"Of course I believe you," I said, deciding to placate her first. "The speech is about to start. I don't have time to take calls. Just hang up."
"You heard him." Liv seemed pleased by my response. Her smile returned as she spoke into the phone, then ended the call.
I climbed onto the stage. I had memorized the speech. There was no need to look at the script. I delivered the usual platitudes mechanically while my mind wandered elsewhere.
Suddenly, the mental link with Serenity surged violently. It felt like someone had punched me hard in the gut.
"Bzzzz—"
The microphone whined with feedback, interrupting my speech. Everyone in the audience stared at me in confusion.
Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, invisible to them. I maintained my composure and pretended nothing had happened, continuing on. Only my increasingly rapid pace betrayed my inner turmoil.
The speech ended. The audience erupted in thunderous applause.
I hurried off the stage and went straight to Liv.
"Did anyone call during that time?" I asked urgently.
The sensations from Serenity had been so intense. She might have been in trouble. In the past, she always called me first when she needed help.
But Liv shook her head. "No calls came through."
How could that be?—
I held out my hand. "Give me the phone."
Liv complied. I took it back and first checked the hidden tracking program. It hadn't been triggered, which meant she hadn't looked at those files. Then I quickly scrolled through the call log: nothing, nothing, nothing!
Serenity really hadn't called. Except for that telemarketer Liv had answered earlier, the log was completely empty.
I lowered the phone with an unprecedented sense of disappointment.
"Elias, you've seemed like you're hiding something from me lately." Liv studied my expression cautiously, her voice soft. "Did I do something to upset you?"
"Why would you think that?" I forced myself to meet her eyes, not letting her see through my lie. "I'm no different than usual."
"No, you are different." Liv stepped closer, narrowing the distance between us. I could clearly smell her perfume, the light floral scent I usually liked. Today, for some reason, it made me restless.
"See? You're pulling away from me." Liv took my hand. "You used to reach for my hand first. I never had to do it myself. But now you won't even look at me."
I opened my mouth to argue but realized she was right. Ever since discovering the bank account incident, I had been deliberately keeping my distance.
But I couldn't tell her why, so I made an excuse. "The company's been busy lately. I'm just tired. I'm not avoiding you."
"Really? I don't believe you." Liv suddenly pressed herself against my chest with a mischievous look. "Prove it. Ask me to dance. Right now. Then I'll believe you!"
The second half of the gala was a formal ball. The classical orchestra struck up an elegant waltz. Couples had already gathered in the center of the floor.
I couldn't find a reason to refuse.
"Of course, my lady. Would you honor me with this dance?" I summoned my energy, gave her a gentleman's bow, and extended my hand.
Her smile grew brighter as she placed her right hand in mine.
I led her to the center of the dance floor. The other guests considerately made room for their Alpha. The lights dimmed until only a single spotlight remained on us, making us the sole focus of the evening.
Liv seemed thoroughly pleased with this treatment. Her smile hadn't faded since the dance began.
