Chapter 5 The Gala

"The attacks have escalated this week," Ruel said, sniffing Rowan's drink before passing it to him. No matter how many times Rowan insisted it was unnecessary, Ruel had made it his mission to do so ever since the poisoning incident with wolfsbane last year that nearly cost Rowan his life.

Luis clapped him on the shoulder. "You really shouldn't discuss rogue attacks with so many beautiful women present." He paused to sip from his drink. "So, who will be your choice tonight, Alpha? Moressett? Hanna looks rather appealing as well."

Ruel scoffed, handing Rowan his drink. "Hanna's too timid for Rowan. He'd break her within a week."

Rowan chuckled at that and took a sip from his glass, his eyes scanning the crowd for another option. It was a futile effort; no one eclipsed Moressett.

"You'll have to make a decision soon, Alpha," Luis remarked.

He was right. The guests were starting to direct their attention toward him, the women blushing and adjusting their bodices to make themselves appear more alluring. It was amusing, really. He was not interested in any of them—at least not tonight.

As he drained the contents of his glass, mentally preparing himself for a conversation with Moressett, Ruel muttered under his breath, "Goddess, who is that?"

Luis stared in the same direction, astonished. The crowd came to a halt. The music ceased. Everything and everyone paused, acknowledging the late arrival who had captured their attention.

Rowan's gaze shifted to the top of the staircase, where he sought to identify the woman who had rendered everyone speechless. A gasp nearly escaped his lips as she descended.

One woman moved gracefully down the stairs, her dress unlike anything he had ever encountered. It was a deep, blood-red hue, intricately woven with threads of gold that spread like ivy tendrils climbing up castle walls. The fabric caught the light, making it glow, and he found himself breathless.

As she took another step down, his eyes were drawn to her waist, cinched tightly in a corset that made his fingers clench and unclench with longing, imagining how perfectly they would fit around its slim form.

Her hips flared enticingly, and the dress cascaded further down. One more step revealed a dangerously high slit that exposed her moon-white skin. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to look up at her face.

It was partially obscured by a Vixen mask, yet her eyes...and that plush mouth painted in red as blood...

She reached the bottom of the stairs, and the crowd parted for her. Those striking eyes were locked onto him, becoming increasingly familiar as she approached.

When she halted before him, her rare violet eyes pierced through to his soul. She bowed gracefully, and her light, wispy hair floated around her, stirred by a gentle breeze.

"Alpha," she greeted with a voice that flowed like a siren's song, pulling him in.

"My Lady," he responded instinctively.

Her brows lifted, and a hint of amusement lit those captivating eyes—eyes he was certain he recognized, although he couldn't pinpoint where. This mysterious woman had ensnared his thoughts and stolen his breath.

"Take her hand. Dance with her," Zeres urged him.

Rowan knew he would lose his sanity if he didn't dance with her. He stepped forward, extending his hand. "Dance with me."

A sultry smile graced her lips, revealing twin dimples, but instead of taking his hand, she stepped back and turned to the left.

He stood there, bewildered, feeling a flush of humiliation as she stopped before Luis and said, "Dance with me, Gamma Luis."

Had turning the Alpha down been part of Hailey's plan? Absolutely. How else was she supposed to make him realize what he stood to lose? It would be foolish to believe that simply accepting his hand at the ball would lead to a happily ever after. She wasn't that naive.

Her strategy was clear: she intended to occupy his thoughts all day, haunting his dreams, giving him a taste of "Mad Hailey," and then leaving him wanting more.

"You dance surprisingly well, Hailey," Gamma Luis commented, twirling her for the fifth time.

"For what? An Omega?" she replied sweetly, gripping his jacket as they synchronized their movements with the changing rhythm of the music. Hailey was an excellent dancer; her mother had taught her before her passing. Each lesson was a commitment, one her mother upheld even during their most trying times, when food was scarce.

It was as if her mother had foreseen this moment—the day her Omega daughter would dance among high-class guests, Alphas, Betas, and Gammas from far and wide. The day Hailey would twirl across the Alpha's ballroom, commanding attention.

Every gaze was upon them, including that of Alpha Rowan. His expression darkened with each passing second, his jaw clenched, fists curling as if he contemplated marching over to pummel Luis for daring to accept her hand after she had rejected him.

"No, you move more gracefully than most of the females I've danced with. It was a compliment," Luis insisted, and she smiled, lowering her lashes in playfulness. After a brief pause, he added, "You really shouldn't provoke the Alpha like this. It's reckless."

Hailey stepped back slightly, dancing around him while tracing her fingers across his shoulders and broad back. Her gaze shifted to where she knew Alpha Rowan stood, their eyes locking for a moment. He looked furious.

That was the nature of Alpha males—they felt entitled, claiming what they believed should be theirs, and often reacted with anger when challenged. Possessive creatures.

Any moment now, Alpha Rowan would make a move to reclaim her from Gamma Luis.

"You think I'm being reckless, yet you accepted my invitation to dance. Why?" she asked, maintaining eye contact as they swayed and glided to the music. Each movement caused her figure to shimmer, and the high slit of her dress offered an enticing view of her legs—legs that Alpha Rowan couldn't seem to look away from.

Luis chuckled, his fingers trailing along the small of her back and drawing her closer. "It would be foolish to decline the request of the most beautiful woman here." He paused, glancing pointedly. "The dress suits you. Although, I'd prefer if you didn't 'borrow' it from my study."

Hailey shrugged, a playful smile on her lips. "I didn't steal it; I just borrowed it."

In truth, the dress would soon be hers permanently.

As the music shifted, Luis lightly gripped her fingertips, twirling her again and again, and she couldn't help but laugh. Suddenly, strong hands clasped her waist, and—oh. She found herself staring into deep hazel eyes that seemed to see into her soul.

Alpha Rowan was holding her.

Her heartbeat quickened as she glanced back to find Luis stepping away, visibly surprised. Hailey turned her gaze forward again, having anticipated a more drawn-out process, but she hadn't expected Rowan to act so soon.