Chapter 48

“Oh yes,” I said, grinning into the camera as I answered the reporter’s questions. “I love lemon desserts, I have to say it’s probably my favorite flavor.”

“How fascinating! And have you ever tried baking your own?” His plastic expression made me slightly nervous, but I did my best to ignore it while we were still in the middle of an interview.

“I’m not that talented in the kitchen,” I said, laughing. “But, I would love to tell our viewers bake sales and those kinds of fundraising events are great opportunities for raising money for important causes. Caleb and I both believe that a good, happy society depends on its people taking the initiative to constantly improve.”

“Very you, using every opportunity to promote charitable acts.” The reporter said, clapping his hands in quiet applause.

“It is important to both of us, and I think that as leaders and candidates for the throne, we have to speak out about issues that we care about.”

“Thank you so much for your time, we’ve been looking for Caleb for some time now, when will we get another chance to see you on the dance floor with your fiance?”

I groaned inwardly at the question.

Caleb was nowhere to be found in the parking lot, where a few minutes ago I had run into a fight between Harper and Adrian. I had turned over every stone, looked under every bush, I even knocked on some of the car windows just to be sure he wasn’t cowering in a backseat somewhere.

Nothing.

All I could do was force a pleasant expression and nod along. “Caleb’s duties definitely keep him very busy, and unfortunately some of those responsibilities bled over into his time at the Alpha Ball tonight. However, rest assured, he will be back before you know it for a few more rounds of dancing.”

The reporter laughed heartily, his hand on his belly like a cartoon character. “We cannot wait to film it live for our audience! Oh, just one moment, please, it seems another one of our news correspondents has found something interesting! Back to you, Greta!”

The tightness in his face sank as soon as the recording light of the camera turned off. He looked at me blandly, and I was almost scared by how quickly and easily he was able to drop the image of news anchor.

“We really appreciate your time,” he said, and curtsied to me on his way off into the crowd. I took another glass of champagne from behind me, finally letting myself pay attention again to the noise and commotion happening on the middle of the dance floor.

I tried to peek over the taller heads to see what was going on, but even on my toes there were too many people in the way. Slowly though, the sea of people began to part and Lucas emerged out of the crowd.

My heart nearly stopped beating for a moment, and my entire body went cold. But after just a moment, that panic gave way to seething anger. Here was the man responsible for the deaths of my family, my baby, and me.

However, like I had promised myself many times, it wouldn’t happen in this one.

“Lucas,” I said graciously, hiding my rage behind my perfectly constructed mask. “I see you’re back. I was beginning to wonder where you had gotten to.”

“Just freshening up again,” he said, smirking. My eyes wandered back over his outfit, which seemed to consist of a new, freshly pressed black suit and a slicked back haircut that hadn’t been there earlier.

Was he trying to outshine Caleb on the day of his Alpha Ball? Did he really go out to get new clothes and a new look to impress the public?

It was a good strategy, unfortunately. Lucas was always considered the handsome one, at least as far as I knew. And now that Caleb had been missing for so long, people were beginning to forget about their host and were looking for someone new to latch onto.

“I’ve been looking forward to getting to really talk with you Ruby, especially since we have seen so little of each other the last few months.”

I glanced around quickly at the guests behind him, each one staring intently and holding their breath.

I didn’t want to cause a commotion by outright rejecting him, but it made every single inch of my skin sizzle to imagine him touching me again.

Before I could respond he swung himself up on the podium, and plucked the microphone out of its stand. “Maestro, music please!”

My jaw dropped, but I quickly regained my composure. I held my breath as he approached me, stepping slowly in tune with the music. His hands brushed against my back and I forced myself to exhale. It would be over before I knew it.

“You know, it’s a shame I couldn’t tell you earlier, but you do look beautiful tonight, Ruby.” He said.

I scoffed, “You’re not gaining anything by suddenly playing the part of perfect prince, Lucas. If you can’t see how much damage your image has taken tonight, you’re lying to youself.”

He raised my arm over my head, and I walked under it in a gentle twirl. “I liked to think of Harper as a pet. Now that she isn’t useful anymore, the bitch goes up for adoption.”

“You’re disgusting. I can’t believe it has taken you this long to admit you never cared about anyone or anything.”

“Oh, there are a few things I can think of. The top one is definitely defeating Caleb on the way to the throne. With or without you and your connections, I will win the game.”

The music suddenly picked up, and we spun in faster circles around the mesmerized audience. “The suit and hair won’t make your subjects forget how bad the conflict with Harper made you look earlier. Caleb’s live polling has been improving all night—“

”And yet, where is he?” Lucas interrupted, looking around the ballroom mockingly. “Your champion has been nowhere to be seen for almost an hour now. Even if he isn’t capable of playing the game anymore, I still am.”

His words made me flinch just as the music died down and the audience erupted into applause. I pulled away from Lucas as fast as I could, bowing deeply to the onlookers before walking away.

I ducked into a window, hiding my pained expression from the guests. The threat Lucas gave was legitimate, but the thing that scared me the most was the feeling of his hands on me.

But now, I wasn’t just his abused fiancee, I was the future queen of Lycan. I steeled myself, and slowed my breathing.

Then plastered a smile onto my face, and walked back towards the crowd.