Chapter 85
I scanned the room discreetly.
I counted Owen’s “ten she-wolves.”
With Margot, there were only nine.
Where was the last one?
My eyes searched, landing on a spot by the pool, half-hidden by greenery.
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A pair of porcelain-pale, delicate legs, so fragile they looked like they’d snap, peeked out, adorned with pristine white sneakers.
My brow arched.
So that’s the game William’s playing, the old fox.
Alpha Gideon walked over.
I didn’t follow.
It was supposed to be a wine-tasting, and jumping in to play designated driver would look weird.
One wrong move, and I’d be roped in as the eleventh she-wolf-awkward touches on my arm or leg, and even if Alpha Gideon stepped in, I’d still feel slimy.
Smashing a bottle over someone’s head wasn’t an option either.
Besides, I had a bigger mission tonight: keep an eye on this crew to make sure they didn’t slip anything into Alpha Gideon’s drink.
I picked a spot where I could see the whole room without looking like I was hiding.
The hall was set up with sofas arranged in a massive U-shape, tables scattered in the center.
Alpha Gideon didn’t take the seat William had reserved for him, opting for a solo chair instead.
Message clear: Keep your distance.
William’s smile faltered.
He shifted to the closest seat diagonally across from Alpha Gideon, eager to chat.
The others shuffled to spots nearer the two big shots, desperate to cozy up to Alpha Gideon, but he barely acknowledged them, scrolling on his phone.
Hartley’s Alpha Gideon sure knows how to act superior.
My gaze drifted, catching Margot playing wine-pourer.
One of the “high-society” wolves pinched her hip, his expression gross.
Margot just flashed a flirty smile, but I caught the flicker of disgust she hid almost perfectly.
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I sighed inwardly, shooting the scrawny, sleazy wolf a look.
I noticed Margot pour Alpha Gideon a glass.
He said a polite “thanks,” a basic courtesy anyone would offer.
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Margot paused, then replied, “You’re welcome,” her smile poised and genuine, not the usual coy act.
I was surprised by Margot’s two sides.
But it clicked.
Being treated like a toy by William’s buddies, passed around for their amusement-then getting a shred of normal respect? That’d hit anyone hard.
“Alpha Gideon, this is my prized vintage. Only opened it for you. It’s been breathing-give it a try,” William said, swirling his glass, his smile warm but his eyes calculating.
Alpha Gideon picked up the glass, eyed the color, sniffed it, then took a small sip. “Hm. It’s alright.”
His tone was casual, his face blank.
The others, ready to gush with over-the-top praise-especially one wolf, supposedly a painter, who’d planned to whip up a sketch-froze.
Alpha Gideon’s lukewarm “alright” made the million-dollar wine sound like a two-for-one deal
William looked like he wanted to strangle the smug pup.
The “high-society” wolves and their dolled-up companions sipped their drinks in silence.
Alpha Gideon, oblivious to the tension he’d caused, lounged back, holding his glass without taking another sip. His cool gaze drifted to a corner of the pool outside.
William followed his line of sight, a knowing grin spreading.
Bingo.
He’d called it.
Alpha Gideon was into that type.
The self-righteous ones always went for the delicat-mocking the flashy, pitying the pure.
This was his ace in the hole.
“Get Chloe in here,” William said, tilting his head at Margot.
Margot stepped out.
It took a while, but she returned with a slender she-wolf in a pale dress.
Her skin was snow-white, her long hair lush, her bare face glowing with youth, still carrying a hint of baby fat.
Her features were delicate, her eyes wide and clear, darting to Alpha Gideon like a startled fawn in a forest.
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The four “high-society” wolves looked ravenous.
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The other she-wolves shot Chloe glances-some cold, some hostile, some outright dismissive.
I watched, my expression thoughtful.
When had Alpha Gideon noticed her out there?
Was he into her?
No way.
Leaving aside his mysterious preferences, this trap was so obvious and clumsy. He couldn’t miss it.
“Chloe, this is Alpha Gideon,” William said, smiling.
Chloe clutched her hands, her voice barely above a whisper, like a nervous mosquito.
“Hi, Alpha Gideon. I’m Chloe Winslow.”
Her shy, awkward introduction came off as charmingly naive-especially from a she-wolf so pure and sweet.
Alpha Gideon didn’t speak, just gave a faint smile.
William, unhurried, said, “Chloe, pick a seat.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, her voice trembling.
She glanced around, her eyes landing on the leering wolves.
Fear replaced her nervousness, her pale hands twisting tightly, her breathing quickening like she might cry.
The wolves egged her on.
“Chloe, come sit by me. You dodged me last night-I was heartbroken,” one teased.
“Don’t listen to him. He had plenty of fun. I’m the one who’s heartbroken, pining for you all night,” another
chimed in.
“You’re safe with me, Chloe. I’ll protect you,” said a third, all grins.
They started to stand, reaching for her.
Chloe squeaked, ducking behind Margot, her eyes pleading with Alpha Gideon, convinced he was the only
decent wolf in the room.
I rolled my eyes.
So last night wasn’t just a booze-fueled mess-it was a staged drama.
From the setup to the script, it was all calculated.
Still, I had notes.
With all these empty seats, why aim for the ones next to those creeps?
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Were the others rigged with spikes?
And why assume Alpha Gideon was the good guy?
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Because he’s hot? Of course. The damsel picks the best-looking wolf for rescue-classic.
Those determined eyes practically screamed, I’m signing up for your pack.
“Don’t scare Chloe,” Margot said, shielding her. She leaned in, whispering, “Find a seat quick, or they’ll…”
She trailed off, her eyes urging Chloe to save herself.
Chloe, holding back tears, scurried to Alpha Gideon’s side. “Can I sit here?” she asked, her voice small and desperate.
Alpha Gideon was in a single chair.
She seemed to notice too late, staring at him, pitiful and cornered, begging for a solution.
“You can,” Alpha Gideon said slowly, pausing before adding, almost kindly, “squat.”
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