Hotel D’ Elena
Williams's POV
Everything and everyone carried on like they were meant to at the Stone Heart Pack.
Everyone except for Alpha Williams Deluca.
Every sunrise, I made constant efforts not to think about Cleopatra. Slowly, I became cold and hard again, cutting down invaders and the treacherous attempts of the rogues.
From time to time, I would stare into empty spaces, relishing the memories of our passionate nights. I've wondered severally if I did the right thing by letting her go.
“Alpha Williams?” Renee called from the doorway, “The car is already pulled up. It’s time to go,” she said to me.
I gave a curt nod and resumed adjusting my suit. Today is the day I’m launching my new hotel in the city. Rather than excitement, there was this air of exhaustion around me, constantly pulling me into darkness, casting a gloomy look on my face.
The night Cleopatra left, I found another way to distract myself. I ran for miles non stop, letting stones and pointed objects pierce my feet.
That was my punishment for not finding Elena's killer. That was my punishment to my body for craving Cleopatra's touch.
“Alpha Williams?” a maid called from the doorway, “Everything is set, they are waiting outside,” she said quietly, and left.
Everything was back in place. I did a thorough investigation, exiled all the spies in my pack. They should be happy I spared them, I thought, the betrayal stirring up anger inside of me.
I left the room hurriedly. I caught a glimpse of my look in the mirror and a heavy sigh escaped my lips. There was no hiding the exhaustion.
I made it downstairs and within minutes, we were already driving into the city. The car glided smoothly through the city, giving me more time to drown myself in thought. Renee’s effort to keep small conversations were met with utter silence.
The hotel, a towering evidence of my months of restlessness and hardwork, loomed ahead, a glittering grandeur in the city lights.
As I stepped out of the car, a wave of anticipation finally swept over me. The name of the hotel glowed above the camera clicks and the murmur of excited voices. D’ Elena. Named after my dead Luna and mate.
Staring up at it filled my heart, yet, a void gnawed at my soul, a void no amount of effort I made could satiate.
Then I saw her. Cleopatra. Standing beside a man, a man who wasn’t me. Obviously. A man who held her hand as if he owned the world. Why does this affect me so much?
Time seemed to freeze, and the noise of the crowd faded into a distant hum. She looked different, more radiant, an aura of confidence and something more I couldn’t place my hands on surrounded her like a protective shield.
And the man beside her, Alpha Dylan, wore a possessive gleam in his eyes. Our eyes briefly met and I could hear the mockery in his gesture.
A surge of anger, raw and cold surged within me. Why do I feel betrayed? Like a territory I marked has been stolen from me? What if they were mates? The thought sent a bitter pill that was hard to swallow down my throat. It can’t be!
I forced myself to regain composure almost immediately, my gaze hardening as I approached the hotel to cut the ribbon. The crowd roared, their applause a deafening tone as I stood with Renee by my side and the mayor of the city along with a few other officials to cut the ribbon.
Amidst the laughter, applause and flashing camera lights, I could only hear the echo of my own shattered heart. As I stood, a fake smile plastered on my face, basking in the limelight, a part of me yearned for the darkness, and solitude.
The night stretched before me slowly like it would never end. Betrayal and desire clawed at my heart.
My wolf was restless. As I lifted my glass to toast to my success, I caught a glimpse of Cleopatra, leaning into Dylan to whisper something. I watched as Dylan threw his head back in hearty laughter and my anger grew.
The night rolled out beautifully, I guess. People danced and laughed, exchanging small talks amongst themselves. But I stood at the edge of the crowd, my eyes fixed on Cleopatra.
How can she not even acknowledge my presence?
A surge of determination pulled me forward when I saw her standing alone. I moved through the crowd, my eyes locked on her. Sensing my presence, Cleopatra stiffened, her smile faltering.
“Cleopatra,” I began, my voice low and dangerous.
Her composure remained the same. She forced a smile, meeting my eyes for the first time this evening. “Alpha Williams,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of defiance and hatred? Why?
The air between us crackled with tension, as we both stared at each other, her gaze held no familiarity in them. What happened to you? I asked in my head but didn’t voice it out loud.
“You came,” I stated.
“Obviously,” she retorted coldly.
“You only left a note,” I said, watching her closely.
“I was trying to be a good guest,” she replied curtly.
This is really awkward.
A sudden commotion erupted at the entrance, shattering the awkward confrontation. A group of armed men stormed the hotel, their faces concealed by masks.
I would be a fool not to have prepared for an attack like this. Which Alpha is it this time? I thought dryly.
Chaos erupted as guests ducked for cover, their screams mingling with the sharp crack of gunfire.
My men were ready. I exchanged glances with Renee and she nodded.
I had my pack doctor mix a formidable ingredient that is lethal to our kind, especially rogues. I reacted instinctively, covering Cleopatra’s nose with a mask I brought, then using my jacket to cover mine as my men released the smoke.
It won’t harm humans, just our kind and within minutes, the growls of the rogues were heard as they struggled to escape the smoke but we had the doors shut. The air was thick with smoke and the sound of people coughing.
Cleopatra was pressed up against me, clinging to body, my arms protectively placed over her form. Like it was the most natural thing.
Soon enough the smoke cleared and Cleopatra broke free from my grasp. I silently wished the smoke could stay longer.
My men carried the rogues away and the guests tried to regain their composure, wondering what just happened. Renee gave a short speech, and within minutes, the party was back on and the attack forgotten.
“Thank you for the mask, Alpha Williams, you didn’t have to,” Cleopatra said, her voice barely audible over the music. She peeled the mask out of her nose and handed it back to me.
“Wait,” I said, grabbing her arm.
“I didn’t come here to see you, Alpha Williams,” she said coldly, not meeting my eyes. She yanked her arm off and turned to face me.
Her words hung in the air, not like I expected her to come here for me but it hurt my pride a little.
“I’m only here because my fiance begged me to accompany him,” she drawled slowly, a taunting little smile playing on her lips.
It felt like a cold dagger was plunged into my chest in the most cruel manner. “Fiance?” I blurted, my brows furrowed.
“Yes, my fiance. Alpha Dylan,” she whispered indifferently, shattering my composure.
“What?!” I growled.
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