But I guess if it was still like that, she never would have been brought here in the first place.
It feels easy to walk up the stone staircase toward the double entrance doors at this side of the building, lead Alpha at my side. I even manage to smile by the time we get to the top.
That’s because I know I don’t need to be here.
All I’m doing tonight is playing pretend.
It only requires an hour or two of socialising with no real expectation.
I’m not out here to find that woman of my dreams.
And I’m not here because my parents want me to find a fiancé they can approve of.
This whole charade is much simpler than any of that.
I’m here for Falcon’s piece of mind.
He needs this, and I know helping him get through tonight is only going to bring us closer.
I’d walk through hell for him. I’d do the same for Harp and Jay.
This is nothing. It’s mildly uncomfortable at worst right now, and there’s a chance it might get tense later if Falcon gets caught looking for the medical ward once we’re inside, but we can handle whatever the night throws at us.
We move toward the double doors that lead into the building.
There’s a guard waiting there, all dressed in black, and with a tablet in one hand.
He looks at us and barks out, “Names.”
“Pack Falcone,” I start, adding, “Shayne, and Johnny.”
I glance at my mate. He shrugs, unbothered by the use of his given name.
He had to use it when he filled out the application to come to this social.
Falcon has been his nickname forever.
He doesn’t let too many people call him Johnny.
The guard runs his finger down the screen of the tablet, before he nods and looks back up at us.
“You’re signed in. The men’s room is to the right on entry to the foyer, and the ballroom is straight ahead. You’re not permitted access to any other areas of the academy, including the gardens and the front of the property. If you’ve got to come outside to smoke, you do it within the carpark out here. Sign out with me or one of the other guards when you’re leaving. Once you exit the gates, there’s no getting back inside. And if you’re discovered to be anywhere you shouldn’t be, you’ll be thrown out and blacklisted from all future events. Is that clear?”
I nod slowly, taking it all in before I answer, “It is. Thanks.”
The guard looks from me to Falcon, his gaze hardening.
Falcon stays silent.
My stomach starts to churn.
The urge to explain why he isn’t answering the guard’s question bubbles up, but I force myself to ignore it. I’m probably too anxious to pull off a joke, and anything else would sound suspicious.
The guard stares at Falcon for a beat before he steps to the side.
“You’ll be checked for weapons before you’re given access to the ballroom. If you’ve got anything on you, I’d suggest you declare it now. It’ll save us the hassle of involving the cops.”
They’ll check us for weapons? What the hell?
