Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
We are just waiting the three minutes it will take the elevator to bring everyone else down and Xander leans in to whisper in my ear.
“You are gorgeous tonight, devastatingly gorgeous. If you thought you had a target before, you have no idea what’s coming for you. No one will be able to compare.”
I could feel my cheeks heat at his compliment and my heart is racing for so many reasons. “We shouldn’t be separated for any reason tonight, but if I am not with you, stay close to my mother. You have a guard assigned to you as well.
I looked at him and I’m sure my face let him know how I felt about that. He took a deep breath and sighed before continuing.
“You are the easy one to pick off from something like this. Before you argue, it’s not about you not being able to fight, it’s about anyone wanting to hurt us, the King, the Queen, me.
They will do it by trying to harm you and it won’t be just one or two people. You clearly mean something to our family, it doesn’t matter the reason, someone will try to separate you from us tonight just to see if it’s possible, I can guarantee it. I don’t want you to be alarmed, just on guard, same as my mother always is in these situations. As much as the men in that room think they are the superior ones, it’s our females that hold all the power.
The power to remain in control, the power to heal and be kind and the power to bring a man to his knees if she is harmed. That is how important you are.
“Okay, so no pressure then,”
I half joke.
“It’s one of the reasons my father chose you. We have other females in the family that could be here, other warriors that could do the job, but for their own reasons, they don’t fit the way you do. You not only fill the role of protector, you are also filling the role of my other half, and that is all the public needs to know about our situation. We want those rumors to happen, we want the power hungry Alphas and Elders to step back and you have made them do that, just by being here and being you.
I just nod and he pulls me in for a hug. He has left me speechless more times than I can count today. He gives me a light kiss right on the top of my head and I smile, he is so like my big brother and I love it.
The King and Queen make it to us and we are all lined up in front of the doors to the ballroom. The make-up and hair artists check all of us to make sure we are picture ready. I can hear someone make the announcement of our arrival and then the doors are opened and we parade in.
The ballroom has been transformed since lunch. The round table have been moved to the perimeter of the room to allow for a large area in the middle for dancing and mingling. The massive chandelier in the center of the ceiling is lit dimly giving off a soft warm glow. The crystal sconces along the wall are at the same brightness. It’s just enough to see and be seen, but not as bright as during the day.
The whispers start immediately when Xander and I walk through the doorway. It’s a tidal wave of murmuring and hushed sound. We make it up to the small platform our rectangular table is on, but instead of moving behind it to sit we line up in front of it. Alpha Reggie begins a speech thanking everyone for attending, stating that this was one of the most productive conferences he’s attended in along time.
He lists the alliances that have been renewed and plans we have as a kingdom to continue the fight against the Rogues. He continues speaking, but I am distracted as Xander pulls his arm from mine and wraps it around my waist, pulling me closer.
I look at him from the corner of my eye trying to school my features, but also ask what happened. He gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head and gives my hip a squeeze. Something is going on, but I have to trust him and his actions until he can tell me.
He noticed something that made him cautious, whether it was for himself or for me, I’m not sure. I have a pretty good guess though. So I lean into his side, letting him know he’s taking the lead over whatever this situation is.
When Alpha Reggie’s speech is done, he directs everyone to sit while dinner is being served. Xander doesn’t drop his hand from my side as he leads me around the table and instead of sitting next to his mom, he pulls out his usual chair for me to sit in between them.
“What did you notice that I missed?” I whisper to him in an almost inaudible voice, but I know with his Alpha senses he can hear me.
“Just movement I don’t like.”
He breathes back, “my hearing is just as good.”
I wish I could mindlink you so I could explain better. Do you trust me?”
“Of course, just want to know what to look for.
“For now, you are attached to my hip. If I can, I will explain later, right now we are under a microscope.
“Okay.”
| smile at him “I can’t wait to meet everyone | haven’t yet.”
| pull back speaking at a more standard level. “
You said there are a few really important people | haven’t had the pleasure.
He smiles back and catches on to what I’m doing. We can’t look like we are just being secretive, no matter what the rumors are supposed to be. Out of the corner of my eye | see a few heads turn to blatantly look at us, others were
Straightening ties or smoothing out clothing. It appears that mates came to the ball tonight and some look absolutely pleasant and others look just as snobby and pretentious as the men they are with. | take a deep breath and have to mentally ready myself for this battle. | can either let them get to me and stress me out with their intimidation tactics or | can have fun and kill them with kindness and logic and common sense. | took a deep breath and decided the second one is going to be way more fun. |
| eat and enjoy the conversation between Xander and Luna Anne. Of course, just when | am losing myself in the conversation things have to change and bring me back to the reality of what is in front of me. The low hum of polite conversations start to become louder with excitement as the ball itself is getting ready to begin.
The Omegas clear our plates and Alpha Reggie stands and helps Luna Anne to her feet. Xander soon follows, mimicking the motion with me. The four of us walk out to the dance floor and a realization hits me.
“Xander, | can’t dance, like at all.”
1 look at him with wide eyes, a little panicky.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.