I clenched my teeth as she walked over.

Her practiced fake smile plastered on her face. “Hi Alora and Morgan, it's so nice to see you again”, she began, reaching out to wrap her hands around me, but Morgan stepped in front of me, making her pull back. “Nice to have you here. I was hoping you would decline the invitation” he said, plastering a fake smile on his face. 

Violet gasped and placed her hands on her chest dramatically ;’Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

Then her face turned into a solemn one. “On behalf of my mate, Xavier, I wish to tender a public apology. He lies in a coma, paying for sins that were his own. Please, do not punish me further for what he has done. Do not banish me from the only home I’ve ever known.”

Her voice broke as tears gathered in her eyes. “I beg that you forgive him, and me also, for all our sins”. I beg that you temper justice with compassion, Alpha King.”

The people at the table began to whisper, while some nodded.

Morgan rose to his full height. “The only reason you stand here, Violet, is because the law requires your presence. Do not mistake that for forgiveness. You will steer clear of me. And you will not come near my mate.”

The words cracked through the hall like a whip. A few Alphas winced. Violet lowered her eyes, looking contrite, though I caught the flicker of disdain in her gaze when she glanced at me.

As the night pressed on, toasts were made in our favor, and laughter poured out at every angle, but I didn't feel any of it because I was in pain. 

My stomach protested at the smell of the food served at the buffet table. I had a glass of wine in front of me which Morgan had handed over, so I took a swig of it, and then another. The wine tasted like ash. Everything and everybody in the room irritated me, even the thick perfume in the air made my head swim.

I needed to go to the bathroom, so I slipped away while Morgan was busy speaking to one of the Alpha Kings. 

I barely made it to the sink before the retching took over.

My throat burned. My palms pressed flat to the counter as if to hold myself upright.

One of the bathroom stalls creaked open behind me. 

I looked up in the mirror, and froze.

Violet.

Her reflection filled the mirror.

“I didn't know you were here… I am sorry” she mumbled, looking like she was really sorry.

I waved my hands. “No, this is a public restroom, and you are allowed to be here”, I replied, leaning on the sink as another wave of nausea threatened to take over. 

“You don’t look well,” she murmured in a soft, caring tone. 

“I’m fine,” I replied in a strained voice.

She stepped closer, “You don’t look fine.” Her hand grazed my shoulder.

I pulled back. “Don’t touch me.”

Her lips curved in a cruel smile. “Careful, Alora. People are watching tonight. If you fall apart, they’ll lose faith in you. Already they are saying a lot about you”, she said sweetly.

Then the stench of ammonia rose out of nowhere. I looked around, and shook my head as my allergies took over. 

I was allergic to cleaning agents.

I sneezed and sneezed as the odor suffocated me. My throat burned and I began to cough uncontrollably. My eyes began to blur, dizziness clawing through me. 

‘Are you okay”? Violet’s voice floated to me, but I didn't see anything as the stench of ammonia took over the whole room, my head spinning with it. 

My heel slid on the damp tile. For a split second, I thought I’d caught myself, until I felt the deliberate pressure of a hand on my back. 

I stumbled, crashing toward the counter, my hip taking the biggest hit. Pain radiated through me, sharp enough to steal what little breath I had left.

Black dots crowded my vision. I coughed, gasped, but the air was poison. 

My body betrayed me, my throat closing in. 

I reached out through the mindlink to Morgan. I had barely connected with him when my ears began to ring. 

Someone was behind me trying to lift me up. I reached out but the hands holding me slipped, and I hit my head on the wall where I had fallen. 

I winced as another shot of pain wracked my body. “Sht, I am so sorry Luna”, Violet’s voice echoed in my head. 

Her hands were still trying to make me stand. At the last instant, she caught my arm, steadying me. To anyone who walked in, it would look like she’d saved me.

Her breath brushed my ear. Thank Goddess this happened here. What will they think if you faint in front of the whole region?”

The door burst open just after that. 

Morgan stormed in, Selene close behind. His eyes landed on Violet, holding me upright and darkened with fury.

“Get your hands off her!” He shoved Violet aside, gathering me into his arms. My knees buckled, relief flooding me.

Selene’s eyes swept over me. “What happened?”

“I was only trying to help,” she replied, her voice shaking with unshed tears.

“Ammonia… I cant…breathe” I managed to whisper in his ears.

“It seemed like ammonia poured somewhere. She is allergic to cleaning chemicals,” Selene screamed.

Morgan lifted me as if I weighed nothing. “We’re leaving Selene. This stays between us.”

Selene and Violet nodded.

He pushed past them, using the bathroom exit door. 

Morgan’s arms were iron around me, but the unease in his chest bled into mine.

My head fell against his shoulders, “I am sorry, Alpha, for ruining our party.”

His arms tightened around me. “Someone spilled that chemical on purpose, Chula, and I will get to the bottom of this even if it kills me.”