Chapter Three
Henry
The gala is a dazzling display of luxury, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm, golden light over the vast ballroom. The air carries the mild scent of fresh roses, mingling with the soft notes of a live orchestra. Guests, dressed in their finest, move gracefully beneath the glittering lights.
I pause, letting the splendor of the evening wash over me.
Though I'm no stranger to such grand affairs, their allure never fades.
There is a certain pleasure in these gatherings, an indulgence I savor each time.
But tonight, there is something especially gratifying about sharing it with Ares, my best friend, and his family unit, his wife, Cassie, and her other mates, Eric and Jeremiah.
Their presence adds a richness to the evening, making it feel more intimate and more complete.
I am standing with Ares, trying to focus on the conversation, but my attention keeps slipping. It is odd, considering I am usually very present and attentive in conversations, but my eyes are drawn, as if by some magnetic pull, across the room to where she stands. Leila Kaye.
She is exquisite tonight, more than usual.
Her dress, a deep royal blue that matches her eyes, flows elegantly as she shifts her weight with a grace that seems effortless.
The fabric clings delicately to her form, catching the light as she moves, revealing a hint of the curves beneath.
Her blonde hair is swept up in an intricate style, a few loose strands artfully framing her face.
Even the way she holds her drink is effortlessly elegant, her fingers wrapped around the glass, exuding a quiet allure that draws the eye without trying.
There is a quiet strength in her posture, a poise that belies the turmoil I know she is enduring.
It is obvious by the indifference on her face that she is exhausted by the man droning on beside her—Jasper O’Neil from the O’Neil family, a notorious bore who never seems to realize when he has lost his audience.
I can see it in the way she slightly nods, the faint curve on her lips barely masking her disinterest, her eyes flickering occasionally as if searching for an escape.
Poor thing!
Not too long ago, I, too, was a victim of O’Neil’s laborious ramblings.
I was fortunate to be spared further torment, rescued by the presence of Ares and his family unit.
Now, as I watch Leila enduring the same fate, I cannot help but think someone should intervene and save her from the tedium of O’Neil’s speeches.
“Henry? Henry?!” Ares says, nudging me with his elbow. “Did you even hear a word I said?” his voice laced with concern.
“I, err… I’m sorry. What were we talking about again?” I ask as I watch Ares’ eyes shift to the direction from which my eyes just returned, a small smirk appearing on his face as he spots the focus of my attention.
“You really like her, don’t you?” Ares asks, still smirking, his voice tinged with a mix of tease and curiosity.
More than I've ever liked anyone.
I scoff, trying to deflect, but my thoughts reveal a different story. I have been captivated by Leila since the first moment I saw her when she was introduced to Ares. Her beauty was immediately arresting, and I knew that I was looking on a rare gem that could command the attention of any man.
But it was more than just her physical appearance that captivated me.
Her confidence and the way she carried herself with an effortless grace and poise was all the more mesmerizing.
Her sheer audacity seemed to illuminate her very being.
I was drawn to her in a way that transcended mere admiration.
I felt an almost irresistible pull towards her—a sense of awe that has only grown since that initial encounter.
But she was to be betrothed to Ares, and I refrained from letting any such feelings linger.
The most powerful Omega was fated to be with the most powerful Alpha.
I respected that, and it made perfect sense—until it didn’t.
First, it was clear that Ares did not pine for her as I did.
Then, there was the emergence of Cassie, the White Wolf of legend, revealing with undeniable clarity that Leila was not the most powerful Omega after all.
Ares and Cassie have married and established a close-knit family unit with Jeremiah and Eric now.
Throughout the shifting landscape, Leila has been graceful, displaying not the slightest hint of chagrin.
Yet I cannot imagine the weight she carries; the burden of her mother’s imprisonment and the relentless barrage of negative press in all the tabloids must feel like an anchor weighing heavily on her chest. Through it all, I remain torn about refraining from my lingering feelings for her.
Perhaps this is not the ideal moment to address them, but when is ever the right time?
“I’m just worried about her after everything that happened and everything they are saying in the tabloids,” I say, careful not to directly answer the question.
