Chapter 15

~Third person~

“Well said, Alex,” Thor, Alex’s wolf, praised him.

He looked Grace up and down possessively, taking in every curve, crease, and line on her body

“Liam isn’t worthy of such a beautiful woman,” Thor growled, fuming that Liam’s hand was wrapped around her waist.

Alex showed no change in emotion. “I simply wanted to embarrass that idiot, Liam.”

Thor chuckled darkly.

“You’re not dark and mysterious to me, Alex,” Thor responded, shaking his head. “Maybe you forget that. I know you, and I know how you feel.”

Alex only smiled.

He looked over Grace in her deep plum-colored dress, and the moonstone earrings that hung from her ears.

Had she worn them to tell him she was his? Or just to taunt Liam?

Ever since he encountered Grace, he had inexplicably lost all desire to chase other women–there were just no other women that lived up to Grace’s magnetic personality and raw beauty.

As the Lycan King, he had never felt attached to anyone or anything, being the most feared and powerful creature in the world.

But Grace… she was different.

His thoughts were constantly occupied by her, causing him to frequently miss important details during meetings and conversations.

Members of his pack had even started to notice, especially those closest to him, but Alex would deny their questions every single time.

He had no weakness as the Lycan King. Nobody could make him swoon, hang on every word, stay up late thinking about them.

But, Alex knew that wasn’t true.

Alex desperately wanted her, he wanted to feel her. Their warm bodies pressed together, entangled in passion.

He respected Grace’s boundaries, and kept these thoughts inside his head, but that didn’t stop the gnawing desire that flowed through his very veins, possessing his entire body.

This desire only caused him to despise Liam more. He hated the hand that touched Grace’s waist, the tongue that disrespected her, the eyes that disregarded her and made her feel worthless.

If it were not for Grace’s distaste for raw violence, he would have gladly snapped Liam’s neck right on the spot, in front of everyone.

~Grace~

Liam grabbed my hand and dragged me away from Alex, fuming at his backfired attempt to humiliate him.

Sick of his antics that night, I ripped my hand out of his grasp.

I had enough of him pulling me around and parading me as if I were some showhorse to be gawked at.

Liam looked at me with wild eyes, opening his mouth to speak, but a woman in a bright blue dress rushed up to him and fell dramatically between us, collapsing to the ground in tears.

We both looked down in surprise, and as I bent down to help the woman up, I froze.

That bright blonde hair, that high-pitched voice… It was Sophia!

A crowd quickly began to gather as Sophia’s fake cries grew louder.

Liam looked around quickly, trying to salvage the situation. He didn’t want any more bad press, not tonight.

He looked down at Sophia, annoyed. “Sophia? What are you doing here?”

Being an Omega, she had not been invited to the banquet, and Liam had taken me tonight. Liam certainly hadn’t expected her to show up.

I wondered if he told her, or if he just left her alone in the house that night, leaving her to scheme this jealous plan.

“I-I- I came to apologize to Luna Grace for causing her so much trouble. B-but she pushed me before I could even get a word out!” Sophia cried loudly.

The crowd around us murmured.

That wench! Did she think she had any power here? Nothing she said was going to sway the situation. It was out of her hands.

There were far more powerful forces at play than she understood.

She sat up, looking pitifully at me, face scrunched as if she were crying, but no tears could be seen.

“I beg that you can forgive me, Luna Grace, a lowly Omega…”

I stared down at her coldly. She sickened me. I felt no pity for her.

Sophia narrowed her eyes at me briefly, frustrated.

Seeing that I wouldn’t fall for her antics, she looked out into the gathered crowd, voice louder as she cried, “The Alpha King is my fated mate, so Luna Grace cannot bear his children! That’s why she doesn’t want me to stay in the pack. She hates me for who I am!”

Ugh. I rolled my eyes, sick of her act.

“It’s not just that, she hates me because I’m an Omega! She’s never treated us with any kindness,” she went on, and I glared at her.

I didn’t care if she wanted to ramble on about my supposed jealousy, but she would not smear my name with classist accusations!

Liam crouched down, wrapping his arms around her. Sophia leaned against him, crying into his chest. He didn’t look at me.

Of course, he was trying to save face in front of the media. Look at me, the Alpha King, comforting an Omega, while my classist Luna shows no remorse for her cruel actions!

In no world was he a victim like he painted himself to be.

The media had quickly gathered, cameras and microphones pointed in my direction, eager to hear my response to these disgusting accusations.

I felt frozen to the spot. What was I supposed to do? Everyone’s eyes were on me, reporters and banquet attendees shouting questions, demanding I respond. I had to say something.

Whatever I said would be plastered on the news articles the next day. I had to make it perfect.

Nervously, I wiped my palms on my dress, looking into the many camera lenses pointed at me. Say something! My mind went blank.

Suddenly, a thunderous howl cut through the noise, silencing everyone. Alex stood up from his table, glaring at the crowd.

Everyone watched him in shock, and I looked at him, hope rising. What tricks did he have up his sleeve, this time?

He locked eyes with me, and for some reason, felt a rush of comfort. It was as if he were telling me everything would be alright.

I looked back into the crowd.

Enzo, Alex’s Beta, had made his way to the front of the gathering. We made eye contact, and he smiled.

I nodded slowly. He was on my side.

The crowd was hushed, confused by the sequence of events.

“Here we go again, another Omega playing the victim,” Enzo spoke loudly, and the cameras turned to him.

I took a deep breath, recognizing the opening Enzo was providing me.

He looked into the cameras, a sneer curling his lips. “And there are fools who still believe it.”

The crowd gasped at his harsh words, but I understood he was speaking the truth.

The scandal with Sophia had nothing to do with classism, and everything to do with being an awful person.

The media would understand that, in time.

The cameras swung back toward me, prompting me to speak.

I stood tall, and spoke smoothly and firmly. “Since the Alpha King has found his fated mate and made it public, the next best course of action for the pack is for Liam and I to divorce.”