Chapter 13

(Julia's POV)

I opened my mouth, ready to keep talking to Ronan and find out how far he would really go to gain custody of his own pup, but we were interrupted by Alex’s appearance at Ronan’s side. “I’m sorry, sir,” he said quietly. “But Mrs. Bennett is looking for you.”

I nodded to myself. This was no surprise. These kinds of Alpha gatherings were all about connecting with other high-ups in society, and Ronan was the most noteworthy young Alpha in the city. It made sense others would want to take up his time.

“I can go home by my—” I started, but Ronan’s hand squeezing my side lightly stopped me from speaking. He nodded to Alex, quietly saying, “In a minute,” then steered me towards the quieter part of the ballroom.

I watched him, trying to hide my surprise, but my mouth dropped open when he stopped us by the buffet table and started loading up a plate. “You’re not allergic to anything, are you?” He asked. “Um, no,” I replied. “No allergies, but I really hate shrimp.”

His hand, which had been reaching for some sort of shrimp pasta dish, dropped, then redirected to a tray of cheese and crackers. “But this is alright?” I nodded. “Yes, that’s fine. Thank you.”

I watched him quietly as he finished fixing my plate, then led me towards an unoccupied table. It was strange, having someone look after me like this. I had always been independent, ever since I was a child. My parents were too focused on Sandy and her daily dramas.

Even when I started dating Kevin, he never took care of me like this. Besides, I probably wouldn’t have let him even if he did. But with Ronan…Ronan did exactly as he pleased, and for some reason, what he wanted was to take care of me. Who was I to stop him?

A gentle touch to my forehead snapped me out of my thoughts. Ronan’s large hand was on my face, his eyes concerned. “Are you feeling alright? Are you uncomfortable?” He didn’t wait for my answer before starting to wrap an arm around my waist and guiding me to sit.

However, before he could touch me again, I stepped lightly away from Ronan, sitting down quickly in the chair. I needed to stop touching him, to stop letting him touch me, but it was so hard.

My mind knew I should keep away, but every part of my body just wanted to lean closer to Ronan, to let his strong arms hold me up and pull me close. Even stranger, whenever he was close, all the pregnancy aches — the swollen ankles, the nausea, the general discomfort — disappeared.

Of course you feel that way, Aura whispered slyly. I can feel the connection between you; the way he looks at you, the way you blush around him. How could you not be connected, when you’re carrying his pup?

I felt my stomach turn. Instead of making me feel better about what my body felt when Ronan was near, it only made me more nervous. The closer we got, the more I grew to rely on Ronan and his protection, the harder it would be to leave it behind when we ended this little charade.

Suddenly, I knew what I needed to do. I needed to end our deal, now. Maybe I could convince Ronan to end our contract early. I needed to get away from him and the pack, just until I had the baby. I didn’t want Ronan any closer to the child than he needed to be; less risk of him realizing it was his and trying to take custody from me.

“Alright,” Ronan said, seemingly done with his mental check-up of me. “Well, I better go see what Mrs. Bennett wants.” He stood to leave, but I grabbed his hand. “Ronan, I need to talk to you. It’s…it’s important.”

He nodded, saying, “Of course. Can it wait until we’re done here?” I returned his nod. “And Julia?” I looked up at Ronan. “If anything happens, anything like the situation with Bianca, please alert me right away.”

“Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll let you know.” Ronan then waved Alex, the always-dutiful Gamma, over. “Sit with her while I deal with this?” he said. “Or course, sir,” Alex replied, taking the seat Ronan just vacated.

(Third Person POV)

The party was so full of Alphas and their various Betas, Gammas, and mates, that Julia and Ronan would never have seen everyone there. If they had looked, though, they might have seen Sandy, walking in confidently

When she had bragged to Julia about her upcoming entry into high society, this was the party Sandy had been talking about. She planned on using this night to network and connect with other Alphas, and then ultimately use it to push Julia out of her Acting Beta position.

It had taken some work, but Sandy had scored her invite after days of softening up Bianca. Sure, she had had to pretend to be a little more important at work than she actually was (the words “one of Ronan’s most trusted employees” were used), but it was all worth it to be standing here.

She had also promised Bianca something in return: information about Ronan and his new Luna. Everyone at the party was buzzing about his new mate, some mystery woman no one had ever seen before.

But that came second to Sandy’s true mission tonight. Tonight was all about networking with the city’s elite, making connections that would help her become more powerful than Julia could ever dream of being.

It just burned her up that Julia — boring, bland, workaholic Julia — had somehow managed to snag such a rich new boyfriend. Sandy didn’t know which of the city’s powerful businessmen she had trapped, but she planned on finding out.

Before she could do that, though, she needed to find Bianca. That was easy enough; she was loudly talking to an older man about the large red wine stain on her dress, gesturing towards her body, then pointing to the back of the room.

“Bianca!” Sandy tried her best to sound excited. “Oh, my gosh, there you are! I have been looking all over for you.” She grabbed Bianca’s arm and steered her away from the man she had been talking to.

“God, what is wrong with you?” Bianca hissed, rubbing her arm once Sandy let her go. “What’s wrong with me?” Sandy laughed. “Oh, maybe it’s because you left me out there on the sidewalk for two hours before you bothered to send someone to let me in!”

Bianca rolled her eyes. “Calm down. You’re in now, aren’t you? Anyways, how was I supposed to know you were really going to show up? I figured you’d chicken out of attending an event like this when you’re so clearly low class.”

Sandy fought the urge to slap her. She knew she needed to hang on to this connection if she wanted to keep fighting her way up the ranks and into high society. Instead, she just smiled and said, “Well, I’m here now and I’m ready to help you gather information.”

“Good,” Bianca grabbed a drink from a nearby waiter. “Then do that. I didn’t allow you to come here just to talk to rich Alphas and eat free food.” Sandy smiled again, then turned and set off into the ballroom, eyes scanning the room.

Her eyes stopped on a table tucked away in the corner of the room, where two people were sitting alone. She could see Alex, Ronan’s Gamma, but the woman he was with had her back turned to Sandy.

But something about her — the color of her hair, her upright, perfect posture — reminded Sandy of Julia. Could it be her? Was she really running around with someone with a nice sports car?

Or maybe it’s Alex…no, that’s impossible. Why would a handsome Gamma like him even look twice at a boring nobody like my sister.

Sandy hesitated, not sure if she should abandon the task Bianca had given her for her own mission. But that woman seemed so much like Julia! She had to satisfy her curiosity. Sandy began to move closer, trying to get a good look at this woman’s face.