27

Chapter 27

Hayden’s POV

The hall was loud, too loud, laughter, glasses clinking, and Alphas pretending civility while measuring each other like predators circling the same prey, and then I felt it, a stare.

I turned slightly, letting my eyes sweep the room without appearing obvious. That was when I saw her, Bella. The wife of Zach.

She wasn’t smiling at anyone else; she was looking at me and interestingly, her hand rested on the curve of her pregnant belly, but her eyes? They weren’t soft. They were calculating, curious, and hungry.

I excused myself from the Beta I had been speaking to and walked toward her slowly, deliberately. Each step measured to see if she wanted my attention, she would have it.

“Luna Bella,” I greeted smoothly when I reached her. I gave her a respectful nod. “You shouldn’t be standing this long in your condition.”

Her lips curved politely. “Alpha Hayden. I’m quite fine, thank you,” she said calmly.

Her voice was gentle. Too gentle as I glanced at the empty chair beside her table. “Still,” I said firmly, pulling it out for her. “Please, sit.”

She hesitated just enough to appear modest and then lowered herself into the seat.

“You are very kind,” she said.

If only she knew. I thought within myself.

I took the seat opposite her, folding my hands casually on the table. “A pregnant Luna deserves proper care, especially in gatherings like this,” I said calmly.

She studied me for a second, measuring and weighing.

“I didn’t realize you were so attentive, Alpha,” she said, her voice low and soft.

“Oh, I am,” I replied evenly. “Particularly when it concerns the well-being of important women.”

Her fingers tightened slightly over her dress as silence settled between us, not awkward, but sharp. Like a blade laid gently against skin.

She broke it first after a few seconds.

“I hear your pack has been thriving,” she said. “Stronger patrols and better security.”

“And I hear yours has been restless,” I answered without missing a beat, and her smile twitched immediately.

Restless was an understatement as the tension between our packs had been building for months, border disputes, trade disagreements, and now whispers.

There are no whispers about Livia.

I leaned back slightly. “But perhaps that will change soon,” I said.

She tilted her head. “Change?” she asked, jit sure of what I just said.

“There’s talk,” I said calmly, watching her closely, “of our packs forming an alliance.”

Her expression remained composed until I added softly: “Our Lunas would need to know each other well, of course.”

There it was, her face tightened just a second a flicker.

The name had not even left my mouth yet, and already her body reacted so interestingly, and I decided to press.

“Livia would appreciate that,” I said casually and the reaction was immediate.

Her jaw clenched, her fingers curled, and the warmth left her eyes.

“Livia,” she repeated, forcing a smile. “Yes. I have heard quite a bit about her,” she added.

I leaned forward slightly. “Have you?” I asked, forming ignorance.

Her eyes met mine, too steady. “Oh yes,” she said softly. “She seems to have a presence.”

“A presence?” I asked silently within myself.

The word dripped with something poisonous as I kept my face neutral, though inside my wolf stirred.

“So I have been told,” I replied.

She shifted in her seat. “It would be lovely for us to meet. Woman to woman, and I believe strong alliances begin with strong friendships.”

The way she said it felt like a threat wrapped in silk, but I decided to ignore it.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” I agreed smoothly. “Our packs are on the edge of something significant, unity and growth.”

And if the opportunity presents itself, take over.

I smiled politely. “Imagine,” I continued, “what two united packs could accomplish.”

She looked at me carefully. “Yes, imagine,” she said as her hand stroked her belly again, protective.

“You care about legacy, don’t you?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said immediately.

“As do I,” I said, and there was silence.

Then she leaned closer slightly. “Tell me, Alpha Hayden, does your Luna attend most of your gatherings?” she asked, but I did not react immediately.

“She does when necessary,” I answered calmly.

“And does she enjoy them?” she asked again.

There it was as I sensed something fishing.

“She fulfills her duties,” I said firmly. “With grace.”

Bella’s smile sharpened. “Of course she does.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension thickened, beneath the polite words, claws were unsheathed.

She stood slowly. “I should be heading home,” she said gently. “I have been on my feet longer than I should.”

I stood immediately. “Allow me to drive you.” I requested calmly like a gentleman.

Her eyes flickered with surprise, then calculation. “Oh, that’s not necessary,” she said, turning me down.

“I insist,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

She paused, then smiled.

“If you insist,” she finally obliged.

As we walked toward the exit together, I could feel the eyes on us. Whispers are beginning, and seeds are being planted.

Outside, the night air was cooler. I opened the passenger door of my car for her.

“Thank you,” she murmured as she got in.

I walked around to the driver’s side, sliding in smoothly as the engine roared to life immediately I put the key.

For a few minutes, we drove in silence as the city lights passed like streaks of gold and shadow.

Then she spoke. “You love your Luna very much, don’t you?” she asked, looking at me.

The question came out soft and innocent.

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

She nodded slowly. “That’s rare.”

“Is it?” I asked.

“In my experience,” she said carefully, “powerful men tend to wander.”

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “I am not like most men,” I said.

She glanced at me sideways. “So I have heard,” she replied.

There was another pause, then she said it.

“You know my husband and your Luna were seen speaking recently.”

My wolf rose instantly. “They were discussing pack matters,” I said evenly.

“I’m sure they were,” she replied, but it was too quick.

I pulled the car to a slower pace, glancing at her briefly.

“You seem concerned,” I said calmly, trying to calm my nerves.

She looked down at her belly. “Pregnancy makes one sensitive,” she replied.

I just smiled at her and increased the car's pace. There

 There was a deafening silence as I drove along the lonely road. 

No one seems to have anything to see again, as we were both battling with our conscience.