Chapter 50 Encountering Alpha Maren
He had kind eyes. That was my first thought.
Round, warm brown, the sort that should feel familiar somehow. I study him longer than necessary, searching my memory for anything, a conversation, a passing moment.
Nothing comes.
“I’m sorry… no,” I admit gently. The words felt harsher than I meant them to be.
“So,” he says quietly, “you don’t remember me at all?”
A small knot formed in my stomach. “Should I?” I tried to laugh lightly, though it sounded forced even to my own ears.
“Have we met before?” I try again, genuinely forcing myself to think. Faces blur together at events like this, too many people, too many expectations.
“Oh,” I added quickly, trying to make sense of it, “maybe you were around when Alpha Cassain and I visited about six months ago?”
That seemed logical. He worked here, after all. Either I’d crossed paths with him during that visit, or he’d simply seen me from afar.
And honestly, I am terrible with faces, especially during events like this where everything felt loud and overwhelming.
He looks at me, disappointment flickering across his features.
“Never mind,” he muttered, looking away. “Forget I asked.”
I dip the cloth back into the cleaning mixture and dab carefully at my dress one last time. The stain has faded to almost nothing, thank goodness. When I glance up again to thank him properly, he’s gone.
Just… gone.
Weird.
After patting the fabric dry as best as I could, I straightened my my posture, and take a steadying breath before heading back toward the ballroom.
The atmosphere has changed while I was away. The music is faster now, louder, and the crowd has clearly had more to drink.
Laughter bursts from every corner, movements looser, conversations less guarded than earlier. Guests swayed and spun across the dance floor, some already flushed from drink.
I had barely taken two steps inside when a smooth voice slid beside me.
“Hello, Nova.”
I turned, already recognizing the tone.
She looks breathtaking, annoyingly so. Her emerald gown hugs her figure perfectly, shimmering each time she moves. Matching earrings brush lightly against her neck, catching the chandelier light. Everything about her feels effortless, regal, dangerous.
“Alpha Maren,” I said politely, offering a small smile. “Thank you for inviting me. This party is… beautiful.”
We both knew I didn’t particularly like her. And judging by the faint curve of her lips, she knew and doesn’t care.
But being known as Cassain’s mistress means playing a role now. Smiles, courtesy, even when every instinct tells me to walk the other way.
“I don’t actually enjoy hosting them,” she says lightly, scanning the crowd. Her gaze moves from person to person like she’s assessing threats. “But it’s useful. I get to see all my enemies gathered in one room.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Is Cassain included in that list?”
She hummed thoughtfully, the sound deliberately vague. “Perhaps.”
Typical politician’s answer. Say everything while revealing nothing.
“Drink?” she offers, extending a slender flute filled with shimmering silver liquid.
“I don’t really drink,” I said automatically, then hesitated. Tonight had already broken several of my personal rules.
“This will be a very long evening,” she replied smoothly, nodding toward the increasingly chaotic dance floor. “And it’s watered down. I dislike guests becoming… uncontrollable in my home.”
I glanced at the dancers. If this was controlled behavior, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see the alternative.
People often acted stranger when they thought they were drunk anyway.
I sighed quietly, surrendering to politeness more than temptation.
“Fine,” I said, accepting the glass. “Thank you.”
Then she leans closer, voice dropping low enough that only I can hear.
“If, at any point tonight you grow tired of Cassain,” Alpha Maren murmured, eyes glinting with wicked amusement, “my bed has been terribly empty lately.”
Her gaze dragged slowly over me, sharp and mischievous. “You can bring him along… or not.”
I roll my eyes before I can stop myself.
Another one of her games. Another reminder that everything around her is a power move.
She walks away without waiting for a response, leaving behind the lingering scent of cloves and mint that hangs heavy in the air.
I finish the drink faster than intended and set the empty glass aside. Already, warmth creeps beneath my skin, spreading up my neck and across my shoulders.
This night was going to stretch on forever. I could feel it.
I linger near the edge of the dance floor for a while.
Across the floor, Cassain excused himself from his dance and headed toward the refreshments table.
Relief flickered through me. I could definitely use water. My throat felt dry, and heat crept up the back of my neck, spreading beneath my dress until my skin felt damp and uncomfortable. The alcohol was hitting harder than expected, leaving me slightly lightheaded.
The alcohol was a mistake. Definitely a mistake.
Pushing away from the wall, I started toward him, weaving carefully between dancers, only to stop short when someone stepped directly into my path.
“Are you alright?” the man asked, concern lining his voice as his eyes swept over my flushed face.
Only then did I realize I’d been fanning myself with my hand.
I recognized him immediately.
“Lord LeRoy,” I said politely, slipping my slightly sweaty hands behind my back. “I’m fine. Just… a little warm.”
He smiles. “Please, call me Nick.”
He gestures toward the large glass doors leading outside, where moonlight spills into the hall. “Why don’t we get you some fresh air?”
The suggestion sounds heavenly. The heat building inside me feels unbearable now, like I might actually melt where I stand.
“Okay,” I agree, offering a tight smile. “That sounds nice.”
Nick runs a hand through his short dark hair streaked with grey as we begin walking.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you for a dance,” he adds casually.
I blink. “Really?”
We’ve barely spoken before. As Lucia’s assistant, I’ve seen him in meetings with Cassain countless times, yet he’s never shown much interest beyond polite nods.
“You’re very beautiful,” he says, his gaze lingering a little too long. “You often catch my eye at gatherings like this.”
Unease prickles along my spine.
I looked over my shoulder, I notice Alpha Maren approaching Cassain across the room, her emerald dress flashing under the lights.
Something tightens in my chest.
Ignoring the strange discomfort settling in my stomach, I allow Nick to guide me into the the gardens, leaving the ballroom.