My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game (Elena and Marcus) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Chapter 9 Alpha Ball Debut

Elena’s POV

Marcus appeared at my door.

His green eyes dragged up my body. Slowly. Inch by inch. His intense gaze burned me as he examined me in the gown he had sent.

My heart beat so hard I could feel it in my teeth.

I wanted to cover myself. I wanted to laugh in his face. I did neither.

“You’re staring,” I said.

His jaw snapped shut.

“We are leaving for the Alpha ball,” he ordered coldly. He turned on his heel and walked out.

I let out the breath I had been holding, grabbed the small beaded clutch from the bed, and followed him out.

The sleek black limousine waiting at the curb was glossy. Windows tinted so dark you could see yourself in them. The driver stood with the rear door open, eyes forward, pretending he couldn’t see a thing.

I was three steps from the car when she came out of nowhere.

“You bastard.”

Viviana.

She suddenly appeared like a vengeful ghost. Her designer gown was torn at the hem, dragging in the dirt. One strap hung loose off her shoulder. Mascara had run in two black streaks down her cheeks and dried there. Her hair, which I had only ever seen salon-perfect, was half out of its pins.

“You bastard,” she said again. Her voice cracked. “Why her. Why are you taking that worthless slut when I’m standing right here.”

Marcus stopped walking.

“Vivi,” he said. His body went rigid under the black of his suit jacket. He let out a low growl. “I don’t owe you an explanation. When I come back, you will look presentable.”

Her lip trembled.

Beta Hugo stepped forward out of the dark, firmly catching both of Viviana’s shoulders to stop her. She struggled, but he didn’t let go.

“Alpha,” Hugo said quietly. “Go.”

Marcus didn’t look back at her.

He guided me into the car and slid in after me. The door thudded shut.

The last thing I saw through the tinted glass was Viviana’s face crumpling in on itself under the streetlight.

The car pulled away.

I pressed my knees together and stared straight ahead.

“Where are we going.”

“A long drive out.”

“A pack function.”

“An Alpha ball,” he explained coldly. “Shadow Peak territory. Alphas and Lunas are both invited. Since fate saw fit to make you my mate, you will accompany me, so that no Alpha at that table questions my pack’s power.”

“So I’m a decorative centerpiece to save face.”

“Call it what you like.”

I almost laughed. “A vase. I’m a vase.”

“Elena.”

“An expensive vase. With a slit up the thigh.”

He finally looked at me.

“Tonight I need alliances. I need deals signed before the sun comes up. Do you understand what that means.”

“I understand that you need the room to think you are a stable man with a stable pack. So you paraded me out in front of Viviana, who will probably burn the packhouse down while we’re gone—”

“Enough about pack business.”

His voice cut across mine like a blade.

I closed my mouth.

He turned his face back to the window.

I turned mine to the opposite one.

We drove.

After a while, I realized I could not feel the ache in my ankle anymore.

“You’re not limping,” he noted.

“No.”

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