Chapter 13

Allison's POV

I stand in front of my full-length mirror, staring at my reflection. Or rather, staring at the mermaid style lavender dress Elsa has convinced me to wear. I can hear her going through the cabinet behind me, muttering something about jewelry.

I can't help a sigh. For some reason, I'm having a really bad feeling about attending the luncheon today, but Elsa won't let me sit this one out.

"You don't mingle nearly enough, Allison," she had declared when I suggested that I was better off staying at home. "Besides, I know you're going to receive that Best Software Developer award once more, and I need all eyes to see you looking stunning when you mount the stage."

She refused to be convinced otherwise, so here I am, preparing to leave. I press a palm to my stomach, thankful that it's not swelling yet. Elsa appears beside me with more jewelry than I've ever worn at once, but I know better than to protest when she begins to put them on me.

By the time she's done with prettying me up, I barely recognize the person in the mirror. The smoky eye makeup makes my brown eyes look larger, and my lips look fuller. Sensual, even. I look like a woman Xander Black could desire.

Shut up, Allison, I scold myself, shaking my head. You're not supposed to be thinking about Xander Black.

"Ready?" Elsa asks.

I turn to look at her. I don't feel ready. I can never feel ready for an event like this.

But I don't want to bother Elsa with those words, so I nod and try to smile.

"Yes," I say. "I'm ready."

……

I feel like an imposter the moment I walk into the grand hall in the hotel where the luncheon is usually held. Especially since all eyes turn towards us. First out of curiosity, but soon people are staring… at me. My palms immediately start sweating, but I don't want to wipe them on my satin skirt in full view of everyone. I'm feeling nervous as heck, and I'm giving them a goofy smile before I know it.

It's only when I see the startled looks in their eyes start to turn to shock do I realize that they didn't actually recognize me at first. Not that I blame them. This figure moulding dress is a far cry from the baggy clothes I usually wear, and in the place of my usual messy, slightly disheveled bun is golden blonde hair flowing down my back without a single strand out of place.

My colleagues look like they're watching something impossible unfold. Chicken and chips raining down from the sky, perhaps.

I badly want to hide behind Elsa and Ian.

As if she can sense my distress, Elsa takes my hand and squeezes it reassuringly.

"You'll be alright," she whispers. "Just act natural."

That's sound advice. If only I knew even the basics of acting natural. But it's not like there's anything I can expect her to do about that. She's not a wizard who can magically grant me social skills. So I simply nod as she leads Ian and I further in. Soon, I find myself walking behind them without knowing how it happened. They glance back to make sure I'm there, and I smile to show that I'm okay. They return the smile before turning back to the conversation they're having.

Elsa has laid her hand on Ian's arm, her eyes on his.

You can't ever let an opportunity go to waste can you, Elsa? I think, amused.

I'm happy for her, though. She doesn't always get to spend time with Ian like this.

I only wish I didn't feel like such a third wheel.

There are waiters and waitresses walking around, balancing trays that hold glasses of drinks on their fingertips. I can feel my hands shaking, so I take one and gulp it down. Hopefully, it will help me calm down and maybe even blend in. I grab a second one just in case, and drift towards the balcony. I've always loved the view of the large pool that can be seen from here.

I lose track of time as I stand there, sipping slowly from my glass of what turns out to be brandy. It reminds me of the bar where I met Xander Black. I haven't gone back there since that night. 

Speaking of Xander Black…

I turn, looking around the hall to catch a glimpse of him. I shouldn't have bothered searching. Only the blind would fail to see that man.

I make out his tall, elegant, muscular form instantly. His dark, wavy hair has been swept away from his perfectly chiseled face and slicked back with a tonic. The entirely length of the hall seperates me from him, yet he pulls me like a magnet.

I could stare at him forever.

Rachel Fisher is standing beside him as usual, her glare keeping every woman from approaching.

She really seems to think that he belongs to her, I think with a sigh.

As if he can sense my gaze, he turns to look me. A gasp escapes my lips. His gorgeous hazel eyes, fixed on me, only makes the pull stronger. There's no emotion on his face. I suspect that he doesn't recognize me either. I know I should look away. It's beyond disrespectful for an Omega to openly stare at the Alpha like this. But I can't look away. It's like being sucked into a black hole. The hall and everyone in it seems to stop existing, and all I'm aware of, all I can think of, is Xander Black. Heat pools within me, blood rushing to my cheeks as my desire for him bubbles right underneath my skin. Images from our night together rush to my mind: his hands caressing me, long fingers leaving a trail of fire with each brush against my skin, soft lips capturing mine as I moan…

Get a grip, Allison! I yell inside my head, giving myself a mental slap. Do you never learn?

Luckily for me, Rachel tugs his hand, and he looks away from me. I sigh with relief and more than a little disappoinment, sagging against the balcony.

I want him. I can't believe how much I want him. I turn to face the sky, hoping that the rushing breeze will cool my head somehow. It's not working. I can't stop thinking about him, about us entwined on his bed that night…

"Ugh," I groan, pushing away from the balcony.

I have to go back inside. I have to find Ian and Elsa. I'm standing beside a long table lined with platters of food, looking around for them, when the aroma of grilled steak wafts into my nose, making me feel nauseated. I slap a hand over my mouth to keep from emptying the contents of my stomach, but I can tell that it's not going to be enough.

I turn and head for the exit. At first I'm walking quickly, trying not to attract attention, but soon I have to run. It's either that or throw up in front of everyone.

Why does this keep happening to me? I think in dismay.

I wish I had done my research. If only I had known that the scent of food would nauseate me. And I don't think the alcohol I took earlier is helping matters. I shouldn't have had two glasses. Damn it.

I keep my head down, feeling the eyes boring into me from all sides, as I run from the hall with my hand to my mouth.

The last person I see before I leave the hall is Emily, her eyes glittering cruelly.