Chapter 148
Chapter 148:
Who knows what I’d do? I was at my worst right now… emotionally. I really doubted I’d be able to keep my chin up; my gut told me I’d do something really silly, like throwing myself at him and apologizing or getting even with him, depending on his reaction. Either way, I’d ruin my makeup and end up looking stupid.
For a few moments, I toyed with the idea of speaking to him. This opportunity might not present itself again. Maybe I could apologize one last time; maybe he’d accept it. I let out a soft sigh. Who was I kidding? Everything was a toss-up, and the odds of him even giving me a chance to speak seemed slim.
Because of a damn necklace, we’d had our biggest fight yet. My lips puckered into a frown as I leaned against the window. This drive was longer than I’d imagined. Moral lesson: Never upset a Lycan.
This was a freaking Bentley Continental GT Speed, yet I felt like I was on a donkey ride. Or maybe the venue really was far away. Maybe…
I fidgeted with my clutch, my palms damp with sweat despite the car’s chilling air conditioning. Ryder’s silence was making me uncomfortable. If he noticed, he…
I didn’t bother to ease my discomfort; his gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. I tried to shake off the unease, telling myself it was just nerves.
Deep breath. Don’t let him see he’s making you nervous… I repeated to myself over and over.
After what seemed like an eternity, we finally arrived at the venue—a large, circular building that stood tall in the middle of a sprawling estate.
I reached for my door handle to get out but thought better of it. I didn’t want to annoy him further. Ryder opened his door and stepped out without a glance in my direction. He strode away, leaving me to fend for myself.
“What the hell?” I muttered. What was that for? Now he was just going overboard with whatever grudge he was holding.
I bit my lip and tilted my head back, willing the tears not to ruin my makeup. A knock on the window made me jump; it was Kade. Without a word, he moved over to open my door, offering a sympathetic smile.
“Shall we?” he asked, his small smile comforting as he offered me his arm.
𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖉 𝖘𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖈𝖊: ⳑ𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀․𝗰𝗈𝗺
I nodded shyly and looped my arm through his, feeling a pang of embarrassment. Ryder’s deliberate snub stung, and I wasn’t going to let it slide. He’d gone too far—forcing me to dress up and put on makeup, having Kade lift me like a toddler and dump me in the backseat with him, where I didn’t even want to be, and now, icing on the cake, he didn’t even open the door for me.
As we made our entrance into the grand ballroom, I scanned the crowd, searching for Ryder. He stood across the room, a half-empty champagne flute in his hand, his blue eyes moving over the room—everywhere but at me.
I felt like a mere accessory, a temporary ornament. The realization hit hard: I was just his mistress, a fleeting indulgence. There was no need to inflate my importance in his life. Isabelle, bitchy as she was, was right.
“Champagne?” Kade offered, handing me a flute.
“Thanks,” I said sincerely, appreciating his kindness and immediately forgiving him for treating me like luggage earlier.
I took a sip, the bubbles bitter on my tongue. How had I ever imagined marrying Ryder? He was a Lycan, a higher rank than my wolfless self. Jason, a werewolf Alpha, had rejected me; what made me think I could meet Ryder’s standards? Delusion, my mind reminded me.
“Enjoying yourself?” Kade asked, his tone laced with concern.
I forced a smile. “Just a bit overwhelmed.” Despite my anger toward…
Ryder. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
Kade nodded knowingly. “Ryder can be… intense p>
That was an understatement. I scanned the room again and spotted Ryder dancing with Isabelle. She flirted openly, his expression neither encouraging nor discouraging her advances. He was playing it safe. Good for him, since he had a dance partner.