Chapter 35 Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Chapter 35
Ashley
The moment I stepped back into the hall, everything hit me at once again—the noise, the lights, the stares. Before I could even take another step, Lucien was already there. His arm wrapped around my waist like we were something real, something affectionate. I stiffened immediately.
He leaned slightly closer. “Are you alright? You look flushed and pale.” His voice was gentle. It didn’t match the man I had just watched ignore me completely while flirting with another woman. There was something unsettling about how easily he switched.
“I’m fine,” I said, pulling my expression into something colder. “You can go back to entertaining your mistresses.”
Instead of letting go, his grip tightened slightly. A warning Or maybe amusement. “Are you jealous?” he asked with a faint smile.
I looked at him sharply.
“She’s just an old friend,” he added casually. “Nothing more.” His eyes shifted past me, so  did mine. The red-haired woman was watching us now, her gaze sharp and full of silent venom.
“I should introduce you two,” Lucien said, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Before I could respond, another presence joined us. Wanneka and behind her was Gerald. My chest tightened slightly at the sight of him. He looked the same. Still hovering behind his mother like a shadow that never learned to stand on its own.
“Alpha King,” Gerald said brightly, as if nothing in the world was wrong. “Congratulations on your marriage. And thank you for inviting us.”
Lucien gave a small nod, still holding me close like I was part of him. “As long as you swear loyalty to me, you are my people,” he said calmly. Then his gaze hardened slightly. “And I appreciate that you agreed for the traitors to be dealt with as I wish.”
My stomach dropped. Wanneka’s eyes flicked to mine and she smiled. “You will always have my support,” Gerald said. . “Traitors should never be allowed to live.”
The words settled over me like ice, I could feel my pulse in my throat.
“Alpha King,” Wanneka said smoothly, her voice carefully controlled. “With your reputation, one would think you would choose a woman with a strong wolf to be your Luna.”
Her eyes briefly flicked to me, then back to him. “But I’m sure you have your reasons for choosing Ashley.” A polite smile formed on her lips. “She is  resilient and resourceful.” The words sounded like praise, but they weren’t.
“Ashley, it’s so—” Gerald started.
I sneezed, it wasn’t planned. It just happened at the worst possible moment. But it cut him off anyway. They were trying to look like a united front. Like they respected me, like I mattered. But it was all for Lucien.
“Are you alright?” Lucien asked me at once, his tone changing completely. He tightened his arm slightly around me. “Are you cold?” he asked again before I could answer. “We should go inside. You must be tired from standing this long.”
“I don’t think she’s tired,” Wanneka cut in quickly. “The party is just getting started.”
“My wife is tired,” Lucien said firmly, not even looking at her anymore. “We are  going inside.” His voice left no room for argument.
But Wanneka didn’t stop. “Trust me,” she said, her tone sharpening, “I know her, she is not tired. Ashley, are you going to leave us here and go inside?”She said. 
Lucien’s eyes darkened slightly. “You have no right to tell me what my wife feels,” he said coldly. “I am her husband. And I say she is tired.”
The air between them tightened instantly. Wanneka’s jaw clenched.
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, stepping in before it could escalate further. “I know them. They are here to—”
“To beg,” Lucien cut in. His grip on me didn’t loosen, but his attention shifted fully to Gerald. “That’s all they do,” he said flatly. “You delivered traitors into my hands, and now you stand here smiling like you have done something impressive.”
Gerald’s expression stiffened. Lucien continued, his voice steady but sharp. “What else have you done for this kingdom?” he asked. “Other packs contribute. They fight, they  build alliances. But you, you only take. Always asking and looking for who to leech.” The words landed heavily, I could feel the tension rising again, tighter than before.
Lucien’s voice was already drawing attention from the guests around us. I could feel the shift in the hall—people were starting to listen, watching a little too closely.
I placed my hands lightly on his chest, not because I wanted to touch him, but because I needed him to stop escalating. He didn’t like being touched. I knew that much already but did it anyway.
“We are  creating a scene,” I whispered. “My legs are hurting. Can we just go inside? I need to rest.” For a moment, something flickered in his expression, then he exhaled.
“Come on,” he said simply. “Let’s go.” Relief washed through me until Wanneka spoke again.
“I am so sorry, Alpha King,” she said quickly, her tone shifting into something softer, more polished. “I didn’t mean to upset you. We are only here to celebrate with you. Our pack is doing fine. We don’t seek help.”
I let out a small frustrated breath. Why couldn’t they just stop? Why couldn’t they just let me handle one moment without turning it into something else?
Before I could even move, Wanneka stepped forward again. “Can I hug your Luna one more time before we leave?” she asked sweetly. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Her expression was perfect, Lucien released me. Wanneka stepped in immediately and pulled me into a hug. For a brief moment, her lips brushed near my ear. “You have just tonight,” she whispered. “Do what I asked or you wake up to your doom tomorrow.”
Then she pulled back just as quickly, smiling like nothing had happened.