Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien)

Chapter 23

gaze shifted to me, and I could see the challenge in her eyes. She was here to stake her claim on Lucien and throw me out.

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Auch POV

Taking a deep breath in. I felt like a startled deer surrounded by predators. All the she-wolves were sizing up Lucien as their prime target, which angered me somchos. They all bowed to us as we walked.

Lucien led me toward the podium, his grip firm on my lund as we moved through the glittering chaos of the Celestial Soirée. I couldn't help notice the dazzling she wolves who flaunted their dresses that were so daring they could give lingerie a run for its money.

As my heels clicked nervously on the floor, I couldn't help but notice the countless eyes following us. When we reached the podium, I spotted Tarian standing beside a table at the center of the arrangement. Lucien turned to me, "Sit here," he instructed, guirling me to a table right in front of the stage.

1 sank into the chair, feeling like a display under the watchful eyes of the pack. When Lucien stepped up to the podhum, the chatter in the room stopped, and everyone's attention was on him.

"As Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, it is my honor to welcome you all to the Celestial Soirée Lucien began, his deep voice booming across the

TODEL

the speech started, from the corner of my eye. I saw Sable. She was shimmering like a disco ball in her silver dress. Her eyes were locked on Lucien. Every move she made was deliberate, calculated to draw his attention. She ran her fingers Lazily down her neck, tracing the edge of her deep neckline, and then slowly ran her tongue over her teeth like she was

gall. My chest tightened with anger. I clung tightly to the edge of the table until my

are going to be many girls who will vie for Alpha's attention. So if you want to

sit there

tongue against my palate, just like I'd seen

on me, and for the first time since I'd met him, I saw

me. as I was saying." he continued, his voice sounding strained now. "This ball is special because

and I could feel my neck stiffening from leaning forward for too long. Then it happened. A moan. It escaped me before I could

it

Lucien froze mid-sentence.

a muscle. His jaw tightened, his dark eyes narrowing on me with an intensity

he blinked, breaking the speil, and turned back to the crowd. "Enjoy the soirée, he finished abruptly, in a gruff voice. Without waiting for applause, he stepped down from the podium and

set in as I watched him approach, in long, purposeful strides, Did I do anything wrong? I just did what other she-wolves were doing. Goddess, why did I act upon Vivi's advice? Why was I so raw with my emotional It was then I noticed that every other wolf in the hall was staring at me, and at group of young unmated wolves, standing in the corner just a few feet away, had their gazes locked on me. I gulped, feeling dirty under their sick. gazes. I

doing?" he asked as he pulled his

spluttered. Before 1 could say anything else, he grabbed my waist and pulled me in his lap possessively. I squeaked like a mouse as my cheeks

gave me a venomous glare. Lucien pulled me against his chest, pressing his hands on my stomuch. Something hot and fund poked my back. It was so hot that is branded my skin. I turned my face over my