Alvira POV.
Great. Just great.
Here I am trapped in a boring werewolf event with a listening device attached to my right ear, which is skillfully covered by my hair, but all I could think about is the man who had left me before I woke up and hasn't called or sent a message to me since morning.
Today I finally understood why some things just shouldn't be checked on the internet because checking ten reasons why a man who took your virginity would suddenly ignore you just made me feel worse.
This whole thing doesn't even make sense. Why am I thinking so much about a man I had only met last night?
Sure, we had sex, but that makes him no different from a one-night stand. I mean, I have seen people come to the club to find a hot guy to lose it to, so if I could just see last night as a one-night stand, never to happen again, then I should be alright.
I should...
'Mine.'
His words from last night suddenly flash in my head, and I find myself back at square one, hoping to see him before the day ends.
"Alvira." A voice called behind me.
I turned with a smile, and the man who had called me handed me a glass of champagne from the two glasses he was holding.
"You know, when your grandfather introduced you as his successor to his company, I was skeptical at first, but who would have thought that you would be the one chosen to marry Kaldric Verlith?"
I force a chuckle. "I guess I'm one lucky girl."
"Indeed you are." The man laughed, and then he suddenly took a step toward me. "Now that you have become a member of the Verlith family, you must make use of this opportunity to strengthen the Axton family."
"What do you mean?"
The man laughed. "You don't honestly think you will remain Kaldric's wife forever, do you? I mean, do you have any idea how humiliated the four kings feel having to bow down to a half-breed just because he is a Verlith?"
What does he mean by half-breed?
"Tell him he can be killed for his words." Gianna's voice came through the small device on my ear.
"You can be killed for your words." I repeated the same words she said.
The man's eyes widened for a moment, and I saw a glimpse of fear in them before he frowned and walked away.
I watched him walk to my grandfather, whom I came to this event with, the man who left me on my own the moment we stepped inside. I wonder if he suspects that I am not the real Alvira.
"What is tonight about, and what did he mean by 'half-breed'?" I whisper in a way only Gianna could hear me.
"I didn't tell you at first because I was afraid you would freak out, but today marks another year of peace between the werewolves and vampires."
For a moment my entire body froze and my mind went blank.
"V-vampires. Like the blood-sucking vampires I see in movies."
"I do not know of the vampires you see in movies, but yes, blood-sucking vampires."
My eyes once again scan everyone in the room, and I suddenly feel sick. How could Gianna send me here? What if one of the vampires suddenly feels hungry and sees me as an easy snack?
"Alvira, I know you are panicking right now, but relax. You are Kaldric's wife, and that means no one would dare harm you, not even as a joke, and besides, Dane and I would soon be there, together with your in-laws."
"Wait, what? I thought you said you weren't coming?"
"It wasn't until the Verlith reached out and decided that tonight is actually the perfect night for your and Kaldric's wedding reception."
"What?"
"Although the vampires are a little upset that Kaldric had gotten married to a werewolf instead of one of their kind, the marriage is already done, and there is nothing they can do about it, and in honesty, what better night to have your wedding reception than on a peace night?
"I don't understand. You said the Verlith are Lycans, so why would the vampires care who he gets married to?"
"Well, that's because...."
"Alvira."
I raise my head to see the same man who had handed Kaldric the ring and had driven us to the penthouse.
With his messy blond hair and cheeky grin, I could tell right away that he was a playboy.
He collected a glass of champagne from a passing server and asked, "Are you waiting for Kaldric before having a drink?"
I looked at the full glass in my hand and replied, "I'm a very light drinker. One glass could get me drunk, and we wouldn't want that at my wedding reception, right?"
"Oh no. I can just imagine the horrific look on Aunt Hazel's face if she were to find you drunk on this day."
Hazel Verlith. Kaldric's mother and former Luna of the Moonstone Pack. Gianna had told me that she was an arrogant woman who believed the world was at her feet, and judging from the way she had looked at me last night, I could tell I was definitely not going to be her favorite person.
"You don't have to be nervous. Today is just another peaceful night, and the only difference would be Kaldric introducing you in front of everyone as his wife."
"Where is Kaldric?" The question left my mouth before I could think, and I sincerely hope Gianna didn't hear the desperation in my tone.
"That's true. He should be here by now." He muttered, looking around, and his eyes lit up at the entrance of the hall as he said, "There he is."
I looked at the direction he was pointing, and my heart fell when I saw her beside him.
Kaldric walked inside the hall majestically, like a king, and beside him was Emily. The way they both walked inside in such sync could make anyone believe that they were a couple, and even I couldn't deny how perfect they look together.
In contrast with the black gown I had worn, Emily wore a fitting white gown that showcased the beautiful shape of her body, and I didn't even need to look around to see the women looking at her with envy and the men drooling over her.
"You look jealous."
I flinched when I felt Lexior's hot breath fanning my ears.
He looked at me with a charming smile, no less the type he most definitely used to get ladies in bed.
"Why would I be jealous?"
He stared at me with an unreadable expression, and I could see Kaldric and Emily coming closer.
"I know you and Emily don't get along, and you are used to harassing her whenever you see her, but please, Alvira, not tonight. Tonight is a symbol of peace, so do not let your jealousy ruin it."
"I told you, I'm not jealous."
"Lexior," Kaldric called out, making Lexior turn to him. They both shook hands, and I looked at Emily, who was staring at me.
She smiled softly and said, "I know today is your day, and you won't like to see my face on this day, but Alpha Kaldric invited me, and I couldn't say no. Please, forgive me."
Kaldric frowns. "Why are you asking her to forgive you when you have done nothing wrong? Alvira, whether you like it or not, Emily is a part of my life, and I want no drama tonight."
His eyes on me held no warmth, and the cold way he had just spoken to me made me feel as if I was a stranger to him.
It felt like last night didn't even happen.
Did I perhaps imagine giving myself to Kaldric? Was everything a dream I had mistaken as a reality?
But then again, what exactly was I expecting? A different treatment just because we slept together last night.
I shouldn't even feel disappointed. I was already used to being treated like this. Like I never matter.