I laughed softly, grateful for his light-heartedness. “I’ll do my best.”
We chatted for a while, but my mind kept drifting back to the stranger outside the lounge. His scent still lingered faintly in my senses, a soothing balm to the chaos swirling inside me. Who was he? And why had his presence affected me so deeply?
Before I could dwell on it further, the door to the private room opened, and the conversation in the lounge quieted slightly as Aldric walked in, Seraphine at his side. She was dressed in her usual elegant style, her laughter light and easy as she clung to his arm.
I felt a pang in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm. Aldric’s gaze swept over the room, briefly landing on me before he turned his attention to Seraphine, guiding her to their seats.
Eamon, noticing the tension between us, leaned in and whispered, “You okay?”
I gave him a small nod, though my heart felt heavy. “I’ll be fine.”
As the night wore on, I did my best to blend into the background, quietly sipping my drink and making small talk with the other guests. But every so often, I caught Aldric watching me from across the room, his eyes cold and calculating.
At one point, I excused myself to get some air, slipping out onto the balcony to escape the suffocating atmosphere inside. The cool breeze was a welcome relief, and I closed my eyes, trying to center myself.
“You always were one to slip away unnoticed,” a deep voice said from behind me.
I turned, startled, to find Aldric standing in the doorway, his arms crossed as he leaned casually against the frame.
“I needed some air,” I replied, my voice tight.
Aldric’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he stepped forward, his presence imposing as always. “You’ve been avoiding me all night.”
I clenched my jaw, unwilling to let him drag me into another one of his manipulative games. “Maybe I just don’t feel like playing your little power games anymore.”
A flash of irritation crossed his face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. “We need to talk, Selene.”
“I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about,” I said, taking a step back. “You made your choices clear.”
Aldric’s gaze darkened, his wolf instincts rippling just beneath the surface. “You’re mine, Selene. Don’t forget that.”
The words sent a chill down my spine, but I stood my ground. “Maybe I don’t want to be yours anymore.”