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“I’m not,” I protest, playfully shoving him away and taking a step back to use the delicate fan Mary gave me as an accessory to cool myself down. “I’ll be fine for the next couple of hours. I can’t not attend the final event. Besides, I already scrubbed myself to death with scent blocker in the shower. Look, I’ll even take the extra pill.”
Before he can protest, I pull the little tablet out from where I’ve hidden it and swallow it dry, showing him my tongue afterward to prove I’ve done it. “There. I should be right as rain within the hour.”
“So that’sthreesuppressants today?” he asks, looking completely unimpressed as he shakes his head. “Maddie,” he murmurs more gently, but then our names are called and I shove my discomfort aside as we line up behind Casey to make our entrance.
The truth is that my stomach hurts and my head aches dully. My heart rate has been out of control all day, but I took one of Antonio’s suppressants just a few hours ago. So if the problem was mine I should be fine by now.
Unless it’s too late,my mind whispers, but I shove the intrusive thought away.
It’s not possible. It’s got to be something else, and at this point, I’m quite sure it’s stress. After my conversation with the queen, I haven’t had the opportunity to see my Alphas yet, and I’m terrified they’ve changed their minds.
I asked Mary about them. She looked at me funny but then told me they’re preparing for the ball and to welcome their Omega to their quarters afterward. There have also been a lot of preparations to be made for the days after they announce who they’ve chosen—there will be an actual fucking parade through the city streets, a charity concert, a day of volunteering together, and a whole host of other public appearances. In addition to all that, they’ve apparently been inundated by requests for interviews with the media.
None of which has done a thing to ease the anxiety swimming around deep within me. I’m quite sure that’s all it is when a tremor passes through me as the doors open and we make our way into the ballroom.
“Maddison Darling.” My name is announced as I enter behind Casey with Antonio bringing up the rear.
Thankfully, everything goes smoothly this time as I make my way to the Royal Pack, who are gathered on the same dais as before. I don’t trip, don’t stumble, and I keep smiling all the way through.
Tai embraces me first, his arms warm and loving as he pulls me into him. “Maddie, you’re breathtaking.”
Some of the knots of tension in my stomach dissolve when I hear the sharp breath he takes as he holds me. Clearly, nothing has changed. He’s just as in love with me and my scent as he was before.
He passes me off to Wolf next, and those blue eyes are soft on mine as he takes my hand and makes me do a little twirl before spinning me right into his chest. “Damn, Maddie. Green’s your color.”
My heart skips at his words, but after he brushes a light kiss to my cheek, he puts my hand firmly in Kaz’s. The prince stares at me like he’s never seen me before, a gentle smile on his lips as those dark eyes rise at the corners.
“It’s almost over,” he promises.
He lets go of me after that, sending me to join Casey beside the dais as they greet Antonio. I can’t help but notice that they’re friendly with him, but not overly warm. It was the same with Casey. They were kind to her, but none of them look at her or Antonio the way they do at me.
Casey smiles when she sees me staring at them and I think she knows it, too, and I don’t think she’s upset about it, either. I’m grateful. The last thing I want to do is fill my heart at the expense of breaking another.
Once Antonio has descended from the dais, the music starts back up again. With the formalities done, the ball is underway. We were told earlier that we’re supposed to mingle and prove that we can hold our own among some of the most influential people in the country, but Wolf catches my wrist before I can think about who to approach first.
He smiles as he spins me into him again and leads me out to the dance floor, those blues alive with laughter and joy as he circles his arms around my waist. “Where have you been, love? It feels like it’s been forever.”
“A day or two at most,” I tease. “I’ve been here, though. The real question is where have you been?”
He lets out a dramatic sigh. “Stuck in meetings, studios, and interviews, I’m afraid. There are only so many exclusives to be given without giving too much away, but Lord knows, the vultures sure tried.”
“Tired of all the attention already? I know you don’t love the spotlight, but I’d have thought you enjoyed being so in demand.”
His head dips back as he laughs, pearly whites on display before he drops his chin to look at me again. “I’ve always liked being in demand, but these days, I suppose I’m pickier about who I’d like to have making the demands. Here’s a secret for you, it’s not the press.”
“It’s not?” I joke, feigning surprise. “Who would you have preferred to be spending time with, then?”
He waggles his eyebrows at me. “Oh, you know. My pack. My parents. Some friends. Perhaps the Omega we’ve chosen.”
“Perhaps?”
He laughs, bringing his head closer to mine, his lips moving against my temple as he responds. “No, not perhaps. I’d definitely have preferred to spend the time with you. Unfortunately, these interviews have been set up months before the Trials even started. As much as we’ve hated being kept so busy, we had to fulfill our responsibilities to the media and the palace. We’ll need as many people as we can get on our side soon.”
“Fair enough,” I agree, thinking back to my argument with Kaz. We might’ve put it behind us, but that doesn’t invalidate the points he made that night and before, nor does it mean we’re not facing those storms he mentioned. “How did it go, then? Did you get them on our side?”
He shrugs. “Hopefully.”
When his gaze catches on something behind me, his chest expands on a big breath and he pulls me even closer, his voice low against my ear. “I need to go, but I’ll see you soon, okay?”
