"Please, allow me to introduce you to my wife, she''s been here since this morning setting everything up, she''ll be excited to meet Boyd''s future wife. He gestures to a woman standing beside the fountains, her delicate features and sharp eyes immediately giving away her connection to Boyd. "This is Luna Grace, Boyd''s mother."
Alpha Dane introduces us, and she steps forward, a smile on her lips
"Nice to meet you, Cleo," she says warmly, though there''s something in her gaze that suggests she''s already sizing me up as a potential daughter-inw
With pleasantries exchanged, Alpha Dane wastes no time 1n diving into the topic of the alliance
"Boyd has told me how you seemed hesitant when he mentioned it at the alpha meeting..
that you have hesitations regarding this marriage, but surely you understand the importance of uniting our packs?" he asks, his tone deceptively gentle
"Of course," I reply, struggling to keep my anger in check. "But there''s more to consider than just politics—"
"Oh, hold on dear, that''s Alpha Grayson, I''ll be right back," he tells me and I grit my teeth
The outdoor area is buzzing with activity, fairy lights casting a soft glow over the various tables and guests. I reach for a ss of wine from a
passing tray, hoping the liquid will help calm my frazzled nerves
My patience is wearing thin, and I nce at my phone, noticing it''s already past 7 PM. Zayn should have been here by now, and have I really been here that long?
"Where the heck are you?" I mutter under my breath, my fingers gripping the winess tighter as I steel myself for whatever mighte next, when I see Boyd stepping closer
"Excuse me, Boyd. I need to use the restroom," I say, my voice strained as I attempt to maintain a polite demeanor
"Of course, Cleo," he replies, his eyes lingering on me before returning to his drink
As I step back inside the club, the pulsating
music washes over me like an invigorating wave. Desperate for some semnce of control, I make my way to the bar and ask one of the staff members if they''ve seen Zayn
"Alpha Zayn? He''s not here yet, there was an ident on the highway so he''s probably stuck in traffic," the bartender informs me
"Damn it," I mutter under my breath, epting another drink from the bartender as I try to calm my nerves. The idea of waiting for Zayn while dealing with Boyd is less than appealing, but I don''t have many other options
"Here you go," the bartender says, sliding a ss toward me. "This should help take the edge off."
"Thanks," I reply, taking a sip and hoping it will help me keep myposure
As I turn around, leaning against the bar and scanning the crowd, I suddenly hear Boyd''s voice cutting through the buzz of the club. My heart skips a beat, and my grip tightens around the ss. Oh for frig sake! I mentally curse
"Cleo, I thought you were going to the bathroom? My mother was wanting to speak with you," he asks, irritation evident in his tone as he approaches
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"Boyd," I say, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I''m not avoiding you, I''m just waiting for someone."
"Who?" he questions, eyeing me skeptically. "I know this is all a lot to take in, and my father can be kinda pushy but we can make this work," he continues, and my eyes dart to the bartender who''s watching us closely
I sigh inwardly, trying toe up with a usible exnation. "Look, I appreciate your enthusiasm about this alliance, but as I''ve told you before I can''t marry you."
His closeness 1s suffocating, and I feel the urge to flee, to find sce in Zayn''s arms-even if it''s only temporary. But for now, all I can do is wait hopelessly for Zayn to get here so I can leave
Drinking the rest of my wine, I turn to thedy at the bar, she hands me another ss of wine, leaning closer
"He''s just pulled up in the parking lot," I sigh in relief. Finally!
"Your father seems to think otherwise," Boyd retorts, a smug grin spreading across his face
"Boyd, "I start, but he interrupts me with augh
"Rx, Cleo. I''m just teasing, we''ll figure it out," he says, reaching out to trail a finger down my arm. The sensation sends shivers down my spine, and I can''t help but flinch away from his touch
"Please don''t do that," I snap, unable to maintain myposure any longer. My heart races in my chest and I feel a wave of heat rush through me as frustration and repulsion collide within me
"Boyd, we need " My words falter as I try to formte a response, but before I can continue, strong arms encircle my waist, pulling me away from Boyd and spinning me around. I find myself face-to-face with Zayn, his gray eyes zing with intensity. His presence instantly transforms the atmosphere, sending a shiver down my spine
"Hey, baby," he purrs, his voice low and
seductive. My breath catches in my throat, and I''m momentarily frozen, shocked by his sudden appearance and the way he''s acting
Boyd''s expression shifts from irritation to horror as he takes in the scene before him. "Wait, he''s your boyfriend?" he stammers, hisposureN?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
slipping
But Zayn ignores him. "Sorry, I''mte," he murmurs, his arm tightening around my waist possessively as he pulls me closer, I stare at him like he''s grown two heads. What does he think
he''s doing?
The heat of his body seeps through the fabric of my dress, igniting a fire within me that I struggle to control and my face mes knowing Boyd 1s watching this disy
Zayn''''s eyes hold mine, some unsaid message in
them when he leans closer burying his face in my neck. He groans, his hand sliding down my back to grab my ass. My heart races, threatening to burst from my chest as Zayn takes control of the situation in a way that''s both exhrating, and terrifying. The intensity of his touch, the determination in his gaze-it all sends shivers down my spine
"Zayn," I manage to whisper, my voice barely audible
"y along," he whispers below my ear, and I barely hear him over the loud music