Chapter 99

\*\*JEREMY'S POV\*\*



I stood in the grand ballroom, proud of myself and the organizers, as I surveyed the satisfied expression each out of the sea of guests had on.



My Packs of wolves mingled with guests from other Packs, relating on a normal level, without any rivalry.



Tonight's party was going to be a display of power, unity and celebration, a total contrast to what a feast in the Black wolves pack, or the White wolves pack would be like.



As I greeted dignitaries, my mind wandered to Luciana.



I'd invited her on a whim, intrigued by her beauty and innocence. I hope she shows up. I might just claim her, all I need is confirmation.



As though the universe was in alignment with my thoughts, I sighted Duncan walking in with Arielle by his side. I kept staring, waiting for Luciana, but she wasn't with them.



I was still staring when they eventually got to me.



"Hey Duncan" I grinned, my eyes stylishly scanning the entrance for any sight of her. "Miss Arielle, you both are welcome, guess we won't escape the whole lovey-dovey stuff tonight."



"Definitely" Arielle grinned. "Whatever stopped you from dating...greetings Alpha" she teased, then greeted with a respectful bow.



"I didn't expect your party to have this many people when it hadn't even started..." Duncan mocked. "Anyway...how have you been?"



I rolled my eyes at him, must he always find a way to tease me, when I'm meant to be the sadist?.



"Your gaze is supposed to be on your guests, the ones you're greeting, not the doorway" Arielle's voice rang through my head. "You aren't expecting your bride are you?"



Duncan laughed at her joke. "Jeremy's too unserious to have a bride."



Wait what?



Am I really unserious, or is he just saying?



Well...that's his business anyway.



"Where's Luciana?" I asked, trying to sound natural and conceal the impatience in my tone.



Duncan's expression turned serious, a hint of a mocking smile playing on his lips.



"You weren't kidding about having a crush on her" Arielle wriggled her brows. "I'm glad she didn't come in with us then."



What does that mean?



"So what now?" 



"Damon is bringing her," Duncan replied, "I sent him to get her. Allowing her to get to our mansion before coming here would have been a lot of stress."



My eyes narrowed, a spark of possessiveness igniting within me. 



Damon?



Why did Duncan involve him? Isn't he the same guy who was claiming Luciana was his mate?



If he's involved, does that mean...



"The only reason Damon went to get her, is because he's familiar with her. That was the only logical choice." Arielle intervened with a soothing voice, apparently releasing my thoughts. "She's been through a lot, we couldn't afford to send someone else."



I nodded, although the unease lingered.



I didn't invite him to the party for almost the same reason, plus he was rude to me the other day.



So now where are they? And what's taking them this long to get here?



I nodded slowly. "I'll excuse you both then, have fun" I winked and walked to greet other guests, my mind still lingering with thoughts of Luciana and Damon alone together.



She doesn't even like him that way, right?



When I felt I was done with the pleasantries, I turned around and walked away from the guests, heading to the exit.



This way, once she shows up, I'd get a glimpse of her.



 I'm a finished man!!



The moment I stepped outside, I sighted an angel, clad in an emerald green dress shimmering in the light, her face naturally dolled up, and her hair styled to fall down her back.



My heart skipped a beat as I realized that it was Luciana.



Without thinking twice, or bothering if she was standing beside Damon, I moved closer to her, and encircled my arms around her waist, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.



Damon's eyes flashed with jealousy as they locked with mine.



"This is going to be a long night," I whispered.



"Have fun Luciana, I'll take my leave now." Damon whispered, and bowed at me, a gesture he had to make, without a choice. 



"Bye Damon" she whispered. "Thanks for bringing me here too, I really appreciate it." 



He winked at her, then turned around and walked back to the car.



Luciana's eyes finally met mine.



"It's you, Alpha Jeremy" she whispered, her pretty face turning red in embarrassment.



"You look pretty, I'm certain the Almighty just lost an Angel."



Luciana's cheeks deepened in color, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "T…thank you."



I chuckled at her coy reaction, my arms still wrapped around her waist. "I'm just stating the truth Luciana" I replied, taking her soft, tiny hands in mine.



Her gaze drifted to the surroundings, then the ballroom, and her eyes widened in awe. "Your party, it's beautiful."



I smiled, my chest swelling with pride. Some guests already said that to me, but coming from her, it sounded different and special, sort of.



"I'm glad you like it, although it's not as beautiful as you," I whispered. "Do me the honor Ciana, be my date."



She seemed kinda shocked, apparently she wasn't expecting me to shorten her name.



"Let's go in then" she said softly, and I nodded, leading her in.



As we stepped into the grand ballroom, her eyes widened in awe.



I smiled, my arm still wrapped around her waist. "You're certainly going to enjoy yourself." I whispered huskily.



"I'm sure I will," she replied.



"It's time for the first dance." I said, walking with her to the dance floor, alongside other couples.



As we glided across the dance floor, her gaze drifted away, her eyes lingering on a figure across her room.



I followed her gaze, my eyes narrowing as I took the sight of who she was staring at.



None other than Prince Caspian...



Does she perhaps know him? 



Although he was also dancing, his eyes were locked with hers.



Is there perhaps something I'm unaware of?



Unconsciously, I slowed down, then Caspian's eyes met mine, and pain as usual. They were filled with pain, sadness and regret.



Someday, I'll finally ask what the matter with him is.



Just as I was about to ask her about the Caspian, a middle-aged woman emerged from the crowd, making her way to us, her eyes fixed on Luciana.



My instincts kicked in, my senses on high alert as the figure approached us.



What does the woman want? And her eyes are blazing with anger and what looked like bitterness.



Before I could understand what was going on and react, the woman raised her hand and slapped Luciana across the face.



Luciana's eyes widened in shock.



The party seemed to come to a halt as almost everyone had their gazes on Luciana, who held her cheeks with tears in her eyes.



I growled, my eyes flashing with anger, as I turned to face the attacker.



I'll make her pay, and crawl on her face, unless I'm no longer Supreme Alpha Jeremy...