32 The Banquet

**Annabel’s POV**

As we walked into the grand banquet hall, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of shyness wash over me. 

The weight of the stares was palpable—men with surprised expressions and unmistakable lust in their eyes, women with curiosity and whispers behind their hands. 

My heart raced. I had attended events like this before, but this felt different. This wasn’t just a formal gathering—it was a stage, and I was suddenly in the spotlight.

The king and I were guided to our seats, a table set apart from the rest, its elegance and prominence making it clear that Darius was the most esteemed guest tonight. 

Everything about the arrangement exuded power, from the ornate centerpiece to the positioning of the chairs. 

I sat beside him, aware of every move I made, conscious of the eyes that followed me even as I lowered myself into the seat.

Soon, Leah, Declan, and Beta Leonard joined us. Leah’s excitement was evident, her face glowing as she took her place next to Declan. 

It wasn’t hard to guess why—being escorted by someone like Declan was a significant moment for her. She seemed to relish every second of it.

Despite Darius’s earlier assurance that I should feel free and unrestrained tonight, I couldn’t help but tread cautiously. 

His presence alone demanded respect and vigilance. He struck me as the type of man with a short fuse—his power palpable, his temper unpredictable. 

The idea of offending him, even unintentionally, sent a chill down my spine. What would he do if I misstepped? The uncertainty loomed over me, and I resolved to be as careful as possible.

An elderly man approached the table, bowing deeply before addressing Darius. “Your Majesty,” he said with reverence.

“Austin,” Darius greeted warmly, a faint smile gracing his lips. “How are you? The event seems impressive tonight.”

Austin’s face lit up with pride at the king’s approval. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m honoured that you think so.”

He then turned to me, his demeanour polite but curious. “Good evening.”

“Good evening,” I replied with a small, polite smile, hoping to convey both respect and poise. It felt surreal, exchanging pleasantries with people who treated Darius like a god among men.

As the evening progressed, Darius, Declan, and Leonard left the table to mingle and socialise. That left Leah and me alone, seated side by side. 

I took a moment to glance around, the grandeur of the room settling in as I absorbed the beauty of the evening.

"Is this what it feels like when you attend events with him?" I asked Leah, my voice soft, almost hesitant.

She shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "No," she said simply, but there was something in her tone—an unspoken truth, a hint of experience she didn’t elaborate on.

I leaned back slightly, her response lingering in my mind. What did she mean by that? What was different about tonight? 

"He spoke to you and even let his host greet you," Leah said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. 

"When he went out with me, he never spoke to me, nor did he let me interact with his guests. I might as well not have existed." She seemed almost relieved she wasn’t Darius’s date tonight, though her words carried a pointed observation—that he was treating me differently, specially.

Her comment took me by surprise. I hadn’t realised he could be so cold to her. 

It made me wonder why he bothered bringing her along in the first place. Why go through the effort of having her eat with him or attend events if he ignored her so completely? 

Was it just for appearances?

"Anyway," Leah continued, a small smile tugging at her lips, "I think he likes you a lot. You’re all he talks about when you’re not around, and he completely loses his shit when you are. That whole thing about your scent—" she paused, laughing lightly, "—it’s just a ploy. And between you and me, I don’t think he ever touched Michelle. You know how she is—always looking for attention."

Her words made me chuckle, though I felt a pang of nervousness at the suggestion that Darius talked about me when I wasn’t there. 

What exactly did he say? I didn’t get the chance to dwell on it long, because a man approached us, his confident stride catching both our attention.

"Good evening, ladies," he said smoothly, his eyes settling on me. "May I have the honor of a dance?"

I froze, unsure of how to respond. Why would he think it was appropriate to ask me? My thoughts raced, torn between accepting to be polite and declining out of fear of stepping out of line. Thankfully, I didn’t have to decide.

Darius appeared out of nowhere, his presence commanding as he strode toward us. His disapproval was evident, a storm brewing in his intense gaze.

"Caleb Martins," he said sharply, addressing the man, who immediately turned to face him.

"You seem rather bold, approaching my date without my consent," Darius continued, his tone possessive and dangerous.

Caleb composed himself quickly, offering a calm response. "I only wanted to ensure the music didn’t go to waste. It seemed a shame for her to sit here without enjoying herself."

Darius’s eyes narrowed, his wolf just beneath the surface. "Well, let me make this clear—I am the only one allowed to dance with her. To speak to her. She is off-limits." His voice carried the weight of an alpha’s command, reverberating with unmistakable power.