Chapter 264

Grace

He smiled. "Will you--"

"Yes."

He chuckled and took my hand. I shuddered, trembled as he slid the band up my left arm. The metal was warm through my sleeve and it felt heavy. It shrunk around my arm and the Blackwoods crest appeared on it. The signet ring on his hand flashed with a soft silver light.

The air around us felt heavy. I didn't know what to say.

He kissed me gently. "I'd like to take you home now, but there's a circus outside and work to be done."

My lips twitched. "I'd probably fall asleep on you."

He chuckled. "I think cuddles warrant sleep."

Charles squeezed my hand, his touch grounding her. He turned to the door, throwing it open.

"Xavier, Amira, can you come back in for a moment?"

They came back. Amira's eyes widened at the band on my arm and joy took over her face.

"I really hope that band means what I think it means," Amira said. Xavier's eyes twinkled.

"It does," Charles said, squeezing my hand. "We're going public with our relationship."

Xavier grinned. "I'll grab a camera."

I looked up at him. "You're sure?"

"Are you?"

I swallowed and leaned into him, smiling. "Yes."

Amira cheered. "I'm wearing mine over my clothes now!"

We headed downstairs together. The Enforcers had the reporters contained at the base of the steps, and not once did Charles pull away or flinch as we addressed them. I felt grounded and supported by his strength, and the fear faded.

"Not how I planned to reveal this," I said, slowly. "But since you all want a story... we've decided to tell you the truth."

After it was out, the real rush started. Weeks bled into one another, a blur of interviews, press conferences, and the relentless scrutiny of the media was a lot, but Xavier was on top of keeping the narrative controlled, and it was nice that Charles didn't have to shave and we could go around together publicly.

Cecil, to my surprise, had been over the moon.

"Do I get to call you Daddy, too?"

He looked stunned but gathered her in his arms. "If that's what you want, princess."

I had really expected more of a fuss, but I was grateful that there wasn't one. Cecil grinned up at Charles.

"Lulu says having two daddies is the best," she said.

I frowned and Charles chuckled. "Well, she would know."

"Who is Lulu?" I asked.

"She was at my birthday party!" Cecil said. "She was our archer."

I remembered the little girl and nodded. I supposed it was normal in the Clans. After we'd put Cecil to bed, I curled up with Charles.

"So it won't be strange for Eason to be with George? Or Ethan?"

"The three of them," Charles said absently.

"What?"

"A triad mate bond is rare, but it's totally acceptable."

I sighed. "I have a lot to learn."

He chuckled as his phone rang. He frowned and grabbed it.

"Astarte?" He asked and put the phone on speaker. "What's happening?"

"You never RSVP'd," she said.

He frowned. "I thought--"

"For your shiny new girlfriend," she laughed. "You are bringing her, aren't you?"

He glanced at me.

From what Charles had told me, it wasn't my kind of scene, but he seemed nervous.

"You haven't been watching the news?"

"Why would I?" Astarte scoffed. "I've been planning a party, dear."

"Right. Let me check."

He put Astarte on mused. "Have you thought about it?"

The thought filled me with a nervous dread. But a part of me, a desperate, time-sensitive part, understood Charles' thoughts. Time was a luxury I no longer had. He wanted to introduce me to the important people in his life, and Astarte... if she was such a big deal, I'd really have to get over whatever connection she had to Alpha Shadow.

I nodded. "I'll go."

He smiled and kissed me soundly before taking Astarte off hold.

"RSVP her."

"Splendid! What's her size?"

My eyes bulged and he laughed. "I'll take care of it, Astarte. Just tell me the color."

"Gold and red. I'll see you then!"

The morning we were set to leave, I turned my dissertation in for final review. Charles picked me up, impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit, his eyes lingering on me with a warmth that sent a familiar flutter in my stomach. He held out a hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Ready?"

I forced a smile, the nervousness still clinging to me like a second skin. "As ready as I'll ever be, Your Majesty," I replied, slipping my hand into his. "Let's just get this over with."

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Don't worry, Grace. I'll be by your side. I even got you a robe for your modesty."

I scowled at him, but I was grateful. Stepping out of my comfort zone, into the heart of witch and vampire culture, was daunting. But maybe the ticking clock over my head was making me braver.

We arrived at the venue, a sprawling mansion bathed in an ethereal moonlight glow. The air crackled with a nervous energy, a potent mix of wealth, power, and unspoken tension. Charles, his arm a reassuring presence around my waist, guided me through the throng of half dressed people.

My eyes darted around, searching for a familiar face amidst the sea of strangers. Suddenly, Charles stopped, his hand tightening around mine. My gaze followed his to the woman I had only seen over video. She was in a solid gold tedding, bare foot and draped in jewelry.

"God..." I whispered. "She's... more in person."

Charles chuckled. "She'll appreciate the compliment."

She turned. Her eyes lit up as she looked at Charles, then her eyes dropped to me. The air crackled with a tangible tension as our eyes met. A flicker of recognition, swiftly followed by a wave of horror, washed over her face. She went pale. She dropped her glass. My gut twisted. She knew me, but from where and why? Did she not approve of me as Charles' guest? Before she could react further, she boomed, her voice cutting through the chatter.

"Alpha Grace Wolfe," her voice echoed through the air. "I hereby release you and forfeit my challenge."

My heart hammered against my ribs. Her words, unexpected and laced with a strange desperation, sent a wave of confusion crashing over me. Then, in a flash of terrifying clarity, I felt the heat of the challenge circle vanishing. I looked down as the Blood Moon circle vanished, and a horrifying realization dawned.

Astarte was Alpha Shadow.

Shame and regret contorted her features. Before I could even process this revelation, she crossed the room to us. She looked like she wanted to hug Charles, but she held back, tears streaming down her face.

"Astarte--"

"Forgive me, Charles," she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "Forgive me. Had I known--Had I even--"

Charles stepped forward, hushing her and pulling her into his arms.

"Astarte--"

"No," she sobbed. "I--"

My mind reeled, not knowing what to say. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, a deafening alarm ripped through the mansion, shattering the stunned silence. Panic flared in Astarte's eyes.

Without another word, she bolted towards a side door, her movements a blur of desperate urgency. Charles, his expression grim, turned to me.

"Stay here," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. "This won't be safe."

But the idea of staying alone in this chaotic mansion. amidst a potential security breach was terrifying. "No way," I argued, grabbing his arm. "I'm coming with you."

Charles hesitated for a moment, then a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. With a nod, he led me towards the door Astarte had disappeared through, keeping me behind him.

The world outside the mansion was a cacophony of shouts and flashing lights. Security guards, clad in black uniforms, patrolled the perimeter, their silver weapons glinting in the moonlight. We followed Astarte who was barely a streak of gold ahead of us.

"What's happening?" I asked. "A robbery?"

"Worse," Charles said. "Likely an attack."

She turned a corner. I caught sight of her expression, the horror was gone. In its place, was outright fear.

What was she so afraid of?

We followed her deeper into the mansion. The decor shifted to brighter colors and more gold. The air felt deeper and darker. I followed Charles at a dead sprint, weaving through the hallways. The screams of guards and the metallic clang of weapons clashed against the backdrop of the blaring alarm. A sense of urgency thrummed through me.

We broke through a door. The night air wrapped around us, cool and biting, but we didn't slow down. As we entered the adjacent building, we found the source of the commotion. Several figures, clad in dark clothes, wielding guns and swords, were locked in a desperate struggle with security. They moved with a feral grace, their eyes burning with a wild intensity.

Charles snarled. "Originals."