Chapter 18

Feya’s POV

The table was set, the silverware glinting under the soft overhead light, and the scent of freshly prepared food filled the air. It was the kind of dinner that had always been meticulously planned by my father—a display of power and status. Tonight, though, it felt different. Tonight, the guest of honor wasn’t just some high-ranking pack member; it was Alpha Blake.

I had barely slept, and my mind had been racing ever since I’d heard the announcement. Alpha Blake would be here tonight. I had never been more excited. And why wouldn’t I be? He was everything. Charismatic, powerful, magnetic. When I’d seen him just once before, he’d looked at me like I was the only person in the room. That look, that energy, had stayed with me.

Killian, on the other hand, was a storm cloud in the distance. He was seething. His anger had only intensified the moment he’d heard the news. I could feel it, the heavy tension that had thickened the air between us. The way he kept avoiding my gaze, the way his jaw clenched every time he caught a glimpse of me today. His frustration was almost palpable, and yet… I couldn’t help the excitement that bubbled up inside me.

“You ready for this, Feya?” my father’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I straightened in my seat at the dining table, smoothing the hem of my dress instinctively.

“I’m ready,” I said, my voice just above a whisper, but it felt louder in the silence that surrounded us. My father smiled at me, though there was a strange edge to his expression, one I couldn’t quite place.

I could hear Killian pacing around outside the dining room, his heavy steps echoing through the house. The sound only made the tightness in my chest grow. I knew what he was thinking, knew what was swirling inside his head. His jealousy. His possessiveness. But none of that mattered now. Not tonight. Tonight, I was going to sit next to Alpha Blake, and nothing was going to ruin that for me.

The door creaked open, and I caught the familiar sound of footsteps—the kind that were strong, purposeful, but almost casual. The Alpha had arrived.

Alpha Blake’s presence was unmistakable. The air seemed to shift when he entered the room. He was tall, broader than any other man in the pack, with an air of control that naturally drew your eyes to him. He walked in with that signature smirk that could either be charming or infuriating, depending on which side of the equation you were on.

“Good evening,” his deep voice rang out, smooth and commanding. He greeted my father first with a firm handshake, and then his eyes found me.

I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but the moment our gazes locked, the room seemed to quiet, like the whole world paused for just a beat. His smile widened, and I couldn’t help but smile back. My heart skipped a beat as he crossed the room toward me, the sound of his steps filling my ears with the promise of something exciting, something new.

“Feya,” he said, his voice low, but there was warmth in it—familiar warmth that I couldn’t ignore. He was looking at me like I mattered, like I was something special to him, and I couldn’t deny the surge of giddiness that flowed through me.

I stood up a little too quickly, my chair scraping harshly against the floor. I winced, but his eyes softened, and I felt my cheeks heat up.

“Alpha Blake,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, but I couldn’t hide the excitement in it. I took a small step forward, and before I knew it, I had offered my hand to him. My heart raced, and I could feel the energy between us humming.

He took my hand gently, his fingers warm against mine. “It’s good to see you again, Feya,” he said, his gaze not leaving mine for even a second. There was something about his eyes, something magnetic that made it hard for me to look away.

Killian was standing just a few feet away, and I could feel his presence. The tension was thick, almost suffocating. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and for a moment, I saw the anger flash across his face. He was holding himself back, but barely. The jealousy radiated off of him, and I couldn’t help but feel a little bad for him. But then again, I couldn’t control how I felt about Blake.

“I would be honored if you’d sit beside me at dinner, Feya,” Alpha Blake said, his smile never wavering.

I nodded eagerly, my voice a little too eager when I replied, “Of course. I’d love to.” My heart was fluttering now, faster than I could control.

Without hesitation, I moved to take the seat beside him, and when I sat down, I noticed Killian’s jaw tightening. He was standing at the edge of the table, glaring at us both, his hands clenched into fists by his sides. He was furious, I could tell. But there was nothing I could do to stop it.

As Alpha Blake sat down, he reached across the table and picked up his glass of wine, his eyes still locked on mine. “To a night of good food and even better company,” he said with a smile, raising his glass.

I smiled back, feeling like I was on cloud nine. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for. Not just any dinner, but dinner with Alpha Blake.

“I’ll serve the food,” I said, my voice light but with a new energy to it. I didn’t want to waste another second. I stood up and began serving the food, making sure to take my time as I moved past Blake’s seat. My fingers brushed against his arm accidentally, and I could have sworn I felt a spark there. He turned his head slightly, his gaze following me as I moved.

“Thank you, Feya,” Alpha Blake said softly, his voice low, just for me. It was almost like a secret, and I couldn’t help but smile wider. His compliment made everything feel worth it.

But Killian couldn’t stand it. I could see the way his eyes narrowed as he watched me, the muscles in his neck flexing with the tension that radiated off him. It was suffocating, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

He suddenly pushed his chair back with a harsh scrape and stood up, his chair falling backward behind him. 

“I’ll be outside,” he muttered, his voice rough. Without waiting for a response, he stormed out of the room, leaving the door open behind him.

I glanced toward the door, my stomach sinking slightly. For a moment, a pang of guilt hit me, but then I quickly pushed it aside. Killian had made it clear that he didn’t care about me in the way I wanted. I had tried to be there for him, but now, it was my turn. Tonight was mine.

“ I hope he is fine?,” Alpha Blake said, his voice soothing. He reached across the table and placed his hand on mine, just for a moment. “This night is about you and me.”

I swallowed hard, my breath hitching in my chest. “Thank you,” I whispered, meeting his eyes, feeling everything shift once again.