But as we’re sipping quietly, a sudden growl rumbles from my stomach. My eyes widen, and | ce my hand over my belly,
shooting Karl an apologetic look.
“Hungry?” Karl asks with augh.
| can’t help but blush a bit. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast,” | admit quietly. “And after earlier...”
“Say no more.” Karl grins and takes my hand, leading me away. | sip my champagne some more as | follow him, just grateful for
the feeling of the alcohol and the way it makes my mind fuzzy around the edges, causing my racing thoughts to start to go quiet
for once.
Finally, after weaving through the thick crowd, we make our way to the hors d’oeuvres table. It seems as though the food has
been popr tonight, because many of the tes are beginning to go empty.
Thankfully, Karl and | carefully prepared two rounds of everything earlier, which means that there will be enough food tost the
whole night; but I’m just d to see everyone enjoying my food after the Alpha party debacle.
“Enjoy the fruits of yourbor,” Karl says, handing me a te. “You were the one who made all of this delicious food happen.”
“Yeah,” | say, already loading my te with food, “and you helped.”
Karl shrugs. “I was there for... moral support,” he says.
“No, Karl,” | say with augh. “You were a huge help. A real sous chef.”
Karl opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, his eyes widen slightly. “Act natural,” he says quietly. And before | can
ask what the hell he’s talking about, | hear it.
“Hello, Karl. Abby.”
It''s Ethan. | turn around to see Ethan and Gianna standing there, both dressed with their masks covering their faces. My eyes flit
over to Karl, who’s the perfect picture of poise.
“Ethan, Gianna,” he says. “I hope you''re enjoying the party.”
Ethan nods. “I know | didn’t receive an invitation, but everyone has been talking about this party,” he says. “We had to see what it
was all about.”
As Ethan speaks, Gianna is silent, but her eyes speak volumes behind her mask. Her gaze flickers down to the hem of my dress,
which is still slightly damp from rolling around in the woods with Karl. She gives me a smirk, as if she knows what I’ve been up to
tonight. And | can feel her judging me.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
For a moment, | almost expect Karl to tell his brother and Gianna to leave. But to my astonishment, Karl handles the situation
with remarkable grace andposure. His weing words, devoid of resentment or hostility, take me by surprise.
“No need for an invitation,” he assures them, a warm smile on his lips. “This is a gathering for the entire pack. Please, enjoy the
party. And the food.”
“Who prepared the food?” Gianna asks, eyeing the te of hors d''oeuvres in my hand.
“Abby, of course,” Karl proudly announces.
As Karl speaks, Gianna’s face drains
of color. There''s a wes ilengeQi!
pesussg sore urriedly
u Ms Ethan away without another
word. Please read the original
content at NovelDrama.Org.
“What was that about?” | whisper, turning to face Karl. “They just ran off.”
Karl’s smile has faded now that they’re gone, but he shakes his head. “Ignore them,” he murmurs. “They’re not worth it.”
| nod, even though my instincts are burning. Together, Karl and | finish preparing our tes and turn to rejoin the party.
But as we’re crossing the room in search of a table, something happens.
A stranger in the crowd, someone
who | cannot see and who is already
gone by the time it happens,
against e. stypbl&in thy high
Heals A d my te and my
champagne flute go flying from my
hands, shattering on the floor and
causing nearby partygoers to fall
silent, turning to see what happened.
Please read the original content at
NovelDrama.Org.
But my te and my ss aren''t the
only things that have f. len; mymask
regatta nowys on
the Tl
oor, amongst the wreckage.
Please read the original content at
NovelDrama.Org.
And everyone is staring at me, murmuring my name.