CHAPTER 27: A NOT-SO EVENTFUL NIGHT

Having to choose between disregarding the Alpha or disregarding his crazy Luna—easy-peasy, right?

However, I went for the safer option. And no, it wasn’t the Luna.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, watching carefully how the revealing outfit fit so perfectly—from my bust to my waist and even my hips. It was the perfect size. It looked good.

But it came with a risk: the Luna.

I had seen Alpha Dawn keep his word and his threats. When he made threats, he meant every word. The Luna... maybe this was a test. Whatever came my way from disregarding her command, I was ready to see it and face it. Alpha Dawn was deadly, and if he could kill my ex out of jealousy, I should never doubt his threats.

Just as promised, an hour later a knock sounded at the door and the Alpha walked in, dismissing the girls who had dressed me.

The blonde maid had been busy dusting powder on my face when she was dismissed.

I got to my feet and gave him a low bow.

He raised my chin with his hand. "You look stunning," he breathed.

"You don’t look bad yourself," I whispered.

No, he didn’t. In fact, he looked nothing like "bad." It was taboo to even put that word in the same sentence with him. He looked exceptionally charismatic and down-to-earth—and that was what annoyed me about the whole thing. He was not easy to resist. I couldn’t bring myself to hate him with all my heart. A small part of me hated him; another part wanted him.

He took my wrist and swirled me around gently, turning us toward the mirror.

"We look good," he said.

We did.

I, in my corset crop top and mini skirt; he, in a grey suit with loose lapels over a black turtleneck and relaxed trousers. He wrapped his hand around my waist and drew me closer to him.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked, staring at me through the mirror.

"No. Not at all," I lied.

"I can hear your heartbeat, and I can smell your anxiety."

I swallowed. "I—I’m fine."

"I know what you’re bothered about."

My heart froze. "You do?"

"Yes. But you’ll be fine." He held my hand, massaging my sweaty palm slowly. "Just don’t leave my side, okay?"

I nodded.

He brought my hand to his cheek and pressed a gentle kiss to it.

Alpha Dawn had said he wouldn’t need to appear until twenty minutes into the party. When he mentioned that we would be introduced, my heart rate picked up and began to pound uncontrollably, but he held my hand and pressed it gently for support. The event was being held in another hall in the Pack. Pack warriors led us upstairs to a balcony that overlooked the gathering below. The place was dark, so we weren’t seen by the guests downstairs.

A server came by and handed each of us a champagne flute.

Alpha Dawn took a sip and leaned against the railing, his eyes pinned on the guests below.

"I began this party three years ago—during the war with the northern Packs," he said suddenly. "It was originally an event to make peace with the northern Packs, but it became a bloodbath. A bloodbath which I crafted."

I could see his smirk—the wicked smirk a serial killer wears whenever he kills his victim.

"I had so much fun cutting off heads and clawing those bastards into pieces. By the end of the day my neatly ironed suit was baptized with blood. A sight I enjoyed. A victory I would never forget. So I decided to let the event remain, as a celebration of that victory."

I thought for a moment. "I have a question."

He looked my way, eyebrows curved.

"Do you really enjoy this thing you do?"

He frowned, confused by my question. "I mean—the killing you do. The massacre."

"Death is art, my love." He raised his flute to me and took a sip. "I love being a partaker."

He turned to the guests below. "It’s time."

Immediately, light shone on us, and the spotlight fixed on us. He held me by my waist, pulling me closer.

"It is my greatest pleasure to welcome you all to the 3rd Annual Prestige Gathering. It is a great delight to have you gathered here—not only to celebrate the defeat of the Southern Packs but also to honor the alliances formed across this region."

I tried not to look around to gauge reactions. My gaze stayed pinned forward, my hand around Alpha Dawn’s waist. It was sweaty, my breath short, but I managed. The Luna had definitely seen me among the crowd.

Alpha Dawn looked down at me, smiling brightly. "Also, tonight," he continued, "I count it a privilege to officially introduce my breeder to my beautiful people."

My heart froze.

"As you all know, it is mandatory for an Alpha to take a breeder—someone who can bear his children and extend his bloodline. Meet my breeder, Bambi." He pressed a small kiss to my face as the crowd cheered and hollered at the introduction.

I managed a smile.

"Isn’t she gorgeous?" he said to the guests. "An elegance. An art. If I hadn’t touched her more than a few times, I’d believe she isn’t real."

The crowd laughed at his joke. He turned to me, sizing me up and down. "I can’t believe my life."

I smiled again.

"Anyway, enjoy the night! Mingle, connect, and form alliances. That is what Packs need to be stronger."

The crowd cheered and went back to their business.

Now, time to face the music.

"The Luna isn’t here," Alpha Dawn suddenly whispered to me.

I frowned at him. "What?"

"I know that’s what you’re worried about. And she’s not a jealous or vile person. I don’t get why you’re so anxious."

I watched as he sipped from his champagne. Was he serious?

"If she were the jealous type, she wouldn’t have married me after learning I’d take a breeder to carry our children."

For some odd reason, those words stabbed me deep in the heart. Why they did would have to wait; something else entirely was my priority.

"So, you believe she’s okay with all of this happening between us?"

He gazed at me over the rim of his champagne flute, eyes intense. "What is happening? All I recall was pleasuring you with a blindfold over your eyes and your hands tied."

"Lower your voice, please," I hissed nervously.

Soft guitar music was the only thing playing in the hall; our voices could easily be heard by the guests thanks to their sensitive hearing.

"She’s not the jealous type," he repeated.

"Can you stop saying that? When she found me in your bedroom that night, she threw a fit, remember?"

"That was because she was pissed I visited you outside the rules."

Wait. Why was he trying to defend her?

"So then you shouldn’t be surprised I’m worried she might show up and cut off my head. You were meant to attend this event with her as your date."

Realization began dawning on me. I should have disregarded Alpha Dawn. The Luna was a deadly person. God knows what she’d do if she learned about this.

"That doesn’t matter." He took another sip, clearly already getting pissed.

"Well, it does! To me. I can’t keep hiding like this. I can’t keep getting nervous every time I’m outside with you."

He leaned against the railing. "That’s why I asked if you needed me to kill her."

"Stop saying that too! That’s so dumb and vile. Why would you kill her just because I said so? You’ve been married to her for months now."

"I’ll kill her if you ask me to."

I wished it were a joke, but it wasn’t. Nothing was a joke with this man. His face was intense and dead serious.

"I’ll do anything you ask me to," he pressed.

"Okay then. You will? You swear you’ll do anything?"

"Yes. You name it." He breathed.

"Well, I want you to leave me the fuck alone. I want nothing between us beyond an Alpha-and-breeder relationship. Let go of your sick obsession with me."

"Have you forgotten my warning?"

I arched a brow.

"I’ll kill you and resurrect you. Remember you only have two more chances for resurrection. If I kill you now, you’ll have one left. Are you playing with your life?"

"Why don’t you just kill me then? Why beat around the bush? Okay. I reject you. I want nothing to do with you. I don’t find you attractive. I don’t like you. Leave me alone. Now kill me."

He was fuming, but that was my plan. I needed something to make him hate me and distance himself from me. Even if it meant killing me...

As he was about to respond, I heard a voice from behind me.

"Bambi?"

The Luna.

I slowly turned around, my heart pounding faster than it should.

It was really her.

"I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Bambi. Your dad would like a word with you."

Oh no.

He was fuming but ghata