TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 23

CHAPTER 16: THE ENEMY ALPHA–2

Knox’s hand settles on my back. “Breathe. You just survived a press conference. This is just

dinner.”

“With every powerful wolf in North America judging me.”

“They’re always judging someone. Make every second worth it.”

The doors swing open wide, and a voice booms across the massive ballroom:

“His Majesty, Knox Volkov, Lycan King of North America-”

A dramatic pause.

“-and his guest, Miss Ember Aragon.”

Dead silence.

Then everyone turns to stare.

Oh Goddess.

The whispers start immediately, a wave of vicious curiosity:

“That’s her?”

“She’s the one?”

“Look at that dress.”

“Gold digger.”

“Homewrecker.”

“She’s got nerve, I’ll give her that.”

The ballroom is massive–white, silver, and blue everything. Fake snow coats every surface. Christmas trees the size of buildings drip with crystals. Ice sculptures of wolves and crowns line the walls. Mistletoe hangs from chandeliers wrapped in evergreen.

It’s Christmas threw up in here.

Knox’s jaw goes tight. I can feel his barely controlled hatred for all of this radiating off him in

waves.

At the far end, Gale stares at me like he wants me dead. Logan Reeves whispers in his ear, probably fueling whatever fresh hell he’s planning.

CHAPTER 16. THE ENEMY ALPHA–2

“Keep walking,” Knox murmurs.

Right. Walking. I can do that.

+25 Points

We make it to the head table without me tripping, which feels like a miracle. Knox seats me between him and a gruff–looking older man I vaguely remember from this morning. Nathaniel?

Across from us sits a woman with warm brown skin and the kindest smile I’ve seen all day.

“Ember, meet Queenie Garcia,” Knox says. “Nathaniel’s mate. She runs HR and will keep you sane tonight.”

“Or at least tipsy enough not to care,” Queenie says, already pouring me wine. “That dress is incredible. Simone?”

“How did you know?”

“Because you look expensive and terrified, which is her signature.” Queenie grins. “Ignore the harpies at table seven. They’re just mad Knox finally picked someone that isn’t one of them.”

I like her immediately.

The dinner is seven courses of pretentious food I can’t pronounce, wine that probably costs more than my car used to, and a live orchestra playing Christmas carols that make Knox look like he’s contemplating murder.

I have no idea which fork to use for what.

Queenie leans over. “Start on the outside, work your way in. And if you’re not sure, just wait and copy me.”

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“I’ve been to too many of these things. The trick is wine and strategic bathroom breaks.”

Knox’s hand stays on my thigh under the table the whole time–warm, possessive, grounding.

Between courses, alphas parade over to “pay respects” which really means “get a look at the

scandal.”

“This is Ember, my girlfriend.”

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