Chapter 13

Kayla

Nicholas walked into the room and closed the door behind him. I stared at him as he entered, not moving from where I was perched on the bed.

He sauntered over and sat beside me, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. His proximity made my jaw instinctively tighten, and I looked down, not wanting to meet his gaze.

It was then that I realized what I was holding in my hand—a delicate piece of black lace lingerie, easily the most risque one I owned. And on my lap was a box of even more lingerie, an array of differently colored laces and silks.

My cheeks flushed a deep crimson as I noticed his gaze drifting to the garment in my hands.

He arched an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Interesting choice for tonight,” he remarked casually.

Mortified, I quickly tossed the lingerie into the box on my lap and snapped the lid shut. “It’s not for your eyes,” I retorted, avoiding his gaze.

He remained silent, just staring at me.

I took a deep breath in a futile attempt to steady my racing heart. “If you have something to say, just get to it,” I said brusquely. “I’m busy.”

Nicholas leaned back slightly, his eyes never leaving mine. “I wanted to talk to you about the party tomorrow night,” he began, his tone turning serious. “I need to clarify a few things with you.”

I crossed my arms. How foolish of me to think that he had come here to apologize for his behavior earlier. “Such as?” I asked.

“Don’t reveal any information about us to the guild representatives,” he said firmly. “And don’t try to get close to them. Just keep your distance and be polite. Make small talk, but nothing else.”

I glared at him, bristling at his authoritative tone. “You just love to control everything, don’t you?” I snapped. “I’m not your doll to do as you please. If I want to be more than just a pretty face who talks about the weather, then that’s my right.”

He smirked ever so slightly. “So you admit you think you’re pretty.”

My nostrils flared angrily in response.

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “This is important to me, Kayla.”

“Why?” I challenged, narrowing my eyes. “Do you have some kind of grudge with the guild or something?” Not that I could blame him, of course. They had tried to take my pack from me just yesterday.

A flicker of anger flashed in Nicholas’s eyes, so brief I almost missed it. He hesitated for a moment before replying, “Let’s just say our interests don’t align.”

I waited, sensing there was more he wasn’t telling me. “That’s not much of an answer,” I pressed.

He looked away, his jaw tightening. After a moment, he nodded. “Very well. I suppose we should be on the same page in this matter.” He met my gaze again, his eyes steely. “I’ve been working to compete for the position of chairman of the guild.”

I blinked, surprised by his admission. There were only two chairmen in the guild. To become a chairman basically meant making fifty percent of the decisions when it came to our world. Even Alphas had to obey the guild, and the guild was run by the chairmen.

“Chairman?” I repeated. “That’s a lofty goal.”

He shrugged slightly. “Ambition drives progress.”

I leaned back, crossing my legs. “So that’s why you needed a Luna,” I mused aloud. “Because you could have become Nightshade’s Alpha without one. But for someone like you, being Alpha isn’t enough to satisfy your ambitions. You want more.”

Nicholas stared into my eyes, his expression unreadable. “You catch on quickly,” he said wryly. “But there’s more to it than that.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Enlighten me.”

He simply offered a faint smile. “You’ll understand one day, Kayla, why I’m doing this.”

I scoffed lightly. “Cryptic answers don’t suit you.”

“Perhaps not,” he conceded. “But trust me when I say it’s better this way.”

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Well, it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t think our fake marriage will last long anyway,” I stated. “Sooner or later, I’ll be able to lead my pack without you.”

A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes. He reached over, placing his hand beneath my chin and turning my face to meet his.

“I’m very sure that day will come. I believe in you, Kayla.”

My face warmed at his unexpected support. Nicholas always managed to annoy me, and yet somehow he gave me the support and trust I actually needed. I couldn’t decide if it was comforting or infuriating.

I pulled away from his gaze, muttering, “Thanks.”

He stood up, smoothing out an invisible wrinkle in his shirt. “Remember what I said,” he reminded me. “About the party.”

“I heard you the first time,” I replied curtly.

“Good.” He headed toward the door but paused before leaving. “Oh, and Kayla?”

“What is it now?” I sighed.

He glanced back, that all-too-familiar glint of mischief in his eyes. “You should wear the green lingerie I saw in that box. The color suits you.”

My mouth fell open. “Prick!” I cried out, leaping to my feet and hurling the entire box at him.

He slipped out and shut the door before it could hit him. The box thwacked against the wood and sent silk and lace scattering all across the hardwood floor.

I could hear his laughter all the way down the hall, even when I buried my head under my pillow.

As evening approached, I changed into a simple but elegant midnight blue dress that was suitable for dinner. Facing Isabella and Liam was not something I was looking forward to, especially when I was so exhausted that I just wanted to go to bed, but I couldn’t avoid them forever.

Descending the grand staircase, I made my way to the dining room. The long table was set impeccably, candlelight casting a warm glow over the polished silverware and crystal glasses.

Isabella was already seated at one end, her posture rigid. Liam sat next to her, his expression dark and brooding.

Nicholas entered from the opposite doorway, looking every bit the commanding Alpha in a clean button-down tucked into tailored trousers that only served to emphasize his rather impressive leg muscles. Somehow, I managed to keep my face impassive, although the sight of his body set my pulse ablaze once more.

He nodded to me, and I took a seat across from him.

“Good evening,” I offered politely, nodding to Liam and Isabella.

Isabella barely glanced at me. “Evening, Luna,” she replied curtly, stabbing a piece of lettuce on her plate.

Liam didn’t bother with the pleasantries, because he had apparently learned nothing earlier today. “So,” he began, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “when exactly did you two become…” He waved his fork at me.

“Involved?” Nicholas asked.

Liam curled his lip and nodded.

I felt Nicholas’s eyes on me. There was a hint of a challenge in them. “Go ahead, Kayla. Tell him our love story,” he said smoothly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips as he began cutting his steak.

I shot him a quick glare. Clearly, he wanted to watch me squirm. Fine. Two could play at that game.

Suddenly, a mischievous idea sparked in my mind. I turned to Liam and grinned.

“Well,” I began, elegantly picking up my wine glass, “your brother had a crush on me ever since he was very young. I had no idea, of course.”

Liam stiffened. Isabella jerked her head up. Nicholas’s smirk faded ever so slightly.

“Of course, he’s such a gentleman that he kept it to himself, drowning his sorrows in other women—hence the playboy reputation.” I sighed dreamily. “But when he heard that you cheated on me and ruined our wedding, he came to me and immediately confessed his love.”

Isabella’s fork clattered onto her plate. Liam’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“At first, I wasn’t so sure. But really, he was just so desperate,” I added with a soft laugh, “that I couldn’t help but accept his proposal. After all, his desperation was rather endearing. He literally got down on both knees and begged me to choose him over you!”

A tense silence settled over the table. Nicholas’s smile froze, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. I struggled to hold back my laughter at the expression on his face.

I swirled my wine around in my glass before taking a sip, and turned to Nicholas. “Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”