At the party
Chapter 51
Iris
Though my arm was entwined around Gradel’s arm, my body still shuddered nervously as soon as we arrived in the hall. I gazed at the decor to distract myself from the fact that I’d soon be facing the Alpha again.
The decorators outdid themselves and I imagined having a large number of people gathering because of me. A real mating ceremony between Gradel and I, maybe.
“You feel so nervous, what’s the problem now?” He observed.
“Nothing serious. I’m not used to being in such an event,” I brushed off and that was the truth.
I wasn’t from the elite or Alpha clan, and I was a part of the lowest clan in the pack so there was no need for me to be in such places. Reminiscing about my past, I was baffled at how my life had changed in less than a month.
“Are you sure? I want you to be relaxed here because no one will try harassing you while I’m here, not even my father.” He assured and I gulped.
It was at the tip of my tongue to remind me of how he failed to fulfill his promise when his father invited us for dinner, but I swallowed my words, being assured that he wouldn’t turn his back on me.
I dragged in a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. “Alright then, let’s have some fun,” I replied, pulling out some enthusiasm.
He did something shocking and took me to the dance floor where other pack members were having fun with their mates. I gasped, my eyes bulging in surprise.
As far as I could remember, Gradel hardly participated in social activities and I wasn’t sure that he could dance well. Dancing wasn’t my forte and I didn’t want to embarrass myself on the dance floor.
“I can’t dance,” I shook my head with a giggle.
“That’s not a problem, baby, just move your body to the groove of the music. It’s not that hard,” He chuckled.
I looked around and discovered that most couples had stopped dancing and were watching our next line of action. Gradel had already begun to dance while I stared at him like a lost sheep.
And then my name resonated in the lips of our onlookers as they chanted with excitement.
“You’d better do as they ask,” He urged me, his eyes sparkling with mockery.
After taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I felt emboldened and slowly moved with Gradel guiding me. Gradually, it didn’t feel like a herculean task anymore as I let go of my reservations and began to jump wildly.
Several minutes later, I was out of breath with everyone clapping for me. I bowed and leaned on Gradel who was willing to hold me for support.
“For someone who claims that she doesn’t know how to dance, you surely know how to move your body well.” He patted my face with his handkerchief.
The Alpha hadn’t come out yet and I was becoming thirsty so he went ahead to get two glasses of wine while I waited for him behind an empty table.
A young man approached me, wearing an eerie grin. “Hello, lady. It’s good to see you again,”
I couldn’t reply immediately as Gradel came from behind me with a serious look. The relaxed expression he had all evening had disappeared as he scowled at the man.
“Who are you?” He questioned with a commanding tone.
“Mr Alfred,” He replied, stretching forth his hand and then my eyes caught the bracelet on his wrist. “I’d like to make your acquaintance just as I’ve done with your mate, Iris.”
A confident smile spread on my face as Gradel threw a questioning glance at me. I nudged him to take a look at Mr Alfred’s wrist and then his eyes lit up in realization.
His bewilderment grew into a full-blown scowl. “You!” He growled, “What are you doing with my bracelet? Do you know how precious that piece of jewelry is to me?” He faced me. “How on earth did you get to know the man that took my bracelet?” He growled.
I clasped my palms together, pleading silently that he lower his voice. I didn’t want to create a scene on such an important day, but I didn’t expect Mr Alfred to show up that fast as well.
That wasn’t the plan.
“I can explain everything, but you have to promise me that you won’t beat anyone up.” I bit my lip anxiously.
He held his breath and closed his eyes for a second. When the opened, some of the rage on his face had receded. “You can start talking,”
Suddenly, the charming man who had motivated me to dance earlier had gone into thin air. The man standing before me presently was someone who was desperate for answers and I was ready to give it all to him.
“The bracelet was yours until your twin sold it to this man here.” I blurted.
Gradel’s eyes grew wide with so much fury that I had to take a step backward subconsciously.
“Devin was the reason behind my missing bracelet?” He gritted, his voice dangerously low.
If anyone saw him from the sidelines, they’d think that we were having a normal conversation.
“Yes. I bumped into Mr Alfred here when we went to the market. I’d just come out from the restroom when I saw a man taking a call around the lobby, and I was about to return to you when I saw the bracelet on his wrist. I was gobsmacked, to say the least, and the urge to confront him took over me, but you didn’t give me the chance to do that and I couldn’t tell you what I’d seen because I wasn’t sure of what I saw.”
Going back to the memory lane was fulfilling because I’d felt like a secret spy on a mission and the best part was that I achieved it.
“I was determined to find out why this man here wore an exact bracelet as yours, so I went to Larry, the man who had accused me of stealing your bracelet. I knew that he would have some information about it so I pestered him until he told me that he had indeed followed me that evening and he was able to see where I hid the bracelet. The next day, while we were at the pack’s hall, he came to my house and took the bracelet.”