Chapter 32
Emily
The night started with a dress.
It was a beautiful, pale–blue thing that hugged my waist and floated around my knees.
I wasn’t used to soft fabrics or silver zippers. I was used to sensible shoes, high ponytails, and reliable, muted colors. But when saw myself in the mirror, I didn’t see the assistant or the pawn.
1 saw a woman who could stand next to an Alpha.
The chain around my neck shimmered when I turned my head. Each small diamond caught the light and glistened a prism of
colors.
When Logan knocked, I opened the door slowly. His eyes swept over ine once, twice, and for a moment, something in his expression faltered. His pupils dilated, a slow warmth blooming this gaze
“You look. He paused, visibly searching for the word. “Amazing
1 flushed. “You clean up alright yourself.”
He offered his arm, and I took it, surprised by the gentleness in the gesture. His hand didn’t feel like possession. It felt Ike support.
The drive to the Moonview Theater was calm. We spoke about little things. I was too nervous to bring up conversation other than small talk
I couldn’t exactly explain the butterflies either. There was something new here, but it wasn’t that it was technically our first date.
There was something new between us.
e were coming to understand each other. Logan was not only my Alpha, but he h
confidante.
I become a friend, maybe even my
Logan did most of the talking. I liked the sound of his voice when he spoke about the territory. He was so proud of Titanfang
We parked across the street from the theater, and Logan got out to open my door. My heels clicked softly on the pavement as 1 stepped out, hand in his.
That’s when I saw the first camera.
It was across the street as a subtle but unmistakable flash. Then another, closer.
My stomach twisted.
All the warm, fuzzy feelings I had melted away. I should have assumed this was a publicity stunt
Everything that Logan did was calculated. This was no different..
I tightened my grip on Logan’s hand as we approached the glowing marquee. The Moonview Theater was buzzing with energy Other couples were in formalwear, and the soft music drifting out the front doors was followed by murmured laughter and warm lights.
None of it felt quite real.
Because this wasn’t a night out.
It was a performance.
The cameras weren’t accidents. The flashes weren’t coincidences They were here for us.
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Chapter 32
Logan didn’t seem surprised.
My chest clenched. Heat crawled up my neck, twisting with it
I knew how to play my part
+25 BONUS
with the bile edge of betrayal. He’d said he wanted to be seen with
What I didn’t consider was that I didn’t want to. Ever since my mom passed, it felt like all of my life, I’d played the part they expected of me. Some small piece of me had thought Logan appreciated me as the person that I was
Apparently, I hoped for too much.
I smiled, soft and lovely, as the host welcomed us to the theater, 1 laughed at Logan’s low joke when we sat down, even though my heart wasn’t in it. I tucked a piece of hair behind my car and leaned close enough to make it look natural and intimate
Inside, I was hollow.
He didn’t even notice.
The show was beautiful. I didn’t notice. I could barely focus. Every time someone snapped a photo or whispered nearby, my skin prickled…
The scent of press and politics clung to the air.
By the time the lights dimmed for intermission, I excused myself and stepped into the restroom.
There, under the soft glow of antique bulbs, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
The dress was still beautiful. My lipstick was still perfect. But the shine had dulled behind my eyes.
I took a deep breath, and as I let it out, I trembled. I wanted so much more from this night. I thought this was a real date, one that was supposed to help us understand each other. Instead, it was another part of Logan’s big plan.
I don’t know why I expected anything different from him. Logan was a strategist at heart. Everything he did had a motive behind it. This date was nothing different.
I bit back my tears. I keep getting my hopes up
hopes up to have
have them tom back downL
I took a few more breaths, reapplied my lip gloss, and forced the corners of my mouth back into that polished smile. I returned. to the theater before the lights dimmed again, sliding into my seat with a graceful.nod.
Logan leaned in. “You alright?”
“Of course.”
[course,” I said, eyes on the stage.
He watched me for a second too long. I kept my eyes glued to the stage. I didn’t want to catch that steely gaze.
