“Ava, you’re here!” Zaden called and Avielle stiffened momentarily before instantly realizing Kyrian might probably not even recognize her.
Zaden looked marvelously handsome in a cream colored suit that made him look welcoming, his dusty blonde hair smoothly styled.
She smiled elegantly and waved at him.
“Zaden.” She replied, lowering her voice a little hoping Kyrian wouldn’t recognize it.
But would he?
There was no way a man would live with someone for three years and not be able to recognize her voice.
Avielle couldn’t go close to them, not when she could still feel Kyrian’s gaze.
If he couldn’t recognize her from afar or if he were still unsure, he definitely might from up close.
To her dismay, Zaden extended his hand over to her calling her over to his side, her face turned pale and she quickly shook her head.
Worry settle over Zaden’s eyes before he crossed over to her.
She was relieved he decided to come to her instead of insisting she went to him.
He gazed down at her, touching her arm as he asked, “Are you alright?” “Yeah, I’m great.
I just feel a little overwhelmed by the party, is it always this crowded?” Zaden chuckled, “Yes, every year.
Raven ball holds traditions we have to continue, which is sending a formal invitation to every pack, but don’t worry about the people, you’ll feel better when you start to mingle.
Come with me.” Avielle’s heart skipped a beat.
“I can’t…I have to go check on the kitchens for a bit.” He nodded, letting her go.
Avielle resisted looking in Kyrian’s direction.
“Ava.” He called before she could leave.
She stopped, turning back to him.
“You look…
different.” “I was going for a new look.” She replied steadily, trying not to give away the fact that she was nervous.
“Well, it suits you.
You look breathtaking tonight.” He caught her hand, lifting it to kiss her knuckles.
“Thank you alpha Zaden, you look really good yourself.” She replied, subtly slipping her hand out of his grasp.
He let out a breathy laugh, “Thank you, Ava.
I’m glad you came.
Save me a dance?” He reached out a hand to caress her face.
She felt the strong urge to pull back but forced a smile instead and nodded.
She could feel several pair of eyes burning through her, but one in particular was glaring.
Kyrian.
Did he recognize her?
“Don’t worry about the kitchens tonight, there’s some people I want you to meet.” He began to lead Avielle towards a bunch of guests, introducing her to people as a friend which Avielle felt quite relieved for.
That was as far as she could let their relationship go, friendship.
“Alpha Frederick swore he recognized you, are you sure you don’t remember him?” Zaden queried when they walked away from the large man whose eyes continued to follow Avielle.
This was what she had been afraid of, someone would recognize her.
It was a good thing though that she merely had to smile, deny it charmingly and they would believe her.
But Alpha Frederick was different, he continued to look at her as if the more he looked the easier it would be for him to remember where he’d met her before.
“Maybe he’s met someone who looks like me, but it couldn’t be me.” Zaden nodded quietly, his eyes flashing imperceptibly.
“Zaden, could I be excused?
I think I need some fresh air.” Avielle asked wanting to escape.
“Not so fast, Ava, there’s one last person I want you to meet.” He said, pulling her away.
Avielle could see Kyrian and his group getting closer and closer.
‘Please don’t let it be him.’ Anyone, she was ready to meet anyone right now except Kyrian.
Her internal prayers seemed to have been ignored when Zaden led her to the very person she didn’t want to meet.
Zaden held her hand more intimately than they already were, with every step she could feel Kyrian’s dark eyes boring into her.
‘Oh, goddess, what do I do now?’ He would recognize her, and he would take her children for himself.
Just as they were two steps away from Kyrian, a passing waiter suddenly stumbled on something invisible, and the tray of drinks he was holding came crashing down towards her, cold liquid drenching down the front of her dress.
Avielle gasped, but through the corner of her eye, she could see Kyrian’s hands reaching for her, however Zaden beat him to it.
Avielle avoided Kyrian’s direction and grabbed onto Zaden turning her back to Kyrian so he wouldn’t see her face more closely.
Though she could see Zaden’s simmering fury at the waiter, all she felt was gratitude towards the young waiter whose little mistake had saved her from having to face Kyrian.
“I’m so sorry miss.” The young man trembled, the expensively graceful dress she’d worn now ruined with wine.
“How could you be so clumsy?
If anything had happened to my woman…” Zaden growled.
His woman?
Avielle looked up at him stunned.
He hadn’t termed her his woman when he was introducing her to others.
“I’m sure it was just a mistake, she isn’t hurt now is she alpha Zaden?” Avielle instantly recognized the voice.
Rick!
His gaze softened the moment their eyes met.
He knew it was her!
Zaden however didn’t seem to care, he summoned his guards and had the waiter dragged away, only then did his fury seem to subside.
“You seem quite protective of this woman Alpha Zaden, I don’t remember hearing you having a girlfriend.” Rick remarked casually.
“I don’t believe my personal life has travelled all the way to Obsidian just yet.
And it’s only natural of me to be protective of what’s mine!” Zaden said, his hand snaking around her waist.
Avielle frowned.
Again he was implying that there was a deeper relationship between them.
She stealthily slipped away from his hold, “Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom.” He gave her a nod.
She spotted Nelly by Rick’s side who was looking at her nervously, evidently she couldn’t distract Kyrian when it was Zaden who brought her over himself.
Avielle gave her a secret nod, but there was no way she could talk to Nelly right now in front of everyone.
She hurried away, unable to stop herself from looking back again when her eyes clashed with Kyrian’s and she quickly looked away.
Avielle shut the restroom door leaning against it, rasing her hand to see it visibly shaking.
Again, she was having such a visceral reaction to Kyrian’s presence around her.
She took a deep breath, walking over to the sink staring at her own reflection.
Deep cobalt blue eyes behind a mask, blonde hair that didn’t look anything like hers wavily draping down her shoulders.
She was about to run the water when her phone vibrated in her silver clutch.
The moment she fished it out, her brows furrowed.
[I SEE YOU, PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH YOUR BELOVED EX HUSBAND.
TRUTH OR DARE?] Avielle was still frowning down at the message from the mysterious number when another suddenly popped up.
[TRUTH: DO YOU STILL LOVE YOUR EX HUSBAND?] [DARE: I DARE YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF TO HIM!
YOUR REAL SELF.] Avielle couldn’t take it anymore, her fingers flew over the keyboard as she type the question, [Who are you?] [WRONG ANSWER, BUT I’LL FIND MY ANSWER SOON ENOUGH.
THE LITTLE BITCH WHO STOLE YOUR HUBBY IS COMING RIGHT TO YOU IN THREE…] [TWO…] [ONE…] The restroom door suddenly flew open and Avielle’s head swung up.
Claire strode in, her hair bouncing as she approached Avielle.