Chapter 29: Stay
Zane~
When Abel first mentioned that Alpha Darius would be attending the art exhibition and auction, my mind immediately spun into action. Darius wasn’t just some random alpha attending for leisure; his presence here meant something, and I intended to figure out what. More importantly, I wanted to know what Natalie’s connection to him was. Something didn’t sit right about their history, and this event was the perfect opportunity to get some answers.
Of course, there was the matter of my father’s errand. The tapestry he believed would lead us to the celestial princess wasn’t going to retrieve itself; So, with those dual objectives in mind, I concocted the excuse of needing a "backup secretary" and brought Natalie along. She hadn’t questioned my motives—perhaps because she was too polite or maybe because she didn’t care. Either way, she came, and that was all I needed.
The gallery was bustling with elites—alphas, betas, and human dignitaries mingled under the golden chandeliers, their conversations humming like a hive. I kept a watchful eye on Natalie as we walked through the gallery. She seemed completely unaware of my ulterior motives, her gaze flickering from one painting to another with a quiet curiosity while innocently writing on the little note book I had given her earlier to cover up my secretary story.
It was then that one of my spies approached me, his presence subtle yet firm. "I’ve found the piece you’re looking for, sir," he murmured. He was human and had no idea who I truly was; he only knew me as Mr Cole Lucky the billionaire. Actually, many of my men had no idea who I was not even the werewolves; only Abel and Roland and a hand full of people knew my true identity.
I glanced at Natalie. I hated to leave her alone in a place like this, but I had no choice. "Give me a moment," I said softly to her before stepping aside to mind-link Abel and Roland, who had accompanied me from a distance.
"Abel, Roland. I need you to keep an eye on Natalie while I step away. If Darius approaches her, watch from a distance and gather intel. If things get out of hand, step in and protect her. Understood?"
Both responded with an affirmative, their tones sharp and focused. With that settled, I followed my spy to a secluded room where the supposed tapestry was being held.
But what I found wasn’t a tapestry at all. It was the golden Madeline, a relic from centuries ago once worn by King Moor the First. It had nothing to do with the Celestial Princess like my father had suspected. Why my uncle Nathan wanted it, I had no idea. But I knew it wasn’t for anything good.
The gallery wasn’t keen on parting with such a treasure, but I knew how to grease the right palms. A few discreet transactions later, the Madeline was mine, and the gallery agreed to erase all records of its existence.
The moment I stepped out of the meeting, however, I was greeted by a tense scene. Abel and Alpha Darius stood toe-to-toe, their auras clashing like thunderclouds. Roland lingered at his back, his stance rigid as he prepared to intervene.