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CHAPTER 4
LILY
After what felt like hours under mother’s scrutiny, she finally gave a stiff nod, and I was free to go. Stepping into the hall, I immediately spotted Axel closing his bedroom door and looking sharp.
“Nice lip gloss, little bro,” I teased, falling into step with him.
“Interesting dress choice, Barbie,” he retorted.
I watched him as he moved next to me, fixing the collar of his shirt under his black suit jacket. When he noticed my stare, he winked and said, “You gotta look it to hook it.”
Cocky, arrogant bastard. I rolled my eyes.
Axel was known for his antics with the ladies. They practically fell at his feet and kissed the very ground he walked on. He was widely known as a heart breaker, although I knew he had a heart of gold when it came to his family. To me.
Because Axel wasn’t the heir to Hollow Stone, he was often overlooked by my parents and could probably get away with murder if he wanted to. I wasn’t sure whether they had given up on him over time or never really cared to begin with. He didn’t care about the petty things that often bothered my parents. His lack of regard for his reputation made him the ultimate bad-boy; any girl’s fantasy come to life.
Just before stepping into the grand hall, two strong arms snaked around my waist, tightening from behind and hoisting, swinging me through the air. I yelped in surprise, but as soon as my feet touched the ground, a familiar pair of light grey eyes greeted me.
His smile instantly reached his ears. Snapping out of my stunned state, I dragged him closer, burying my face into the crook of his neck. Inhaling deeply, I whispered his name against his skin, Ray.
“You’re here,” I breathed, pulling back only enough to gaze into those pools of smokey grey yet again. I didn’t want to go too far away, loving the way his body pressed against mine.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he answered, his eyes falling first to my lips and then travelling down my body. “You look amazing, Lily-flower.”
Ray took a step back, keeping my hand in his as he slowly twirled me around, inspecting me from all sides. The heat of his stare warmed my skin, leaving me all hot and bothered before the evening had even begun. No one else could have this effect on me. It was both unnerving and exhilarating. We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment longer, when a loud, obnoxious cough came from behind. Together, we turned, finding Axel leaning against the wall with a smirk. Had he been standing there the entire time?
“It hasn’t even been five minutes,” he said, tapping his watch. Heat rose up my neck, warming my cheeks.
Raiden flashed me an apologetic smile before stepping towards Axel with his outstretched hand, “Axe.”
“Ray”.
They shook hands.
“Nice to see you again,” Raiden said as the three of us walked together, nearing the grand hall.
“You too, Man. I’m so happy you’re here. Now I don’t have to babysit my sister for the rest of the night anymore,” Axel joked, sending me a sly smile.
“Any time. Happy to take her off your hands.” Raiden teased. “You can send me a cheque in the morning,”
I smacked him on the chest, “as if you’d ever need money as a motivator.”
He looked down at me with a smile and then lowered his gaze even further, “you know, you might be right, Lily-flower.”
“Money can’t buy love,” Axel announced, his mouth right beside my ear, chin almost touching my shoulder.
I swung around, ready to shove him away, but he danced out of my reach, somehow ending behind Raiden. I glared at him over Ray’s shoulder. He had butchered our little moment, the ass.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats,” my father’s voice drifted through the open doors. I pointed to Axel, mouthing the words, ‘this isn’t over yet.’
Everybody started moving to their tables and Raiden took my hand, leading me to where I was to be seated with my family.
Before leaving, he pulled my chair out, whispering, “I’ll see you in a bit.”
I nodded and watched him move off to his own seat. Luckily, he didn’t go too far, as Hollow Stone and Shadow Creek’s Alpha households shared a long rectangular table in the front of the hall.
Finally turning away from him, I looked up and locked eyes with my mother. A look of either sadness or disappointment flashed across her face before she averted her gaze to my father.
