The Alpha’s Dark Revenge

Liyah’s POV

Although Eve had requested to have more adults at her party for the adorable reason that they were “much better conversation” than kids her age, Nikolai had made sure that a good number of kids had turned up. He did this tactfully by inviting the kids of his business partners and friends, so there were equal numbers of both adults and kids. He explained to her that the adults would not be comfortable leaving their kids home alone. Eve had felt bad enough that she began to engage them in conversation. And before long, she was enjoying the company. It was adorable to watch, as I always wanted her to interact more with kids her age.

“Enjoying the party?”

I looked up to see a smiling Drew. He was clad in a navy blue suit and held a glass of champagne in his hand. I had seen the eyes of ladies all over the room follow him. It wasn’t much of a surprise as he was simply gorgeous, next to none at the party. Well except the host…

My cheeks warmed at the thought of Nikolai. In a bid to distract myself from the thoughts, I secured a full champagne flute from a waiter that passed.

“Yes, of course. Eve is having so much fun,” I responded, smiling. “Meanwhile, you don’t look like you’re having that much fun,” I chuckled. I had seen him worm his way out of conversations each time a lady approached him to talk. It was weird but funny.

“Ha, very funny,” He downed his glass. “You look very nice, by the way.”

I glanced down at the cream colored dress I had on. I had picked it because it was light, simple, and the slit in front on the dress made it look even better. I had paired this with a pair of pumps and a single strand of pearls.

I still wasn’t used to compliments. “Thanks,” I managed to mutter.

As Drew began to feed me with stories of the ladies he had encountered tonight, I couldn’t stop my eyes from roaming round the room. I tried to compose myself as my eyes landed on him. He stood in the same spot he had been in for the past thirty minutes, in conversation with the infuriatingly gorgeous woman who was the fiancée of one of his business partners, from what Annalise had told me.

I was so confused as to why I was so bothered. Whatever he decided to do was none of my concern. It wasn’t. It shouldn’t be. Why was I so frustrated? I didn’t understand my emotions at the moment. And of course it didn’t help that she looked like a model.

She had one hand on his chest as she laughed about something he had said. I cocked an eyebrow when she let her fingers linger on his chest. She was shamelessly flirting with him!

“So what do you think?” Drew’s voice broke into my thoughts. I tore my eyes away from the woman with difficulty and faced Drew.

“Um, sorry, what were you saying?” Instead of looking offended like I had feared, he regarded me curiously.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Are you good? You seem… distracted.”

I bit my inner cheek as I racked my brain for something believable. “Well, I-I was just… searching for Eve that’s all.”

As soon as I said it, I knew I’d messed up. All the kids were in the next room playing games and eating cake. Only the adults were here at the moment.

But it was too late to take it back.

“You don’t say,” Drew said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He looked over to the point where I had been staring, and as he sighted Nikolai, he began to chuckle.

“Ahh, I see. Sure.”

I glared at him. “What does that mean?”

“Oh, oh, nothing,” He smiled. “I have to go see someone now. Have fun. Or don’t…” He winked, and then he was gone.

That little…

I huffed, downing another glass of wine. Who cares if every woman in this room had their hands all over Nikolai, anyways? Yes we had been spending a lot of time together due to the training for the past month. And yes he was nice and funny and accomodating, and I had started to look forward to the training sessions more eagerly than I should but…

None of that mattered. Why the hell was I even thinking about that? It wasn’t important.

I tried to distract myself by looking around the room and nodding to the people who acknowledged me, but my eyes kept roaming back to him and the woman who now had her hand around his neck as they began to dance.

Were people who are engaged allowed to flirt this much?

I scoffed, dropping my glass on the closest table. And without thinking, I began to make my way to where they stood.

Nikolai’s POV

I couldn’t hide the surprise I felt when I saw Liyah approach me. I had been stealing glances at her all night long. She was simply breathtaking, and by far the most beautiful woman here tonight. But the forced smile on her face bothered me.

The first thing she did was tear me away from Katharina and pull me to her instead, linking her hand in mine.

“Excuse me?” Katharina frowned, glaring at Liyah in confusion.

I wasn’t sure what to say so I kept my mouth shut. Still I couldn’t keep from staring at Liyah. And I had never seen her put on a fake smile either. What was going on?

She ignored Katharina, facing me instead. “Now’s a good time to discuss that thing you said you wanted to?”

I hid my frown. We hadn’t discussed anything of that nature. But I knew I couldn’t say that out loud. Besides I was glad for an excuse to finally escape. Katharina was being quite touchy today and it was pretty unsettling. Especially considering the fact that her soon-to-be husband was a good friend of mine. That was the only reason why I hadn’t thrown her out of the party yet. But she disgusted me nonetheless.

“I’m really sorry, it slipped my mind,” I responded, turning briefly to offer my apologies to Katharina.

When I was done, Liyah practically dragged me out of the party, only stopping when we were completely out of the room.

She quickly dropped her hands when we stopped, leaning against the wall.

“What was that about?” I asked, watching her curiously.

She turned defensive. “Really? That’s what I get for saving you?”

“Saving me?”

“You were obviously bored out of your mind with that beautiful woman. I was only helping. So yeah, you’re welcome.”

Beautiful woman?

I let out a chuckle as I put two and two together.

“What’s so funny?” She demanded, folding her arms.

I smirked, moving closer to her. “Were you perhaps, jealous?”

When her face reddened, I knew I was right. “W-what?” She breathed out, backing away. “How ridiculous.”

As she began to back away, I pulled her back gently, bringing her toward me until we stood just inches apart. As I tilted her face upwards to face me, my breath caught in my throat. If I stared too hard I could get lost in those bright blue eyes.

“You look amazing,” I whispered, tucking a flyaway strand of hair into the high bun she had put her hair in. My gaze fell to her lips, and as hers fell to mine I cupped the back of her neck and leaned in.

My senses picked up the tempo of her heartbeat, and I wasn’t sure if it thumped in fear or anticipation.

Our lips were close. So close.

But I knew I couldn’t do it.

I painfully pulled away, raking my fingers through my hair. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t hurt her again. She needed time to heal and this… This wasn’t what she needed.

Neither of us did.

“We should get back to the party,” I cleared my throat. “My guests will wonder where I ran off too.” Forcing a laugh and avoiding meeting her eyes, I turned away. “I’ll see you then.”