CHAPTER 57

MIA POV.

My father's hand guided me toward a laughing group of strangers, their faces unfamiliar, yet warmly smiling. "Mia, I'd like you to meet some close friends of mine." he said, his voice filled with expectation.

The group excitedly smiled at me. "Welcome, Mia." One woman said, her voice husky. She looked about my father’s age with raven black hair and green eyes. "I'm Cathy. We've heard so much about you." she said as she reached forward and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you.” I replied with a smile of my own. Cathy had barely let go of my hand when a tall, dark-haired man stepped forward, his handshake firm. "I'm Julian. It's an honor to finally meet you." he introduced himself.

More introductions followed. Their warmth and genuine enthusiasm caught me off guard. I exchanged pleasantries, trying to keep up with the flurry of names and faces.

As the evening unfolded, I became increasingly aware of the swarm of eligible bachelors surrounding me, their attentive gazes and charming smiles leaving no doubt that my father had orchestrated this gathering. Each gentleman is vying for my attention like a suitor at a royal court.

Was this my father’s doing? Or were the men just a little rowdy with too much alcohol? I wondered as my gaze drifted towards my father where he was enthusiastically speaking to one of his guests. I noticed how he scanned the room and nodded his approval at something that the other man had said and when my father met my eyes, he smiled warmly at me. But this time I didn’t feel so fuzzy inside. He was clearly up to something, even though I had brought Tony, my fiancé, with me. Doesn’t he approve of the betrothal anymore? I wondered.

Feeling a bit of unease, I grabbed another glass of champagne off a tray and made my way to one of the corners and sat down. It was a welcome reprieve from being on my feet the whole time in those blasted heels.

As I sipped my champagne, a young man with chiseled features and a charming smile settled beside me, his eyes locking onto mine with unmistakable interest. "So, Mia, tell me, what do you do for fun?" he asked, his voice low and smooth. “I like to work with children.” I replied politely, humoring him. “That sounds interesting.” He says before extending his hand towards me. “My name is Caleb, by the way.” He said with that charming smile. I took his hand in a brief shake but not releasing my hand.

“You know, I would really like to take you out to dinner.” He said, full of confidence. Feeling a bit uneasy, I pulled my hand back. “Sorry, but I am engaged,” I said, and a skeptical look flicked over his face before I turned back to look at the mingling guests again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him lean in closer to me. "Really? That is not what I heard." He said in his smooth voice and I suddenly felt annoyed by his presence. I pulled out my left hand, the diamond ring glinting in the light, and his face fell.

“Like I said, I am engaged.” I spoke and took another sip of my champagne. Anger flashed in his eyes as he stormed over to my father on the other side of the room. I could clearly see the tension between them as they spoke hurriedly. Caleb turned back to look at me, his angry eyes meeting mine before he stormed out of the room.

Just as the awkwardness of Caleb’s departure lingered, his seat next to me was replaced by the tattooed stranger, his piercing blue-grey eyes locking onto mine with a hint of amusement, as if sensing the drama that had just unfolded. “Hi.” He said, and he flashed me that charming smirk from before. “I’m Victor and you must Amelia?” He asked but it was more of a statement. He reached out a hand to me and I took it but instead of shaking my hand, he grasped it in his and brought it up to his lips to kiss the top of my hand.

“I… I am.” I said as something about this man felt different. His smooth voice wrapped around me, drawing me into a conversation that felt effortlessly natural. During our talk I realized that I was right in my suspicion of the party that my father was having.  My father had meticulously orchestrated this matchmaking event, knowing that I was engaged to Tony and that all of the eligible men that were here tonight had been handpicked by my father. The truth sent a shiver of unease down my spine as I grasped the extent of my father's manipulation and I wondered why he would go against Dominic like that. There was something that I was missing, and I was still caught in between the two.

Victor’s voice was laced with subtle humor and insight as he managed to pull me from my thoughts. "So, Mia, what do you think about these parties? I met his gaze. "I think they're convenient facades for other agendas." I said. He laughed at my honest answer. “You're quite clever, Mia.” Victor said.

“How about you?” I asked. “You don’t seem like the fancy gala party type.” I said, and his eyes twinkled in amusement. “No, not really. But they are a means to an end and besides, if a friend asks me to attend to meet his beautiful daughter, then how can I say no?” He said. His words dripped with charm and I blushed at his compliment, but there was something in what he said that made me pause. “Your friend? Do you mean my father?” I asked and he nodded. “Oh, okay. Which pack are you from?” I asked, suddenly feeling suspicious. He didn’t look like the beta type and, from the men that I have encountered here, they were all high-ranking.

Victor smirked. “I am Victor Octavius. Alpha of the Shadow Moon pack.” As his full name rolled off his tongue, I felt the air thicken around me. My mind reeled, shockwaves coursing through my veins. This was the pack Dominic had warned me about at the nightclub. Not only was he the owner of the club, but Dominic also suspected that he had orchestrated the attack at my Hunt party a few nights ago.

I should have been afraid, or at the very least, wary. But instead, I found myself mesmerized by Victor's piercing gaze and his calming demeanor.

"Shadow Moon Pack?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. Victor's smile hinted at mischief. "The one and only." My thoughts whirled, connecting the dots. Dominic's enemy, the leader of a rival pack, sat beside me, exuding charm and confidence. Why was he here? Did my father really think he would be a better suiter than Tony? I wondered. But why were they friends? Wasn’t Dominic my father’s friend? What game was he playing?

Despite the danger emanating from him, I felt an inexplicable pull. I couldn’t help myself as our gazes met, his eyes seemed to hold a depth, a complexity that drew me in.