Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Ayla I slipped my dress on and pulled up the zipper. Emma had made me get a wardrobe for the whole weekend, but it was this dress that she absolutely wouldn’t let me leave without. I couldn’t lie that I felt good in it. It was a sexy black one- shoulder number that hugged every curve. I spent extra time on my makeup and hair, and as I looked in the mirror, I was pretty impressed with myself.

Satisfied with my appearance, I left the room to meet Kingston in the suite’s sitting area. A smile spread across my face at his expression when he saw me.

“You think this will do?” I asked coyly.

“At driving everyone crazy?” he said, closing the distance. between us. “Absolutely.”

“Well, that wasn’t exactly what I was going for,” I chuckled. “I was thinking presentable would suffice.”

He leaned in and kissed me. “You look gorgeous,” he said. “But I think there’s something missing.”

I furrowed my brow, looking down at my attire. “What did I forget?”

Kingston stepped away and picked something off the side table behind him. When he turned back to me, I saw that it was a velvet box. He opened it and I gasped. Inside was a brilliant emerald necklace with diamond accents. He removed it from the box and stepped behind me to put in on me.

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O r Chapter 54. Ayla “Kingston,” I said, “this is too much. I can’t wear this.”

1288 Vouchers “Of course you can,” he said. His hands started roaming. I laughed as I grabbed them.

“If you start that, we’ll never make it downstairs,” I said.

“Right now” – he pulled me against him – “that doesn’t seem like a bad thing.”

I snickered again. “As nice as that sounds, I’m looking forward to spending some more time with some of the others.”

“Okay,” he said. “I’m glad you’re enjoying the weekend.”

I took his arm, and we headed out of the room. I saw Alpha Vincent and Beta Aaron waiting for the elevator as we approached and offered them a smile.

“Good evening, Alpha Vincent, Beta Aaron,” I said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Ms. Garner,” Alpha Vincent said kindly, “it’s a pleasure to see you as well. Both of you.”

“Alpha Vincent. Beta Aaron,” Kingston said, extending his hand to each. “I didn’t know you knew my date.”

“We met this afternoon.”

“Yes, they were kind enough to escort me and Beta Briggs to the patio,” I said, feeling a little guilty about not telling Kingston about the incident at the bar yet.

“Did you need escorting?” Kingston asked me.

“No,” I said with a smile. “I met another Alpha at the bar I didn‘

2/6 Chapter 54: Ayla 283 Vouchers t care much for. These two, along with Beta Briggs and Alpha Gregory, assisted in giving me a graceful exit from the conversation.”

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I hid the relieved breath I released as we entered, hoping it was enough to keep Kingston from asking more questions.

“So, Alpha, how have you been finding the meetings this year?” Alpha Vincent asked.

“Fairly standard for the most part,” Kingston said. “Although I‘ m curious to learn the outcome of the Arrowclaw and Moonshadow agreement. I know it would put some of my pack along the southern border at ease, knowing there is less of a risk of open conflict again.”

“Yes,” Beta Aaron said. “We’re hopeful as well. It seems likely to end well with Alpha Anthony finding his mate in the Arrowclaw pack.”

“She’s actually Alpha Patrick’s niece,” Kingston said. “They’re apparently close, too. So, it is looking good.”

“Are you talking about Aniya?” I asked.

“Yes,” Alpha Vincent said. “I believe that was her name.”

“I met her today,” I said as we stepped off the elevator. “She’s quite lovely. We spoke about the possibility of a cross–pack scholarship program. She was pretty interested.”

“Really? What kind of scholarship program?” Alpha Vincent asked.

“Well, each pack has at least one university in its territory.

3/6 Chapter 54: Ayla 298 Vouchers Many have multiple. That’s wonderful,” I said. “But it seems that has meant they cater almost exclusively to their own pack members. While it may not be intentional, we thought it seemed rather limiting. It’s important for the younger generations to broaden their experiences. So, we were playing with the idea of a scholarship exchange between packs.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Alpha Vincent said with a smile. “You’ll have to send me information on what you come up with.”

“It’s just an idea at this point,” I replied. “But if it becomes more, I’ll keep you in mind.”

We came to the banquet hall entrance and split off from Alpha Vincent and Beta Aaron. Kingston took two glasses of offered champagne and handed one to me. We moved further into the banquet hall, mingling with everyone who had arrived.

“Alpha Kingston,” Alpha Harden got our attention as he approached us. “Ms. Garner, you look ravishing this evening.”

“Well, thank you, Alpha,” I said with a smile. “You look quite dashing yourself.”

“I clean up decent,” he teased with a wink. “I hear you have been fitting right in with the other Lunas this weekend, Ms. Garner. I hope Alpha Kingston knows what a natural you are. Otherwise, another Alpha might just swoop in and sweep you off your feet.”

He leaned into me. “My son, Jason, wouldn’t mind the chance.”

“I’m well aware of how lucky I am, Alpha Harden,” Kingston said, pulling me tight against him. “And I like Alpha Jason. I’d hate to have a falling out because he overstepped with my O Chapter 54: Ayla girl.”

288 Vouchers Alpha Harden laughed. “So would he,” he said. “Don’t worry, Alpha. He’ll be nothing but respectful.”

“That’s good to hear,” Kingston said. Their banter was lighthearted, but there was also a seriousness behind it. It seemed strange.

“So, Alpha Harden, how do you feel the Gathering has been going?” I asked. “It seems everything has been going smoothly.”

“It has,” he replied kindly. “Hopefully, it will continue to do so after my speech this evening.”

“Do you have bad news?” I asked, concerned.

“Oh, not at all,” he chuckled.

“Alpha Harden’s speeches tend to drag on a bit,” Kingston teased.

“Just trying to share my wisdom.”

I was laughing when I heard a familiar voice.

“Ayla, my dear girl,” Luna Grace said as she joined us, “you look absolutely lovely.”

I gave her a bright smile and returned the embrace she offered. “Thank you. And you look as elegant and beautiful as always, Luna Grace.”

“You’re so sweet,” she said. “Alpha Kingston, would you mind if I stole Ms. Garner away for a moment?”

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