He sees me approach and inclines his head, acknowledging me. “If you will excuse me, I would like to take this opportunity to bond with my son,” he explains to our guest. They leave, congratulating me on their way inside.
My father pulls me into a big bear hug. “So proud of you, son. You’ll make a great Alpha King one day.” Guilt and self-loathing consume me. Why does Jessica bring out the worst in me? “Want to tell me what’s on your mind?” he asks.
I lean on the balcony railing, not sure what to say. Should I come clean and tell him what I know about Jessica? I already tried once. He didn’t listen then. My temper gets the best of me. “Why did you have to introduce her as your daughter? As my sister?”
“Luke, I thought we were past this. Can you?—”
“Nathan,” my mother calls behind us. We both turn. Jessica stands next to her.
Great. This is just great. She looks ready to cry at any moment.
“Is everything okay?” my father asks.
“Yes. Jessica is going to play the piano. Alpha Agnus insisted on it. Come on. We’ll find front-row seats.” My mother turns toward me. “You too, Luke.”
Sitting next to Liam, I look around the room. “Where are my brothers?” I wonder.
Liam’s eyes remain glued to Jessica, who stands next to the piano. “I haven’t seen them for a bit,” he answers. Sodie leans in from Liam’s other side and whispers.
My father takes the stage and introduces Jessica again before she sits at the piano. Her hands shake. Everyone is quiet in the ballroom, waiting for her to begin, except for rude and loud snickering in the back.
I glance over my shoulder and discover Elaine and her friends. Liam uses his fingers to let out a whistle, cheering for Jessica. Sodie shouts and starts clapping. The entire room follow suite, encouraging her to play.
She looks at Liam, or is it Sodie? From where I sit, I can’t tell. She closes her eyes, emits a slow breath, and her fingers begin to move over the keys, smooth, like she’s done this a million times before.
I haven’t heard this particular piece before. Sheet music rests on the ledge in front of her, but her eyes are still closed. My mouth falls open in awe. I’m transfixed as she moves with the music, and her facial features no longer appear taut or scared. Her entire being lights from within and burns around her so brightly that an ethereal beauty starts to shine.
As her piece comes to an end, she seamlessly transitions into another song. My heart stops when she opens her mouth and starts to sing. Her voice is strong, with a slight rasp. It’s sexy. She enthralls me now by everything she gives. I don’t move a muscle. I don’t even breathe.
We all sit in wonder that such substantial presence could come from her petite frame. The entire room stands, enraptured by her amazing talent. I want to bottle it and never let it out of my possession.
She immediately plays the next song. A guitar sounds from the far end of the stage. Charlie emerges, singing along with her. They are meant for each other, the way they blend their voices.
Collective sighs echo behind me, witnesses of a love story unfolding. They sing one more song together, and when it ends, Charlie waves Jessica over.
She stands from her seat, and they hug. The entire ballroom erupts with whistles and cheers. For the first time in my life, I want to be Charlie. I want that perfectly beautiful girl to look at me that way—all smiles and blushes, eyes shining with admiration.
When the ballroom quiets, Charlie speaks into the microphone. “I told you our mothers were going to cry.” He points at our mothers, dabbing their eyes with tissues.
My mind races back to that conversation in the barn. Sharp pain stabs through my heart. My throat constricts. I close my eyes.
“Last night, Jessica and I sang together for the first time. I was amazed at how well we did, how perfect we sounded. We have a little surprise for all of you. This is an original song Jessica and I wrote together.” Charlie strums his guitar. “Ready, Little Bird?”
I want to disappear. The fear in her eyes at the ceremony haunts me. The words from the elderly woman in town yesterday ring in my ears. “Don’t let the influence of others affect you.” That is exactly what I did, not once but twice.
My night continues to get worse. After Jessica and Charlie sing their duets, she announces that she wrote a special song for the guards as a thank you for everything. She uses the words “protect”and “care.”
I run my hand over my face, more uncomfortable than I have ever felt.
She motions her arms, shooing Charlie off the stage. “This song is called ‘Armor.’ Ready, boys? One, two, three.” Music swells from behind her. As she sings, the curtains open. Jeremy plays the drums, and Justin strums the bass. A mixture of theirfriends and young men from our pack who work on the dairy fill in as her makeshift band.
She sings two verses when a female voice joins her. Someone else has taken over, not once missing a beat. “Sammy Cane,” Jessica introduces. The winner of the song contest that hit the mainstream only a month ago, walks along the stage and sings Jessica’s song.
Jessica points at our table with a big smile and clasps her hands together in a big thank you. She repeats the gesture to Charlie and Ean. Another song starts to play. Jessica adds, “I didn’t forget about all the badass women in my life, too. This one is called ‘Unstoppable Women.’”
Sammy insists they sing it together. As the song ends, a different beat blends the song. Sammy Cane introduces The Kittens, a popular girl group. The lead singer shares, “The next few songs are originals written by the very beautiful, very talented, your very own Princess Jessica Langhlam.”
I look over at my mother and Aunt Tater, who jump up and down. I chuckle at the excitement and beaming smiles on their faces. Everyone stands from their seats, clapping and dancing. Everyone enjoys themselves.
