After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Lucas walked into the ballroom of the Aviary at half past seven with Ayla on his arm.

Liam was already at the bar. He saw Lucas, lifted his glass, and crossed the floor.

“Tell me you brought your wife.”

“I brought Ayla”

Liam blinked once. He stepped wider so Ayla was out of his line. He did not lower his voice.

“You’re walking in here with the fated mate. Tonight. You’re aware.”

“She’s standing next to me, Liam.”

“I’m aware. That’s why I said it.”

Ayla’s smile thinned. Lucas felt the small claw of her nails through the wool of his jacket.

“Where is your wife, then?”

“Elsewhere.”

“Hm.” Liam handed Ayla a glass off a passing tray. He did not look at her when he did it. “I’ve been hearing things about your wife for two years, Lucas. I always thought you must be exaggerating.”

“That isn’t what I —”

“You never said anything. That was Kyle.” Liam smiled. “I’m beginning to suspect you both had her wrong.”

“Liam.”

“Speaking of women I’m now revising my position on. I told you in the office. About the —”

“Not tonight, Liam.”

“All right. All right.” Liam lifted both palms. “I want it on the record I am revising. That’s all.”

He clinked his glass against Ayla’s and walked away.

Ayla had been ready since six.

She had picked the dress two weeks ago. Pale ivory silk, embroidered hem, neckline lower than she had ever dared in this house. She had asked the maid to brush her hair until it shone. She’d

worn her hostess smile in the mirror until her cheeks went numb.

When Lucas’s car came around the front drive, she came down the staircase the way she had

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watched Elaine come down a hundred times. Slow. Hand on the rail. The whole hall.

Lucas held the door open and did not look at the dress. 2

That was fine, she told herself. That was alphas. He had a gala to win.

The function hall at the Halberd was full when they walked in. A hundred and forty heads urned, and for half a beat every head was on her. Tonight she was the one on Lucas’s arm. Tonight the pause after Lucas’s name was her name, not Elaine’s. She had been waiting seven years for the room to look at her this way. (2

The room looked.

Then the room looked past her.

It happened so smoothly she almost missed it. Lady Hadley smiled at her, then turned at the second beat. Two alphas she greeted nodded, then exchanged a glance she caught half a second too late.

A drinks tray came past. She took a glass too fast.

“Wonderful to see you,” she said to Alpha Hadley when he found her near the canapés. “Lucas has spoken of you so often.”

“Mm.” Hadley’s eyes were already moving. “How’s the Sixth Quarter relief drive going, my dear? I’ve been wanting to ask the Luna for two months.” (2

Ayla’s smile sealed in place.

“I-that’s – Lucas would know better.”

“Mm,” said Hadley. 1

He moved on.

She tried another guest. A senior elder from the eastern packs. He was kind for a sentence and a half. Then he found someone behind her to greet.

A passing alpha’s wife clinked glasses with her companion and laughed at nothing Ayla could see. Ayla turned, sure they had been laughing at her, sure they had not.

Ayla turned, breathing through her nose. Three women along the wall were looking at her. One of them was not as quiet as she meant to be.

“She’s not Elaine, is she.”

Ayla’s cheeks went hot. The room was suddenly too bright.

She made her way back to Lucas. He was speaking with two alphas she did not know. He saw

her and excused himself with the manner of a man who had been excusing himself all evening.

“You’re all right?” he said, low.

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Ayla pressed her lips together. The water did not help. Her hands clenched on the linen.

“She’d have walked in here and worked the room with her eyes closed. Wouldn’t she.”

“Ayla.”

“I’m only saying what’s true. She’s the one who left, you know. The trained Luna. The agent Luna. Walked out on you tonight of all nights. It speaks for itself.”

“That is enough.”