Evaline:
I had attended formal gatherings before.
Business Parties. Pack ceremonies. Diplomatic dinners where politics hid behind polite smiles.
And this evening... it wasn’t any different either.
The only difference was that instead of accompanying River as his partner like in the past, I was now accompanying Elion as his partner.
The mont we stepped into the grand ballroom, the atmosphere shifted in a way I could physically feel.
Conversations paused.
Heads turned.
And then whispers began.
It was nothing new. After being River’s assistant during my internship, I was no longer new these reactions.
I kept my posture straight, my shoulders relaxed, just like I had learned through my past experiences. My hand rested lightly on Elion’s arm... not clinging, not hesitant, just present enough to signify exactly what I was ant to be tonight.
His partner.
As well as his assistant.
My loyalty was clear.
It belonged with him.
"Alpha Grey," one of the Alphas greeted as we approached a cluster of powerful figures near the center of the hall. "You have been difficult to reach lately."
Elion’s smile was smooth, controlled, diplomatic. "Busy schedules. You can understand."
Introductions followed quickly, and I offered polite nods and greetings to the Alphas and the ladies accompanying them. So of the won smiled warmly.
Others...
Not so much.
The first glare ca within minutes.
Then another.
And another.
By the ti the evening progressed into the second hour, I had stopped counting.
The reason was obvious.
Elion Grey.
The youngest, handso, and one of the most powerful Alphas alive.
Unmated.
Wealthy.
Influential.
And tonight... visibly accompanied.
By .
Even after learning that I was his assistant, barely anything changed in the way these young won looked at .
I could practically hear the silent questions echoing around the room.
Who is she?
Why her?
What is so special about her?
Why is she so lucky?
I ignored it.
Completely.
Instead, I focused on my role - answering questions about council work, clarifying logistical matters, responding politely when soone complinted my dress, appearance, or knowledge.
"You look stunning," one Luna told warmly. "That color is extraordinary on you."
"Thank you," I replied with a soft smile. "That’s very kind."
Elion’s presence beside remained steady and grounding throughout the evening. He navigated conversations with effortless authority, occasionally including in discussions when relevant, which only reinforced my position at his side.
But through it all...
I felt it.
River.
His gaze.
I didn’t need to look to know he was looking at from the other side of the hall.
The sensation was unmistakable - heavy, intense, almost tangible against my skin.
Several tis I nearly turned my head. Several tis I stopped myself. If I looked at him... I wasn’t sure I would be able to look away.
So I didn’t.
I stayed focused on Elion, on conversations, on maintaining composure.
Even when my pulse betrayed .
Even when awareness of River burned at the edge of my senses like heat from a nearby fla.
Fortunately, or on purpose, Elion didn’t approach River either. And River stayed away from us as well, probably because of the sa reason that was keeping from even looking at him.
We kept walking around the hall, eting and greeting more and more of the important figures in our world.
So by the ti the fifth champagne offer happened, I was already ntally exhausted from politely declining alcohol all evening.
"I really don’t drink," I had explained to four different people already.
But this ti, the woman offering the glass looked particularly insistent. She’s one of those ladies who had been unable to look away from Elion all evening and seed to dislike my very existence with each passing mont.
"Oh, it’s just a toast," she said with a charming smile. "It would be rude not to."
The two Alphas Elion had been speaking with turned their attention toward as well, their expressions expectant.
And suddenly...
It felt harder to refuse.
I didn’t want to create awkwardness. Didn’t want to reflect poorly on Elion.
So I smiled politely and accepted the glass.
Maybe just this ti. I could take one, small sip just to stay polite and be done with this.
I lifted the glass toward my lips... only for a hand to close gently but firmly around my wrist... stopping .
I blinked in surprise, turning my head.
Elion.
He smoothly took the champagne flute from my hand without any hint of tension, his movents natural, confident.
"My apologies," he said lightly, raising the glass toward the others in a toast. "I’ll take this one."
The two Alphas chuckled, clearly unbothered.
"I have to send her back to the academy after the party," Elion continued casually, not even bothering to spare the lady a single look. "She’s still a student. The last thing I need is for her to arrive intoxicated and for the professors to bla or call an irresponsible boss."
Laughter followed. So did understanding and agreent.
Not from the lady obviously. If anything, she looked even more unhappy after witnessing Elion helping out. But there was nothing she could do anymore.
And just like that...
The situation dissolved.
No awkwardness.
No pressure.
Nothing.
Elion clinked glasses with them, then handed the champagne to a passing server.
When his gaze flicked briefly toward , he gave a subtle wink.
Relief washed through so fast I nearly laughed.
"Thank you," I murmured under my breath.
His lips curved faintly. "That’s what partners are for."
My heart ward at the simple statent.
Throughout dinner, the awareness of River’s gaze on returned again and again.
Once, when I was seated across the table from Elion, I felt it so strongly that my fingers tightened slightly around my fork.
And once again, I didn’t look.
I couldn’t.
But I knew.
He was watching.
And the knowledge sent restless energy through my chest that I struggled to contain.
After the banquet concluded and guests began dispersing into smaller conversations, Elion suggested we step onto the balcony for so air.
The night greeted us with cool wind and a crescent moon hanging low in the sky.
For the first ti all evening, I exhaled fully.
"Well," I said, leaning lightly against the railing, "I’m pleasantly surprised."
Elion glanced at . "About?"
"The number of glares I received tonight."
He chuckled - a genuine, amused sound.
"I should be thanking you," he said. "You saved from at least half a dozen strategic approaches."
My brows lifted. "Strategic?"
"Won sent to ’coincidentally’ run into ," he clarified dryly.
That made laugh.
"Why aren’t you dating anyone already?" I asked, curiosity slipping out before I could stop it.
He considered for a mont, then shrugged lightly.
"Perhaps you should introduce to soone," he said. "Soone nice. Maybe one of your friends."
I was ready to dismiss it as a joke.
But then...
I paused.
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you serious?"
Now he looked intrigued. "What are you planning?"
"If I introduce you to soone," I said slowly, "you have to give it an honest chance."
His lips curved. He gave it a real thought, and then - "Agreed."
Excitent sparked instantly.
"Oh, I know exactly who," I said, grinning. "Be ready this Sunday."
He laughed softly. "I have just committed myself to sothing dangerous, haven’t I?"
"Yes," I said sweetly. "Very."
I turned to look at him. "You know you can trust to find a suitable enough person for you."
He gave a warm, genuine smile. "If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have even started this conversation in the first place."
A comfortable silence settled between us for a mont before Elion spoke again.
"You know," he said casually, "I’m actually in more trouble than you tonight."
I didn’t need clarification.
River.
I sighed. "That’s your fault. You are the one who decided to tease him and play this dangerous ga."
"I did it for you."
That made blink.
"For ?"
He exhaled softly, then looked at with surprising directness. "That’s right. For you. I noticed the tension between you two," he said. "And your longing looks."
My mouth opened instantly.
"I do not-"
One knowing look from him stopped completely. The protest died in my throat.
Because...
He wasn’t wrong.
Heat crept into my cheeks.
I looked away, sighing in disbelief. "Am I really that obvious?"
"To ," he said simply.
I groaned quietly. "Wonderful."
There was no point denying it.
My longing for River... it existed.
And apparently Elion had seen right through .
After a mont, he spoke again.
"Well," he said, his tone shifting slightly, "since I have decided to help... I might as well go all the way."
I frowned. "What does that an?"
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Just don’t be startled."
Before I could ask another question... his arm slid around my waist.
And suddenly...
I was pulled straight into his arms.
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