Chapter 10 Devastation

Vibrant, loud music reverberates throughout the home.

I found the mere sight of people and the inebriated, sweaty dancing werewolves repulsive.

I considered just leaving the party to get some rest, but the loud music and boisterous conversation prevented me from doing so. My headache was becoming worse, and all I wanted to do was get out of there.

Watching people sway and dance to the music without a care in the world makes me grind my teeth.

Abruptly, the music stops. I let out a sigh, happy that my ears could now finally rest. I was beginning to get a migraine from it.

People move swiftly, like a switch, from their sleepy state to that of a focused pack member. Gazing above, they all saw where Theo and the others had stood.

His eyes follow the waves of people until they settle on me, shoulders rolled back and chests raised.

His eyesight must be amazing, damn it.

His mouth opens to say something. As everyone is aware, Talia, my head warrior, challenged Alexandria to a duel for the Luna position hours earlier. Alexandria prevailed in the dispute. Still, unless someone opposes, Talia will continue to be Head Warrior. He says, "Also, I formally announce Alexandria as a pack member of the Royal Crimson Pack!" and tilts the wine glass so that he can taste the harshness of it.

The room instantly erupted into whispers as everyone desperately wanted to get their feelings and opinions out.

I'm standing right next to them; do they not notice?

Theo waits for the other person to stop talking before continuing. The whispering abruptly stopped upon seeing his hard, patient face.

"To my mate and future Luna!" Theo triumphantly raises the wineglass in the air.

As they welcomed me, there were a lot of crazy ass 'woos' and applauds; some of them agreed with their Alpha's choice, while others didn't.

With his eyes fixed on me, Theo raises the glass to his mouth again and takes a sip while a smile tugs at his lip.

I laugh incredulously.

Theo and the others exit the stage sooner rather than later. With a furious "hurrah!" Emilio leaves and walks like a drunk into the crowd. The music starts, and people start dancing.

This was obviously not a gathering to celebrate my life. There was a gathering at a club for some wild and irresponsible youngsters.

I scowl at wolves that weren't even glaring at me as I huff and cross my arms. I decide it would be best to just leave and head out of the room to the terrace I had previously seen.

"At last," I mumble, letting out a sigh.

Despite the loud music playing in the background, I settle in a chair and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

I close my eyes, breathe in deeply, and unwind.

I wish I had been given the gift of tranquility. The running around and causing mischief taught me to value the skill of peacemaking. Everyone, regardless of gender, occasionally needs a break. It enables us to examine and consider who we are.

I sink into the chair, falling asleep from sheer relaxation.

I tell myself, just for a few minutes.

I then drifted off to a sound sleep.

___

I smell the sweet smell of cinnamon when I get up. Before I could even register it, I was moaning and could immediately taste the deliciousness.

I inhale and detect the aroma of freshly fallen rain and lavender.

Unwillingly opening my eyes, I see Theo putting a piece of cinnamon bun in his mouth.

I'd like some as well.

"Awake now?" He asks in a lighthearted manner.

"Yes," I groggily reply as I sit up and extend my arms.

"I see you enjoyed the party," he says, pushing a tray of cinnamon rolls toward me.

"Clearly," I reply sourly. I sigh, remembering the festivities. "So many horny and loud teenagers."

He dismisses it. "There's nothing I can do about that. There will undoubtedly be hangover werewolves the following day if Emilios is around.

He stabs and then pops a cinnamon roll into his mouth.

I reach for a fork, growing more and more hungry as I watch him continue to eat.

I take the cinnamon roll out of its roll, slice it, and eat it.

Theo lets out a phony gasp of shock.

I look at him with confusion in my eyes. "What?"

"Who does that?"

"Does what?"

Pointing to my cinnamon roll, I give him a fierce look.

"Well, me, duh."

"Strange one," he murmurs.

Did he just give a weirdo a call?

"Excuse me?" I inquire, a little irritated.

"You heard me say that. You're peculiar."

I remark, opening my mouth, "You simply lack imagination. "At least I am unique."

He gives an eye roll.

I laugh.

He asks me, "You want to know what you lack?"

"What?" With my mouth full, I ask him.

His smile gets bigger, as if he's going to say something really dumb.

"Me."

"Whoa. You have such a lovely personality! I devour another cinnamon roll and sarcastically reply, "I totally fell for that."

He smiles. "You know I only speak of the truth."

I turned to roll my eyes now. "Get over yourself, Theo."

He gives in and says, "I will if you tell me a secret."

Absolutely not.

I smile as I stare at him. "Never."

"Well, we'll be seeing about that soon, now, won't we?" He answers.

He unexpectedly stands up and leans in to me before I can say anything else. He puts his face so close to mine that it makes my breathing catch. His gray eyes made it difficult for me not to fall in love, but I was quite sure I had already. Up close, it looked much more stunning. I'm curious to know his thoughts on my eyes. Soggy? I nearly laughed out loud.

He looks directly at my face, his brows furrowing and his eyes narrowing with concentration.

I stare at him, confused by what he's done.

I suddenly feel his touch on my skin. I sigh a little as delightful sparks dance across my flesh. I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding in, and I shuddered with joy. Theo, though, doesn't show any emotion.

His eyebrows furrow as he tucks in a strand of my hair that had come loose from my hairpin. With a satisfied look on his face, he then steps aside and reclines in his chair.

It irritates me that you have hair. "Shave it off," he advises, as if it were the simplest choice ever.

This guy, I swear, always manages to irritate me in some manner.

"Geez, I'm really appreciating the compliments."

He chirps, "You're welcome, beautiful."

I nearly gave in to the nickname, but I forced myself to calm down.

But obviously, my stupid ass couldn't keep her composure for very long.

I attribute it to my sleep deprivation.

I try to scowl while saying, "It's cold," because I want to feel the warmth that his touch provided.

Still, the nerd in me was intrigued by the sparks. It had a magical quality.

"After that, put on something cozier," he says frankly.

Okay, Captain Obvious, thank you.

I keep slapping my hands together, trying to get them warm.

"Observe, Theo. My hands feel quite cold."

No, they weren't.

Theo's eyebrows shoot up, revealing an uneven smile. "You really think I'm going to fall for that?"

I pull back my hand and pout. "Yes."

He winks at me and says, "Shortcake, the only thing I'd fall for is you."

"And the only thing I'd fall for is money," I continue.

"You should stop jinxing yourself," says the man. "Because the future is on my side."

"Yeah, ri-," I say, pausing as a woman's voice bothers me. The voice was gentle and soothing, like that of an angel, yet I would have been angry otherwise. I was amazed by it.

Greetings? Theo?"

Theo and I turn to face the speaker right away.

The woman with raven hair had stunning skin under the moonlight. Her stunning pale green eyes were framed by almond-shaped eyes and beautiful, dark lashes. Even for a brief moment, I was enamored with her due to her innocent and delicate appearance.

When Theo sees her, his eyes soften and he becomes more friendly. I couldn't help but be wounded and perplexed. The bike rises in the back of my throat, and I hold it back.

Who is she?

My mind went crazy, and the mate link caused a slight pain in my heart.

I ignore it and carry out my best work.

If only I knew the devastation that lay ahead of me.