Chapter 6 CHAPTER 6
The limo rolled to a stop in front of the pack’s grand event hall, and my jaw nearly dropped in awe at its exquisite beauty.
The place looked like something out of a royal documentary, with soft classical music floating in the air. Expensive perfume and laughter drifted through the room, blending into the very scent of luxury. Outside, a red carpet led to the entrance, lined with silver lanterns that flickered gently in the evening breeze.
“I feel underdressed,” Tasha whispered, her eyes wide as she took everything in. “Same,” I muttered, smoothing down the front of my red dress and instantly regretting my life choices.
The fabric clung perfectly, and I could already feel eyes on me before I’d even stepped out. I cursed under my breath when I remembered another reason people could be staring at me right now.
Inside, it was even worse. The air shimmered with the clinking of luxury crystal glasses, waiters weaving between tables with trays of champagne.
The crowd was beautiful, and I wanted to squeal as I thought of the amount of fun conversations I was going to have with these fellow single men. Wolves of high rank moved like they owned the place.
And right in the middle of all that elegance stood Callen. My heart froze before my mind could. He was there in a tailored black suit, looking effortlessly confident, his hand resting on Sierra’s back as it had always belonged there.
My sister glowed in silver, her calm smile steady even under the lights. They looked perfect together, sickeningly perfect. I felt the air drain from my lungs.
“Okay,” I breathed, taking a small step backward. “Nope, I don't think I can do this. Let's go home." Tasha grabbed my wrist before I could turn. “Ayla, don’t you dare.”
“I’m daring,” I whispered harshly, already twisting in her grip. “Look at them! He’s here with her! I’m not emotionally stable enough for this kind of drama tonight.” But before I could escape, her eyes widened slightly.
“Uh… Ayla,” she said under her breath, tightening her grip on my arm. “He’s coming this way.”
“What?”
“Callen,” she hissed, her gaze flicking over my shoulder. “Your sister's husband.” My stomach flipped at the thought of him coming to speak to me. I turned to look, and he had already turned his back to Sierra, walking towards us, his eyes strangely fixated on me. "Where the fuck is he going? I don't want to talk to him."
"You do," Tasha said, tightening her hold on my hand while looking at me with a smile. "Pretend you are laughing at something funny I said, don't let him see how miserable you are." She said through her gritted teeth and immediately started laughing in a high-pitched tone. Tasha’s sudden, high-pitched fake laugh echoed through the hall like a dying seagull. Several people turned to stare. I wanted to strangle her.
“Stop laughing like that!” I hissed through a frozen smile, my teeth clenched so tight my jaw ached.
“I can’t,” she whispered back, still squealing as she had just won the lottery. “I panic-laugh!”
“Oh my God—” Before I could finish, a familiar cologne drifted over my shoulder, expensive, and horribly nostalgic. My skin prickled, my heartbeat jumping straight into my throat.
Callen stopped right in front of us.
“Ayla.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. Deep. Steady. Too steady. “You look nice." That was one way to say glow-up because she’s no longer dealing with your inconsistent ass. I swallowed and forced my lips into a polite smile. “Callen.”
Tasha abruptly stopped laughing, thank the Moon, but she kept her hand clamped around mine like she was afraid I’d bolt. Callen’s eyes traveled from my red dress, slowly, like he was taking in every inch. Heat crept up my neck; my stomach twisted. He had never looked at me like that when we were together.
“Why are you here alone?” he asked softly, not even bothering to hide the way his eyes lingered on the neckline of my dress.
I stiffened. “I’m not alone.” His gaze flicked to Tasha, who waved like a malfunctioning robot, then back to me.
“You know what I mean,” he murmured, lowering his voice.
“No,” I said flatly. “I don’t.” He exhaled through his nose, jaw tightening. It was the expression he wore whenever he didn’t get his way. Nostalgia stabbed me before I could block it.
Tasha nudged me sharply, whispering, I forced a smile so tight it hurt. Sierra appeared beside him a heartbeat later, her silver dress catching the light like moonwater. She was breathtaking, and I hated how much she suited him. They looked like a royal couple on a magazine cover.
She looped her arm through his casually, but her eyes held a warning. “Ayla. You look lovely. I didn’t know you were coming.” She is lying; she knew I would be here. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Tasha invited me.”
“It’s a special night,” Sierra said with a smile too sweet to be real. “I hope you enjoy it.”
Translation: Stay away from my husband.
I nodded stiffly. “Of course.”
Callen didn’t move. He didn’t look away from me. Not once. Sierra tugged his arm subtly; he didn’t budge.
Tasha stepped in with a fake cough so theatrical I nearly choked. “So! Lovely seeing you both! We should go, Ayla. I heard there are hors d’oeuvres.”
“Hors what?” I muttered.
“The snacks,” she whispered harshly.
“Oh.” But Callen spoke before we could leave.
“Ayla,” he said, voice dipping lower. “Can we talk?” Sierra’s spine stiffened. “Callen—”
“It’ll be quick,” he cut in without looking at her. My stomach dropped. Why is he being a jerk? I shook my head instantly. “No. No, we really don’t need to—”
“Yes,” Sierra said at the same time, teeth clenched. “We do need to.” Tension snapped between them like a silent lightning strike. Several nearby wolves pretended not to listen while very obviously listening.
“I think she said no,” Tasha chimed in loudly, stepping half in front of me like a human shield who weighed as much as my left leg. “And we actually need to go. Now.” Callen’s gaze sharpened. “One minute, that's all I need."
“No,” I said again, voice firmer than I expected. “There’s nothing left to say.” For the first time, something flickered in his expression. Annoyance, hurt and maybe jealousy. After a second of staring into his empty brown eyes, we turned around and walked away, leaving them annoyed and in disbelief.
I huffed out in annoyance. Why does he constantly want to make my life miserable? I can't even laugh now because he chose to marry my sister instead of standing up to his father and demanding to marry the love of his life.