220- A Party of Wolves and Unwanted Truths
POV Aldren Valmorin:
I hoped they truly were, because without them chaos would set in so quickly that no souls would be left to tell our stories.
“Aldren? Is there anything you wish to inform us?” the earless one addressed me, asking whether I wanted to share the latest events with everyone.
“No, there isn’t,” I replied, turning my face to look at Edric, silently begging him not to open his mouth.
“And you, Edric?” he insisted.
Without taking his eyes off me, proving his loyalty once again, he answered:
“I have nothing to share.”
At last, my long-awaited party.
Some drank themselves into oblivion, others focused on the mission of finding a partner, and I—the creator—dodged the advances of the females.
It would be simpler and faster if one’s destined partner came with a label on their forehead, but that never happened. Not everyone married their supposed other half, yet they abhorred solitude enough to accept whatever came their way.
It wasn’t a sublime union, but it still made sense.
Nala looked beautiful, with makeup that almost concealed her irritation. The red lipstick, perfectly painted on her mouth, couldn’t hide the corners that stubbornly pointed downward.
I waved to her, and she immediately stood up from the central ottoman where she was talking to a woman from the village of Cyndrael, oblivious to the other alphas and omegas present.
Of course she smiled as she approached.
You shouldn’t smile, Nala. It’s not what you’re thinking. I won’t ask for forgiveness and declare my love for you, nor say that we can stay together without Teneris—none of that.
I walked toward a corner, away from the music, stopping beside one of the windows draped in heavy curtains, and Nala followed me. Crossing my arms, I met her eyes, full of expectation.
People around me might think I was a complete, heartless bastard, but that wasn’t the truth. I had to shed much of my humanity and benevolence in order to rule a pack of hundreds.
My ability to truly love and fully trust was torn from me as well. It wasn’t a choice, but a consequence of my deceitful fate.
“I’d like to apologize,” I said to her. Her lips trembled, on the verge of tears. “I overreacted to your insistence, and that was because it wasn’t a good moment to talk.”
“Of course I forgive you, Aldren…” The moment her pupil dilated with hope, I knew I was about to destroy her.
What a pity.
“You must admit that, decades ago, your bet with Teneris about who would snag me first was the biggest mistake of your lives, right?” She denied it quickly. “It was, Nala. It was.”
“For me, it wasn’t a mistake!” she denied vehemently. I let out a weary laugh.
“Nala, I regret answering that I’d be with both of you, that there was no need for a bet.” She gave a small, pained smile and wiped away a sneaky tear. “I know you. I know you didn’t like her and played the role of being my eyes in the village, bringing me information to please me, hoping I’d choose you.”
No one knew Nala’s dark side better than I did.
“Can you blame me?”
I thought she would deny it and say she loved the dead she-wolf, but she didn’t.
I admired her honesty.
“I’ll place you in a higher position. You’ll work in export management and receive double the pay. I’ll also change your house—I know you don’t like any of the single females.”
My offer sounded like an insult to her.
“Aldren, what makes you think I want a promotion and a house instead of us being together?”
“We won’t be together, so that’s all I can give.” She tried to retort, but I raised my index finger to her blood-red lips. “Contrary to what you might be thinking right now, you’re not indifferent to me. But I don’t feel the way you want me to. Don’t make me repeat what I already made clear in our last conversation. My decision is made.”
Inside me, my beast shook in celebration, as if proud of my stance.
I stepped away from her without looking back. Besides apologizing, I tried to compensate her for all the distress. It would have to be enough.
She didn’t call after me or follow me, which was smart on her part, because the same hand that benefited her could take everything back.
I sat at the bar and grabbed a glass, without Edric’s company—he was dealing with his angry partner before joining the party. I had to admit I owed him one.
Konrad was talking to a blonde she-wolf with ample breasts. One of his hands held her waist, and he poured all his charm over her as if he needed to.
None of the four of us needed to beg for sex—we were the fucking alphas of Tharnak.
I scanned the hall and didn’t spot Sullivan; he must have vanished into the rooms with some she-wolf. Viktor’s figure hadn’t caught my eye until he sat down beside me at the bar.
“Trouble in paradise?” He must have been referring to Teneris and Nala.
“Teneris is dead, and Nala is free.” His face, which almost never showed surprise, finally did.
“And who killed her?”
I swirled the whiskey in the glass and downed it before answering.
“Me. I learned from you.”
Viktor choked, surprised, but soon a perverse smile spread across his lips.
“Why can’t I believe that?”
“Believe it.”
“I’m very, very curious to know why.”
“That’s a secret for another occasion. I’ll trade it for diamonds.” I winked, and he laughed quietly—almost a miracle.
“You haven’t asked me for diamonds since the unnameable one. New female?”
At least he respected my wish never to hear her name again.
“Fuck, what if I want to set diamonds in this ring right here? Can’t I?” I raised my palm.
He shook his head, full of arrogance.
“Not your style. Don’t try to fool me.”
“Why don’t you disappear and go fuck someone?”
“Good idea, dear Aldren.” He turned toward the hall, likely searching for his prey. “Maybe Nala wants another alpha.” His gaze fixed on her with desire.
“I know you’ve always had your eye on her—go for it,” I replied, indifferent.
“And you?” He turned back to me.
“Me what?”
Viktor narrowed his eyes, suspicious.
“Who are you going to fuck?”
I took a moment, analyzing the options. None betrayed me. None. My list was poorly made that time—or I had a much bigger problem in my orbit.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I downplayed it.
Viktor laughed again. That was truly rare.
“Aldren Valmorin never refuses fire. Something’s bothering you.”
“Maybe.”
Curiosity gleamed in his eyes.
“I owe you a few favors.” He stood up, dragging the stool. “Come find me if you need anything.”
I nodded and let him go in search of Nala.
Viktor would be happy that night, but I couldn’t say the same about myself.
The truth stuck in my throat was hard to swallow.
Even if I disliked that prisoner, the only body I was interested in was hers.