Chapter 230: Elixirs and Whispers
Evaline:
The ballroom was glimmering under crystal chandeliers, the soft golden light creating an illusion of warmth over polished smiles and poised bodies.
I stood beside River, like his silent shadow, my senses sharper than ever. He carried himself like he always did - graceful, sharp, intimidating - but tonight, I saw just how much effort it took to wear that armor. He hadn’t eaten a bite, nor touched anything unless it came from a tray Jasper had vetted earlier. But Jasper was nowhere in sight now.
I remained close, watching the way people gravitated toward him. Alphas, Betas, and their elegantly dressed Lunas constantly approached with false politeness and predatory eyes.
He offered them his usual detached courtesy - no more, no less. But it was the younger women, the daughters of power-hungry families, who caught my attention. Dozens of them were floating around the ballroom like moths, every gaze flickering toward him. They wanted him. But none dared to walk up on their own. It was always their parents initiating introductions, which River dodged with silent glances and cold nods.
Still, the tension among them was palpable. And the glares I received from across the room didn’t go unnoticed. After all, I had danced with River. And with Kieran. And Draven. I wasn’t naive enough to think people hadn’t noticed. Especially not the girls who had come here dressed to seduce the infamous Thorne Brothers.
When I finally excused myself for a bathroom break, I welcomed the moment of solitude. The bathroom was as lavish as the ballroom - marble counters, golden accents, and soft white towels stacked neatly by the sink. I closed myself in a cubicle, letting my body rest for a second.
But then, the click of heels echoed in the space, and a pair of giggling voices followed. I would have ignored them... until I heard one of them say River’s name.
I froze.
"You saw that too, right? That girl dancing with River, and with Kieran? Who the hell does she think she is?"
"She danced with Draven too. I saw them together. I don’t care how pretty she is, she clearly doesn’t know the rules here. You don’t touch all of them like that."
"God, the nerve of her. Whoever she is, she’s going to regret showing off like that."