Chapter 225: The Winter Solstice Ball
Evaline:
I let out a deep sigh, the kind that clawed up my throat with weight and hesitation.
My hand hovered on the door handle of the black luxury car, hesitant to leave the safety of its leather-lined interior. But River had been standing outside for a while now, holding the door open, his tall frame casting a long shadow into the vehicle. His presence was a silent command I could never resist for too long. So I pushed aside the knot of nerves and stepped out.
The moment I did, chaos erupted.
Camera flashes hit me from all angles. They were blinding, relentless. The sudden burst of lights made my vision blur, and I reflexively turned my face. My eyes even started watering as the sound of frenzied shouting and screaming tore through the cool evening air.
"Miss! Over here!"
"Who is she?"
"Alpha Thorne! Alpha Thorne, look this way!"
"River! Alpha River, over here!"
Fangirls were screaming his name like it was a battle cry, some even pushing past the red velvet ropes as if their lives depended on getting a closer glimpse of him. And the fanboys... oh, they were worse, holding placards, phones, even gifts.
River reacted immediately.
In one fluid motion, he stepped closer and his body shielded mine from the blinding lights and intrusive camera lenses. His arm circled around me protectively, and I felt the strength of it, the calm power he carried like a second skin.