Chapter 111 Chapter 111
Violet
Elijah nodded politely, not looking up from his plate.
Cassie, who'd been watching this entire exchange with growing irritation, finally spoke up. "He's also very busy, ladies. Maybe we could let him eat in peace?"
"We're just being friendly," Veronica said with faux innocence.
"Friendly," Cassie repeated flatly. "Is that what we're calling it?"
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.
Nicole, I noticed, had gone completely silent. Her earlier excitement about showing off her wedding plans had evaporated, replaced by a tight-lipped tension as she watched her friends fawn over Elijah.
"So, Elijah," Madison tried again, "are you bringing anyone to the wedding? A date, maybe?"
That made him look up. His dark eyes flickered to Nicole, then to me, before returning to Madison. "Haven't decided yet."
"Oh." Madison's face lit up like he'd just offered her the world. "Well, if you need a plus-one…"
Elijah finished his eggs and stood, draining the last of his juice. "Thanks for breakfast. I've got to get back to work."
"Already?" Veronica pouted. "You just got here."
"Duty calls." He picked up his apple and his phone. As he turned to leave, his gaze caught mine again, just for a second. The corner of his mouth lifted in the smallest smile, so brief that I almost missed it.
But I didn't and judging by the odd flutter in my chest, neither did my traitorous heart.
Then he was gone, leaving a wake of disappointed sighs from Veronica and Madison.
"Well," Madison said, fanning herself dramatically. "That was like watching a Greek god eat breakfast."
"He barely said ten words to you," Cassie pointed out.
"Quality over quantity," Veronica countered dreamily.
Nate's fork clattered against his plate. "I'm going to check on those vendor confirmations. Excuse me."
He left without waiting for a response. Meanwhile, Nicole's smile had gone brittle.
"So," Aunt Rosy said with forced brightness, "shall we get back to discussing the wedding flowers?"
But the energy had shifted. Nicole's big moment, her chance to show off to her friends, had been completely derailed by Elijah's mere presence.
And despite everything, I couldn't quite suppress the small, satisfied warmth spreading through my chest.
I caught Cassie's eye as she smirked knowingly.
Stop it, I mouthed at her.
You stop it, she mouthed back, gesturing subtly at my face. You're blushing.
I absolutely was not.
Okay, maybe I was.
But I was allowed to feel something when he smiled at me like that, wasn't I? Even if it meant nothing. Even if it couldn't mean anything.
"Violet?"
I snapped back to attention. Nicole was looking at me with that calculating expression I'd come to dread.
"Sorry, what?"
"I said," Nicole repeated with exaggerated patience, "there's a function this weekend. The Silvercrest Summit. Very exclusive. Only the founding families and their closest associates."
My stomach sank. I knew where this was going.
"Alpha Alaric insists the whole family attend," Nicole continued, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "It's essentially a pre-wedding celebration, but also an important political gathering. Lots of influential Alphas and their families are going to attend."
The two girls immediately widened their eyes.
“Oh, please let us in. We flew all the way here for you didn’t we?” Madison returned her attention to Nicole now that Elijah wasn’t around.
“Spots are very limited, dear. I don’t think you can be included at the last moment.”
Veronica and Madison both began begging and pleading with her again.
“Oh no, it would be awful to miss such a lovely event.”
“Absolutely! Is there nothing you can do at all? Please, Nicole?”
Nicole’s smug smile returned as she let her friends wallow in for her attention.
I tried to not roll my eyes at that.
"Sounds lovely," I said carefully and she looked at me again.
"And naturally, as Alpha Alaric's guest, you'll be expected to attend as well."
There it was.
"Oh, I don't think—"
"Of course you'll come," Aunt Thelma interjected. "It would look odd if you didn't."
"Exactly," Nicole said with false warmth. "It's formal attire, you know. Gowns, jewels, the works. First impressions matter at these events."
I exchanged a look with Cassie and added.
“Exactly and I don't have that kind of attire. But I am sure Veronica does.”
Veronica blinked and looked at me in a daze for a moment before nodding quickly.
“Of…Of course, I do. Even if I don't, I’ll comb through the entire planet to find one perfect for the evening.”
I gave her a sweet smile.
“So I believe you can take Veronica with you instead of me.”
Veronica squealed at that and ran over to the other side of the table to hug me.
“You are the best!!”
She screamed, making her friend frown.
“What about me?” Madison looked like she had been given lifetime imprisonment.
Cassie gave me a knowing look.
“Oh, we can’t separate you now, can we? You can go on my behalf.”
Madison too let out a squeal and rushed over to hug Cassie.
Nicole looked like she wanted to drown both her friends in the bowl of soup in front of her.
Her smile disappeared for a second but then she quickly plastered a fake one.
“It doesn’t work like that sadly. Invites are exclusive only. We can’t risk maligning Alpha Alaric’s image like that!” she said in a scandalized voice and looked around the table for support.
Her gaze landed on Lady Aurelia who was sipping juice.
“Right?”
Lady Aurelia nodded. “I fear so”
There went my chance to be free of Nicole for a single night. Ugh
Nicole’s smile turned radiant again, then stood gracefully, moving toward the sideboard where several large shopping bags sat. "Which is why I picked something up for you yesterday, Violet."
She picked something for me?
Every alarm bell in my head started ringing.
Nicole pulled out a garment bag, unzipping it with theatrical flair. The dress that emerged was breathtaking, deep sapphire silk with elegant silver embroidery along the neckline and hem.
"It's stunning," Aunt Rosy murmured.
"Valentina Russo," Nicole said proudly. "I saw it and immediately thought of Violet. The color would be perfect with her complexion."
Why? Why would you buy me a dress? What's the catch?
"That's very generous," I managed.
Meanwhile, the two girls ran back to touch the dress.
“Oh my, it's stunning. Please, Nicole, what can we do to be invited? We will do anything you say.”
They were literally begging at this point.
Nicole ignored them like buzzing flies and kept talking to me.
"Well, we're family, aren't we?" Nicole's smile didn't reach her eyes. "And I'd hate for you to feel out of place among the founding families."
There was the dig I'd been waiting for.
Aunt Rosy and Thelma beamed at her.
“Nicole, thats a really sweet gesture. I wasn’t aware that you also shopped for others instead of selfishly hoarding all the exquisite dresses for yourself.”
Nicole batted her eyelashes, soaking in the praise.
“I wanted to buy one for Cassie too but I wasn’t sure she would approve of my choice.”
'No, please no!!!' I cried in my head.