Chapter 8 : Don't touch her

"Ready?" Levi asks in the darkness of the car, just before we get out.

I hold my breath and look down at my dress. It's an elegant piece that fits me outrageously well. The burgundy red of the silk matches perfectly with my tanned skin, brown hair and green eyes.

As I once said, Sebastian's favorite color is red. This time, I plan to use it against him.

I nod slowly. "I am," I say.

He gets out of the car. He turns around and comes to open the door for me. What a perfect gentleman, he plays his part well.

As soon as I get out I notice that all eyes are on us, but I try to pretend it doesn't affect me. Levi is looking stunning in a black suit that fits his musculature to perfection. His hair is styled elegantly. He looks so handsome that it's impossible to look away.

And indeed, as we go along the girls look at him, although there is reticence in their gestures. It's evident that they fear him as much as they long for him.

"He is too attractive to be real," I hear a young woman behind me say as soon as we pass.

"I know," answers her friend. "But he's the leader of the 'cursed pack,' remember? They say he's killed over a hundred people, and with his bare hands! "

The other girl holds back a gasp of surprise.

"Probably his pretty girlfriend will meet the same fate."

I have to concentrate to keep my lips from grimacing. Everyone talks about Levi, and they do it in a bad way, because they are all afraid of him.

At the top of the stairs a butler receives our coats. As soon as I take off my coat, all eyes are fixed on my cleavage.

Levi seems proud to hold my hand and to know that we are the center of attention.

"You look gorgeous," he murmurs.

He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. He kisses it adoringly. The gesture is so sincere it almost makes me believe it's real.

"You don't look bad yourself," I concede with a smile.

"Will you dance with me?" Levi asks, and as soon as we enter the main room, we slide onto the dance floor.

He places his hand on my lower back. He begins to lead me slowly and calmly, at an almost delightful pace.

"For someone who never dances at such events, you're not bad at all," I joke.

He smiles at me and looks around us, almost bored.

"I'm not a great enthusiast of these social events," he admits.

"I've noticed. You never attended, and if you did, it was always alone."

Levi shrugs.

"Why come to a place like this with someone insignificant?"

"What about me?" I ask with a raised eyebrow, tilting my face to one side. "Am I insignificant?"

"No!" he answers, so serious that I almost believe his words. "You are my wife. No one is more important than you."

His hand grips my waist and pulls me against him. His lips search for me. I find myself standing on tiptoes to kiss him slowly, while my hands tangle around the back of his neck.

Murmurs begin to fly around us. We hear them, even though the sound of the music is louder.

"Can you believe it?" someone says. "Levi Grant kissing a girl like that!"

"I've never seen him act with anyone like that," mutters another person.

"He must really love her," the man affirms.

"Levi, loves someone?" then both laugh. "He's sure to end up with her out of sheer boredom."

"No, no, look how he treats her. This time, I think he's serious."

Slowly Levi and I separate. The piece ends and we leave the dance floor.

My cheeks are aflame with blushing. Part of me feels overwhelmed, but the other really enjoys the attention he is giving me. I don't know how long this farce will last, but I am starting to believe this can work.

"I'll go get you a drink," he offers after gallantly helping me sit down. "Any request?"

"Surprise me," I say with a smile on my lips.

I place a hand affectionately on his face. He smiles so genuinely that for moments, I forget he's only pretending.

"I will," he concedes.

He leaves and I notice that all eyes are on him. Men fear him, but women desire him. And yet no one dares to approach him. Levi is too powerful, too unreachable.

"Take the opportunity to run," says someone beside me. I turn and see the omega of a friendly pack sitting right next to me.

"Excuse me," I say to the boy, looking at him blankly. He points his chin at Levi.

"That man, he's famous for being a fucker. He'll kill you in a heartbeat."

"That man you're talking about is my husband," I remind him in a cold voice. He smiles without noticing my reluctance.

"I know that. But it won't do you any good to pretend you won't meet the same fate as the rest. The best thing would be to run away now," He winks at me and takes my hand. "If you want, I can help you with that."

