Return of The Alpha Heiress Chapter 25: Clarissa - Adrian Black

Darren and I walked back into the hall. It was still as crowded as before. Groups of three or four werewolves stood chatting in their own circles.

But there was one group that seed to draw far more attention than the rest.

"That’s Adrian and Shannon," Darren said, catching where my eyes had gone. "Co on, let’s go greet them."

He gently pulled my hand.

The mont people noticed us approaching, the crowd parted in two without us saying a word. Darren smiled at them, and I copied my eldest brother’s polite expression.

But honestly, I knew they weren’t stepping aside because of Darren’s friendly smile. They were stepping aside because he was Darren. My smile would never have the sa weight.

When the last layer of people moved away, I finally saw a tall, handso man with black hair like Richard’s—but with bright brown eyes. Though if we’re talking about looks, Richard is still more handso.

Beside him stood Shannon, dressed in a stunning blue gown. Her straight blonde hair fell neatly down her back, accented with a blue gemstone hairpiece.

She looked so elegant. Truly fitting for the future Luna of the Black Pack, the largest pack in this region.

They noticed Darren and approaching, and both of them lit up.

We stopped in front of them. Darren gestured toward . "Adrian, this is Shannon’s older sister."

"Clarissa Eshaan," I introduced myself, placing my right hand over my left chest and bowing slightly.

It was the formal greeting I’d been practicing all week. Honestly, I’d been learning a lot of etiquette. Life among elites wasn’t as simple as eating, chatting, and laughing all day.

Adrian returned the greeting. "It’s nice to et you, Clarissa."

He smiled warmly. His face reminded of Richard, similar features, but with completely different auras.

Adrian felt warr and more approachable than Richard. But personally, I preferred Richard’s deanor. He seed more trustworthy. There was nothing fake about how he acted. When I was with him, I never felt like he would do sothing behind my back.

"I’m actually in the sa year as you," Adrian said, snapping out of my thoughts. "When you coback to the academy, we’ll be in the sa class, Best Class. Welco aboard."

I nodded politely. Darren had told a few days ago about the class transfer. I didn’t mind. In fact, I felt much more relieved.

No more hateful, condescending, or fearful stares from the other students. No Oscar. And I could finally asure my real abilities, abilities that had been overlooked simply because I wasn’t in Best Class. Who knows? Maybe I could even reach first rank. Maybe.

The only things I’d miss were Mrs. Willette, who never judged for my status, and Nadia, who had been willing to talk to .

Anyway, I wasn’t switching schools, so I could still see them.

After greeting Adrian, Shannon grabbed my hand and bead.

Earlier, her appearance made her look mature and elegant, but that smile brought back all her cuteness.

Even though we were twins, I would always treat Shannon like my little sister. She was too precious.

"You look really beautiful tonight, Sister Clarissa," she said.

"You too," I replied with a smile. "You two look like a couple destined by the Moon Goddess."

The two of them let out soft laughs at my comnt.

So of the nearby guests who overheard also chuckled. "It seems Miss Clarissa has quite a sweet tongue."

I didn’t respond that busybody. I really did think they were perfect for each other.

Shannon pulled closer to her protectively. Adrian was still smiling, but the smile he gave the man who’d spoken earlier carried a sharp edge.

But when his eyes shifted to , his expression softened back into a friendly smile.

"Since Clarissa brought it up, we’ll be making an official announcent..."

I blinked, confused. The other guests also looked puzzled, clearly unsure of what Adrian was about to announce.

When I glanced at Darren, he looked completely calm. And Larry, who I hadn’t even realized was already standing beside him, didn’t look confused either.

"Shannon and I are fated mates," Adrian declared as he wrapped an arm around Shannon’s waist.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Darren smiled proudly, and the two stars of the night bead with joy.

This was... shocking. For everyone, and for .

Marrying your fated mate was incredibly rare. Oscar and Fina were already considered unbelievably lucky. And now Adrian and Shannon too.

But the impact of their bond was far greater. That was because they ca from two different major packs.

Childhood friends and engaged couples could still break apart, but fated mates were like a divine seal binding two souls.

No one could separate them, not even they themselves.

