Chapter 111
Thesitate, glancing toward the bar. Alice, noticing the exchange from afar, lifts her glass and shoots me a wink. My cheeks flush as I accept, and we move to the dance floor
Surprisingly, Hunter keeps a respectable distance as we begin to dance. His palm presses into mine, his fingers gently curling around my own as his other hand settles on my waist.
“So,” I say, “tell me about your work. I saw the recent piece about you in the Ordan Art Weekly magazine.”
Hunter nods. “I created my last collection after my wife and I split,” he says, a sad look crossing his face for a moment. “It was initially meant to be a distraction from my pain, but… well, you know how art is. The way your own sadness has an uncanny way of clawing its way into every piece.”
I can’t help but agree. “I know the feeling all too well,” I say, looking away briefly..
Just then, my gaze catches a familiar pair of green eyes across the room, and my breath lodges in my throat.
Arthur.
He’s staring straight at me, his jaw ticking, his eyes almost.. glowing. It’s a brief flicker of incandescent green, as if his wolf is just beneath the surface of his skin. Although he schools it quickly, his eyes remain locked on mine, long enough for even Hunter to notice.
“Do you know the Alpha President personally?” he asks.
I quickly shake my head and tear my gaze away. “No,” I lie. “I only know Selina.”
The artist nods slowly. “Right… I recall seeing a news report on you two. It seemed scathing, but the press always twists things.”
“Yes, they do,” I say, recalling all too well the awful things Selina said with a smile on her face–a smile that made her appear perfectly sweet to the cameras, all the while she was twisting a knife in my belly.
Hunter chuckles. “Well, either way, the way he was just looking at you… If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that was the look of a jealous Alpha who just saw his mate with another man. But I hear his mate is a human woman who left the country.”
My skin prickles. That hit too close to home for comfort, and I need some air. Thankfully, the song comes to an end, and I move away from Hunter. He pulls a business card out of his pocket.
“I’m afraid I need to get going,” he says. “But here, take my card. I’d love to chat some more, especially about that residency at the Abbott Gallery. I’m certain you can get in on your own merits, but I’d be happy to put in a good word for you if you need it.”
“Thank you,” I say, gingerly taking the card. Frankly, I doubt I’ll call in that favor; I want to get this residency on my own, without any help from outside forces. But the offer is nice, and besides, it’s always a good idea to have the contact information of other artists.
With a polite nod of his head, Hunter bids me goodnight and leaves. I swear I can still feel Arthur’s eyes on me, pressing in on me from all directions until I can hardly breathe. Needing some air, I slip away from the main area, searching for a bathroom. But there’s a line outside the ladies‘ room, so I choose the next best option: the coat closet.
The room is blissfully dark and cool when I slip inside. I shut the door behind me with a soft click and lean against the fabric of the coats, inhaling deeply. Just a few moments to breathe is all I need.
As I calm down, I slip out my phone, checking the app for the nanny cameras. Miles is sitting at the dinner table
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 111
by himself with a plate of food in front of him. All looks well, and I smile softly as my finger traces the image of
him.
Just then, the door opens. I gasp, putting my phone back in my purse. But it’s not a chagrined staff member who walks in like I expect. It’s a tall, broad figure, clad in a perfectly–fitted tuxedo.
The door shuts quickly, casting us in darkness once more. Warm hands wrap around my waist, tugging me close against a sturdy frame. My breath catches as I press my palms into that familiar chest, but I don’t push away. Not
yet.
“I hate seeing you with other men,” Arthur’s voice growls, low and rough and full of want.
And then, before I can answer, his lips crash into mine.