"Let go of my wife. Now," says Levi, coming to the table and scaring us both.

The boy immediately lets go of my hand. I stand up and Levi stands between us looking at him fiercely.

"Alpha Grant, I... I'm sorry... I was just joking with her," the boy starts mumbling.

"Fuck off!" Levi orders.

The boy runs away without looking back. On his way he stumbles and knocks over a vase.

"Are you all right?" Levi asks then, looking at me gently.

His tone is so different when he speaks to me that it almost surprises me. He takes my hand and I nod.

"Yeah... It was nothing. It just took me by surprise," I give him a half smile, because I want him to trust me.

"Okay," Levi answers in a whisper.

All around us, everyone is shocked. It's obvious they've never seen Levi Grant treat anyone like that over a woman.

"Where is my drink?" I ask, urgently wanting to change the subject.

"Oh, shit. I forgot it," he clicks his tongue. "There was a line to order drinks. I was about to be served when I saw that asshole come up to you."

I giggle and put my hand on his chest.

"Why don't you go get that drink now? I'll see you on the terrace. I'm in the mood for some fresh air."

"As you wish, my lady," he answers in a gallant voice.

He kisses my hand and then leaves again. For a moment, I almost believe the farce we have staged.

Smiling, I go to the terrace. I'm so distracted that I don't notice who's there.

"Well, well, well. Here is the stalker," Sebastian says, laughing.

He's accompanied by a mob of girls who laugh at his joke. They look at me as if I were an outcast. Evidently, they fight with each other to win his attention. And he enjoys it.

Sebastian's gaze lingers for a moment on my dress. It sweeps slowly over me before he says,

"Honestly, Amber, I'm tired of you following me around like a lost soul," Around him, the crowd laughs and his words are like a slap on my face.

Is Sebastian really doing this to me? For an instant I can't believe he's actually talking to me like this.

I try to control myself, but at this moment I feel my blood boiling.

"That I'm chasing you? You know things were never like that between us," I cross my arms and shake my head. "Honestly, I don't have the mood or the time for this. Enjoy the party, and your friends."

"That's it, go away you coward," he jokes and then looks at one of the girls. "Don't you think she's pitiful? She begged me to marry her, but I understood that I couldn't be with someone who doesn't care about anything but her reflection."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I turn around and say annoyed. "I didn't beg you for anything!"

But he ignores me. Sebastian keeps talking.

"And then she goes and gets married, to none other than the alpha of the enemy pack, Levi Grant! And do you know why she did it? She did it because she loves being the center of attention. She knew that way she'd be on everyone's mouth."

Sebastian takes a step towards me and looks at me menacingly.

"Don't you think it's pathetic to marry another man just to put on a show? Even though, it's obvious that you're still in love with me," he adds.

He grabs my chin and lifts it up, making me look at him. His blue eyes are full of venom.

For an instant I can't believe that this man and the one I was about to marry are one and the same

I am unable to move, but Levi then appears. He pushes Sebastian and makes him let go of me.

"Don't you ever touch her again," he orders.

He takes a step towards Sebastian. He looks menacing. The rest of the girls move away.

Sebastian acts brave. He raises his hands in an appeasing gesture.

"Relax, champ. Your wife and I were just telling each other some truths to our faces," he jokes.

It's clear that Sebastian is trying to act brave. It's always been his thing to settle things with his charming verbiage.

But Levi is not a talker. He's the type who takes action, and before Sebastian can say another word, Levi raises his fists and throws a punch at him, straight in the face.

The crowd around us screams. Sebastian collapses and stumbles, falling to the ground on a shattered ice sculpture.

Levi moves forward and I go after him, looking at Sebastian's face I notice that it is stained with blood.

Levi then lifts Sebastian by his tie. He kneels down beside him and looks him in the eyes. His expression is fierce, utterly terrifying.

"Say another word about her and I'll kill you with my bare hands," he threatens him.

Sebastian's eyes widen like saucers in shock.

Evidently, he knows as well as I do that Levi is not joking.

After all, his reputation wasn't built based on rumors.