Ares’ shifts his gaze back in Leila’s direction, her annoyed demeanor and irritation at the still-rambling O’Neil becoming apparent to him. There is a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
“I had hoped that the announcement of my family unit would take the heat off her. I figured with all the attention on Cassie, Jeremiah, Eric, and I, the press would give her some breathing space,” Ares says, shaking his head as he talks.
“Apparently, it didn’t take all the heat,” he finishes as he returns his gaze to me.
“Have you seen some of the things they are saying about her? It’s nasty,” I say, the concern in my tone unmistakable.
“Yeah, we expected that. You know how these tabloids are.”
“Even with a White Wolf being discovered? I would have imagined that they would be too busy covering that to have any time for all the slanderous comments they have been putting out.”
“Bad news spreads fast, and you can bet the vicious media will find a way to focus on that. But she really doesn’t deserve that,” Ares says, almost in a sigh.
A brief silence settles between us as I shift my gaze back to Leila.
My mind swirls with thoughts of the cruel, false accusations that have plagued her in the blogs—vicious rumors that she conspired with her mother to kill Cassie, whispers that she has grown bitter after being ousted as the most powerful Omega, and speculation that the controversies have left her without a single suitor.
Each lie feels like a fresh wound, and I cannot help but feel a deep sympathy for her.
“I just feel bad for her, you know,” I murmur, my eyes still fixed on Leila.
Ares glances at me and then back at her, his expression thoughtful. “Well, I’m not sure she would appreciate being pitied,” he replies, his tone measured. “But you are right. She is going through a lot right now.”
There is a brief pause between us, a moment when we fall into thought. I can see the look on Ares’ face, and I can tell what he is thinking. The ensuing silence is broken by Ares.
“I know I’ve said this before, but I really think you should give it a try with her,” Ares says, his tone earnest.
I scoff in response, rolling my eyes. “You keep saying that. You really enjoy messing with me, don’t you?”
But Ares doesn’t take the bait. “I’m serious,” he insists. “We may not have known her well before, but now we do. The way she’s handled everything, how she’s welcomed Cassie and become a loving sister to her, it speaks volumes. She’s a good person, Henry.”
I fall silent, staring off into the distance, though I fix my gaze on nothing in particular.
“And we both know you really like her,” Ares adds, nudging me on the shoulder, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
I let out a light chuckle at Ares’ nudge and the knowing look in his eyes.
“I’m going to get some air,” I say, turning to leave as he chuckles softly behind me.
As I walk away, I glance back to where Leila was standing, only to find that she’s gone, finally freed from O’Neil.
But then I see O’Neil turning in my direction, his gaze locking onto me with alarming intent. Oh no! Not again!
My instincts kick in immediately, and I slip into a nearby group of people, blending into their movement as they head in a different direction.
I keep my head down, careful to obscure myself from O’Neil’s line of sight.
Once I’m certain his focus has shifted elsewhere, I break away from the group, moving quickly toward the balcony.
I finally make my way to a small balcony, grateful for the cool night breeze that brushes against my face.
As I stand there, the city lights twinkling below, I begin to turn over Ares’ words in my mind.
There’s no denying the truth. I feel something strong for Leila, something I’ve done a terrible job of hiding, even from myself.
Yet, as my thoughts drift, they settle on Ares and the man he’s becoming.
I’ve never seen him so content. Being around his wife and her mates has brought out a side of him that is nothing short of beautiful.
The news of Cassie’s pregnancy has filled the entire city with anticipation, but none more so than Ares himself.
His excitement about fatherhood and about the future is palpable, and it’s a joy to witness.
Everything seems to be falling into place for him, and he’s happier than I’ve ever known him to be.
I can’t help but feel a longing for that kind of happiness in my own life.
I’ve never really taken the time or seen the importance of searching for a mate. But perhaps now is the time. Perhaps it’s time to find someone to share my life with and to start a family of my own.
My thoughts are abruptly interrupted by the creak of the door behind me. I turn back curiously to see who has come to join me in this quiet corner of the night.
Leila Kaye. This must be a sign.