CHAPTER 313: ALPHAS’ SACRIFICE

Evaline:

The moment Mallory twirled the camera toward the blue dress, I knew the search was finally over.

"That one," I pointed at the screen with exaggerated finality. "It’s perfect. That’s your dress for tonight."

Mallory squinted at her own reflection in the mirror, the silky fabric held up against her frame. "You think so? Not too plain? Not too... safe?"

I shook my head with a firm smile. "It’s not safe, it’s elegant. It makes your skin glow, and Jasper’s jaw is going to hit the floor the second he sees you."

Her face softened into the kind of giddy smile only she could pull off. Relief washed over me, but I tried not to show it. After nearly an hour of going back and forth - her rejecting every suggestion I made for one excuse or another - I was close to throwing my phone across the room. She had emptied one whole wardrobe for me to judge, and by some miracle, the blue dress finally broke through her impossible standards.

But, of course, it wasn’t over.

"Okay, fine," She said, setting the dress carefully across her bed. Then, without missing a beat, she flipped her phone’s camera toward her floor-to-ceiling rack of shoes. "Now, help me pick the heels. Something warm but classy. And don’t say boots, Eva. I refuse to wear boots on a date."

I groaned dramatically, flopping backward onto my mattress. "Mal, you are going to be late if you keep this up!"

"Stop whining," she teased, completely ignoring me. "This is important. You know how nervous I get with these dates."

"What are you talking about? You two have been together for months. What’s there to get nervous about?" I demanded, and she spared me a single judgemental glance that had me sighing and moving my hands up in surrender pose.

And just like that, another round of battle began. I scrolled through endless pairs of heels, pointed at three coats, narrowed down two purses, and even got dragged into picking which lipstick shade she should use. By the time she finally ended the call... only because I reminded her again she literally didn’t have time left... I felt utterly drained.

Still, I couldn’t help smiling as I tossed my phone aside. Mallory might have tested my patience, but seeing her genuinely excited about her date made the effort worth it.

My stomach rumbled, breaking my little moment of peace. Pushing myself up, I decided to head downstairs for something to eat. But I only made it halfway down the second floor when I froze.

Draven was standing at the foot of the stairs, his hair perfectly styled, his maroon sweater tucked neatly into tailored pants. The long black coat made him look even taller. He looked... unfairly gorgeous.

"Are you... going somewhere?" I asked, blinking at him.

His lips curved into that infuriatingly confident grin. "I was just about to tell you. I’m heading out with some friends tonight."

Before I could respond, he crossed the space between us in two strides and wrapped me in his arms. His embrace was warm and strong, stealing my breath for a moment. "I’m going to miss you so much," he whispered against my hair, his tone laced with an almost boyish longing.

Heat crept into my cheeks. He said things like that so easily... things that made my heart skip without warning.

Then, as if the thought had just occurred to him, he pulled back and raised a brow. "Unless... you would like to come with me?"

The question was playful, hopeful even. But I shook my head almost instantly. "Go. Have fun with your friends."

His lips turned downward in a pout so cute I had to laugh. Reaching up, I cupped his face between my hands. "Don’t give me that look," I teased, and before either of us could think twice, I leaned up and kissed him.

His arms tightened around me in response, deepening the kiss as if he couldn’t get enough. We stole a few more like that - quick, lingering, playful kisses - before finally untangling ourselves. Both of us giggled like we had been caught doing something we shouldn’t.

By the time we reached the living room, Draven had already stolen another kiss before we stepped into the dimly lit space. Someone cleared their throat and I immediately turned my head in the direction only to find Oscar.

I blinked at him, arching an eyebrow. He was dressed almost as sharply as Draven, his usual composed demeanor softened by the faintest curve of his lips. "You too?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.

He didn’t hesitate. "I’m heading out to handle some pack business. Someone has to keep things moving so River can finally breathe for a change."

Before I could reply, a voice cut across the room.

"That’s not entirely true," River announced, strolling in from the hallway. His tone was calm, but there was a spark of amusement in his eyes that made my stomach flip. "The truth is, these two are going out together tonight. So that I"... he glanced at me, his lips twitching into the smallest smile... "can have some private time with you."

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Private time? With River?

My face burned instantly, and my heart seemed to leap into my throat.

"River!" Draven groaned loudly, dragging a hand down his face. "Could you be any worse at keeping things subtle?"

Oscar, on the other hand, looked far too amused. He stepped toward me and tugged me into his arms, brushing a teasing kiss against my temple. "Don’t let our sacrifice go to waste, sweetheart."

I smacked his chest lightly, though my face was still hot from River’s bluntness. Private time. With him. The thought alone was enough to make me dizzy.

Draven gave me one last lingering kiss before finally heading out the door with Oscar, the two of them bickering as they went. And just like that, I was left standing in the living room, my pulse racing, with River’s steady gaze fixed on me.