Chapter 22 CHAPTER 22
Chapter 22 CHAPTER 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Andre’s POV
I cannot seem to drown out the sharp pull of energy that encircled me when my hands were on her throat.
“Mine...” My wolf had called out. I heard him back then, a deep, possessive growl that vibrated through my bones, and that makes this more complicated. It makes every breath in this room feel like I’m inhaling glass. I nearly kissed her too...I need to get my acts straight.
"Did you buy the condoms as Olenna requested?" I ask, my voice sounding hollow to my own ears.
Ric nods, leaning back against the pillar. "Of course I did. You were thinking I would say no to Olenna? She would never take no for an answer, and you know it. When she wants something, she gets it. Usually tonight."
I fill up my drink again, the amber liquid splashing against the glass, but Ric reaches out and takes it away from me.
"You're going to dance soon and you want to get drunk? Olenna hasn't even blown out the candles on her cake yet. What do you want to do? Get trashed before the main event?"
"A Lycan getting drunk?" I snort, reaching back to snatch my drink away. "Ric, don't be ridiculous. You know it takes a hell of a lot more than this to touch my system."
"Honestly, something is wrong with you tonight..." he starts to say, his eyes narrowing as he studies the tension in my shoulders. But then he stiffens, giving me a sharp nudge in the ribs. "Olenna is coming over here. Behave!"
I shake off the dark thoughts and look forward. Olenna is sashaying toward me, a radiant, triumphant smile fixed on her face as she navigates the sea of silver and black.
I sit up, forced a smile onto my face, and wait for her to reach us.
"Come dance with me," she says, her voice a silk command. She doesn't wait for an answer, simply taking my hand and pulling me toward the center of the Great Hall.
I stand immediately and follow her. The crowd parts like a dark tide, hushed whispers following in our wake. The music shifts, the aggressive bass dropping into a slow, melodic rhythm that feels more like a ritual than a celebration.
I pull her close, one hand resting on the small of her back, the other clasping hers.
How will it feel if I'm holding Henna this way? My thoughts drift and I catch myself back in that same moment.
She was in close proximity earlier, with my hands pressed over her neck, I can't believe myself for yearning.
Maybe that is why I couldn't stop pressing over her neck.
"You're quiet tonight, Dre," Olenna whispers, her eyes locking onto mine. She leans her head against my shoulder, her crown brushing my jaw. "Is it because of the little human drama? I hope you aren't still thinking about that girl."
"I'm thinking about the party," I lie, my voice smooth. "And the fact that you look beautiful."
She giggles, a sound that usually charms me but today feels like nails on a chalkboard. "Good. Because after the cake, I have plans for us. Ric delivered the 'supplies' to your room already."
I tighten my grip on her waist. Every time I look at Olenna, I see the future that’s been written for me. But every time I close my eyes, I feel the pulse under Henna’s skin, and the wolf inside me howls at the moon, demanding a different path.
"The cake is being brought out," Olenna says, pulling back with a bright sparkle in her eyes. "Let’s go, Andre. It’s time for my wish."
I lead her toward the giant, multi-tiered confection being wheeled into the center of the hall. The students begin to cheer, the witches in the corner raising their glasses with forced smiles.
But as the candles are lit, casting flickering shadows against the walls, my eyes drift toward the heavy oak doors of the Hall. I find myself wishing, for the first time in my life, that someone would crash this perfect, miserable night.
Olenna stands before the towering, shimmering cake,
"Tonight isn't just about a birthday," she begins, her gaze sweeping over the sea of silver and black. "It’s about the strength of the Lycan Commons. It’s about the future we are building together." She pauses, her hand sliding possessively under my arm, her fingers digging into the fabric of my suit jacket. "And most importantly, it’s about the man standing beside me. Andre has been my rock, my shadow, and my destined mate since we were children. Our love story is the heartbeat of this academy, and tonight, I want everyone to see what true loyalty looks like."
She looks up at me, a triumphant sparkle in her eyes. The crowd erupts into applause, but it sounds distant to me, muffled by the heavy thrumming of my own blood.
"This is the part where you sing the birthday song for me, Dre," she whispers, leaning into my personal space until her pheromones cloys in my nose. Her eyes are locked onto mine,
I turn to face her,
"Happy birthday to you," I begin, my voice carrying through the hall. "Happy birthday to you."
The rest of the students join in, a rhythmic, synchronized chant that vibrates through the floorboards. "Happy birthday, dear Olenna... Happy birthday to you!"
As the final note fades, Olenna leans in, her lips brushing my ear. "Make a wish for us, Andre," she breathes.
"I wish for us to last as long as Gray Ridge exists, loving each other, choosing each other throughout the days of our lives." I recite just like I do each year.
She smiles reaching for my hand, "Time to cut the cake." She says as our hands clasped into each other over the knife, in one go, we slice into the cake and a round of applause cheer everywhere.
Some Lycans begin to shift, same with alphas, magic in the air, the witches doing their thing.
We let go of the cake as the servers wheel it away. Olenna’s hands are firm on my shoulders, her fingers tracing the line of my suit.
"This is the part where you kiss me, Dre," she whispers.
The crowd has gone quiet, their eyes fixed on us. This is the centerpiece of the "love story" she just sold them. I can feel Ric watching from the pillar, and I can almost feel the ghost of the hallway, the way Henna’s skin felt under my palm, the way she looked at me.
I lean in. It’s a practiced movement, one I’ve done a thousand times.
My lips meet hers, and the Great Hall erupts.
"Let's go to the other room..." She whispers carefully.