Chapter 32
We are led to tables near the head of the room. Rayna and Jeremiah are sat at the head table up on a platform in the corner, Ben, Jason, Tommy and I are sat with Josh, Bennet and Danny at a lower table just in front of them. The set up seems odd, until I look around and see that its unpretentious placement allows for the buffet style food tables, a dance floor and plenty of mingling space between each table, which is what is happening now, while maintaining a full view of the room and no space behind the head table for anyone to linger. It’s a smart set-up actually.
We are all in pleasant conversation when I feel a prickle on the back of my neck, like I am being watched. My pulse skyrockets and an excitement bubbles under my skin. The tingle shoots straight down my spine and I slowly look around the room. I don’t want to seem crazy or worry anyone, but I am on high alert feeling a predatory threat. My heart rate and breathing have increased, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly to reign it in, all my training coming to me naturally. I try to pay attention to the conversation around me, Danny is talking and gesturing wildly with his hands and Tommy is saying something back, but I can’t make out their words. My brain seems to be completely consumed by whatever magnetic pull I feel, like I just got tunnel vision and the world around me has blurred at the edges.
Our position in the front corner of the room gives me a good vantage for searching all the guests without being obvious. I scan each person to see if anyone is looking my way. I know it’s someone’s gaze on me, burning my skin just by looking. I can feel my body heat rise. There are hundreds of people here and they all seem to be engaged in their own groups. When I get to the main doors of the hall though I freeze. The most beautiful and vaguely familiar green eyes have me in a trance.
I don’t know if I have ever seen a man as gorgeous as this. He radiates danger and power with just his stare. He is massive, easily the biggest guy here in a tailored black suit that had to be custom made and possibly sewn onto his body. The button down shirt is the same shade of blood red as my lipstick with the top two buttons undone showing off a corded tan neck.
Hands casually in his pockets, he stares right back at me for just a moment then gives me a half smile and a wink that sends a shock straight between my legs and lit my panties on fire. I had to squeeze my thighs together to dull the ache and try to stop the arousal that I know these guys can smell from a mile away. Thıs content belongs to.net
“Seriously?! So not fair.” I hear next to me and it takes me a minute to realize that someone was talking to me. I blink a few times and take a deep breath in, apparently my body thought breathing was optional while staring at my handsome stranger. Nope, no, not my anything. Just a hot guy across the room.
I turn to look at Delta Danny, who is more than irritated, but trying not to show it. Next to him Josh and Bennet look like they might explode from holding back laughter.
“You two are not helping.” Danny grumbles and I look between the three of them.
“What did I miss p>
“Nothing but an inside joke and unfortunately Danny was proved wrong yet again.” Beta Josh informs me, shoulders shaking, without actually giving me any information, then he and Bennet laugh openly at their friend.
The newcomer walks through the room confidently heading straight for the head table, not giving me a second glance, gaining the attention of people as he walks by. I try not to let the sting of that dismissal take root. Then it dawns on me why the eyes look familiar. They are the same as Rayna’s, this must be her brother, who I just realized I don’t know the name of, but eye-f*cked from across the room. Whenever I’ve heard people tell stories he’s just called the Alpha of Dark Moon. And here in the pack they just refer to him as Alpha or in Josh’s case ‘boss.’ I can feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. Then I take a deep breath. He’s probably used to getting ogled, the way he half-smiles at me let me know he’s no stranger to flirting and more than likely getting whoever he wants in his bed. I’m just one in a long line of women he’s considered, and he probably realized I’m the human and not worth his time.
Why does that thought irritate me so much? Who cares if he doesn’t want me now that he’s done the math and knows I’m the human? I wasn’t planning on doing anything but be polite as Rayna’s brother and the Alpha of this pack.