Emily’s POV
“You look beautiful, my dear,” Xavier’s voice echoed through the quiet foyer of the ballroom, and I turned to look back at him.
“So do you,” I complimented back. He was dressed in a black silk tuxedo and a white dress shirt.
He came closer and looked me in the eyes.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
I reached out and fixed his bow tie and pulled my lips in a thin line, nodding.
I wasn’t particularly in the mood for this social gathering, but it was my duty to attend and be at Xavier’s side as an official.
“Then let’s get this party on the roll,” he said, extending his arm for his blond-headed date to take.
The girl had a scowl on her face and didn’t look too happy about Xavier offering me attention and not her.
I internally sighed.
I had no romantic feelings towards Xavier; he was like a father to me, and this girl should know that. I even rejected Xavier’s offer to be his date at the event.
Xavier glanced in the direction of his sons and gave them a nod. They were standing patiently with their dates, waiting for their father’s signal. They got closer with their dates and Dave nodded to the guards stationed at the entrance to open the double doors leading to the ballroom.
Dave and his date were the first ones to enter the ballroom, followed by Paul, Joe and Xavier last.
I waited a moment, giving the royal party some time to go down the steps and enter the hall.
When I couldn’t see Xavier anymore, I straightened my dress, took a deep breath, and followed.
The guards closed the doors behind me, and as if on cue, the ballroom suddenly fell silent.
Odd, I thought.
That had never happened before.
Did Dave call everyone to attention already?
I slowly lifted my gaze, wondering if the event had already started.
I froze, bewildered, when I noticed a curious gaze staring up at me.
Were they all looking at me?
“It seems like everyone heard the news about the duel,” Willow whimpered.
“How humiliating,” I muttered under my breath, feeling my cheeks fluster and turn crimson.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, raised my head, straightened my back, put a smile on my face, acting like nothing was out of place, and went down the steps.
As soon as I took the last step, the most mouthwatering scent of apple crumble assaulted my nose, and my gaze snapped in the direction the smell was coming from.
“He came,” I muttered, trying to block Willow off. She was howling and scratching to be released and to go to him.
I found Alex’s gaze. He looked as if he was in excruciating pain. His jaw was tense, and his eyes were as black as night.
Was he fighting Ghost too?
My gaze shifted to the person sitting next to him, and my heart scattered in my chest.
Angelica was sitting with a smirk on her lips.
My gaze snapped towards the tapping on the microphone.
Dave must have seen me take my last step, excuse himself from our table, and already be standing on top of the stage.
I quietly, but quickly, moved toward my table.
Xavier saw me coming; he got up, pulled the chair back, and helped me take a seat.
“What took you so long?” He growled, dissatisfied, under his breath.
I looked at him, surprised. He has never openly scolded me in public.
“I needed to fix my dress,” I lied, shifting my gaze to the stage. “I don’t want to embarrass you by coming down with a wrinkled dress, my king.”
Xavier rolled his eyes. He knew I was talking sh*t.
“So you didn’t just ogle Alpha Alex?” Paul sneered next to me.
“Paul!” I growled, and he chuckled behind his hand. He could be such an asshole.
“Stop pestering Emily about her mate, Paul,” Mila hissed. “Or should I remind you how your mate rejected your ass four years ago?”
My gaze snapped at Paul, and he shrank back in his seat.
That was news.
Was that the reason why Paul always acted like an asshole around me?
“What happened?” I linked to Mila. “And why do I not know about this?”
“It’s a long story,” Mila linked back.
“Make it short and sweet, girl,” I replied. “I know you want to.”
Mila hesitated.
“Come on, Mila,” I whined. “Just tell me already!”
I needed some ammunition to get Paul off my back.
“It’s not my place,” she replied, her eyes shifting to Paul.
“Come on! Paul always finds something embarrassing to piss me off,” I said, pouting. “It’s time for me to be able to turn the tables on him.”
Mila rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Fine, I’ll tell you,” she linked.
Mila turned quiet, and I assumed she was trying to make this as short and sweet as possible.
“Paul’s fated mate is a rogue,” she suddenly linked.
My eyes almost popped out of my sockets upon hearing that.
“Are you for real?” I shrieked over the link, unable to process what Mila just told me.
Mila grabbed her head and gave me a death glare.
“Seriously!” She growled. “You didn’t need to shout so loudly. I’m not deaf! I can hear you just fine!”
“So say the one who used to do that to me all the time!” I chirped, laughing.
Mila sighed, annoyed.
“Is that all you know?” I pushed.
“About Paul’s mate?” Mila asked.
I nodded.
“Yeah,” she replied. “Except for Paul turning into a total asshole after that, there isn’t much more I can tell you.”
The information excited me. What if I could find this rogue girl? Would she maybe be able to help me?
Was she part of the rogue attacks? And why did she reject him?
Dave finished up with his speech, the wolves applauded, and Xavier took the stage.
Five minutes later, our food and drinks were served, and the dance floor was opened.
Xavier leaned over to me and searched my gaze.
“I suggest that you stay away from Alpha Alex tonight,” Xavier said. “I don’t want to see you get hurt!”
Xavier shifted his gaze and looked over my shoulder, and I turned to look at what he was looking at.
My breath hitched when I caught Alex staring at me. He looked like he was in pain.
The next moment, Alex got to his feet and rushed to the exit. The next moment, Luke stood next to me holding out his hand for me to take.
“Luna,” he said, smiling down at me. “May I have this dance?”
****