Chapter 15
Tori's POV:
The taxi pulled up outside Howling Plaza, a gleaming tower of glass and steel that dominated the Moonhaven skyline.
The Moonlight Restaurant, where the ceremony was held, occupied the entire top floor.
As I paid the driver and stepped out, I took a deep breath and straightened my simple black dress.
With shoulders squared and chin lifted slightly, I walked toward the towering entrance.
The revolving doors swallowed me into the climate-controlled opulence of Moonhaven's most exclusive gathering place, where crystal chandeliers cast their unforgiving light on every imperfection.
The lobby was all polished marble and soft lighting, with uniformed waiter attendants guiding guests to their destinations.
"I'm here for the Price-Grayson mating ceremony announcement," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the receptionist's barely concealed surprise at an Omega attending such an exclusive event.
"Luna Lounge, top floor," she replied after verifying my name on the guest list. "The private elevator is to your right."
The ride up was mercifully short and empty.
As the doors slid open, I stepped into the Luna Lounge—and immediately felt the room shift. Conversations faltered mid-sentence as heads turned in my direction.
The whispers began instantly, like rustling leaves in an autumn breeze.
"Look, an unfamiliar face..."
"...such a beautiful face, don't you think?"
"Look at those silver-gray eyes..."
"...wonder which family she belongs to?"
For a moment, I stood frozen, uncertain which direction to take in this sea of strangers who continued to stare and whisper.
At that moment, a voice sounded behind me.
"Miss Sullivan?"
I turned to find myself face to face with Hunter Brown, the young man I'd glimpsed at the Price residence doorstep just days earlier.
This was the very person whose presence had triggered Mia's jealousy and accusations of me "stealing" her crush.
Stay away from him, Tracy warned. If Mia sees us talking, she's gonna lose it again.
I pivoted on my heel, intent on finding another path through the crowded room, but Hunter smoothly sidestepped to block my retreat.
"Why are you trying to avoid me?" he asked, his smile never faltering. "Don't you remember me? We met briefly at your family's home."
I opened my mouth to dismiss him, but before I could utter a word, a flash of emerald fabric caught my peripheral vision.
"Hunter!" Mia's voice was honey-sweet, but her eyes were glacial as they swept over me. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
Well, isn't this just perfect? Tracy growled sarcastically within me. Here comes trouble.
Mia slid herself between us with practiced grace, positioning her body as a barrier. The cold look she shot me carried a clear message: Stay away.
Then she fixed a possessive smile on Hunter. "The Peterson Group is looking for you. It's urgent."
Without waiting for his response, she looped her arm through his and practically dragged him away, throwing one last frigid glare in my direction.
She acts like he's some precious treasure, Tracy scoffed inside my head. As if we care about her puppy crush.
I sighed and couldn't help but wonder how many more landmines awaited me in this room.
Deciding to minimize further drama, I made my way toward a relatively quiet corner of the lounge.
Conversations grew louder soon, necks craned, and bodies shifted to look toward the entrance.
I followed their gaze and immediately understood the cause of the commotion. Fiona Price and Ethan Grayson had arrived, moving through the crowd with practiced ease.
Fiona wore a champagne-colored gown that caught the light with every movement, while Ethan's tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders and athletic build.
Ethan's gaze swept the room—and then locked with mine.
Something flickered in his eyes, his step faltered, and for a moment, he shifted his weight, instinctively angling toward my corner.
Fiona noticed the subtle change in his posture immediately. Her eyes followed his line of sight, landing directly on me.
A fleeting expression crossed her face—something sharp and calculating—before it transformed into a radiant smile.
Without hesitation, she linked her arm firmly through Ethan's and steered them both in my direction.
"Tori," Fiona greeted me with practiced sweetness once they reached my little alcove. "How lovely to see you here. I'm so glad you could join us for this special evening."
I stood up to face her, maintaining a careful distance. "You didn't give me much choice. Isn't it?"
Fiona's expression immediately transformed into one of wounded innocence.
"Oh," she breathed, one hand rising delicately to her collarbone. "Are you still blaming me for taking Ethan away from you? I truly am sorry if we've hurt you, Tori."
"But we can't control who we fall in love with, can we? It just... happened."
I stared at her performance with detached coldness, not bothering to hide my contempt.
When her dramatic confession failed to provoke a reaction from me, Fiona pivoted smoothly, turning to Ethan with wide, glistening eyes.
"Darling, I feel terrible. I just couldn't help falling in love with you," she said, her voice trembling just enough to seem genuine.
"I never meant to come between you two. Please tell me you don't think less of me for following my heart."
She leaned forward, practically collapsing against his chest in a perfect display of vulnerability and remorse.
Ethan's gaze shifted to me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Then, he placed his hands on Fiona's shoulders and stepped back, creating distance between them. His movement was controlled but unmistakably deliberate.
"There are still guests we need to greet," he said, his voice cool and formal. "I should attend to them. "
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, his broad shoulders rigid under the tailored suit.
Fiona watched him disappear into the crowd, her expression momentarily unguarded as anger and surprise flashed across her features.
When she turned back to me, the sweet, remorseful mask had vanished entirely, replaced by cold disdain.
She moved closer, lowering her voice so only I could hear.
"How was Silver Fang? I hear the cells are quite... cozy. Especially for Omegas."