That was why a fated-mate bond was a double-edged sword. If the pair loved each other, it was bliss. But if they didn’t... it beca a disaster.

Seeing Shannon’s bright smile, I could tell she loved Adrian. And Adrian seed to genuinely love her as well.

Even if Adrian looked like the sly type, as long as he never used that against Shannon, then it didn’t matter. A gentle, innocent girl like her sotis needed soone who could shield her.

"Congratulations, young master Adrian, Miss Shannon."

Everyone rushed to congratulate them, pushing forward to get closer.

anwhile, I, the weak oga, was shoved backward.

My balance suddenly slipped. Thud. Soone else pushed forward and bumped into .

Panic shot through my chest. I didn’t want to beco the center of attention while everyone was celebrating Shannon. That would be humiliating.

"H-help..."

My voice was swallowed by the noise.

Whatever. I might as well just die.

Just as I braced myself for my body to crash onto the cold floor, sothing solid caught .

Larry.

He was my lifesaver.

Larry helped stand properly, then carefully guided away from the herd of young werewolves desperate to get noticed by the stars of the night.

We headed to the corner near one of the sofas. Larry handed a drink.

"Are your legs hurt?" he asked. He probably thought sothing was wrong with my foot when I almost fell.

I shook my head. "I’m fine, Larry. Thank you."

He nodded without saying anything, but the tips of his ears turning red were answer enough.

For a mont, we just sat quietly, watching the excitent unfolding ahead.

Everyone was thrilled. The younger crowd gathered around Adrian and Shannon. Others ford their own groups.

The older won had their own circle. The adult n too, talking with serious expressions.

Alpha Will was there, always surrounded by people.

My gaze drifted back to Shannon, then to Alpha Will. They looked so alike.

"Larry, Alpha Will and Shannon have the sa scent. They must be really close, right?" I murmured absentmindedly.

"Yes. Ever since she was little, Father often took Shannon along whenever he had etings outside the pack. They were always together," Larry replied, then patted my shoulder. "From now on, he’ll bring you often too. So don’t worry."

"I wasn’t even worried about whatever you’re imagining," I protested.

"Yeah, I know," he answered, acting like he knew everything.

He totally misunderstood. Good thing he’d just saved from humiliation and a bruised backside. If not, I might’ve actually smacked his head.

I went back to observing the room, and sothing felt... off.

"Larry, why don’t I see Richard anywhere?" I asked, letting my thoughts slip out, again.

"Richard? He rarely shows up at public events like this."

"Huh?" I blinked.

But Richard did co, so why wouldn’t he show himself? To the point people assud he wasn’t here?

My mind suddenly recalled a rumor, one even soone like had heard.

"Larry... is it true Richard has a congenital illness that keeps him from becoming heir?" I whispered.

Larry turned to , staring a bit too long. I returned the look with my best fake-innocent expression.

"Yes. Richard’s red eyes aren’t hereditary. It’s an illness he’s had since birth. He can’t see in the dark, even after his inner wolf awakened."

My eyes widened. My mind replayed Richard’s handso face, those crimson eyes that had pulled in so effortlessly.

I never expected those eyes to be an illness.

For a werewolf, being unable to see in darkness was like receiving a harsh punishnt.

Tis might have changed. There were lights everywhere now. But still, that weakness could beco a vulnerability, sothing enemies could exploit.

Especially for an alpha, whose entire life revolved around protecting the pack. He always had to appear strong, flawless.

I let out a heavy sigh.

"Why are you so curious about Richard? Do you know him in person?" Larry suddenly asked.

Curious about Richard? I wasn’t curious about him. It’s just that... our kiss scene appeared in my thoughts.

Without thinking, I slapped my own cheeks. Larry flinched in shock.

"I feel very sleepy. I’ll go to the restroom," I said quickly, standing up before he could say anything else.

I hurried toward the restroom, hoping no one else would be inside so I could have at least a mont to myself.

Thud!

As I turned into the hallway leading to the restroom, my body bumped into another woman.

The collision wasn’t hard. Neither of us had been walking fast. No one fell.

I looked up at the person I bumped into. "Sorry—oh—Arlisse!"

...