Chapter 25: Part 25

I had trouble not biting my lips as I watched the group of omegas take their place around the fireplace. My eyes crinkled around the corners, watching them let go of worries and sway around without a care in the world. Just then, my eyes fell on mated couples, kissing each other, their pheromones mixing.

A curse slowly escaped my mouth as I unknowingly thought of the kiss with Abel. I swear I could still feel the ghost of his taste lingering there, even hours later. The most confusing part was...that my omega did not oppose it. How can my wolf be so putty and lax as soon as he is near me?

There was something there, but I was too proud to admit that, despite it all, I craved more from the same man. I wanted to let go and forget, but such a memory will forever be ingrained in my mind, and I am sure it will last even after the night is over.

As if sensing my loneliness, Avon jumped to the rescue and dragged me with him. He was a natural, his hand going around my waist and eyes boring into me.

"Are you having fun?"

I made a soft hum in the back of my throat that disappeared into the music. He raised his brow, waiting for my answer, when I nodded.

"Yes, all thanks to you!"

He lightly chuckled, guiding me along so that I don't step on his feet. The couples around us danced gracefully while gently swaying like I followed his moves. "I am sure everyone here likes you more than me now."

"I highly doubt that."

"You don't know your charm, Emma." The Alpha said, his voice going soft and drawling.

A few seconds passed when Avon's face morphed into that of rage, his eyes narrowing together. I blinked at him, tapping at his shoulder.

"What's the matter?"

"Abel."

I swallowed. "Huh?"

"That fucker won't stop glaring at us. What's his problem?"

I frowned, swiftly turning around to follow his line of vision and held back a gasp when I spotted Alpha Abel. His long, dark curls among the line of pack members, a scowl sitting on his face. Our eyes almost instantly clashed, an audible hitch in my breath. The tight line of his clenched jaw was visible even from a distance as the Alpha shifted his eyes between Avon and me.

It's as if invisible fingers were encircling my throat, squeezing all air out of me, and it went to my head, making me dizzy. Holding his stare, I watched as he diverted a bit later, pretending to be interested in what a guy standing next to him was telling, and albeit disconcerted, I turned around to see Avon's nostrils flare.

"I told him to act like we are not here today." My friend half-grumbled but then straightened his back and cleared his throat. His mouth pressed in a thin line. "Sorry for rambling."

"No...it's alright."

There was a question itching in the back of my mind. It's about the animosity between them, but I knew that Avon was not ready to answer. Of course, I won't be asking it to Abel, so for now, I had to swallow the curiosity.

My arms prickled with goosebumps as soon as I noticed a familiar shadow looming over us. What did he want now? I thought, stilling in the spot and keeping a neutral look.

"If I may cut in..."

Avon glared at him and looked around, realising a few eyes on us, and he reluctantly moved away. My friend did not want to create an unnecessary spectacle and draw unwanted attention towards us.

Nothing could feel more natural than Abel slipping his hand into mine, his skin warm and almost swallowing mine. He led us towards the corner; all the while, I could feel the pounding of my heart. For a time, I wondered if he could hear it over the sound of music.

My eyes tracked the movement of Adam's apple as he swallowed, appearing slightly out of place. Why did he want to dance with me?

I was in a state of numbness, robbed entirely of the ability to speak. Heady and off-balance simply by their proximity, I tipped into arms, dizzy with the familiar pressure of his fingers against the dips of my waist. I swayed forward on my tiptoes, the determined eyes dropping to his luscious mouth for a single second before I surged upward with miraculous grace.

"W-What is the meaning of this?"

He innocently blinked. "What?"

"You cannot fool me, sir. I know when you are acting."

The music was soft and lilting. I was frozen, unsure how to breach the space between us. There have been casual touches between us, more than gentle brushes and purposeful touches, but this was different. More intimate.

Abel lifted his chin, his eyes confident and sure. Slowly, he reached forward, intertwining our fingers, palms pressed warm and flushed together. His muscular right arm moved independently, his eyes never breaking from mine. The hand that settled on the curve of my waist cupped my back, holding me close.

The music swelled, filling the room, but all I could focus on was the warmth and weight of his stare—the soft tickle of his curly hair against my cheek when he drew me closer together. I could feel the rigid, taut muscles of his shoulders as my hand settled, the feeling of his suit's fine material beneath my fingertips making my palms clammy.

The barely-there hint of his earthy scent and brandy made me inhale raggedly.

“Do you now?”

“Yes, sir.”

"Is it sir now? What happened to calling me Alpha, Miss Emma?"

I fumed. Why was he teasing me? I could not help but cast a nervous glance around the room. No one seemed to bat an eye in our direction, busy in drinking and dancing around.

Digging my nails into his shoulder blades, I watched him blink, barely affected. Ugh. I put on a sweet smile, not wanting to arise suspicion.

"I don't think it matters, sir."

His mouth stretched in an amused smile. "Pettiness does not suit you, Miss Emma."

"I do not care about your opinion."

"Is that so?" His nostrils flared. "Don't tell me it's because of Avon? You have been awfully chummy with him all day. Tell me, are you really trying to prove a point?"

I flustered before rage coiled in my belly. What was he trying to imply? Besides, why did he care since the kiss was a mistake in his books?

"Why would I want to prove anything? It's none of your business who I dance with, sir."

"I beg to differ, Miss Emma. You are giving that lad a false hope by gallivanting with him while also betraying your future mate. Have you thought about it?"

"Chummy? Gallivanting? You sure have a way with your words, sir. My actions should not concern you, nor do you have to worry about my future mate!" I met his eyes, giving him a cold stare, taking a step back. "We are done here."

Turning on my feet, I walked away, feeling awfully confident for having Alpha Abel's stare boring into my back the entire time.

***

I hissed when the sudden chill hit me, creeping under my shirt and jeans and pressing against my skin. To get away, I ducked my head, bee lining to get inside, so lost in my thoughts as it was, rubbing hands up and down my arms vigorously, that I ran straight into someone coming the other way.

Instinctively, I reached out to latch on to whoever it was to stop from toppling over. There's a clatter of noise as the person dropped their glass, letting it crush into pieces.

I managed to steady enough to bring my startled eyes upward.

Oh. It's the same man. I retracted my hands immediately and stepped away, brushing off the invisible dust from my pants.

"Sorry...I am so sorry," I stuttered, holding my hands out in alarm.

"Liam." He supplied with a chuckle, taking a step back and staring at the glass. "It's alright!"

"Umm...do you want me to get you another glass?"

"No, it's fine. Emma, right?"

Confused lines marred my face. Who was this man anyway? I had not seen him during the luncheon. The beta had milky white skin, his limbs lanky and easily towering me.

"How do you..."

"Avon told me about you."

"Oh."

"Let me introduce myself again. I am Liam, son of second in command and a current beta of this entire pack."

I bowed down to him. It was only natural as an omega to respect the person in the higher position.

"Sorry again," I repeated softly, averting my eyes and staring at the crushed glass pieces on the floor. "I was lost in my thoughts..."

"You should be careful, Emma. Very careful around here."

I hummed, feeling that he was hinting at entirely something else.

***