*ROSEA*
The place is already buzzing when we arrive. It’s a small event, and more for the newer alphas and those who will take over soon, so Jordan will be nowhere to be found. He never is at such events – probably feels too important to mingle with the smaller, moreunimportantcrowd. I do spot some of his friends, though, some younger alphas he deems worthy to be in his vicinity.
However, Jordan himself will be there at the gala in two weeks. It gives me some time to prepare mentally for it, because I am sure that shit will go down, in one way or another.
There is no way in hell that Jordan won’t try to stir up trouble the moment he sees me. My real identity will be revealed then. It’s already a miracle Forest’s parents didn’t look more into mypast. I assume it’s only because they were so busy with the changes happening and too preoccupied with themselves, but the truth will inevitably be revealed soon.
Now is not the time to worry, though. We have an event to rock.
It’s a dinner party with a buffet and no seating arrangements, so every attendee can move around and network as they want. When Forest and I step inside, it takes a while for anyone to notice us. But then, some start glancing at us, frowning and staring.
I can’t blame them.
From what I know, it’s the first time Forest has come as himself, dressed the way he wants and with newfound confidence. Usually, he would be here with Lissa, and I am sure she would dump him in a corner and just do her thing.
“Is that you, Alpha Forest?” one of the alphas says.
“Of course it’s him,” a young man I recognize as Alpha Tristan says.
“Yes,” Forest grins. “I thought I’d toss the annoying suits aside and be more myself.” He takes my hand into his and smiles. “Meet my luna, Tristan,” he adds, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“So, itistrue?” Tristan exclaims. “I have heard some rumors.” He approaches us immediately, reaching out his hand towards me. “I am so happy to meet you.” A pause. “What was your name again?”
Forest laughs. “Dude, let me introduce her first. Her name is Rose, and she is fabulous.”
I shake Tristan’s hand, smiling at him while doing so. “Forest told me so much about you,” I say. “I am also happy to finally meet you.”
“I hope he only mentioned good things.”
“He did.”
Tristan turns away for a moment, waving at a young woman who walks towards us quickly. He wraps her in his arms. “Meet Violet. She is my mate and luna.”
We go through another round of polite greetings and introductions. It’s not uncomfortable or awkward, though. Tristan looks like he is a good man, and his mate is really sweet. From my research these last few days, I also know what type of pack he leads. Small, but surprisingly fierce.
Forest and Tristan go to fetch something from the buffet for us, while Violet and I sit down. From the corner of my eye, I can see Martin standing with some fellow betas, chatting with them. He looks lively and fully engaged, proof of how seriously he takes his new task.
“I am so happy Forest met his mate,” Violet exclaims. “I was worried he’d end with Lissa.” She claps her hands over her mouth. “Not that he ever did anything, you know, nothing!”
“Don’t worry,” I chuckle. “I have met Lissa plenty of times by now, and I totally get why you would have been worried. Forest has been nothing but loyal to me ever since he met me, and Lissa,” I smirk, “is not a problem anymore.”
“Good!” Violet furrows her brows. “She hit on Tristan once, right in front of me. I know she told some other lunas that I am just some boring, little wallflower.”
No way! I shake my head. I still wonder what her endgame was, or if she ever had any. I can only guess, but I assume the attention Forest’s parents paid to her went to her head. That and her growing standing in the pack, with everyone seeing her as a woman who could be a leader. It fed into her psychopathic nature and most likely made her more reckless. It was a game for her. She played with those around her like they were pieces on a chessboard, but she wasn’t particularly good at it. Now, if she used her hatred to take out Jordan and any of his useless friends, it would be completely different. Frankly, that would have beenpretty awesome. But she just hurt those weaker than her, those of lesser rank or those she deemed unworthy, like Violet, who I know is from a very small pack far into the countryside.
Fact is that with Lissa out of the way now, we only took a small fish out.
I sigh inwardly. “I want to say how unbelievable I think her actions are. But, after all I’ve heard, it’s not that unbelievable, sadly.”
“She badmouthed me whenever she could,” Violet explains. “She did the same with Tristan, yet tried to hit on him.”
“It’s a game to her,” I explain. “She might look down on him, but she still wants to have him, to prove to you that you will lose against her.”
Violet nods. “Can you imagine she even badmouthed Forest?” She shakes her head. “I’ve heard how she talked to Alpha Jordan and some others about him. It was horrible.”
Yeah, I can see why Jordan humored her. I am pretty sure Jordan had zero interest in her; she is not his type, but she was a good tool for him.
“You said she is not a problem anymore?” Violet asks. “Are you sure?”
