Chapter 13
Silver’s POV
I spent the rest of the next day editing the painting. I didn’t need Elliot with me to do the finishing touches though. I wasn’t sure if I could handle being alone with him so soon after our heated passion early this morning. My cheeks flushed at the memories of his hands on me and his lips against mine.
I thought about that mysterious voice I heard in my sleep last night and I classified it as a dream. It was odd though; why would I hear the words, “Mark him,”? I wasn’t even a wolf so marking Elliot would be impossible.
Why would I want to mark him anyway? This marriage was only a contract. He helped me get out of marrying Gavin and I helped him sleep at night. It’s a marriage of convenience and nothing more.
But then what was this morning about? Why had Elliot wanted to be inside of me and touch me so badly?
I shook the thought out of my mind and took a step back from the portrait, admiring my work. I painted Elliot in a black shirt, almost blending into the night, resembling a wolf that roams in the darkness.
I made sure to keep Elliot's face out of the portrait for privacy reasons.
“You did well,” Elliot's voice sounded behind me, making me turn to look at him.
“Thanks,” I said, wrapping my arms around my body as I peeked up at him. “It’s almost a shame to sell it. I think this is the best one yet.”
“Then keep it.”
I let out a low laugh.
“What would be the point of that? I painted this for the auction,” I reminded him. “I’m calling it ‘Nothing but Dangerous.’”
He corked an eyebrow at me before looking back at the painting.
“Or how about you call it, ‘Nothing but Love.’”
My heart swelled and my cheeks burned like they were on fire. Something stirred inside of me that I couldn’t explain. It was how I would imagine a mate bond to feel, but that was impossible.
I nodded in response.
“I like that.”
The day of the auction arrived quickly, and I was beyond nervous. I wore a simple black dress and gave myself a French braid. I applied a little makeup before feeling satisfied with my appearance.
Elliot was in the kitchen when I arrived and when he saw me, something flashed in his eyes that made my chest tighten.
Was it lust? Desires?
I cleared my throat.
“I’m about to leave for the auction,” I told him. “Will you be joining me?”
“I have business affairs to take care of today,” he informed me.
I tried to mask the disappointment I felt by plastering a smile on my lips.
“You should eat before you leave,” Mariah said, handing me a plate of pancakes.
My stomach was in knots from the nerves, and I politely declined her offer.
“If I eat, I’ll probably throw up,” I admitted. “I’m so nervous.”
“You’re going to be great,” Mariah assured me. “I saw your painting and it was incredible.”
I blushed at the compliment.
I cleared my throat and pointed out the door.
“I should go,” I said.
Elliot watched as I left.
Gamma Erik drove me to the auction and instead of waiting in the car, he went inside with me, probably fearing what would happen if something were to happen to me again.
I didn’t need a babysitter, but I appreciated him watching out for me, especially because I knew Stella would be here.
Sure enough, not even 20 minutes into the auction Stella approached me with a couple of her friends by her side, including Lucas.
“I’m surprised you actually showed up to this event,” Stella said, folding her arms across her chest. “Isn’t this a little out of your league?”
“I heard she got rejected by every art gallery in the region,” Lucas said with a smirk.
I pressed my lips together as I glared up at him.
“How’s your wrist, Lucas?” I asked mockingly.
He scowled.
“You’re lucky I don’t press charges,” he said in a growly tone.
Before I could respond, Stella interrupted by saying, “I’ve noticed you’ve been here for like 20 minutes and you haven’t made any bids. Is it because you’re too poor? I thought your new husband would have given you money by now, but it seems he doesn’t really love you.”
Stella gave me a fake pout as her friends laughed at my dispense.
“That’s enough,” Erik said, stepping beside me.
Stella raised her brows.
“What’s this? You have another man by your side? Are you seriously that big of a whore that you are cheating on Alpha Elliot?” Stella asked. “That’s low, Silver. Even for you.”
I wasn’t going to justify that with a response, I was nervous enough as it was. Without a word, I stepped around her and walked closer to the front of the auction just in time for the auctioneer to say, “The next painting we have is called ‘Nothing but Love.’ Painted by Silver Stormwind.”
Everyone fell into hushed whispers as they presented my painting and then I heard audible gasps once it was revealed.
To my utter shock, someone started the bidding at a million dollars, and it kept going up from there. I didn’t think I was worth that much; maybe a couple thousand. But millions?
Everybody rushed around me to get a closer look at the watercolors, and they eagerly continued to raise the bidding price. I honestly thought a fight was going to break out over the piece.
My heart was racing as the price continued to increase.
