Chapter Thirty-nine
Roman was unsurprised by this, a slanted smile on his face. “Tetchy, are we?” He drawled, taking a sip from the glass of wine that he had offered Claire. “I hope we meet again soon," He tipped the unfinished glass of wine in their direction, in a kind of mocking toast. "Luna Queen… Claire."
Claire couldn't help the shudder that coursed through her body at Roman’s words. She watched in relief as he swept away, hoping that she didn’t run into him again.
When Roman was gone, Claire realized that Lukas was still holding onto her hand so she tugged her hand free and made a move to signal another waiter, she still needed that drink.
Lukas walked ahead of her to take the glass of wine from the tray before she could, offering it to her instead.
Claire shot him untrustworthy looks but took the glass from him nonetheless and took a sip, already walking away because the last thing she wanted was to have a conversation with him.
Lukas caught her by the waist, taking the glass of wine from her hand so that it wouldn’t spill.
Claire was unprepared for this so she couldn’t stop herself from being pulled up against Lukas. “Lukas!” She gasped, holding onto his shoulders for support. “What are you doing?”
Lukas placed the glass on a passing waiter’s tray so that he could focus his full attention on her. “I haven’t kissed you yet.” He said calmly, tilting her face up with the tips of his fingers.
Claire’s eyes glazed over and then she looked down. “You don’t have to, I don’t think people will take it very well if you have to avoid me for the next one week.”
Claire’s eyes were down so she didn’t see it but Lukas’ dark blue eyes become a wild stormy night at her words. “You don’t have to worry about that.” He murmured darkly, claiming her lips before she could protest further.
The rest of the ballroom seemed to fade away when Lukas tasted her lips, as usual, all of rationality flew out the window and she found herself kissing him back. Her hands on his shoulders had been about to push him away but she she pulled him closer, parting her lips so that he could deepen the kiss.
Lukas broke away first and before Claire could lash out at him, camera flashes caught her eye. She looked around to find not only the guests but also several paparazzis present. They were enthusiastically taking pictures of them and looked to have gotten their kiss on camera.
Claire suddenly felt sick to her stomach, *was that why Lukas had kissed her? What did he want from her?* She couldn’t believe that she had gotten caught in his charm.
“I don’t feel very good, I’ll have to leave early.” Claire said in a small voice, still caught in Lukas’ hold.
Lukas looked like he was about to say something but he didn’t, letting go of her so that she could leave.
All eyes were on Claire as she walked out of the ballroom, camera flashes trying to catch last glimpses of her. To anyone else, she was probably living the dream life, being married to the youngest Alpha King.
Claire was the only one who knew where her glass slippers hurt though and she would gladly hand the shoes to anyone else at the blink of an eye.
A waiter was kind enough to show Claire to a door that led out of the ballroom because her eyes started to fill up with tears so much that she could barely see. Everywhere that she turned there was someone staring at her prejudice hanging off them like expensive jewellery.
Fortunately, no one stopped her to ask her what was wrong or Claire was certain that she would have broken down. The ballroom was located on the first floor and by the time she got to the second floor, it got quieter.
All of the servants were mostly around the ballroom area so it was empty of people and Claire could finally let her mask drop. Her shoulders curved from the weight of her emotions and she stopped to take of her heels before continuing the journey to her bedroom.
Her eyes were starting to burn and it was only a matter of time before the tears came raining down her cheeks, ruining her makeup. She couldn’t go back to the ballroom now even if she wanted to because her mascara was starting to run.
She had been on the verge of tears all night but now the dam finally cracked open, she barely got into the bedroom and closed the door before the first wave of sobs wracked through her body. She slid down the door, supporting her head with her hands placed on her knees as her shoulders shook.
Claire was exhausted. She had done nothing to deserve this, she just wanted a quiet and gentle love but all she got was deception, fame, and a man who hated her.
Eventually, Claire pulled herself off the ground, she had no idea how long she had spent there but it was long enough for her to lose feeling in both her legs.
She stopped by the mirror on the dresser on her way to the bathroom and once again she couldn’t recognize the woman in the mirror. It wasn’t because she had ruined her makeup with tears but the drained look in her eyes and the slow acceptance that she would never be able to find love.
If there was any salvageable piece of her left after Lukas was done with her, she would hide it in a safe. She just couldn’t trust anyone else to not ruin her again, her heart wouldn’t be able to take it the second time.
She solemnly got out of her scarlet dress, wincing as she remembered the women that had helped her get ready, joking about how Lukas would be the one to take her dress off tonight.
She already knew that wasn’t going to happen. She was human after all, Lukas must feel disgusted to even touch her.
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