Malia’s POV
“Good evening brother,” Ronan greeted and I automatically removed my hands from around his neck and tried to wriggle myself out of his arms.
He released me and set me gently to my feet.
I felt guilty because Ryder had seen me in Ronan’s arms, but the former completely ignored my presence and spoke to his brother.
“Do keep an eye on Lucien for me, will you? I don’t think I’d be able to do that tonight,” he said and then walked away from us.
I tried to ignore how hurt I was. Treating me so coldly for something that I didn’t even do was starting to get on my nerves.
I took a deep breath. I had already decided to enjoy myself tonight and I wasn’t going to let Ryder ruin that.
“Why did he ask you to keep an eye on Lucien?” I asked.
“He and Margaret always attended the mating ceremony together every year before she left him. I guess my brother thinks he’s going to drink himself to stupor because his emotions are still all over the place,” he answered.
I nodded and allowed my eyes to roam the ballroom. I didn’t see Lucien.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to find Derek and Scott and ask them to keep an eye out for him.”
“Stay put please,” he said and disappeared.
After a few seconds, the hall suddenly became silent and I realized that Ryder had mounted the podium.
I watched as he said the opening remarks and admired the way everyone paid attention to him.
It was like they were hanging on to every word that came out of his mouth.
He finished and the ceremony commenced.
Loud classical music blasted from the speakers and I was suddenly in the mood to dance but Ronan wasn’t in sight.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I spun around. I gasped in surprise at the dramatic transformation that had happened with Penelope.
“Do I look that bad?” She asked with a nervous smile.
“Of course not,” I quickly replied. “You look so different I nearly couldn’t recognize you at first.”
“In a good way or a bad way?” She queried with a small frown.
I scoffed. “Are you kidding me? You look drop-dead gorgeous,” I answered wondering what had happened to her self-confidence.
She giggled in relief.
Pen really did look stunning. She had braided her hair into a complicated but beautiful twist and her amber eyes were even more luminous and beautiful than ever due to her eye makeup.
And her dress, dear Goddess!
“How long have you been saving for this dress?” I asked with a grin.
“How did you know?” She asked and burst out laughing. “I had been saving up for about two years to get it and I think it’s worth it,” she replied.
“Hell yeah, and it does wonders for your figure. If your mate is here, he’s going to go extra crazy when he sees you.”
The deep-golden off-the-shoulder dress did wonders for her eyes and her figure.
The silky material fit her like a second skin, enhancing her waistline and the curve of her hips.
I was still thinking about the best way to steal the dress from her when Ronan reappeared.
He did a double take when he saw Penelope and her cheeks promptly turned pink.
He slowly took her hand and planted a kiss on it. Her eyes widened in surprise and then she grinned.
“You look even more dazzling when you smile,” he said.
She giggled.
“Quit flirting you two,” I teased and earned a warning look from her.
“Now why are you acting like a wallflower? You heard the Alpha when he said you’re not going to find your mate that way right?” Ronan queried.
I scoffed. “That’s why the Moon Goddess blessed us with a great sense of smell. And besides, the man is supposed to find us. We’re not to go looking for him,” I replied.
Ronan cocked an eyebrow. “I’m sure I wasn’t speaking to you, Miss Malia. You already have a mate. I was speaking to Penelope.”
She burst out laughing and I felt like decking him but I knew doing that to a Beta in front of his pack wasn’t going to go unpunished.
“Shouldn’t you be looking for your mate?” I queried as I reached for a glass of wine.
“Oh. There’s no need for that seeing as I already found her,” he replied with a wolfish grin.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “That was fast. So where’s she? Isn’t she supposed to be glued to your side?”
Penelope murmured something about going outside for air and she disappeared.
“She’s here already. Right in front of me. Looking so magnificent. It’s a wonder how I can take my eyes off her even for a second,” he answered.
I mentally groaned and hoped he’d find his mate tonight.
“Let’s dance,” he said.
I sighed as he led me to the dance floor.
“Have you found Lucien?” I asked as he pulled me close to him.
“Derek and Scott are helping me keep an eye on him. At the moment, he’s dancing with Clara.”
“What? That’s so incorrigible. His wife is away because she caught him sleeping with her and now he has the audacity to dance with her in public?”
Ronan chuckled.
“It’s not funny,” I cried.
“I agree,” he said. “But the way your veins are threatening to pop out of your forehead is funny. You’re not even close to Margaret and yet you’re so passionate about this.”
I scoffed. “It doesn’t matter if I’m close to her or not. I just don’t believe that a person should hurt another person or take their feelings for granted after they have made vows to love and cherish them.”
He nodded. “You just make me see reasons why I have to make you mine every day,” he said.
I pulled my eyes away from his hypnotic grey ones.
“I think you should focus on finding your mate. The Moon Goddess already has a woman for you,” I murmured.
“To hell with the Moon Goddess,” he said and I gasped.
“I want you and I’m going to have you. Come what may.” His hand tightened around my waist and I placed my hand on his chest to create a little space.
“Why does that sound like a threat?” I asked.
He grinned and spun me around.
“It’s a promise, Malia,” he replied as he pulled me back into his arms.
The music ended and I turned to leave but he held me in place and tilted my chin up so that I was looking into his eyes.
“I love you Malia and you’re going to be mine,” he said and I knew from the intensity in his eyes that he wasn’t bluffing.
He smiled and offered me his arm and we moved to the opposite side of the ballroom.
I felt I was being watched so I turned my head and saw Ryder looking at us with murder in his eyes. I immediately unhooked my arm from Ronan’s. He turned his head to the side and gave me a look.
I gave him a small smile and hurried forward, muttering something about going outside to find Penelope. I got outside and immediately took a big gulp of air.
The Hawkins brothers were going to be the death of me.
I wondered where Penelope was and if her mate had found her. She wasn’t in front of the building where some of the pack members were standing in twos.
I sighed and made my way to the side of the building. I heard moans coming from a secluded corner and I smiled as I remembered how it was when mates found each other for the first time. There was nothing anyone could do to get them to keep their hands off each other.
I reached the back of the building and finally, there she was in the arms of a man who looked exactly like Lucien. He was the younger version. I couldn’t help but stare. The resemblance was remarkable.
He saw me and cocked an eyebrow. Then he said something to Penelope and she turned.
“Malia,” she called out with a grin and beckoned on me to join them.
“Meet my mate,” she grinned when I got close enough. “You know who he is I’m sure of that.”
I nodded. “Of course. He’s Lucien’s clone,” I said with a broad smile.
“I’m Malia, Pen’s best friend,” I greeted and stretched out my arm for a handshake.
We shook hands.
“You look familiar. Have we met before?” He asked and I shook my head.
“I don’t think so.”
“Have you seen your father yet?” Penelope asked him and his eyes hardened.
“I don’t think I’m ready to face him just yet. My brothers have spoken with him though,” he replied. She nodded in understanding. His eyes softened again as he looked at her with so much affection.
My heart ached as I remembered the night Zade found me. He had looked at me like he couldn’t live without me. Look at us now.
“There you are,” I heard Ronan say from behind me and I mentally groaned.
Penelope’s mate scowled as Ronan approached us. At first, I thought that they were sworn enemies because the Beta also had a scowl on his face.
I looked at Pen and saw that she was as puzzled as I was.
Then slowly, their lips curled into a smile and they promptly burst into laughter and embraced each other.