Chapter 148: Chapter 148 Standing Ovations and Unwelcome Encounters
Author
Seeing the sign held high, Orion felt completely satisfied. He positioned his violin against his arm, took a deep breath, and slowly drew the bow across the strings. His entire attitude transformed.
The chattering audience gradually fell silent as the first notes filled the auditorium. Even the giggling parents stopped to listen.
Elara watched the usually playful, mischievous little boy and found herself completely absorbed in his flowing melody.
When he was quiet and focused like this, he carried a hint of Yardley’s natural authority.
Nancy swayed her support sign to the rhythm of the music. The more she watched this child, the more she adored him.
When the piece ended, the entire auditorium erupted in applause.
Nancy and Elara clapped enthusiastically, giving their full support.
After taking his bow, Orion left the stage with his violin.
That had been his most perfect performance yet.
When they announced the rankings, Orion felt nervous. But when he heard he’d won first place, he sprinted onto the stage to accept his award!
After the entire show concluded, Alpha Dominic shoved the sign into his older brother’s hands. "Your son performed. Why was I the one doing the cheering?"
He huffed irritably. "You hold it!"
Orion first ran into his grandfather’s embrace. "Grandpa, was I amazing?"
"Amazing! Absolutely incredible!"
Alpha Hunter ’s eyes were actually a bit misty with pride. His grandson had just owned that stage.
Then Orion walked shyly over to Nancy, clutching his trophy. "Aunt Nancy, I want to give you this trophy!"
Nancy’s heart melted completely. The kid was looking at her like she’d hung the moon.
Nancy was surprised. "Give it to me? Why, Orion? This is your award!"
"Because if it wasn’t for Aunt Nancy, I wouldn’t have been brave enough to win it."
Orion’s voice was soft but determined. He genuinely meant every word.
Orion stubbornly pressed the trophy into Nancy’s hands, then ran back to stand beside his father.
Nancy stared down at the small golden trophy, feeling unexpectedly emotional. When was the last time someone had given her something so freely, so purely?
Nancy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She could only accept it. "How about this. I made a reservation at a restaurant. Let’s celebrate little Orion’s victory. Sound good?"
"Yes!" Orion was the first to agree.
Alpha Hunter waved them off. "We old folks will head back. You young people go enjoy yourselves."
"Elara, don’t worry. I’ll see your grandmother home safely, then I’ll return to the pack house."
Elara smiled gently. "Thanks, Hunter. We’ll walk you both to the car."
Behind them, Orion tugged on Dominic’s sleeve. "Dominic, next time don’t hog the spotlight so much! If you hadn’t taken the best seat, Aunt Nancy would’ve been the one holding my sign!"
Alpha Dominic nearly laughed from frustration. "You think anyone wants to hold up your ridiculous sign?!"
"Orion, where did you learn to be this full of yourself?"
Without hesitation, Orion raised his small hand and pointed at the man in front of him. "From you, Dominic!"
"I learned it from watching you!"
The group’s mood was warm and cheerful.
But just as they finished seeing Elizabeth to her car, Elara unexpectedly spotted Alpha Zack near the elementary school entrance.
Alpha Zack started walking toward them.
Elara frowned. "Let’s get in the car."
She figured Alpha Zack was coming to hassle her again. She just wanted to get as far away from the man as possible.
Alpha Dominic immediately picked up on Elara’s sudden tension. His protective instincts flared, and his arm tightened around her waist.
He let out a silent, cold scoff. "Yeah, let’s go."
Actually, Alpha Zack was there to pick someone up. He hadn’t expected to run into Elara.
But seeing her tucked against Dominic’s side, watching them operate like a real couple, sent a spike of jealousy through his chest that he wasn’t prepared for.
He watched from a distance as their car drove away, his expression unreadable.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides as the taillights disappeared around the corner.
In the car, Elara and Alpha Dominic shared one vehicle, while Nancy rode with Yardley.
The celebratory atmosphere had evaporated.
Alpha Dominic glanced at her profile, noting the way her shoulders had gone rigid. "You okay?"
Elara looked at Alpha Dominic and explained, "I haven’t contacted him at all. Running into him today was pure coincidence. Do you believe me?"
The curve of Dominic’s lips deepened slightly. "Why wouldn’t I believe you, my dear Luna Wolfe?"
