Chapter 11: All Eyes On Us

Azerbel’s Point of View

"Why are you acting like we've known each other for a long time?" I asked.

"You're so... comfortable with me."

The words felt strange even as I said them.

Genaro tilted his head.

A grin slowly formed on his lips.

"Maybe I'm just naturally friendly."

I raised a brow.

"From what I know, lycans aren't exactly friendly with other shifters outside their pack."

I crossed my arms.

"That's your nature."

For a second, his expression changed.

Subtle.

But I saw it.

Like I had touched something I shouldn't have.

"You don't really believe that about me, do you?" he asked.

"That sounds a lot like judgment."

"And you sound irrational," I shot back.

Genaro smirked.

Not offended.

If anything...

he looked even more entertained.

"Oh, Azerbel..." he said softly.

"You don't know how irrational I can get."

A chill ran down my spine.

It didn't sound like a joke.

It sounded like a warning.

"You're crazy," I muttered.

The tension in my chest tightened.

He chuckled.

Low.

Easy.

"Not even close."

He looked at me.

Amused.

"You'll need to know me better before you start calling me crazy."

"And why would I need to know you better?" I asked.

Already tired of this conversation.

"We won't see each other again after tonight."

The thought of the party alone was exhausting.

If people saw me with him...

wearing his dress...

it would be a disaster.

"Because it's refreshing to argue with you," he said.

Like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I stared at him.

"You're not just crazy."

I shook my head.

"You're weird."

"You're welcome."

"I'm not complimenting you!"

My voice rose before I could stop it.

That alone made me pause.

Luna Lorraine would never approve.

A Luna stays calm.

Always.

But what did it matter now?

I wasn't going to be Luna anymore.

Guerero had already chosen someone else.

So why should I keep pretending?

Genaro just watched me.

Amused.

Like he was enjoying every second of this.

"Let's go," he said.

"We can keep arguing on the way."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"Or we'll miss all the good food."

I let out a slow breath.

Dealing with him was exhausting.

As we walked out of the mansion, I felt the stares again.

The lycans didn't even try to hide it.

Curious.

Sharp.

Open.

Just like him.

Outside, a carriage waited.

Large.

Elegant.

I stopped.

Just for a moment.

Thinking.

"Changed your mind again?" Genaro asked.

"Can I do something else for you... but not this?" I asked.

I tried to keep my voice steady.

The thought of people seeing me with him...

the Alpha of the pack that once stood against ours...

didn't sit right.

I was already avoiding attention because of Guerero.

But this?

This would make everything worse.

Genaro would leave in a week.

I wouldn't.

This was still my home.

My life.

No matter how broken it felt.

I had nowhere else to go.

No matter how much it hurt to see Guerero with Ruby...

I would have to endure it.

Because I had no choice.

"Do you want to go to the trial?" Genaro asked casually.

Like it was nothing.

Like he wasn't talking about my future.

My chest tightened.

"How much do you hate me," I asked slowly, meeting his eyes,

"to want me dead the first time we met?"

The question hung between us.

Heavy.

And suddenly...

I wasn't sure I wanted to hear his answer.

"Don't be ridiculous," Genaro said.

"I don't want to kill you."

He folded his arms.

"That's why I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"Come to the party with me."

"A chance?" I repeated.

Frowning.

"Why don't you go with your fellow lycans?"

"Because I only brought warriors," he said easily.

"All men."

He shrugged.

"The women didn't want to come."

Then he added,

"And I'm not interested in dancing with a man."

I stared at him.

"I can't believe this."

"I can't believe it either," he said with a grin.

"I actually have a date tonight."

For a moment...

he didn't look as intimidating.

Just...

a man.

Still dangerous.

Still impossible to understand.

But not as cold as before.

"If my pack throws me out because they think I'm a traitor for going with you," I said as I started walking,

"I'm holding you responsible."

He caught up to me effortlessly.

"Then join mine," Genaro said lightly.

I stopped.

He was still smiling.

But his eyes were serious.

"I mean it," he added.

I didn't know what to make of that.

It felt like he was always thinking ahead.

Like every word had a reason.

I pushed the thought away.

Then let him help me into the carriage.

The ride was quiet.

I didn't speak.

I just stared out the window.

Watching the lights.

Watching people pass by.

But my thoughts wouldn't stop.

At the party...

