Part 34

I weaved through the throngs of people and made my way outside the hall, breath caught in my throat.

The question irked me, a sad, bitter reminder that’s it is, in fact, the truth. Reed and Rowan put forward the proposal for their sake, and I jumped on it to save my company.

On the way to the top floor, I saw Damon leaning against the elevator. It almost startled me, a low gasp slipping out, my hand reaching out to automatically steady my pounding heart.

“Hey,” The Alpha said after clearing his throat, pushing himself off the wall and closing the distance between us.

My head snapped up, allowing our gazes to meet. Damon looked tired, I thought distractedly, a hint of purple like a soft brushstroke below his eyes, his face just minimally pale. Although that might be due to the time of year and lack of sun.

“Hey,” I echoed softly, trying not to let the ugly feeling take over me. The last time we talked did not end well for either of us, and I had to walk away.

“I heard you talk…earlier to the press about the upcoming book fair.” A weak smile touched his lips, eyes crinkling in the corners. “It was brilliant! Exactly what I would have expected from you. From the moment I heard about it, it just felt right to me. Can I be a part of the authors panel?”

My teeth sunk on the lower lip, hands coming to wrap around my upper body. His draft was still sitting in my desk, untouched, collecting dust. We welcome amateur writers; he must have heard it all, so there’s no point in denying anyway.

“Mhm…you can find all the details on our website soon.”

“I will be checking it!”

Silence lingered between us again, grating against my nerves, prickling at my skin. I cleared my throat, my arms falling by my side.

We both opened our mouths simultaneously when I swallowed and let him continue.

“How are you, Erin?”

“Same old. How about you? Are you working hard on your new script?”

He pulled a face at that. “Trying to,” The Alpha murmured, appearing slightly pained. “Nasty case of writer’s block. I keep getting distracted.”

I furrowed my brows, eyes darting around the room and watching a few stop close to us. The last thing I needed was the media capturing our pictures and making a trashy headline to sell. At this point, I would not be surprised anymore.

The Alpha turned his head, and we both slid inside the elevator, and I heard the door fall shut. Damon stood there, tapping his red trainers against the floor and a heavy scarf draped around his neck. He looked out of place.

“Distracted by what?”

Shrugging with an odd look on his face, he exhaled, “Thinking of you,” and I felt all the air escape my lungs just like that, leaving me light-headed and heavy-hearted. The sheer shock of his easy admission must show on my face because it didn’t take long for him to bite down on his lips. “Sorry. I’m coming on too strong, aren’t I?”

“Uhh….I’m…you know –” I blurted out, completely flustered and dizzy, hearing my heartbeat far too loudly in my ears, feeling it reverberating in my chest, tickling at the ribs. Why would he say something like that?

The doors dinged, and we hastily stepped outside on the expansive, open balcony. It felt numb and suspended as if the entire place was collectively holding its breath, waiting for–something. For a long second, I was glad Damon didn’t try to engage in small talk because right now, my head was occupied with hearing my thoughts, standing in such contrast with the way noises and sounds echoed around.

“W-What are you saying?” I shook my head, arms coming around my upper body in a defensive stance.

“I like you.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and glaring, a fall forming in the bottom of my stomach. I opened and closed my mouth, unable to create a response.

He didn’t say anything for a while after that, and I hoped that’s the end of it, but he blocked the way.

“I know it’s sudden, but Erin, I have liked you from the first day, from the very moment we met. You have been plaguing my thoughts ever since, and I decided to let it go and move on, but it’s not possible…I cannot stop thinking about you, wanting you. When they announced the mating ceremony, I died a little and thought it was my last chance to let you know about my feelings.”

“I can’t do this,” I spat, shaking my head, exhaling loudly. “Y-You accused me, called me names and berated me in the worst way possible. I trusted you. Like a fool, I thought you were different than the others who often talk behind my back, but….”

“I was angry! I didn’t want to lose you to them, and it…it was not one of my finest moments. I agree and will apologise for it forever.” He said with a defeated sigh. “Please don’t hold that over me and let it cloud your judgment.”

“Damon…” I whispered, twisting my lips while watching his face. The Alpha appeared desperate, earnest as he met my eyes. A lump lodged in my throat as I thought about the contract binding me to the twins. “I am sorry…I can’t. Please. They are my mates and I…I have to be with them.”

“Says who?!” He yelled, yanking at his hair in frustration. “You can still back out.”

I thought about it. Not that I had any feelings towards Damon other than platonic ones. Crossing my arms together, I shook my head.

“No…I don’t want to. Even if you think they are not the right ones for me, I believe in moon goddess.”

His shoulders sagged in defeat at that, to which I apologised again before turning on my feet. Damon made a sound, making me halt.

“I-Is it okay if I want to be in your life?”

I looked over my shoulder.

“As a friend? I don’t want to lose you, Erin.”

“Damon…” I whispered.

“No funny business, I promise. Please.”

“A-Alright.”

***

Damon left shortly after that, and I was forced to rejoin the party. Both the Alphas stuck to my side for the entire evening, making sure I met all their guests and a few of the big names from the press. They also made the reporter from earlier apologise to me in person.

To conclude, it was a long night.

The following morning I woke up a little early than usual, lying in bed for a few minutes while the room brightened. I could feel excitement permeating my body, a lightness I had not felt in weeks. Now that the announcement was out of the way, I had nothing else to worry about. Except starting with the book fair.

I turned my head slowly on the pillow, hiding a poorly concealed smile when my phone buzzed.

“Hello?” I groggily answered as soon as I put the phone to my ear, rolling out of bed. As I placed my feet on the floor, a shiver ran down my spine, and goosebumps broke out all over my body.

“Why aren’t you answering your phone?” Alpha Reed’s familiar tone seeped in from the other side, sounding distressed.

“I’m answering it now, aren’t I?”

He sighed exasperatedly. “I’ve been trying to reach you for an hour!”

“I was sleeping,” A yawn slipped out of my feet, eyes feeling crusty as I walked to the bathroom.

“Are you still feeling sleepy? When did you go to bed last night?”

“What’s with all this interrogation, mother?” I mocked him.

“Very funny,” Reed grumbled. “I called you to tell you about the change in our plan.”

“What plan?”

“The dinner with my mom.”

Right. It almost slipped my mind, and I was celebrating about the last night's success. Gripping the phone tightly, I looked into the mirror.

“What about it?”

“We are doing it today. My mother has cancelled all her plans and is waiting to welcome you.”

Suppose I wasn’t awake before; I was undoubtedly more awake now. A loud groan slipped out of my lips, dread settling in the belly.

“Are you kidding me?!”

“Why would I joke about something so serious in the morning, Erin?”

“I don’t know!” I yelled, palming at my temples and pacing from one corner to the other. There was no way I was prepared to go into the lions den willingly. How can I escape out of this?

“You cannot,” Reed said. “There is no way out of this. Charles will pick you up in the evening, so be ready.”

Was I talking out too loud earlier? How did he hear me?

“You were talking out loud and are still doing it. See you in the evening. Goodbye, Erin.”

***