The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 93: To The Party

I blinked, the morning light cutting through the room like a knife. My surroundings felt unfamiliar, and it took a moment for my groggy brain to register that I was in Nicholas's bedroom. How did I end up here?

‘You fainted after your allergy attack, remember?’ Nasya replied inside my head.

Right, just a few hours ago, my throat had constricted, and my lungs burned, during the tense meeting with the council. I started piecing together the fragments of my memory, grateful to Nicholas for ensuring I was still breathing. A glance confirmed my suspicions. This was Nicholas's bedroom, grand and masculine, with the faint scent of cedarwood and leather wafting through the air. A knock on the door drew my attention. It creaked open, revealing Layla with a tray laden with steaming cups and a bowl of porridge. Her sparkling dark green clothes made me frown.

"Hi, you finally decided to join the land of the living!" Layla quipped, placing the tray on the bedside table.

I couldn't help but smile back, going along with her joke, "Yeah. I miss the land."

Layla chuckled, "Well, you can take all the rest you need. This room is soundproof, you wouldn't hear the party downstairs.”

I furrowed my brows, remembering I heard the maids yesterday talking about something like a birthday or dinner party.

“Is it a birthday party?”

Layla sighed frustratedly, “Yeah. One of the members of the council has his birthday today and asked the Alpha if he could celebrate it here.” She handed me the bowl of soup while continuing, “Honestly, that man keeps on requesting that every year. I don't know why he wants to have a party here. Anyways, the alpha agreed, and that’s what’s happening downstairs.”

I looked at the bowl of porridge in my lap, spinning the spoon in it.

"Is there something wrong? Do you not like porridge?" Layla asked with concern. "I could replace—"

I shook my head, chuckling. "No, no. I like… porridge."

"Then why the deep thinking and frowned brows?"

I bit my lip for a second before speaking, "About the dinner party tonight…" I started, then hesitated. Layla raised an eyebrow, her smile fading. "You're not seriously considering going, are you?"

“I… I am.”

“What?! Are you crazy? You just got better from your allergy attack.”

"I need to go to that party, Layla. Just a short appearance. The council must see me there, to know that everything is okay."

“But you just got better….”

“I know, but I am perfectly fine now, Layla. I just want to make sure that any doubt about my well-being earlier can be cleared tonight, and for that to happen I need to be there.”

Layla's expression shifted, concerned replacing her easygoing demeanor. "Florence, are you sure? You need time to recover."

I sighed, sitting up. "I know, Layla, but this is important. If they see me there, smiling, chatting, it'll send a message. I need them to believe that everything is fine and that what Samantha said about my allergies is not true."

She exclaimed, “Oh gosh, I can't believe I am considering it right now.”

I knew it wouldn't be an easy sell. "Layla, hear me out," I pleaded, setting down my bowl. "Remember how the council reacted during the meeting when we left. There is some suspicion of me in their eyes."

She nodded, her jaw tightening. "Yeah, well, fck them."

“Appearances matter. If I don't show up, looking perfectly healthy and happy alongside Nicholas, it fuels their doubts," I added.

Layla sighed, running a hand through her hair. "But wouldn't it be safer to stay here? You still haven't fully recovered from….”

"I promise, I feel very fine," I countered, "They just need to see I'm okay.”

And it was true though. I felt perfectly fine. The medicine and my healing abilities worked wonders for me.

For a moment, her gaze flickered to the door. She sighed again, "Alright. You win. But promise me you'll stay close to Nicholas, and if anything feels off, even slightly, we leave, no questions asked."

Relief washed over me. "Promise."

Layla sighed, her resistance softening. "You're stubborn, you know that?”

I grinned, picking up my bowl of porridge again, “A little?”

She just shook her head, laughing at me.

Soon after, Layla was expertly applying makeup on me. Well, it was a dinner party; I couldn't just walk in wearing inappropriate attire, which in my case was a T-shirt and sweatpants. I asked Layla who changed me, and she said it was Evelyn—their pack doctor.

"Voila!" Layla exclaimed.

I looked in the mirror, and for a moment, I didn't recognize myself. The halter-neck silk gold dress that Layla brought accentuated my features, especially my chest, paired with silver heels, and the makeup added a touch of glamor. "Wow, Layla, you're really skilled in this department."

She grinned, giving me a playful nudge. "Well, if you're going to face the council, might as well do it looking like the queen that you are… because, well, you're our rightful Luna Queen."

"Thanks, Layla."

As Layla deftly finalizes my makeup, her movements are skillful and precise. I can't help but reflect on what happened in the meeting hall earlier.

Curious, I inquired, “I've been meaning to ask, why was Samantha in the meeting earlier?"

Layla, clearly annoyed, grits, "No idea. She just showed up and started a problem. She's the reason why the council suddenly became curious about who you are. She even said that she was our future Lu…”

I glance at her when she suddenly doesn't finish her sentence.

“Future Luna?”

“Y-yeah. I didn't hate her before, but I think now, I do,” she sighs.

“Did… Nicholas already talked to Samantha about what he did?"

Part of me wants to know if he gets angry at her because, honestly, that’s what I want. For him to dislike her.

Layla pauses, her hand hovering with the mascara wand. "Oh, I think he did."

"What did he say?"

"You know Nicholas can be quite intimidating when he wants to be. I think Samantha was just left on the hook before because she didn't do things like what she did earlier, but this takes the cake."

I nod and smile, letting her finish her work on my face.

A few moments later, we find ourselves behind the imposing oak doors. She winks at me, "Now, let’s go out there and show them what you're made of."

I take a deep breath, summoning my alter ego—a woman who's accustomed to this kind of gathering. Yeah, a spy alter ego.

With Layla by my side, we gracefully entered the hall, the room falling into a hush as heads turned our way. I had to admit, the gold dress Layla had chosen worked wonders, draping gracefully and accentuating my curves.

As we traversed the crowd, I sensed eyes following our every move, and whispers rippled through the air. The attendees were a mix of council members and Moonstone Pack members, all adorned in elegant attire. I exchanged smiles with those who greeted me.

Layla shot me a supportive grin, and I couldn't help but reciprocate. The sea of faces parted as we made our way to the center of attention, like a scene from a movie. But my eyes were only searching for one person—Nicholas.

I spotted him engaged in conversation with members of the Werewolf Council, clad in a different tuxedo. His neatly styled dark hair enhanced his already striking appearance. Holding a glass of wine, he turned towards me, locking eyes with mine.

His expression revealed a mix of disbelief, admiration, and concern. I countered with a confident smile.

Layla leaned in, whispering, "You're stealing the show, Florence."

I chuckled, appreciating Layla's plan as we continued our path toward Nicholas.

Despite the grand entrance's strategic intent to display strength and unity, a knot formed in my stomach as Nicholas stared at me. Though others attempted to engage him in conversation, his eyes remained fixed on me. Concern etched his expression, leaving me curious about the thoughts swirling in his mind.

I shot him a reassuring smile, hoping to convey that everything was under control. Doubts, especially from Nicholas, were not something I could afford.

As my gaze scanned the room, it landed on Samantha, dressed in a pink gown. The intensity of her glare made me raise a brow. Positioned in a far corner, surrounded by pack members, her eyes bore into me with venomous hatred.

Layla nudged me, "Looks like someone's not happy about your entrance."

I sighed, my eyes still locked with Samantha's. "Yeah, she doesn't seem thrilled"