b+15 /bbBONUS /b

    Chapter b201 /b

    Alexander

    Around ten o’clock, I turned back toward our table after finishing my conversation with one of the many Alphas in attendance about trade routes, expecting to find E sitting there picking at her dinner or chatting with someone. Instead, her chair was empty.

    I scanned the ballroom, looking for her midnight blue dress among the crowd of guests. Maybe she’d gone to talk to someone, or was getting another ginger ale from the bar.

    But after a few minutes of searching, I still didn’t see her anywhere.

    “Gabriel,” I called to my Beta, who was standing a few feet away talking to some pack members. “Have you seen E?b” /b

    His jaw ticked at the mention of E’s name, but he maintained his cool expression and shook his head.” Not recently. Why?”

    “She must have slipped out.” I checked my watch. It had been more like twenty minutes since I hadst seen her. “I’m going to find her.”

    Before Gabriel could respond, a voice called out to me–one that I hadn’t heard in months.

    “Alexb! /bCongrattions on your coronation.”

    I stiffened, hands clenching. Honestly, I considered just pretending I hadn’t heard her and leaving anyway, but I knew it was toote; and with so many people around, it wouldn’t be very bing of the new Alpha King to snub someone at his own coronation.

    Finallyb, /bI turned to see Sophia approaching, wearing a form–fitting red dress and a serene smile as if I hadn’t punished her entire family just a few months ago.

    Her parents were nowhere to be seen, which was both a blessing and a curse. John and Helen were better at controlling her than anyone, but all three of them together was also a lot to handle.

    Not to mention the fact that I was still fucking pissed over what they had done. I didn’t want any of theming anywhere near E and our unborn child, let aloneing to the coronation, but there was no way I could bar the entire family froming without causing a major scandal.

    So when the coronation nner had added them to the guest list, I hadn’tined. Not out loud,

    anywayb. /b

    “Sophia.” I folded my arms, a clear sign that I wasn’t interested in pleasant conversation with her. “Thank you. I hope you’re enjoying the reception.”

    “Oh, I am. Your mate certainly made quite an entrance earlier.” Her smile turned sharp around the edges.

    Very memorable.”

    I wasn’t in the mood for whatever game Sophia was ying. “bIf /byou’ll excuse me, I need to find E.”

    “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Sophia stepped in my path and moved closer, lowering her voice so only I could hear. “I think there’s something you should know.”

    “I really don’t have time for whatever nonsense you’re cooking up tonight, Sophia.” I didn’t bother to hide the disdain in my voice. Part of me still often wondered how the hell I had ever seen her as a friend.

    “Alex, please. Just listen to me for a moment.” She ced her hand on my arm. “I’m worried about you.”

    I looked down at her hand and back up at her face. As if she had the fucking right to touch me, let alone” worry” about me. “What are you talking about?”

    “Your mate’s behavior today. Don’t you think it was a little… suspicious?b” /b

    “borate, or get the hell out of my way,” I growled, pulling my arm away.

    “All business, even with your old friend.” Sophia straightened and gestured to two nearby men, who began striding over. One was shorter and younger in appearance, wearing what looked like a driver’s uniform, and the other was tall and muscr and wearing one of the security guard uniforms for the event. “Fine. We’ll get right down to it, then.”

    I lifted my brows as they came to stop in front of me.

    “This is James,i” /iSophia said, indicating the younger man. “He was your mate’s driver today. James, tell the Alpha King what you just told me.”

    James cleared his throat and wrung his cap in his hands when I turned to him. “The Luna, she… she jumped out of the car,” he whispered. “While it was still running. And then she just started tearing at her dress, ripping it up on purpose. I tried to stop her, but she said something about needing to make it look convincing, and then she shifted and ran off.”