Chapter 138: Chapter 138; How did they get in?
Aiden’s POV
"Pack the food into the tray and give it to me," I commanded, barking the order at the head maid in the kitchen. "I will be taking Alina her breakfast myself."
"What the hell do you mean, you’re serving Alina breakfast?"
I didn’t even need to turn around to know the source of the screeching voice. Emily stood at the entrance of the dining area, her face twisted in absolute disgust. "Are you actually being serious right now, Aiden?"
I turned to her, my expression deadpan and entirely unbothered by her rising volume. "It is none of your business, Emily. Alina wants her food in bed, so it is only right that I serve her."
Emily’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. "It’s right that you serve her? Can you even hear yourself? And you’re doing this in front of the entire household staff, Aiden! You want to go play waiter to your ex-wife?"
"Don’t make this a massive issue, because I don’t have the godforsaken time for your dramatics," I snapped.
I grabbed the silver tray from the maid, turning my back on Emily’s furious gasps, and walked out of the kitchen. I marched up the grand staircase straight to Alina’s room. I gave a polite knock before pushing the door open.
"Alina, your breakfast is here," I said, my voice softening the moment I stepped over the threshold.
A bright, beautiful smile bloomed on her face, instantly driving away the residual annoyance in my chest. "Thank you, Aiden. But I really wasn’t expecting you to be the one to bring it up to me."
"Anything for you," I murmured, the words slipping out naturally.
"Sit with me," she said, patting the space on the mattress right next to her. "We can eat together."
A strange, sudden flutter erupted in my chest, a sensation I hadn’t felt in years. I sat down on the edge of the bed beside her, the proximity making my skin hum. I picked up a piece of golden toast from the plate, lifting it to her lips. She leaned in, taking a neat bite from my fingers, her smile never fading.
"You should eat as well," she murmured, her eyes locking onto mine.
I took a bite of the food, my heart racing so violently against my ribs I was terrified she could hear it. I felt completely ridiculous—like a schoolboy sitting next to his first crush, hanging onto her every breath.
Once we had finished the meal, I cleared my throat, trying to regain my smooth composure. "Alina, I ordered a custom outfit for you. There is an elite pack function tonight, and I want you to come with me."
Alina paused, her gaze dropping slightly. "What about Emily? She is your Luna."
"She will also attend," I dismissed quickly, not wanting Emily’s shadow to ruin the moment. "But I want you there as well."
Alina looked back up, holding my gaze for a long moment before she gave a soft nod. "Alright then."
A triumphant smile broke across my lips. "This is great."
By that evening, the tension inside the pack estate had reached a boiling point. I was in the master dressing room fastening the cuffs of my suit shirt when Emily barged in, her heels clicking aggressively against the floorboards.
"Why the hell is Alina also attending tonight?" she demanded, crossing her arms tightly over her stomach. "Are you actively trying to embarrass me in front of every high-ranking Alpha in the territory, Aiden?"
I adjusted my collar in the mirror, not bothering to look at her. "What do you mean? She is the mother of my child."
"And I am your wife!" Emily shrieked. "So why does she have to attend an official pack function?"
I turned around, my gaze cold. "Emily, I don’t want to do this tonight, okay? It’s not a big deal."
"What do you mean it isn’t a big deal?!" she yelled, her voice straining. "People are going to talk! They are going to drag my name through the mud! The entire territory will whisper about how I can’t control my own husband because he’s still running after his ex-wife!"
"Emily, you better drop this right now," I growled, letting a fraction of my Alpha command bleed into the air. "Drop it, or else I will personally make sure you stay home. Now get the fuck out of my room."
She let out a sharp, jagged scoff, glaring at me with pure hatred before turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her. I simply smiled to myself, checking my reflection one last time.
When it came time to load into the luxury town car, I orchestrated the seating arrangements perfectly. I made Emily sit in the back seat, offering the smooth excuse that it was better for her pregnancy, while I had Alina slide into the front passenger seat right next to me. Emily looked like she wanted to murder us both from the rearview mirror, but she kept her mouth shut for the duration of the drive.
When we finally arrived at the grand banquet hall, the paparazzi and pack guards lined the entrance. Emily scurried out of the back seat and immediately latched onto my arm, her long nails digging into the fabric of my suit jacket.
"You better not let go of my hand in there," she whispered through a tight, painted-on smile.
I gave her a half-hearted smile for the flashing cameras, but the absolute second we crossed the threshold into the ballroom, I smoothly unlinked my arm and turned my back on her.
My eyes instantly searched the crowd until they landed on Alina. She was moving gracefully through the elite guests, laughing and chatting with a group of pack elders. A proud, genuine smile stretched across my face just watching her rule the room.
But my smile died instantly.
Moving through the heavy crowd just a few feet away from her were two very familiar, very unwelcome figures. Lucian and Boca.
My jaw clenched so hard the bone ticked, my inner Alpha snarling at the scent of the rogue intrusion. How the fuck did they get in here?
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