Chapter 220 Eyes On Alexander

Chapter 220 Eyes On Alexander
Ember's POV:

Present Time:

I stood in the grand hallway of the Blackwood mansion, watching guests laugh and toast with champagne glasses that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. Two months. It had only been two months since Dominic died, and here they were, throwing an engagement party like nothing had happened.

How could they just... forget him like this?

The crystal chandeliers cast everything in golden light, making the white roses and silk ribbons draped everywhere look perfect. Too perfect. Like they were trying to erase every trace of grief from this house.

The sound of clinking dishes drew me toward the living room. I needed to find Amelia anyway. We'd been avoiding each other since... that night. But I had questions about the painting I'd seen, and Maxwell might have answers.

"Amelia?" I called out, stepping into the spacious living room.

She looked up from arranging silver platters on the marble coffee table, her auburn hair pulled back in a perfect bun. "Oh, Ember. Did you bring the batter in?"

Marisa had decided to take care of the cafe and also prepare food and send it here. I didn’t get why she was so reluctant to join us.

“The car hasn’t pulled up yet,” I mumbled, watching her gesture for me to get back outside and wait for the car.

I didn’t feel like wandering around this mansion again.

“Okay!” Wanting to help Amelia and not dump all the chores on her, I left the kitchen at her motion to get the batter for her.

As I have informed her, the car that was supposed to bring the food and other items Amelia had requested hasn't arrived.

I stood outside in the parking lot, watching the beautiful decorations around me. The front garden had been fancied up for the ceremony, with a gazebo and white flowers.

Taking in a whiff of fresh daisies and watching the guests arrive, I eventually looked down at the rags I was wearing. The white dress had turned gray in color now. I hadn’t been able to take care of my skin or my hair. However, I must have very healthy genetics from my father’s side for my hair and skin to still look flawless.

"Well, well! I never knew you dreamed of becoming their stepsister."

That voice. I turned to see Mallory gliding toward me in a princess-style pink dress, complete with a white tiara nestled in her perfectly curled hair. She looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine spread about fairy tale weddings.

I forced a smile. "Congratulations, Mallory. You look... perfect."

"Thank you!" She practically beamed, but her green eyes held that familiar cruel glint. "You must be so jealous. I mean, you used to dream about Noah accepting you, didn't you?"

My jaw clenched, but I kept the smile plastered on. "I'm not as obsessed as some people, I guess. Who would betray their own boyfriend to be with his friend? Oh wait..." I tilted my head innocently. "I know exactly who."

Mallory's smile faltered. Good. Let her remember how she'd cheated her way into this position.

But she recovered quickly, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If I were you, I'd watch myself, Ember. You're not talking to some random popular girl from school anymore. I'm a Luna Queen. And if you dare bite me again, I'll pull out your teeth and feed them to you."

I couldn’t argue back with her after she let her wolf flash at me.

Sadly, I couldn’t risk transitioning into my full dragon form for a few minutes and then forcefully going back to my human form and suffering at the hands of these people.

If could stay in my full dragon form, that would be a different story.

I started to step around her, but she moved quickly, shoving me hard with both hands.

“Ow!” I hit the ground, my teeth catching my tongue. Mallory and her friends burst into laughter. Everybody started gathering around, so I pushed my body up and started walking away instead of staying and arguing with her.

I hated the feeling of being mocked. But there was nothing I could do about it at the moment.

The kitchen smelled like vanilla and cinnamon when I entered with the delivery boxes. Amelia looked up from her mixing bowl, flour dusting her apron.

"Perfect timing. Can you start decorating those cupcakes?" She nodded toward a tray of unfrosted vanilla cupcakes. "The piping bags are right there."

At least this would keep me busy and away from more confrontations. I picked up a bag of pink frosting and started making small roses on each cupcake.

"You look upset," Amelia said after a few minutes. "I know Noah is your mate, but maybe what happened was for the best. He's not exactly... easy to please. And I know you pretty well too. He'd be happier with perfect Luna material."

I looked up. "What's Luna material?"

"Someone who listens to her alpha's commands and obeys without expressing her own opinions."

"You mean a pet?" I couldn't hide my disgust. "I'm pretty sure even pets get treated well."

"See? That's exactly why you're not right for Noah. He's council leader bloodline but had to grow up like he didn't have a father. He wants everything he feels he missed out on in childhood."

The pieces started clicking into place. Everything he missed out on. Like Ethan's girlfriend. Like Dominic's crown. Like...

"Oh, by the way," Amelia continued, her voice taking on that gossipy tone people use when they think they're sharing harmless information. "Noah really impressed his father with his new business ideas. I'm guessing after he gets help from his father-in-law, he'll be ranked higher than Alexander. I really like Alpha King Alexander, but if Noah's the better choice, why not?"

My piping bag squeezed too hard, sending frosting splattering across the counter. "He's taking over the business?"

"Not completely, but basically everyone will depend on his final decisions instead of Alexander's."

“No way I would let this happen. I need to stop him,” I uttered under my breath.