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Soon, they were at their destination, and the familiar sight of the Adelardi pack’s home had his heart thundering hard against his chest. Soon, he would see her. Soon. Soon. Soon.
The next few moments went by in a blur, Alejandro simply going through the motions and counting the seconds until he could see his hellcat.
They were escorted to the rarely used ballroom of the Adelardis, and a butler at its doors announced their names. “Domenico Moretti, heir to the alpha of the Moretti pack, with his mate Misty and his brother Alejandro.”
The crowd below them clapped. They normally didn’t, but it was expected when it came to Domenico, whose name was even more prominent after the powerful speech he had recently delivered at Lyccan Hall. He had not only reclaimed his leadership of his race but he was also instrumental in forging an alliance not just with the much-elusive Faeries but the Caros as well.
When they descended the stairs, it was then Alejandro saw her. She made a breathtaking vision in purple, the deep shade of her gown making her skin appear as if it was glowing. Her hair was much longer, enough to be curled up in an elegant chignon. The sapphires sparkling in her ears were no match for either the brilliance of her gaze or the loveliness of her smile. Just one look at her, and she stole his heart. If he had his way, it would be in her safekeeping forever.
As dictated by customs, Alejandro allowed his brother to take the lead as they approached her. He kept waiting to catch her eye but she never looked at him, her smiling gaze resting only on Domenico. She stood in between her younger sister and Stefan, and the sight of the jaguar standing too damn close to his princess made Alejandro bristle.
He listened impatiently with half an ear as Domenico completed the formalities, introducing his wife with a noticeable sense of pride and finally Alejandro.
Calys was visibly reluctant as she turned towards him. He didn’t understand why and when he reached for her hand to kiss it, she said tightly, “It’s unnecessary.”
Alejandro’s hand fell against his side at the unexpected and undeniable snub, one that had his brother raising a brow. Beside him, Misty was swallowing convulsively and around them, people were beginning to talk.
What the hell was wrong?
Before he could ask her, she was saying in a pointed voice, “Don’t you have someone else to introduce me to?”
He said flatly, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She flashed him an extra bright smile. “Oh, please, don’t be shy. I really don’t mind.”
Alejandro demanded, “What the hell’s gotten into you?” When she flinched, he immediately regretted his outburst. “I’m sorry.” He forced the words out even though he felt like he had nothing to apologize for.
“I’m the one who should be sorry.” This time, Calys’ smile didn’t reach her eyes, and her voice had gone back to being tight, almost to the point of rudeness, as she said, “I’m just not as good as everyone is at pretending.”
Something inside him turned cold at her words. “Pretending?”
Calys looked away. “You shouldn’t have bothered to come here.”
Behind them, glasses crashed to the floor, eavesdropping female shifters unable to control their shocked response at Calys’ words.
He wished he had a damn glass to drop as well. It would have been less painful than the reality of having his own heart crashing to the floor and his hellcat stomping all over it. “What the fuck are you saying, Calys?”
“Exactly what I said.” But still she didn’t meet his gaze as she spoke.
“Look at me,” he growled.
She shook her head.
“If you’re going to turn me away, then you should at least have the guts to say it to my face—-”
Her head jerked up. “I wish you hadn’t come here at all,” she screamed. “Are you happy now? I can’t bear the sight of you! Do you get it now?” She stopped suddenly, as if unable to believe the words she had just uttered.
Alejandro could no longer feel.
One fucking long year of waiting, of believing that he had something to hope for, and then this.
A mocking smile touched his lips. “Crystal clear, Princess.” Without another word, he turned and walked away.
CALYS
“I’m not sure what exactly happened.” The first one to break the painfully awkward silence that Alejandro Moretti’s departure had created was Domenico Moretti’s human wife, Misty.
“I’m not sure, either,” I whispered. I was still hurting at the sight of Alejandro leaving, and it hurt more than I expected it to. More than it should, considering the circumstances.
Misty cleared her throat. “I know it’s not my business, but I really thought you two had something going on...”
“I thought so, too...” Above us, the butler was calling out names of guests again. One of it was unfamiliar, but the person it belonged to was not. I recognized her right away, and in that moment whatever pain I felt at seeing Alejandro leave disappear.
