RYN


    I shook my head, forcing the image <i>away</i>.


    “What?” I said to an elderly man who had been speaking to me and whose words had been flying on deaf ears.


    “I said, my wife and I would like to invite you to dinner at our house. Our grandchildren love you”


    “Oh yes, I would love to” I replied, hating that I had to fake the excitement in my voice<i>. </i>


    My eyes darted their way again and this time I was disappointed to find Chelsea clinging to Theon’s arm, while Miro was nowhere to be found.


    A myriad of desires began to course through me.


    One, my shameless desire to drag the twins into a room and get naked for them. Two, the overwhelming desire to find Miro, and three, the deadly desire to rip Chelsea away from my man.


    Wait what?


    I blinked and absentmindedly smiled as a group of olddies approached and said ‘hi


    Is Theon <b>mine</b>?


    I shook my head and looked Theon’s way. Again, I couldn’t find him either. Instead, in his ce was Chelsea ring at me from afar.


    I red back, hungry for a moment where we could have a rematch.


    Sadie pinched me, calling <b>my </b>attention to the elderly women before me so I apologized and listened to them invite me to speak at their annual charity event. I epted in a heartbeat and when things became too much for me, I excused myself to the restroom to take a breather.


    Looking in the mirror, I discovered <b>my </b>face was flushed and despite the AC, I was hot on the inside.


    Taking a calming breath, I decided to collect my thoughts. novelbin


    Why do I suddenly feel this way?


    I have lived with the twins and it was never this intense. Heck, I just saw Miro before the event, and I didn’t feel this way for


    <b>him</b><b>. </b>


    So is it Theon? Is he <b>my </b>mate?


    My heart began to race at the possibility which almost made me smile.


    Almost because that witch <b>still </b>had him in her grip and until Theon is free from her influence, I can’t know the real truth.


    I can’t be sure.


    Just then the door opened and in came Chelsea.


    I stiffened, watching her in the mirror as she came to stand beside me and peer at her face before digging in her bag to retrieve a lipstick.


    The nerve this bitch has, to stand so close.


    III


    15:04 Tue,


    I gripped the counter hard and her eyes slid to me with a smile. Then she turned to fully face me.


    “Ryn Ashmore, star of The King’s Ball. Who did you have to fuck to get that ne, huh?”


    I faced her, barely able to contain my wolf who’s been meaning toe out ever since she stepped in. “Chelsea Moore,ughingstock of The King’s Ball. How much poison will it take to convince everyone here that you’re good enough.”


    The door opened just as Chelsea pped me, hard, and just as I raised my fist to teach her why that was a bad idea, someone rushed in between us.


    I blinked to see Sadie, and before I could react, she turned and poured her ss of champagne in Chelsea’s face before returning her p with one of her own.


    While Chelsea gasped in disbelief, Sadie grabbed my hand and led me out of the bathroom. Stunned, I followed after her until we reached a corner close to the main hall.


    “What’s going on?” I asked in disbelief. “Why did you do that? You should have let me teach her <i>a </i>lesson.”


    Sadie looked around as if she didn’t want anyone to hear us. “Not here.” She said, lowering her voice. “Did you stop to think that Chelsea might have intentionallye into the bathroom, knowing fully well how much you want to beat her up?”


    Things began to make sense.


    “Oh.”


    “Yeah.” Sadie nodded. “I overheard her having a chat with Howard’s Mom in the bathroom earlier today. They had nned for her to get beat up by you so she could expose you to everyone here and with the Billie video still circting<i>, </i>it’d be easy to paint you as a bad person.”


    “And with Theon on her side, getting me kicked out will be inevitable.” I finished.


    “Exactly. Easy–peasy. You could have suffered the biggest disgrace ever.”


    Overwhelmed with joy, I pulled Sadie into a hug. “Thank you.” I said, feeling tears rush to my eyes.


    She rubbed my back gently. “Always wee.” She said, then we pulled apart and she extended her hand to me. “Come, let’s enjoy the rest of the party.”


    Smiling, I took her hand and joined the crowd.