Shenaya’s POV
The evening sky was painted with hues of violet and deep blue as Paris Fashion Week reached its peak. The grand event took place in the lavish Palais de Tokyo, the heart of the city’s fashion scene. Designers from across the world gathered all hoping to make their mark on the glittering catwalk. The hall was filled with the who’s who of the industry, and cameras flashed endlessly.
My entire family was in the audience, I could see the proud smile on their faces as they cheered to support me. My mother and father beamed with pride, and my best friend Lilah sat close by engaged in excited chatter with Andrew. Everyone knew Lilah to be talkative, Ethan stood tall next to his mate Isla, both with an air of quiet authority, while Lucy, still recovering from her ordeals, sat quietly with a soft smile.
Yet, despite the overwhelming success of my evening, my heart sank. There was a void. Aiden isn’t here. He hadn’t been around in days and had stopped sending me flowers and cute little notes too, I didn’t even know how much I loved those cute notes and flowers until he stopped sending them.
As the show began, models strutted down the runway in my elegant designs, gowns that shimmered in silver and gold under the spotlights, everyone cheered and I was proud of my designs but I couldn’t bring myself to smile because my mind wandered.
‘So much for ‘trying all my life until you forgive me,’ I thought bitterly. ‘I knew he wasn’t capable of love.’
‘I thought you didn’t want him,’ Lily, my wolf mocked me.
‘Shut up, I didn’t ask for your opinion,’ I scold her.
My instincts are very sharp now, especially after taking Alpha’s training. I could feel danger lingering in the air. I scanned through the audience repeatedly, hoping to see something that could be dangerous, maybe someone suspicious, the sensation of unease gnawed at me, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
After the show ended and the applause faded, I sent most of my family home because I didn’t want to worry them. Lilah and Andrew, however behind with me for the after-party, while Ethan and Isla headed back to ensure the pack was protected.
“I sense something off tonight,” I whispered to Ethan. “Please, make sure everything is secure. I’ll take care of things here.”
“Are you sure you don’t need me to stay?” Ethan’s gaze was sharp.
“I’ll be fine,” I replied with a firm smile. “But I need you to be alert to keep the pack safe.” Ethan nodded before he departed with Isla.
I hopped into Andrew’s car, I took my seat at the passenger seat at the back beside Lilah while Andrew was our driver for the night. He jammed music and we started vibing and singing to the song as we drove off to the club where the after part was going to happen.
The nightclub pulsed with energy, the bass of the music vibrated through the air. Neon lights flickered in shades of purple and blue which cast playful shadows over the glamorous crowd. Models, designers, and influencers mingled with drinks in their hands, waves of laughter and conversations mixed with the thumping music.
I stood at the bar and I could tell by the attention I was getting from everyone who passed by that I looked stunning. I was dressed in a sultry, black satin slip dress with a plunging neckline that shimmered under the club’s lights. The dress hugged every curve of my body, it’s lend was just mid-thigh, with a slit that climbed daringly high up my leg. This dress was a gift I got from Lilah and she made me promise to wear it. I hadn’t found a perfect night to wear it so I just took the opportunity tonight. My hair cascaded in waves down my back, and her makeup was perfect, my lips were painted a deep red that made me look every bit the seductress.
To get out of my shell because of my choice of clothes and to feel a bit comfortable around Andrew. Andrews’ eyes had been on me all day long and most importantly, to get rid of the feeling of danger ahead. I just wanted to enjoy the night and go home. I knocked back three shots of vodka, the alcohol barely dulls the tension swirling in my gut. My instincts were screaming at me now though I still couldn’t pinpoint the source of the danger. My eyes scanned the crowded club hoping to see Aiden’s face but there was no sign of him.
I decided to join Lilah and Andrew on the dance floor. I swayed my hips to the hypnotic rhythm of the music. Lilah was dressed in a tight silver dress, she giggled as we danced, while Andrew kept his eyes glued to my body. Just minutes after joining them on the dance floor, I started to feel it. Heat rose in my body making me feel extremely uncomfortable. Like I should tear my dress off, my head began to spin, and the once-fun atmosphere of the club felt stifling and suffocating. It dawned on me that I had been drugged.
“Something’s wrong,” I whispered to Andrew while I leaned heavily on him as my vision began to blur. “Someone spiked my drink. Get the bartender.”
Andrew’s eyes widened in alarm as he rushed off to confront the bartender, leaving me to Lilah who was already drunk and barely holding herself off. I couldn’t hold on much longer as my legs gave up on me, and I began to fall, the whole world started to spin.
I was expecting to land on the hard floor but before I could hit the ground, strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me into a firm chest. The familiar scent of sandalwood and pine-filled my senses as I felt myself being lifted from the ground.
“Aiden?” I mumbled as my mind started screaming different thoughts at me.
“Let’s go home,” Aiden’s deep voice rumbled in my ear which even worsened my case. I wanted to strip off but he kept holding my clothes down while he carried me effortlessly through the club, I couldn’t really say what his expressions looked like because I was in a trance. He maneuvered through the crowd with ease, the other patrons parting as though sensing his powerful aura.
“I’m here now,” he whispered as he carried her to the waiting car. “You don’t have to worry anymore.”
Immediately he dropped me in the back seat of the car, I stripped leaving me bare naked while he watched me in Awe.