Chapter 38

I made myself stand up straight and told myself not to fix my hair yet again. It was time to walk into the venue for the Alpha Ball, and I wasn’t feeling at all confident.

I was very quickly nearing the expiration date on my secret.

The day Hunter had asked me to chaperone Maya at the Alpha Ball, I’d bought a dress. It was blue silk in a sheath style. Loose enough to gloss over my bump, and made me feel good about myself.

But when I’d tried it on again this afternoon, not even a full week later, it had been way too tight. I wouldn’t be able to keep the secret if I wore it. I probably wouldn’t be able to sit down in it, either, for that matter.

So I’d had to scramble in my closet, and the only thing I could find that fit without making the bump obvious was a dress I’d worn when I was Elle’s bridesmaid a few years earlier. Midi length, with a tulle A-line skirt. In pale pink. I’d always hated it.

I reminded myself that I wasn’t really trying to impress anyone, just get through the night.

I was certain the color made me look washed out, which was not helped by the fact that I was extremely nauseous.

Guilt crept in. I shouldn’t have cancelled the appointment.

But reconnaissance around the Gamma camp had been worth it. Again, being in my wolf form, and being around Adrian, had made me feel so much better than I had in a long time. We’d just run through the woods around the camp for a couple of hours, to see if any rogues were in the area, and to check on the team’s security.

We’d found several gaps.

There had been a whole 20 minutes between one patrol ending and the next beginning. 20 minutes in which anything could have happened.

It was so serious a security lapse that I wondered if it could have been on purpose.

I’d updated Hunter first thing the next morning, and he’d said he was going to go have very strong words with the Gamma captain. I reminded myself to check in with him to see if he’d done it yet or not.

I walked into the venue—the ballroom of a big hotel in the capital city. Compared to the modern chic minimalism of the hotel where I’d had the new member ball, this was classic opulence. The ballroom was over-the-top, with floral arrangements and ice sculptures, banquet chairs with ornate silk covers, and an absurdly sized champagne tower in the corner.

I did a lap of the perimeter of the room to see if Hunter and Maya were here yet, but didn’t see them.

I grabbed a glass of champagne and took a tiny sip. I’d remember to dump half of it into a plant or in the bathroom sink, so I could at least hold it as a prop.

I leaned against the gilded bar at one end of the room, surveying the crowd.

I noticed a striking woman in a grey dress I’d never seen before. Her hair was silver, and pulled into a severe French twist, but she looked young. Her eyes were sharp and dark blue under severe brows, and her dress swirled around her like smoke.

It wasn’t unusual that there would be someone I didn’t know. This was a huge event, after all.

But there was something about her movements and posture that caught my eye. She was walking slowly but purposefully, like she was stalking prey. I just didn’t know who that prey might be.

Whispered voices near the entrance distracted me.

I heard the tide of gossip before I saw them. Most people in the room were either staring their direction, or commenting furtively to their neighbor behind cupped palms.

Hunter and Maya were here.

And they looked every bit the couple.

She was radiant, in a gold dress. It was a sheath style in glimmering fabric, and fit her perfectly, just skimming over her curves. I swallowed a brief, vain bit of jealousy. It was exactly the kind of style of the dress I’d wanted to wear.

Of course, I couldn’t because I was carrying her lover’s baby.

He looked more relaxed and happy than I’d seen him in a long time as well.

He had his hand on her lower back as he guided her into the room. No point in pretending anymore, I guessed. I felt numb, at first, then anger crept in like ice.

I kept thinking I was past the heartbreak and the fury about this situation, but this was new.

At least, up to now, she’d been a secret as well.

Like I’d always been.

For all the years we’d been married, that I’d been working so hard for him and for the pack, I’d been hidden away.

Never acknowledged.

She’d been here for so short a time, and had done nothing for him. Not really.

And now she was being paraded around for everyone to see.

I seethed, then tried to calm my breath. It wouldn’t make a difference. And I was on my way out.

I clenched my fists in resolve. I’d said it before, but this time it had to be true. This would be my last pack event, no matter what.

Hunter caught my eye and steered Maya in my direction. I guessed he wanted to abandon her for some important conversation immediately, already.

I swallowed heavily and forced a smile onto my face.

“Maya, you look beautiful,” I said.

She blushed and giggled.

“Thank you so much. You—too,” she hesitated as she looked down at my dress. I cleared my throat, ignoring the small slight.

“Hunter,” I nodded toward him in a subtle greeting.

“Thanks for this, Kara,” he said quickly. I saw a Council member I really need to speak with on my way in. Can I leave you ladies to it for a bit?”

Maya blanched, but nodded. I smiled as he walked away.

She seemed to shrink as he walked away. As angry as I was with him and at the situation, I’d still felt sympathy for her most of the time. It was harder to find, now that she’d been publicly acknowledged. Still, I needed to take the high road.

I lifted a glass of champagne off a passing tray and handed it to her.

“I know it’s overwhelming,” I said softly as she took a large mouthful. “You’ll get used to events like this.”

She nodded gratefully, and seemed like she was about to speak, with a group of Deltas walked up.

“Hi, Kara,” said Elle as they reached out group. “Nice to see a familiar face. It seems like there are so many people here I don’t know this year. And of course some people just trying to show off and make a spectacle of themselves.” She glanced obviously toward Maya.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said kindly. “It looks like a beautiful event, isn’t it? And I haven’t seen anyone behaving in any problematic manner.” I finished firmly. I glanced quickly at Maya, whose fists were clenched.

“You were always good at taking the high road,” Elle whispered to me, admiration in her eyes. The other Deltas looked impressed as well.

Maya practically trembled with anger. She spun on her heel, clearly planning to stride off across the room. But she hadn’t realized how close she was to the champagne tower.

“Maya, watch out!” I yelled, but too late.

The air sparkled with shards of glass and effervescent liquid as she shattered the champagne tower.