Chapter 16

Tessa’s POV

The first thing I realize as I stare into the eyes of the man who rescued me is that he’s definitely not Evander.

In fact, this man couldn’t be further from Evander if he wanted to be.

Where Evander’s hair is jet-black and wavy, this man has a beautiful heap of blond curls that gleam like spun gold. Where Evander’s eyes are cold and hazel, this man’s are a warm chocolate brown. And where Evander’s mouth is always pursed into an almost-frown, this man smiles down at me as he helps me to my feet.

I don’t know this man, but I recognize him:

Gabriel Luxen.

A new face at the Alpha Ball, the Alpha of a rising pack and one of the most eligible bachelors in attendance tonight.

Still, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that he’s not Evander.

I pop the hearing aid back into my ear and breathe out a sigh of relief once I realize that everything is in proper working order.

“Is everything okay?” Gabriel asks, brow furrowing in concern. “I’m so sorry that happened to you–no one deserves to be treated that way.”

I blink, taken aback by such an obvious show of kindness. “I–yes, everything’s okay now, thank you. And it’s fine, really. I’m used to it.”

Gabriel looks around, casting dirty looks at anyone who dares try to approach me now. “You shouldn’t have to be used to something like that.”

“Thank you,” I say, beginning to match his smile.

He beams at me. “Of course. I’m Gabriel, by the way–Alpha Gabriel Luxen, of the Wintermere pack.”

Gabriel extends his hand for me to shake, so I do. His grip is strong and reassuring, his palm soft and warm.

“I–I’m Tessa,” I stammer out. “Tessa Redding.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Gabriel says. “So do you–”

Just then, there’s a commotion at the entrance to the ballroom, and a wave of hurried chattering sweeps through the hall.

Evander walks into the Alpha Ball.

Arm in arm with Mira.

Mira looks absolutely glamorous, long black hair spilling down her back in gorgeous waves. I thought my clothing and makeup was elaborate, but the ruby-red dress she’s wearing, positively drenched in pearls and gold embroidery, immediately pulls every eye in the room towards her.

I look at her, so pristine and perfectly done up, then down at myself–my now-wrinkled dress and surely-disheveled hair.

The contrast between us sends knives of agony plunging deep into my heart.

But as every admiring eye in the room focuses on Evander and Mira, picture-perfect couple that they are, Evander suddenly locks eyes with me from across the room.

His brows furrow, and in an instant, he’s walking towards me with a determined urgency to his gait.

My breath catches. The intensity with which he’s looking at me–I can’t help the butterflies in my stomach. Even Mira seems to notice, because she gathers her skirts and hurries to catch up with Evander in a split second.

Evander reaches out. I look up at him, electricity arcing along my skin as he grabs my wrist and quickly pulls me behind him.

“Stay away from my wife,” Evander warns Gabriel sternly, glowering at the man with thinly veiled fury.

“Wife?” Gabriel repeats, raising an eyebrow. His tone is cautious and polite, but I can sense the undercurrent of mischief to the words. “I found her alone being harassed by a group of bitter socialites.” He tilts his head towards Mira. “You leave your wife behind, but walk in with another woman?”

Evander scowls at him. “Leave it. This has nothing to do with you.”

My stomach lurches. “Wait!” I cut in, stepping between the two men before the miscommunication can get any worse. “Evander, you’re completely misunderstanding things here. There was a group of girls, and they were messing with me, and they tried to take my hearing aid, and–Gabriel was just helping me out. That’s it.”

I lock eyes with Evander and hold his gaze, praying he’ll understand my silent pleas for him to drop it.

He purses his lips, but doesn’t say a thing.

I sigh heavily and turn to Gabriel. “I’m so sorry for all of this, Alpha Gabriel,” I say earnestly. “It was all my fault. Thanks so much for your help with all of this.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he apologizes graciously, “But I understand. I’ll take my leave now. Once again, Tessa, it was a pleasure to have made your acquaintance.”

Once again, Gabriel smiles, that golden sunshine smile like a breath of fresh air.

And then he turns on his heel and walks away, leaving me alone with Evander and Mira.

As soon as Gabriel is gone, Mira’s pretty, perfect features contort into a nasty sneer. “What, so now that Evander’s about to divorce you, you’re trying to act all weak and helpless to try and lure Gabriel in? Still managing to attract Evander’s attention while you’re at it? Going for the two-for-one deal, huh? Why not try to have it all?”

I scowl at Mira. “I don’t–I’m not–that’s not what–”

But in my haste and my confusion over the whole situation, I can’t get the words out the way I want, and frustration continues to bubble and boil in the pit of my stomach.

Mira’s words seem to sink into Evander, and as he looks me over carefully, I can see anger beginning to creep across his face.

“Behave yourself, Tessa,” he says harshly, scoffing coldly as he looks away. “It’s unbecoming of the both of us for you to be flirting with another man so shamelessly at the Alpha Ball–we aren’t divorced yet. You’re still my Luna.”

I look up at Evander, aghast. “But–”

“You shouldn’t be openly flirting with other men,” Evander glowers.

Behind him, Mira barely manages to suppress a smug grin.

My hands curl and flex, knuckles tightening. My heart aches. There’s a question resting on the tip of my tongue, one I know is dangerous to ask, one I want nothing more than to ask.

Fuck it.

What else have I got to lose?

I look up at Evander, steely-eyed, nerves braced.

“Then why are you allowed to be so affectionate with Mira?”