I glanced over my shoulder at Stella and her friends who were gawking at the frenzy in front of them. Stella was red in the face and furious, but her mouth was hung open in shock. I turned back to the bid just as the auctioneer was speaking to another employee.
He then turned his attention to the bidders.
“Our VIP Anonymous buyer just called and purchased this piece for the high price of 50 million dollars. He’s asked for us to continue raising the price, if necessary,” the auctioneer announced.
I gasped at the sound of that, and I covered my mouth to stifle an alarmed scream. Disappointed murmurs erupted around the room.
Excitement slammed into me; I didn’t even stop to wonder who this VIP was.
…..
Elliot’s POV
“’ Nothing But Love’ will be delivered to your office this evening,” Leo said, stepping into my office.
I nodded, not taking my eyes off my computer. I was watching the security tape of the auction, feeling satisfied that Silver was getting the recognition she deserved. I was also glad that Erik was there with her to keep her safe and was able to stop Stella and her friends from doing anything stupid.
“May I ask why you’d want to purchase a portrait of yourself?” Leo then asked.
I looked up at him.
“I don’t like the idea of someone else having a portrait of me in their home. Even if my face isn’t revealed.”
“And because she was reluctant to sell it,” my wolf, Atlas, reminded me.
I ignored him.
Leo was quiet for a moment before he said, “You should know… I found something out about Silver’s birth—”
My phone rang, stopping his words. When I looked at the screen, Silver’s name flashed across and my wolf stirred with contentment.
“Hello,” I said into the phone.
“Elliot?” Silver asked. “Something incredible happened! My painting was purchased for 50 million dollars! I can’t believe this!!”
She sounded happy and that resonated deeply with me.
I smiled.
“Congratulations,” I said. “We should celebrate with dinner later. I’ll have Mariah prepare your favorite meal.”
I hung up the phone shortly after the conversation and looked back at Leo who shifted awkwardly.
“Was there something you needed to say? I need to get home and speak with Mariah about meal preparations this evening,” I said, standing to my feet.
Leo shook his head.
“It can wait. I’ll do more research, so I have all the details ready for you,” he answered.
I nodded.
“Keep me posted.”
Without another word, I left the packhouse and went straight home. Thankfully, I got there before Mariah started dinner.
“Do you happen to know what Silver enjoys eating the most?” I asked, sitting on the barstool.
“I believe her favorite meal is lasagna, sir,” Mariah answered. “Shall I prepare that this evening?”
“Yes, and get the best wine as well,” I ordered.
She looked at one of her workers and they nodded as they went to fetch the wine in the cellar.
As one of my maids walked by, I stopped her in her tracks.
“Prepare the dining room for a romantic dinner for this evening,” I ordered.
“Yes, Alpha,” she said before scurrying away.
I texted Leo to pick up some new watercolors; the rarest and best colors he could find.
I heard some light giggling coming from the front parlor and when I went to see who was making the sound, I froze when I saw a couple of my maids staring at their phones with wide eyes.
“I don’t pay you to be on your phones,” I said coldly, making them freeze.
Their faces flushed.
“Sorry, Alpha. But the Luna is all over the news,” one of them informed me, showing me her phone. Sure enough, Silver’s face appeared on the screen along with the picture she painted of me. “Everybody is in awe of her work and is wondering who this mysterious model is.”
“It’s too bad his face was cut off,” the other one said. “He’s such a sexy and captivating model with an aggressive allure.”
“That’s enough,” I snapped. “Get back to work.”
They shuffled away without saying another word.
Not before long, Silver was rushing into the mansion, and she looked panicked.
“I’m so sorry,” she breathed. “The painting blew up and it’s all over the news. But your face isn’t in it, so nobody knows it’s you.”
“It’s fine; this internet changes rapidly and this will soon pass,” I assured her.
She looked relieved by my words.
“I’ve had a lot of offers after the auction. Everybody wants me to paint them a picture using the same model,” she told me. “But I declined them.”
I raised my eyebrow at her, feeling amused by this, I stifled a smirk.
“Why would you refuse? I’m sure they are offering a fair wage for your work.”
She blushed and then nodded.
“Yes, but you are my exclusive model. I don’t know how I feel about every female in the area having a painting of you. Even if they are paying me,” she admitted, biting her lower lip as if that was something she should be ashamed of.
I felt warmth spread in my chest and Atlas practically purred with satisfaction.
“Well, it is my pleasure,” I told her, meeting her eyes.
A small smile formed on her lips as she visibly relaxed and then I bent and kissed, wanting to taste her lips once again.
Feeling her against me was nice.
Could I possibly like her more than I realized?
