"Find a pack in your own league." Her words were easy to interpret - find a pack that is insignificant, just like me. One that isn’t impressive, more appropriate for someone like me. Even though logically I knew she had to be wrong, her words hit something deep within me. Why hadn’t Pack Vale realized yet? Could it be true that Arabella was just that appealing?
Before I could respond to her, Arabella turned her back on me. The conversation was over. I stood there for several seconds to catch my breath, already fatigued from my one act of defiance. Despite everything I felt, a small part of me still wondered if she was right. That small part nagged at me, keeping my anxieties high. No matter what I knew, I could see the truth in front of me every time they were around. They were still actively choosing Arabella - and if they didn’t see the difference, did it even matter?
Chapter 32
Ronan
“Welcome, Pack Vale!” The brand representative smiled at us as he handed us a swag bag full of their product. We were at a launch party where Arabella was promoting the brand’s newest line of workout clothing, and her whole family was there. I wasn’t a fan of such things, but I went to be supportive. Also, I’d been on edge recently, my protective nature rearing its head more often. I figured that bonding Arabella might take away the constant ache inside that made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough, that she was somehow in danger. My senses all screamed that my mate was in trouble, but by all accounts Arabella was doing just fine. I hated it - I always had good instincts, but lately it was like the world just didn’t make sense. I tried to shake it off and act normal as my pack entered the venue.
Months of preparation had gone into the event, and the place was packed with investors, influencers, and industry representatives, all excitedly taking photos and trying out new workout gear. The event staff moved through the crowd carrying samples of protein shakes and bars, with people posing as they held the products up and took photos.
Arabella certainly seemed to be in her element. She ran over when she spotted us, posing next to us in her yoga pants and sports bra while everyone snapped pictures. She looked perfectly at home among the cameras and attention. She knew how to promote a brand, that was never a question. Watching her should have filled me with pride. Instead, I felt the same restless dissatisfaction that had been growing inside me for weeks. Nothing was technically wrong, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something important was missing. My eyes shifted around the room as Arabella led us to the VIP lounge, where the rest of her family waited. Without even knowing I was doing it, I immediately looked for Ivy, the sight of her sitting in a chair in the back easing something in me. She was here, and she was safe.
After the family greeted us, I noticed Arabella setting her handbag on a chair near the food table. She reached in, pulling out a beautiful, sparkling necklace. I recognized it as the one Hunter had picked for her - he’d sent us countless photos before we agreed on one good enough.
“I cannot wait to put this on!” She squealed, showing it off in its box. “I’ll wear it later when we go out. Don’t want to distract from the clothing brand.” She said with a wink, and Hunter smiled proudly. My tension eased slightly as I watchedher admire the necklace. I thought it was cute how much she appreciated our gift. Gift giving was an alpha’s love language, after all.
Arabella got pulled into a conversation with another influencer, and walked out of the lounge. Phillip stood up when he spotted me. He and his pack joined me at my side as we went to go mingle with the crowd.
“So,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “It seems you’re treating Arabella very well. I’ve never seen her so happy.” I nodded, watching her up ahead as she spoke to another omega.
“She’s certainly special.” I said, although I didn’t quite know how to explain it. She was special - different than how I’d imagined our match to be in my head. And I still didn’t have a good read on her. It didn’t help that my body craved more - my instincts were begging me to scent her, to breathe in that gorgeous perfume that I knew was hidden inside of her. It was natural for an alpha to want to smell his mate, and I wanted to scent mark her as well. But that wouldn't happen until she was ready. It was excruciating going so long without smelling it again - I knew once I had a breath of the full scent, I’d feel much better.
For the next few hours, the event continued without issue. The PR staff were doing small interviews with the influencers, and people were clamoring to take as many photos as possible. Guests were coming and going from the event while the launch unfolded, but I nearly died of boredom. This was not my scene.
Then a sharp scream cut through the crowd. My instincts reacted immediately - that was Arabella’s voice. Without even thinking, I tore through the event, knocking over a table as my heart pounded in my ears. My body was tense, my muscles coiled until I arrived at the source, the VIP lounge where we were earlier. Hunter and Elias stopped right behind me, and I was growling as I looked around, ready to tear apart anyone who had hurt her.
I saw Arabella standing near a small table with tears gathering in her eyes while Clara looked on with a horrified expression. Several members of the family stared toward something with looks of complete disbelief.
"What happened?" Hunter demanded. Arabella turned to face us, and she looked devastated.
"My necklace." Her small whimper pulled at my alpha desire to protect her. Her words made my skin prickle with suspicion. She was talking about the sapphire necklace Hunter had given her.
"What about it?" I asked, my eyes looking around for any source of danger.
"I couldn't find it. It’s the most important thing in the world to me. Then I checked everyone's bags. I’m so sorry, I just couldn’t stop unless I found it. But… Ivy won’t let me check hers.”
Arabella pointed, tears in her eyes. My gaze followed her hand toward Ivy's chair. She sat there, her bag under her seat, and a perplexed look on her face.
“What?” Ivy croaked out, her voice panicked. I felt another warning sign in my body, telling me something wasn’t right.
Clara stepped forward, the look on her face almost menacing. “Ivy, hand over your bag.” She said, her voice tense and threatening. Thankfully, the little omega reached under her seat, her hands shaking as she handed the purse to her step mother. Clara opened it, rummaging around until she pulled out a dark box. She opened it, and anyone could see from the sparkle inside that it was the missing necklace.
For several long seconds, nobody spoke. The entire room seemed frozen in place as everyone tried to process what they were seeing. All I could hear were Ivy’s quick, short breaths. It made my chest hurt.
"No, no I didn’t!" she whispered, looking around wide eyed. Her eyes darted from the necklace to Arabella and back again, confusion written plainly across her face. "I didn't, I swear-"
The words died in her throat as her face drained of color. Clara lifted a hand to her mouth. She didn't look angry. She looked heartbroken, and that was even worse.
"Oh, Ivy." Clara murmured, loudly enough that everyone could hear.
The disappointment in her voice caused several people nearby to lower their eyes. One of her fathers closed his eyes and released a tired sigh. "Ivy... we discussed this in therapy." Therapy?I looked back toward Ivy, expecting guilt or embarrassment. Instead, her confusion seemed to deepen.
"I don't know how that got there. You have to believe me!" The explanation sounded weak, even to my own ears, and judging by the uncomfortable shifting around the room, everyone else felt the same way. Nobody wanted to believe it. Yet the evidence sat plainly in front of us. Arabella's eyes filled with tears.
"I wasn't even angry," she said quietly. "I would have shared it with you." The collective wince that moved through the room was almost physical. Ivy looked as though she'd been slapped.
"No," she said, her voice cracking. "No, I didn't take it. Please!" She turned to look around the room, overwhelmed and panicked. “Please, you have to believe me!” She pleaded. Hunter stepped forward.
