Leilani.
I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be wining and dining with the same people who had broken me time and time again and had hurt me in ways unimaginable.
But Jay said that I needed it.
Jay had told me that I ought to rise from the shadows. That I needed to make a mark for myself.
And it was due to this reason that I walked into the bustling hall tonight despite knowing that it would house all of my enemies put together.
When I stepped in, all eyes turned to me but contrary to the girl I used to be, I didn't falter. Instead, I raised my head a little higher and cat-walked further into the room just the way my fitness instructor, Maya, had taught me.
My breath caught in my throat when my eyes snagged on a familiar pair of blue eyes in the corner but I quickly glanced away, smiling when Jarek came into view.
"You came!" He said excitedly, earning him stunned looks from the people close by. But ignoring their stares, he pulled me into a warm hug and kissed my forehead. "I missed you so much! Look how much you've grown!"
"You look so grown up yourself…" I cooed sweetly, "…and everything like the abominable Alpha everyone keeps yapping about."
His deep rich laughter engulfed me like a caress. And then dropping his voice, he drawled; "are you jealous?"
"That you have such a large fan base?" I asked then scrunched up my nose. "Eww, no. However, people get jealous of me when I say I have you wrapped around my pinky finger."
Again he chuckled, and I didn't miss the way some eyes turned to us in amazement.
While Jarek was a cutie patootie around me, it was not a news that he was the most sought after aloof monster to everyone else. So I could understand why they were all so stunned to see him laugh.
—And that is because he never laughs.
Especially not in public.
He clutched my hands in his as he led me to some other business moguls hanging around his corner, and while a few of them looked very familiar, the others were men I'd genuinely never seen before; most of which I was so happy to see right now.
"Hello folks, Meet Ms Sinclair, the leading Engineer at Frostclaw. Inc and the brain behind our three recent groundbreaking innovations."
As soon as he said that, the men around us turned to acknowledge me. Some bowed, some pulled out their hands for a handshake— I took them firmly— while the rest simply lingered around with polite smiles and brief nods.
"Thank you for having me, I am sure you fine gentlemen are having a splendid evening?" I greeted softly, smiling when they replied warmly, a few even making a point to come stand beside me.
"She's so young."
"It's surprising to know that one so young can be so talented."
"She's stunning too."
More praises were thrown at me from every angle and I could only smile through it, whilst ignoring the sharp stares from the ladies who probably do not like my guts. Or who hated that their men were complimenting me so effortlessly.
If looks could kill, I would be a dead meat by now.
But it couldn't. So I lived. Suddenly, Jarek grabbed my arm tenderly and leaned close to my ear. He whispered; "I see you're growing uncomfortable. Come, let's find somewhere quiet to sit."
I gave him a grateful smile and let him lead the way. However, we had just taken a few steps when three pairs of familiar grey eyes came into view. I froze. My heart also began to pound against my chest.
"Leilani…" Jarek whispered softly from beside me. I turned to him. "They aren't worth shit. Try to not be affected by their presence."
I flashed him a grateful smile then turned to the men— my mates— who for some reason had grown up to be fine men themselves. I drawled; "Kael, Zevran… Caelum. I don't think it's a pleasure to see you again."
I saw them freeze, and noticed the confusion on their faces. It took a moment for me to realize that they couldn't recognize me. Hell, had I changed that much?
But the confusion didn't last long on Kael's as he soon narrowed his eyes at me.
"Leilani…?" He said slowly, as if testing the words on his lips, and for some reason, hearing him call my name so softly… so carefully enraged me even further.
I snapped; "Ahh, I see you still have a functioning brain, Alpha Kael. How are you?"
A deafening silence settled between us as soon as I said those words and I couldn't help but notice the moment recognition dawned on Caelum's and Zevran's faces.
"Leilani?" It was Zevran who spoke up this time, "…how's this possible?"
Despite everything, I couldn't help but notice how demeaning his words sounded. How he couldn't seem to believe that I could be this person— this person who looked elegant, who was capable of making a name for herself— I ignored them and turned to Jarek.
"Let's go, Jay."
Again, they were stunned. They froze when they heard the endearing term I'd used in referring to the 'Almighty' Alpha Frostclaw.
A smile tugged at my face when Jarek draped his arm around me and led me away, all the while chatting animatedly about everything I'd missed out on since the last phone call we had.
This was the first time we were seeing each other in four years and the first time I was returning to this accursed country after I fled for Europe after that accident with Chalice.
Under Jarek's protection, I had been admitted into Oxford University where I furthered my studies in Biomedical and software engineering, and on the side, I worked remotely for Frostclaw. Inc where I'd managed to pull off not one but three technological breakthroughs in two years.
"You did so well," Jarek's voice snapped me out of my trance. "I never knew you could take care of yourself so well. For a minute there, I even felt you didn't need me, you were good on your own."
I understood what he meant and smiled in response. I also thanked him when he pulled out a chair for me and I slowly sat, watching as he engaged in a conversation with a middle aged man whom I vaguely remembered.
I busied myself with my phone until I soon became thirsty and due to the thirst, I walked over to the drink station and helped myself to a glass.
I was however just about to turn away when I bumped into someone, and—
*Crash*
My wine glass came tumbling out of my hands and onto the floor.
I flinched from the shock and scurried backward only to fall straight into… a warm chest. And as soon as I felt that familiar warmth behind me, my body instantly went solid still.
"I'm so sorry!" The guy who first bumped into me apologized quickly. "I didn't see you coming, I was a little distracted by my phone."
I slowly moved away from the male behind me who I was sure was one of the triplets and nodded to the guy. "It's fine… it really is. I may have been distracted as well."
"I hope I didn't ruin your dress?" He muttered softly, and then… he raised his eyes to look at me.
I froze.
The discomfort I felt earlier tripled when I was met with those familiar icy cold eyes.
I frowned. "No."
"Hey, let me help you!" He offered sweetly and I couldn't help but notice that just like the triplets, he hadn't recognized me at first glance.
Something in my heart clenched tightly. Tears of rage burned at the corners of my eyes. I balled my hands into fists and completely forgetting about grace, swatted away the hand he stretched out to me and growled;
"No, Mr Blackthorne. I do not need your help."
Gavin was stunned. He frowned at me and then slowly… very slowly, recognition flickered across his features. His eyes widened in surprise then thinned when he noticed the cold look in my eyes, he glowered;
"Leilani."
"It's Ms Sinclair to you now, Blackthorne. Now, if you wouldn't mind, excuse me."
Gavin's nostrils flared. His lips curled backwards into a sneer as he growled; "You fucking wenc—" but he hadn't been able to complete his statement when Jarek walked over, his face as stony as a rock.
"Sweetcakes?" he drawled, eyeing both Gavin and I. I turned to him with a smile. "Do you know this madman?"
I almost chuckled. Only the heavens knew how hard it was for me to keep a straight face, especially since Gavin looked dumbfounded.
I shook my head. "I've never seen him in my life. He just bumped into me and then tried to curse me afterwards…"
"Come, I'll take care of him."
And with that, I leaned into Jarek's arms, letting him whisk me away while my mates and brother stared behind us in shock, their mouths hanging open as they glared openly.
And for me, that was perfect.
— and the very sharp tip of the iceberg.