Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 104 – Gala

The hall is truly gorgeous, candle-lit chandeliers hoisted high in the ballroom, casting a glowing golden light down on all of the attendees.

Victor stands at the entrance to the hall, his mother and father on one side, Rafe and Bridgette on the other. Victor has his hands in his pockets, surveying the room. It’s a big night for him – one which could, perhaps, make or break him.

His mother gives his hand a small, subtle squeeze. “You’ve got this, my boy,” she whispers. Victor gives her a quick smile, and then, as one, they walk into the room.

It’s a charity event, like so many others for Alphas from their communities. This one supports widowed wives and their children, an honorable cause which Victor has famously supported before.

While he’s here to support the charity, it’s also an opportunity for Victor to make further connections with community leaders, solicit further donations for his school project, and to feel out his reputation with the other wolves after his disastrous almost-wedding.

A few steps into the room and Annabeth Prath sweeps over to him. “Victor!” she says, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “So lovely to see you.” Victor gives her a warm smile, glad to see that she, at least, is still on his side.

“Hello Annabeth,” he returns. “You remember my mother?” The pair engage in a quick exchange of introductions before his family leaves him to fetch drinks from the bar.

“Who is that little piece of meat your brother has shown up with?” Annabeth says, grimacing. Victor shakes his head. “Bridgette,” he explains. “Rafe’s latest flame, though I don’t know why he thought it appropriate to bring this one home, when he’s never bothered with anyone else.”

Annabeth raises an eyebrow. “Is he going for your seat?”

Victor blinks, startled at her perspicacity. She laughs at his shocked expression. “You’re single now, Victor. With Amelia gone, half the men in this room are either looking to depose you or marry you to their daughters.”

Victor grimaces, looking around to see that many eyes are, indeed, on him. Annabeth takes his arm and leads him towards the bar as well. “I hope you have some tricks up your sleeve, Victor,” she says. “I believe the hyenas are circling.”

They walk up to the bar behind Rafe and Bridgette, the former talking loudly, the later leaning heavily on his arm. “- Completely shattered by the betrayal, hardly gets out of bed,” Rafe says to a gathered group of Alphas. “If he wasn’t my brother, I’d say –“

what.” Victor interposes, his

as he searches for words. “That you’ll never be taken

Rafe,” Victor says, joining the circle and speaking for himself. “But I believe that anyone would be shaken, at least slightly, by the loss of a beloved mate, even if it was my decision. But that shouldn’t

in that statement. Others frown, or, stone-faced, walk away unwilling to let him see their reaction. As the

brother –“ Rafe says, attempting to laugh it

were it under your control.” With that, Victor shoves Rafe away from him. Rafe wraps his hand around Bridgette’s waist, pulling her away and trying to

calm, controlled, and powerful as he ever was. It’s hard work, keeping his head straight when

attention that night. Mothers, mostly, who find

towards him and make subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints that they’d be willing to consider

to deal with this more in his younger

Only once, really, had he

moment later, when Annabeth sidles

that he is and she heads to the podium

months, but since his marriage failed only days ago, he thinks he’s a bit more of a draw tonight. People have been so curious

a strong showing, Victor climbs to

pulling his speech cards from his jacket’s inner pocket. He delivers the short, canned speech regarding the value of community, the good work of charity, and thanking the tireless workers who have brought so much aid to the needy widows and children that the organization supports. It’s a speech that was likewise written months

and returns them to his

like to announce a development,” Victor says, “regarding the rules

with noise and Victor sees his father, seated at the front of the crowd, go pale with fury. Pack rules are

die down and then continues. “Inspired by the good work that this charity delivers to widowed mothers and children, the Kensington Pack seeks to aid other unfortunates within the wolf community.