Chapter 180

Ava

The banquet was in full swing, the air filled with the soft melodies of a string quartet and the gentle clinking of champagne glasses. Chris and I swayed gently to the music on the dance floor, his hand warm on my lower back as we moved.

“You really do look beautiful tonight,” Chris murmured for what felt like the millionth time that night. “That dress suits you perfectly.”

I smiled, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks even though he had already said those exact words several times before. “You’re repeating yourself, Alpha.”

Chris shot me a cheeky grin. “I’m repeating myself because it’s true.”

We continued to dance for a few moments in silence, his fingers gently massaging into my back. I toyed with one of the lapels on his tuxedo for a moment before I inhaled sharply.

“When are you going to tell me about your grand plan?”

He quirked an eyebrow. “It’s less fun if I tell you now. I’d rather it be a surprise.”

Rolling my eyes good-naturedly, I shook my head. “Unbelievable.”

“Yeah, well, believe it.”

Suddenly, a deep voice interrupted our dance. “May I cut in?”

We turned to find Alpha Bernard standing beside us, his expression unreadable. I felt my chest tighten a bit at the sight of the tall, imposing Alpha—about as tall and wide as one of his prized trees—but nodded to Chris when he shot me a questioning glance.

Chris hesitated for a moment before nodding and stepping back. “Of course, Alpha Bernard,” he said, bowing slightly. “She’s all yours.”

As Bernard took my hand, I shot Chris a reassuring smile. He returned it, but I could see the concern in his eyes as he walked away, soon lost in the crowd of dancers.

“You have a lovely home, Alpha Bernard,” I said as we began to dance, trying to break the ice. “Thank you for hosting us. The decorations are beautiful.”

Bernard’s grip on my hand tightened slightly, and I had to suppress a wince. I didn’t even think he was trying to hurt me, but his hands were so large that it seemed he couldn’t help it. “Spare me your pleasantries, Luna Ava,” he muttered, not even meeting my gaze. “We both know why you’re really here.”

I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure. “I’m not sure what you mean. We came to discuss—”

He scoffed, his eyes as cold as ice. “Don’t play coy with me. You’re here to charm us, to make us forget about the slight against my daughter. As if a few kind words could erase what you’ve done.”

My heart sank as I followed his gaze to where Patricia stood across the room, talking with a group of friends. She looked beautiful in her emerald green dress, but there was a sadness in her eyes that was impossible to miss.

“She should have at least been given a fair chance,” Bernard continued, his voice low and bitter. “But that chance was taken from her by an older woman who was already mated once. A woman who wasn’t even meant to be a part of the dating pool that night. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

His words cut deep, and I struggled to find a response with the way that my breath suddenly got caught in my chest.

“Alpha Bernard, I never meant to—”

“Save it,” he interrupted, his voice sharp. “I know you’ll do all kinds of things to try and make people like you, but there’s really nothing to like—not to me, at least. And I won’t get over this easily, no matter how hard you try to win us over with your false smiles and empty compliments.”

The dance couldn’t have ended fast enough, and Bernard released me abruptly when it did, almost pushing me away.

“Enjoy your stay, Luna Ava,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to make the best of it. You seem good at inserting yourself where you don’t belong.”

With that, he turned and strode away, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the dance floor. My chest felt tight, and I could feel the sting of tears threatening to fall. The music continued around me, but I felt frozen in place, Bernard’s words echoing in my mind.

Charm him… That wasn’t what we were here for. We were here to genuinely make amends and forge new friendships. The safety of our pack depended on it.

And if he didn’t want me here, then why invite me?

Needing some air, I made my way out to the garden, pushing past groups of chattering guests on my way. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere inside. I found a secluded bench partially hidden by a large rosebush—one of the few that remained in this mostly barren garden—and sat down with a huff.

I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, fighting back tears and second-guessing every decision I had ever made, but eventually I heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, I saw Chris making his way toward me with concern written across his face. I quickly looked away in an attempt to dab the tears out of my eyes before he could see, but it was too late. He had already seen them.

“Ava? Are you crying?” he asked, sitting down beside me and taking my chin in his hand. He turned my face so I had to look at him, and I felt my lip quiver as he did. “I saw you rush out after dancing with Bernard. Did he say something to upset you?”

For a moment, I almost told him; but then I shook my head, deciding that it was better not to burden him with Bernard’s cruel remarks. The last thing we needed right now was more tension between the Alphas, and if Chris knew what Bernard had said, he would likely confront him.

“It’s nothing,” I lied, forcing a smile. “I’m just worried about Moonstone. Seeing all of this…” I gestured vaguely toward the mansion, “It made me think about what we might lose if we can’t stop the blight.”

Chris’s brow furrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might press the issue. But then he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “Hey, everything will be alright. We’ll save our pack, I promise.”

I let out a tiny scoff. “I want to believe you.”

“When have I ever given you a reason not to?”

Chris was right; he had always come through with his elaborate plans. I trusted him. More importantly, I trusted us. Even if others like Alpha Bernard didn’t.

Suddenly, Chris turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eye. “You know, once this is all over, you should pick out a wedding dress.”

My eyes widened in shock, my heart skipping a beat. “What?” I sputtered.

Chris grinned, sliding off the bench and dropping to one knee beside me. “Ava…” He reached for my knees, his eyes genuine. “Will you…”

For a moment, my pulse raced, thinking he was about to propose right there in the garden. But then he leaned further down and simply brushed a scuff off my shoe, his fingers lingering on my ankle. “...Will you mind if I get this scuff off your shoe?”

My mouth fell open, eliciting laughter from Chris. I smacked his arm, trying to look annoyed but failing miserably. “You jerk!” I exclaimed, unable to hold back my laughter. “I can’t believe you did that again!”

Chris laughed, raising an arm to deflect my blows. “Hey, you’re the one who keeps falling for it every time,” he teased. “And besides, you’re laughing now rather than crying, so… Mission accomplished.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head and grin. “Yeah,” I muttered, dabbing away fresh tears—tears of laughter this time rather than sadness—with the back of my finger. “I guess it is.”

One thing was for certain: Chris always knew how to make me laugh, didn’t he?