I would see Guerero.

And Ruby.

Again.

What would they say?

What would he want?

Was there even anything left between us?

"We're here," Genaro said.

His voice pulled me back.

I hadn't even realized I had drifted off.

I had been living in the pack house for a year.

Ever since I found out Guerero was my mate.

He was the one who brought me there.

From the orphanage...

to the only place I had ever called home.

I don't remember much from before that.

Not clearly.

My earliest memory is simple.

Snow falling outside.

Everything white.

Like the world had been wiped clean.

"Do you want to walk," Genaro asked, pulling me back to the present, "or should I carry you and make a grand entrance?"

I glared at him.

I shouldn't act like this.

Not in front of him.

He was an Alpha.

And I...

was no one now.

Without Guerero, I wasn't the future Luna.

I was just a girl from the orphanage.

Someone who had been lucky...

for a while.

"I'll walk," I said.

"Nice choice," Genaro said, offering his hand as I stepped out of the carriage.

"Though I would've enjoyed making a memorable entrance with you."

"Don't even think about it," I muttered.

My eyes drifted to his shirt.

Still stained.

The blood hadn't disappeared.

Only hidden beneath his cloak.

Of course he planned that.

If I tried to expose what happened...

he would already be prepared.

This man never did anything without thinking ahead.

I scoffed quietly.

But the heaviness in my chest shifted.

Strangely...

it wasn't Guerero this time.

It was him.

This irritating.

Unpredictable.

Impossible man.

"Are you ready?" Genaro asked.

His hand tightened around mine.

Like he already knew I might run.

"No."

I tried to pull away.

Useless.

I should've learned by now.

His strength wasn't something I could fight.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

Ignoring my answer completely.

We stepped inside the pack house.

People lined the hallway.

The moment they saw us...

they froze.

Shock.

Clear.

Impossible to hide.

"I feel like I'm going to throw up," I said flatly.

I hoped it would disgust him.

Push him away.

"It's fine," Genaro said with a shrug.

"If you need to, just do it."

He looked around.

"This party sucks anyway."

I turned to him.

Stunned.

I wanted to tell him he was the reason.

That he was the one making me sick.

But the words stayed trapped in my throat.

Because no matter how annoying he was...

he was still the Alpha.

And I...

was no one now.

The worst part?

My future was still tied to a man who betrayed me.

A headache started building behind my eyes.

I didn't want to think anymore.

Didn't want to talk.

So I let Genaro lead me.

Into the hall.

Music filled the air.

Laughter.

Voices.

The party was alive.

Bright.

Perfect.

But I felt nothing.

I didn't even look at the decorations.

Didn't admire the flowers.

Or the lights.

Even though...

I was the one who planned all of this.

"Are you sure you want this?" Genaro asked.

"Instead of being punished?"

I shot him a sharp look.

He only gave me an innocent expression.

Fake.

Completely fake.

Annoyed, I pushed the door open with my free hand and pulled him inside.

For once...

he looked surprised.

"What?" I asked, lifting my chin.

"Are you afraid to be seen with me?"

For a second, he actually paused.

Then...

a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.

He shifted our hands and stepped forward.

Taking control again.

"Of course not," he said smoothly.

"It's an honor to attend the party with you, Azerbel."

His voice carried.

Confident.

Proud.

And just like that...

all eyes turned to us.

I wanted to shrink.

Disappear.

But before I could...

his arm wrapped around my waist.

Firm.

Possessive.

And he guided us deeper into the room.

Like I belonged there.

With him.

Gasps followed us.

Whispers.

Eyes everywhere.

"It looks like they're excited to see us together," Genaro murmured near my ear.

Too close.

Too intimate.

I ignored him.

Focused on staying calm.

Even as my palm grew damp.

"In my eyes, it looks like they want to curse me," I said stiffly.

"Really?"

He shrugged.

"I thought they looked happy."

I glared at him.

He didn't react.

Instead, he nodded toward someone across the room.

"What about him?" he asked quietly.

"What do you think he's thinking right now?"

I frowned.

I didn't understand.

Not at first.

But when I followed his gaze...

my breath caught.

Out of everyone in this room...

it had to be him.

Guerero.

Standing beside Ruby.

His eyes were locked on us.

On Genaro's arm around my waist.

On our joined hands.

And somehow...

I knew.

There was no avoiding him this time.