Chapter 42

Avery's POV.

I took Leilani's hand and squeezed it softly, the girl was feeling nervous.

"You'll be fine Leilani, trust me," I assured her and she gave me a front smile.

The ride to the party was short, we alighted the vehicle, and we were guided inside.

There was nothing much happening at the party, different scents wafted through my nose.

I saw someone approaching me, it was Erik's mother.

"Good evening ma'am," I muttered, feeling tired of the whole place already.

"Darling, where have you been? You're looking beautiful. Come, I'll announce your entry, the party started late itself, we were preparing something." She said and led me into the party room.

I still haven't forgotten the encounter I had with her the day my parents died.

I smiled in my head, once this party is over, I'll swing into action, I've wasted enough time already.

The place was dimly lit, but I could see everyone's faces... Thanks to my powers, my sense of sight even at night was powerful.

"Stand here, I'll let Shannon know you're here, and who's this beautiful one?" She asked, noticing the shy Leilani for the first time. I was a bit taller than her, so she hid behind my back.

"Oh, she's a friend of mine." I gave a quick introduction.

"I didn't know you had friends." She muttered and left.

There are lots of things she doesn't know about me and the day they find out, it's gonna be a shocker.

"Introducing the Luna of our lovely pack, The Shadow Brink Pack. " an anonymous voice announced, and immediately a stage light illuminated me, my gown shone and Leilani's heartbeat quickened.

Shannon is not gonna love this, she always loves the spotlight.

I walked into the party room and received some bows of welcome. I greeted some guests, and I was soon shown to my seat. I made Leilani sit on Shannon's seat, and there were several other seats around.

A beautiful scent got closer to me and my wolf jumped in excitement.

Xander.

I was excited to know he was around.

Shannon and Erik came closer to me, as usual, Shannon was burning and Erik had a look of confusion mixed with some emotions I can't fathom on his face.

"We'll talk about all these when we get home Avery." She filed, taking the next seat.

Erik took my hand and kissed it, welcoming me and commenting on I and Leilani's beauty. I smiled in my head, the dude is trying to impress me, so sad cause it's not gonna work.

I could hear Kira sneering in my head.

The party was loads of boring, history about the kingdom, my parent's great deeds and finally... I was asked to make a speech.

A speech!

Alright, this isn't a party at all.

I went on stage, I could feel all eyes on me.

"Good evening everyone, I want to use this medium to apologize for my lateness to this party and to thank all of you for coming. Special thanks to those who wished me well during my parent's burial." I inhale deeply.

"I don't wanna talk much but I'm grateful for all the support I've been getting so far and I hope to be the Luna you all will be proud of." I completed my short speech and I heard a huge round of applause.

I searched the crowd for Xander but he wasn't there, yet I could perceive his scent, he was probably hiding from me, stubborn wolf!

I created a mind link and this time he didn't block me.

"Nice speech." He commended and I smiled as I took my seat next to Leilani who commended me too.

"Is it only my speech that's nice?" I asked him and I could feel his chuckle.

"The girl beside you is nice too, where did you get her from?" He asked with a sneer.

My inside began to burn with jealousy I don't wish to feel.

"Oh, she's my new favorite. I can introduce you if you want, you two are perfect for each other." I said, trying to overcome my stupid feelings.

"Please do, she's a nice one." He said and I could hear the sarcasm in his thoughts.

I'm gonna play this game the way he wants it, and he's gonna lose.

"Now. Let's have some little fun before we call it a night." The anchor announced.

"Grab your partner and come to the dance floor." She added and I could see Erik heading towards me.

This should be fun, I thought and Kira growled at me. She despises Erik and I know that but she has to calm down because I need Erik.

"Do you want to dance?" He asked, flashing his white neatly arranged teeth at me.

I looked at Leilani and she told me to go ahead, saying she'll be fine, I could see Shannon's eyes on us despite dancing with a gentleman on the dance floor.

Erik took me to the dance floor and we began to sway with the music.

I felt tired already, this isn't a party at all... They just mixed things up, lack of planning and everything, this is what happens when there are elders and older respected wolves at a party.

Boriness became the order of the day.

I just want to go home soon.

‘Not without seeing Xander. You need to see Xander today.’ Kira said and I affirmed to her.

I missed our mate as much as she misses him. I wonder how he must be feeling right now seeing me with Erik.

"Hey...you look dazzling tonight and your scent is intoxicating," Erik said gently and held me closer to his body.

"Thank you, you're looking good yourself," I said in the sexiest voice I could gather.

Whenever I'm with this man, all I feel is hatred, and nothing but hatred for him, I feel suffocated in his company.

I looked around and found Leilani missing,she wasn't where I left her, I was immediately alarmed and did a quick eye scan.

I let out a breath of relief when I saw her dancing with someone. Xander!

I'm gonna kick that mate of mine's ass later in the evening. If he's trying to make me jealous,it's not gonna work.

I did feel a bit jealous when he complimented Leilani first. I know he's joking but it still hurts a little.

I made eye contact with him and his eyes were blazing fire and shouting anger.

Ok. I'm officially in trouble.

‘You better stop monkeying around and explain things to him soon. You're hurting him.’ Kira growled and I couldn't agree less.

I'm not the only one who thought the party was boring because soon most wolves began leaving, thanking the hostess.

Erik held me closer than before and I could feel his erection bulging into me. I remembered how I used to worship his dick and scoffed in irritation.

I was good in bed in my past life, Erik affirmed it himself. He's a sex addict and he pounces on me almost every day despite having numerous concubines.

I smiled at my ignorance back then, I thought I was everything he ever wanted but things weren't what we always thought.

"Wanna go for a drink?" He asked and I nodded, glad to end this award dance.

As we headed to the bar, Xander's eyes were on me and I felt sorry for him.

I don't want to mind linking and complicating things, instead I decided to stay quiet and pray for the evening to pass by quickly.

"Two shots of vodka please." Erik ordered but I declined the alcohol, settling for a juice instead.

"Afraid to get drunk with me?" He asked,drawing me close.

I feel like emptying the glass of juice on him.

"Oh no Erik, I'm afraid of what I might do to you when I get drunk with you." I flirted and winked at him.

I could hear his heartbeat accelerating and I smiled in satisfaction.

Erik loves dirty talks, mere naughty words gets him horny.

He emptied the glass in one gulp and I gasped in fake surprise.

"Wow, that's so cool. You seem to have a high tolerance for alcohol huh sweetheart?" I asked, smiling sweetly at him and taking a sip from my juice.

"Yeah, my body can hold a lot more alcohol." He answered,impressed by my praise.

Another weakness of his, he loves to be praised and I'm gonna use that against him tonight.

I'll get the fool drunk and escape his silly date night. I need to be with my angry mate.

I flirted crazily with him, and he was on his fifth shot when his mom suddenly appeared in front of us.

Erik was almost drunk, just a few more shots and he'll create a mess of himself.

"I'll have to borrow Erik for a few minutes, Luna." She said and I nodded.

Erik followed her, and I searched the room for Leilani and Xander,they were nowhere to be found.

My heart nearly jumped out of my mouth as I quickly searched for them.