Chapter 23
Aria’s POV
The crystal chandeliers blurred above me as I made my way toward the ballroom’s exit, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Ethan on the balcony. The ghost of his touch lingered on my waist where his hands had gripped me, and my lips still tingled from our almost–kiss. I forced myself to take steady breaths, pushing away the dangerous thoughts of how right it had felt to be in his arms.
“He’s with Emma,” I reminded myself firmly. “Whatever I thought I felt doesn’t matter.” But the memory of his forest–green eyes looking at me with such intensity made my heart flutter traitorously. The way his wolf had responded to me…
No. I couldn’t let myself go down that path.
Leo’s silver dress, once a shield of confidence, now felt like a lead weight against my skin. My fingers traced the delicate fabric, remembering simpler times when I didn’t have to guard my every move, every feeling.
“Leaving so soon? The voice was warm and cultured, with just a hint of whiskey underneath. I turned to find Jack, again, standing closer than strictly necessary. His cologne was expensive but couldn’t quite mask the scent of the premium bourbon he’d been drinking.
“I’m sorry for my behavior just now,” he said, his grip on my arm firm but not aggressive. “Perhaps we could discuss combat techniques over a nightcap?” His smile was charming, and in another life, I might have been flattered by the attention of such a high–ranking heir.
Thank you, but I need to get home to my son,” I replied politely but firmly, gently extracting my arm from his hold. For a moment, I saw disappointment flash across his handsome
features.
He stepped back with grace from someone who’d clearly been enjoying the champagne. “The offer stands if you change your mind.”
I managed a polite smile, before I could respond, a group of young she–wolves blocked my path, their designer gowns and perfectly styled hair marking them as pure–blooded elites. The leader reached out, deliberately catching the delicate fabric of my dress with her manicured claws. The sound of tearing silk echoed in my ears as a long rip appeared in the moonlight-
colored material.
Oops,” she smirked, not even trying to hide her satisfaction, ‘Silver really isn’t your color anyway. Not anymore.”
I coiled my muscles, ready to show them exactly what a former professional fighter could do, when a wave of pure alpha energy rolled through the space. The feeling was electric, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Even without my wolf powers, I could sense his presence before I saw him.
“Is there a problem here?” Ethan’s deep voice sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. He moved with predatory grace, his presence filling the space until even the visiting alpha stepped back. The gathered wolves lowered their heads instinctively, but I kept my chin lifted, meeting his forest–green gaze directly.
His eyes swept over me, lingering on the torn silk of my dress. Without a word, he shrugged out of his dinner jacket, the movement smooth and practiced. Before I could protest, he’d draped it over my shoulders. The fabric carried his warmth and scent – pine needles and mountain air, with an underlying note of pure alpha power that made my breath catch.
“You shouldn’t have interfered,” I said quietly, though my traitorous fingers tightened on his jacket’s lapels, drawing his scent closer. ‘I can handle myself.”
“I know.” His voice was equally soft, but something in his tone made me look up. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. The intensity in his gaze made my heart stutter against my ribs. “But you don’t have to.”
Before I could process the meaning behind his words, he moved with alpha speed. One moment I was standing, the next I was cradled against his chest, my silver dress floating around us like captured moonlight. The sudden proximity was overwhelming – the solid warmth of him, the steady beat of his heart against my side.
“What are you doing?” I tried to sound stern, but my voice came out breathier than intended. In his arms, my body felt small and vulnerable in a way I hadn’t experienced since losing my wolf powers. The hard planes of his chest pressed against my side, his warmth seeping through the thin silk of my dress.
I pushed against his shoulders, my hands meeting solid muscle. “Put me down, Ethan. Now.” But even as I struggled, my traitorous body registered every point of contact between us – the strong arm supporting my back, the large hand curved around my waist, the subtle flex of his muscles as he adjusted his hold.
“Your dress is torn,” he murmured, his breath ghosting across my ear. The deep rumble of his voice sent shivers down my spine. “And you’re clearly exhausted.” His arms tightened slightly, effortlessly countering my attempts to free myself. The movement pressed me closer to his chest, and I had to fight the urge to rest my head on his shoulder. The spicy scent of his cologne mixed with his natura! alpha musk made my head spin.
Let me take you home.”
The ballroom had gone eerily quiet, every eye fixed on us. Near the refreshment table, Emma’s champagne glass shattered, sending crystal shards and sparkling wine across the marble floor. The sight should have concerned me, should have made me fight harder to escape his hold, but all I could focus on was the steady thump of Ethan’s heart against my side and the way his forest–green eyes seemed to darken as they met mine.
“Put me down,‘ I tried again, squirming in his grasp. His only response was to tighten his hold, one large hand splaying possessively across my hip to still my movements. The casual display of strength made my breath catch. “I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“I know that too,” Amusement colored his tone, and I could feel the vibration of his words through his chest. His thumb traced a small circle against my hip, the gesture so subtle l wasn’t sure if he was even aware of doing it. “Consider this a tactical retreat. You’ve fought enough battles tonight.”
I opened my mouth to argue further, but the words died in my throat as his gaze locked with mine. Something molten and dangerous flickered in those forest–green depths, making my heart race. His &ms felt like steel bands around me, immovable despite my best efforts to maintain some distance between us.
