Ryker
The coronation ballroom glittered with golden lights, orchestra music filled the hall way and my brothers and I were finally Alphas of Gracespring pack.
I had to admit, that had a nice ring to it. We had already been taking Alpha roles for a while now but this ant that Dad now had a legitimate reason to go off to the fucking Maldives and focus on helping Mom’s health while we ran things in the pack.
I leaned against the bar, the cool glass of whiskey in my hand was the only thing keeping from losing my head.
I had a headache that had to be equal to an earthquake with magnitude 6 on the Richter scale because after that slap I still hadn’t been able to sleep.
My eyes, however, were locked on the dance floor where Candace moved with Jayden fucking Carter.
She was laughing. Her head was thrown back, copper-blonde hair catching the light with that rare, genuine smile lighting up her face in a way I hadn’t seen in three years and the grace with which she carried herself despite the plot twists we had thrown her way was beautiful to behold.
No one would guess that a few minutes ago, her position had been undermined. A bit of pride stirred in my chest replaced by a bitter tinge when Jayden fucking Carter spun her around.
He leaned in to say sothing that made her throw her head back again. I imagined the sound of her laughter like music in my ears.
Ash snarled low in my head, pacing restlessly. She shouldn’t be fucking smiling at him but you deserve it.
I knocked back half the whiskey in one go, the burn did nothing to dull the sharp pain in my chest though. I had crossed my bounds when I called her a slut the day before. To which I had earned a befitting slap.
Reign stood beside chatting with Ragnor but I could hardly hear a single word theu were saying. I noticed his hazel eyes kept flicking toward the dance floor while Ragnor was draining every glass before passing it to the waiter’s tray. He reached for another again.
"At you trying to turn your blood into alcohol?" Reign teased. "Chill brother, that’s your fifth one and the night is still young,"
Ragnor only grunted, taking a deep gulps of the brown liquid. He rarely drank alcohol but well, it looked like he was actively trying to get suit faced.
Why did he look disoriented if he was the one who suggested it? I wondered.
Deidre danced nearby with her father, beautiful and radiant as ever.
"Didi looks so pretty with the crown," I remarked.
"Suits her," Reign mumbled, eyeing Ragnor warily over the top of his glass. "Have to say I’m still surprised Ragnor ca up with he idea to give her the crown though,"
"She deserves the crown. She’s our Deidre," Ragnor answered but as I stared into his eyes, waiting for him to give any emotion away. I knew Ragnor like the back of my palm, he was lying but so long it made Deidre happy. I didn’t give two fucks about it.
My eyes drifted away from her to Candace and my blood boiled hotter than a volcano.
Fuck this, who cares that she was dancing with asshole Carter?
She was supposed to be nothing to —to us. Just the girl who killed River. Just the traitor’s daughter. Yet here I was, watching her every move with with another man. My hand tightened around the glass so hard, my knuckles went white.
I drained the glass and set it on the table close to before turning my attention to Gamma Randolph who approached us, bowing slightly. "Congratulations, Alphas,"
"Thank you, Randolph." Ragnor replied curtly while I grunted.
"Having fun, Gamma? You get to manage three Pendragons instead of one now," Reign joked, holding his glass of whiskey up at the Gamma who gave a sheepish laugh.
"Well you’re off to an interesting start, I an, the ceremony was... historic. Two Lunas... It will take so ti for adjustnt for the pack."
"It was necessary." Ragnor replied curtly, scanning the crowd for another waiter carrying drinks.
Giving Deidre the full crown and title while Candace received only a ring was perfect right? It was supposed to put Candace in her place, remind her she was temporary and a mistake that the Moon Goddess forced on us for 150 days.
But now, watching her graceful movents on the dance floor made guilt gnaw at like acid.
Ash pushed again. She’s hurting. You can feel it. We fucking did that.
I joined Ragnor in looking for the nearest waiter carrying drinks.
Reign muttered beside , "She’s smiling at him like he hung the fucking moon."
Ragnor’s knuckles were white around his glass. He said nothing, but the way he kept drinking said enough.
I couldn’t stop staring. Jayden leaned in to say sothing close to her ear. My chest tightened painfully.
Why the fuck does it bother this much?
She was supposed to be nothing. She was a murderer and the reason River was dead. Hell, she was the reason I still woke up gasping from nightmares!
She could pretend all she wanted and spout lies like she did yesterday, but she was definitely behind Rivers death. I didn’t care how many lies she told, it was even more disgusting and annoying that she could still lie to my face and play the victim despite all the proof and evidence against her.
The most damning proof was finding her with a fucking knife, next to my brothers body while his blood oozed around them, thick and red. I would never forget.
Gritting my teeth, I tossed the whiskey glass on a nearby table. In less than 150 days, Candace Sinclair would be nothing and nobody to us. It had to remain like that.
Are you sure? Ash teased .
Reviews
All reviews (0)