Chapter 125
The party was set to take place in the expansive field bordering the forest, just beyond the mansion's grounds. Beta Ronan accompanied me there, and I was grateful for his company. The last thing I needed was to ruin my mood by walking with Kenzo. My anger toward him still simmered from what he had put me through, and the sting of my own actions—ones that had ultimately played to his advantage—only added to my frustration. His arrogance seemed boundless, and unless a sincere apology came the next time we spoke, I was ready to put him in his place, even if it meant landing a punch squarely on his jaw. For now, I chose to delay that confrontation. I wanted to enjoy the evening, to drink, laugh, and meet people. A public scuffle with the pack's Alpha wasn’t the kind of scene I wanted to set.
When we arrived, the field had already transformed into the perfect party venue. Long tables stretched across the space, adorned with plates and glasses, ready for the night ahead. A massive fire burned at the center, casting a warm glow that set the mood for revelry. Most of the elite warriors were already gathered, their faces—which usually carried venomous intensity—now lit with smiles and nods of respect as they greeted me. It was almost amusing how quickly admiration replaced hostility.
There was no seating hierarchy at this gathering; anyone could sit wherever they pleased. After all, the event's purpose was to foster camaraderie among those who would soon fight side by side. I might have felt at ease here, had it not been for my designated seat at the main table, right next to the Alpha. The knowledge that Icarus would also sit at the table offered some consolation, but it did little to quell the dread of having to maintain a façade for Kenzo’s sake.
I forced a smile to mask my irritation, though each moment made the charade harder to maintain. When Kenzo appeared, the weight of the mask became unbearable. Rising from his seat with a guarded smile, he pulled out the chair beside him for me. I exhaled, offering a flat-lipped grin that barely concealed my reluctance, and sat down.
"You look beautiful tonight," he murmured, leaning toward me.
I glanced at my outfit—a simple pair of black pants and a fitted shirt I’d chosen for training earlier—and chuckled softly. “Beautiful” was hardly the word to describe it. The comment was yet another reminder of how Kenzo lacked finesse. He wasn’t a natural charmer like Hadrian, and his attempts at flattery felt clumsy and forced. I could see the effort behind his words, his frustration and self-consciousness barely hidden. But I wasn’t about to make it easier for him. To add to his discomfort, Icarus took the seat to my left, his presence a subtle provocation.
"Here, let me pour you some wine," Icarus offered, reaching for the bottle the moment he noticed my empty glass.
"I’ll handle it," Kenzo interjected, his voice a low hiss as he snatched the bottle. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, settling instead for a mental facepalm. Kenzo cleared his throat, attempting to smooth over the moment, and poured the wine into my glass.
"Thank you," I said with a polite smile, lifting the glass in a toast.
Kenzo had played the gentleman before, during a party in the palace gardens. But back then, he was brimming with confidence. Tonight, the cocky Alpha, leader of the largest werewolf pack in existence, appeared nervous, almost desperate for my attention. His crimson gaze searched my expression, looking for any sign of forgiveness I wasn’t yet ready to offer.
Throughout the evening, he served me food and refilled my drinks, frequently asking if I needed anything. The astonished looks from Ronan and the other high-ranking wolves at the table confirmed that this behavior was far from Kenzo’s norm. While his efforts didn’t amount to the apology I needed, they weren’t entirely unnoticed. By my third glass of wine, I found myself smiling more naturally, the tension beginning to ease.
"You have such a genuine laugh; it's hard to believe you're such a fierce fighter!" one of the Gammas, Alistair, remarked cheerfully.
I laughed nervously, waving off the compliment. "I’m really not that impressive," I said.
"Are you kidding? You’re incredible, Thalassa!" Alistair exclaimed, before freezing under the sharp gazes of both Kenzo and Icarus.
“It’s Ms. Thalassa,” Kenzo growled warningly.
“She’s Lady Thalassa,” Icarus corrected, his smirk daring Kenzo to react. “No matter what anyone thinks, she retains her title from the Vampire Royal Court.”
Kenzo’s pupils flashed red, and Icarus straightened, clearly prepared for a fight. The air between them grew heavy, crackling with tension. Before the situation could spiral, I burst into laughter, throwing my arms wide.
“It’s just Thalassa,” I said, addressing everyone at the table. “Please, no titles.”
Icarus nodded with a smile, while Kenzo clenched his jaw, his dissatisfaction palpable. “I won’t tolerate disrespect,” he stated coldly.
The statement struck a nerve. My forced composure shattered as I glared at him. “You didn’t care about respect when you tested me,” I snapped.
The table fell silent, every eye shifting between me and the Alpha. Kenzo frowned under the weight of their stares.
“Thalassa, I—” he began.
“You let me fight a warrior in human form, but allowing him to shift into a wolf? That was crossing the line.”
“It wasn’t—”
“What?!” Icarus thundered, his anger drawing the attention of the entire gathering. “You let an unarmed human fight a wolf?”
Realizing my outburst could jeopardize the delicate truce between vampires and werewolves, I stood abruptly. “Stop!” I commanded, slamming my fists on the table. The crowd hushed as my voice cut through the tension.
Kenzo sighed, taking my hand. “I’m sorry,” he said, looking into my eyes. “I made a mistake.”
Icarus’s glare didn’t waver. “You’re lucky she wasn’t harmed, or I’d have torn you apart, truce be damned.”
Kenzo bristled, his body taut with the threat of transformation. I placed my hand on his chest, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Please,” I murmured, willing him to stand down. His pulse slowed, and the red in his eyes faded.
The evening ended without further incident, but the rivalry between Kenzo and Icarus remained a tangible force. Their glares and veiled threats hung in the air long after the fire’s embers dimmed. As the night wore on, one thought lingered in my mind: how would they ever survive a battlefield together without tearing each other apart?