Harper pov
I nearly tightened my fist to throw a punch at her when Alpha Ethan’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“What’s all this drama about, Sarah?” I asked, feeling the heaviness of my pain bubbling inside me.
“Nothing, just enjoying time with my childhood friend. Do you have a problem with that?” she whispered, continuing to dance with Ethan, their movements fluid and graceful. I knew Ethan was trying to avoid any embarrassment, which I was seriously considering.
“How can a childhood friend pull the main wife away from her husband and call it dancing?” Alessia snapped, her eyes burning with fury. I held her fist to quiet her; Ethan might be her brother, but he was also trying to keep the peace since it was a ball with many prominent alphas present. I stood next to Ethan, anger crawling under my skin, the atmosphere thick with tension.
Alessia’s eyes blazed with outrage, her chest rising and falling with barely contained rage. I could feel her shaking in my grip, her fist still tight in mine. “Let go, Harper,” she whispered fiercely, her voice almost lost in the music. “I won’t make a scene, but this is absurd.”
I let go of her hand, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Ethan locked eyes with me, a warning flickering in his gaze. He sensed my tension and was attempting to ease the situation.
“Harper, come dance with me,” Ethan said in a calm, steady voice. “Let’s show them how it’s done.” He smoothly freed himself from the grip of his childhood friend, who appeared shocked by the abrupt dismissal.
Alessia’s gaze sharpened at the girl now standing alone, looking unsure. “You think you can just come in here and take someone else’s husband?” Alessia hissed, her sharp tone drawing the attention of nearby couples.
Ethan quickly stepped in, placing a hand on Alessia’s elbow and guiding her to the dance floor. “Not here, Alessia. Not now,” he urged in a low whisper.
I watched, my anger still simmering, as Ethan skillfully led Alessia into a graceful waltz. The tension between them was thick, but Ethan’s composed demeanor gradually began to relax Alessia’s stiff posture.
Meanwhile, Sarah was left standing by herself, her embarrassed gaze flitting between me and Alessia. “Sorry,” she mouthed before making a quick exit.
As the music enveloped me, I sensed someone beside me. Remuy, a tall figure with striking blue eyes, flashed a polite smile, the same guy who had nearly ruined my day. “May I have this dance?”
His voice was smooth and low, with a subtle challenge hidden beneath his courteous words. I hesitated, torn between wanting to confront him and the fact that Alessia was still simmering, oblivious to her ex-boyfriend lingering nearby.
“What are you doing here?” I groaned, pulling away from him.
“Hello, Alpha Ethan. It’s a delight to enjoy a lovely evening with your family,” he replied smoothly, a grin spreading across his face.
Alessia approached him, her height not quite matching his. I found it amusing that they had dated, especially since he was taller than her.
“What are you doing here, Remus? Who invited you to the ball?” she asked, her tone dripping with disdain.
“Sarah did?” I turned to see Sarah, who wasn’t even on the guest list.
Remus maintained his grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Ah, Alessia, always a joy to see you,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “I wasn’t aware that I needed an invitation for a public gathering.”
Alessia’s eyes blazed with fury, her hands firmly on her hips. “This is a private ball, Remus. Only invited guests are allowed.”
Remus laughed, his gaze sweeping the room. “I must have overlooked the ‘invitation only’ sign. Besides, Sarah assured me I’d be welcome here.”
I quickly glanced back at Sarah, who stood by the refreshments, a glass of champagne shaking in her grasp. Our eyes locked, and for a brief moment, I noticed a hint of guilt in hers.
“Ethan,” Alessia said, her voice sharp, “let’s not create a scene. Remus is just an old boyfriend; I’m sure he means no trouble.”
Alessia’s face turned cold. “Old boyfriend? You think that’s all he is?”
Remus’s grin widened. “Oh, Ethan, ever the peacemaker. But I can see why Alessia might be worried. I do have a bit of a… reputation.”
The atmosphere grew tense, thick with unspoken history between Remus and Alessia, their mutual disdain evident.
Suddenly, Sarah’s voice broke the silence. “Alessia, can we talk?”
They stepped out of the main hall, and I hurried over to Ethan. “Alpha, I need to sit down. This guy is really getting on my nerves, and I need to clear my head.”
Ethan’s face showed concern as he quickly led me to a quieter seating area, away from the bustling crowd. “Take a seat and breathe deeply,” he said in a calming tone. “I’ll grab you something to drink.”
I sank into the soft couch, feeling dizzy. The confrontation with Remus and Alessia had completely drained me. Ethan vanished into the crowd, leaving me momentarily alone.
As I sat there, I noticed a server nearby, watching me with interest. “Can I get you something, ma’am?” she inquired.
“Just water, please,” I answered, my throat dry.
She handed me a cold glass, and I took a grateful sip. The refreshing liquid helped ease my racing thoughts.
Ethan returned, looking worried, holding a glass of amber liquid. “Here, drink this. It should help settle your nerves.”
I took the glass, recognizing the familiar scent of whiskey. “Thanks,” I said, taking a sip.
At that moment, alpha Christian, the event’s main organizer, approached, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room. “Mind if I join you?” he asked Ethan.
Ethan nodded, and Christian took a seat next to me, his presence comforting.
“What’s happening?” he asked in a low voice.
“Remus,” Ethan replied, his jaw tight.
Christian’s expression darkened. “I’ll handle it.”
Their exchange was filled with unspoken understanding, reflecting their alpha roles.
Just then, Sarah returned, Alessia absent. Her gaze met mine, filled with an unreadable expression.
“Where’s Alessia?” Ethan asked, his tone serious.
Sarah paused before answering, “She went outside for some air. I’ll make sure she’s alright.”
Ethan’s eyes shifted from Sarah to me. “Stay here; I’ll go check on Alessia.”
As Ethan left, Christian leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re tangled in quite a mess, aren’t you?”
His words sent a chill through me.
“Not really, I have bigger issues to deal with, Alpha Christian. I shouldn’t let such comments affect me,” I murmured, my voice low as I took a sip of my drink, waiting for Ethan to return with Alessia.
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, Alessia stormed into the room, her hair flying as she approached us. My eyes widened, following her path.
I watched as she marched over to the couch where Sarah was sitting, and before I could say anything, she delivered a sharp slap to Sarah’s face.
“How dare you!”