Chapter 35
Samantha’s POV
"Oh! I’m so sorry!" said someone slamming into me. I stumbled back, barely managing to steady myself as a stack of papers scattered between us.
“It’s fine,” I said quickly as the girl, wide-eyed and clearly flustered, knelt to gather the papers she had dropped, apologizing profusely. I smoothed my hands down the front of my blazer and I gave her a small smile before I walked to the room where the conference hall was.
The massive oval table stretched across the center and around it sat Alphas and Betas from various packs having conversations. I was the only woman in the room and I saw the indifferent glances of the other men to my presence as if I did not have the right to be there. I could feel their judgments even without hearing them. Why her? Why would the Moonstone Pack send a woman?
I ignored them and straightened my shoulders as I walked to an empty chair near the edge of the table. I refused to let them see my nerves, though the raw power of these Alphas exuding from their mere auras in the room was nearly suffocating.
As I settled into my seat, the doors opened again, and all eyes turned to the person who entered, except me.
I did not need to look to know who it was.
Dominic.
I felt his presence like a crackle of electricity and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. My fingers curled into fists on my lap and my pulse quickened when I felt his gaze on mine, but I ignored it.
I tried to keep my face neutral and fixed my eyes on the papers in front of me, but I could not ignore the way my body reacted to him. The familiar pull, the one I hated, tugging at my chest, threatening to unravel me.
His footsteps echoed as he entered, the room almost seeming to fall quieter, and I silently told myself not to look at him. I could not bear to look at him now, not yet, not when I just saw him recently ask me to return to him, and most certainly not when the twins’ questions were still swirling in my head. I did not know if I could hold onto my lies any longer, and I was not sure what I should do at this point. I could not just keep on running away, and the twins already had a life here, I could not take them overseas to start a new life.
The meeting began, and I focused on the discussion on trade agreements and rogue activity, particularly the attack that happened me and Killian. When it was finally my turn to speak, I stood, smoothing my hands down my thighs as I prepared to address the room.