His

The Power Of Love

Lochlan stood at the front of the room with his arm around Sadie and their parents on her other side. I looked to the grandfather clock across the room with bated breath. It was eleven fifty-eight.

"This is it," Pete whispered, eyes wide and locked on his mate.

He was visibly trembling and repeatedly licked his lips. I took his hand firmly.

"Whatever happens, she'll be happy and so you'll just have to hold on for whatever else happens," I murmured, sure of it.

It was a little grounding to feel sure about at least one thing. Pete nodded and held my hand tighter. The clock struck twelve and its loud gong-like tolls filled the room. Sadie looked around wildly. Seeing her in an even more intense light, Pete's eyes flashed and his fangs extended. I released his hand and nudged him forward. A minute had passed and no one had stepped up. Sadie's excitement and hope began to fade but then Pete swallowed and came into the middle of the room, halfway to meeting her.

"Sadie?" he whispered.

So quiet was his call but she heard. Of course she heard. Her eyes flashed to his and she drew in a sharp breath. Shocked covered the faces of the Alpha's family. Sadie took a step, breaking out of her brother's hold. Her expression was difficult to read as she came to a stop in front of Peter. She looked up at him in wonder and I could tell he was holding his breath, unsure of her reaction. Slowly, Sadie lifted her hand and touched his cheek. My heart squeezed and I clutched my hands to my chest, feeling the brilliant grin rip across my face. Directly ahead of them, standing in the crowd, was Luke. His mate on his arm. We made eye contact and he tried for a smile. I felt my grin wobble a little and turn down. Lochlan and his parents had a mixture of emotions. His father was grinning ear to ear with a soft look in his eyes. I had seen his mother shrug and her lips quirk upward. Lochlan was expressionless though. I interlaced my hands and pressed them to my lips thoughtfully. Though it hadn't been a particularly warm welcome, the worst had been avoided and the new couple was now dancing the night away.

Across the room, I looked at Lochlan again. His jaw was set and his fists shoved in his pockets as he watched his sister. I cut through the crowd, wanting to get him outside for some air. As I approached, his mother saw me first.

"Evangeline. How good to see you," Isla said coolly.

I smiled, squinting my eyes at her. "Back at you, ma'am."

Caelan choked on a laugh as he sipped his champagne. I turned to Lochlan.

"Let's go for a walk, yeah?"

He kept his body and eyes turned away from me. "I don't want to see you."

Isla smirked. I bit back the hurt I felt, knowing full well I deserved it. However, I didn't stand down. Taking his hand, I pulled him towards the hallway. Lochlan growled.

"Evangeline, I said no-"

In the dark of the hall, I took his hands firmly.

"Are you okay?"

He opened his mouth, his brown eyes confused and surprised by my sudden concern. Lochlan slowly pulled his hands out of my grasp, leaving me feeling bereft.

"I'm fine, Evangeline. And it shouldn't matter anyway. Only people feel things, right?" he muttered poisonously.

I winced and lowered my head. I swallowed.

"I was cruel to you, Lochlan, when you were just trying to connect. You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry," I whispered.

I reached out to him again but pulled back at the last second, afraid of rejection.