Chapter 108
Despite everything we’d been through together, the raw admiration in his eyes made heat rise to my cheeks. “You clean up pretty nicely yourself, Alpha,” I replied, attempting lightness despite the weight of the evening ahead.
Alexander extended his arm, and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow. The familiar scent of him- pine forests after rain with notes of sandalwood–calmed my jittery nerves.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked quietly as we descended the grand staircase of the pack house. “No one would blame you if you needed more time.”
I shook my head, determination hardening within me. “Felix deserves this foundation. All those children who suffer from pack violence deserve this. I won’t hide away when I could be making a difference.”
Alexander pressed a kiss to my temple. “That’s my fierce mate. Always thinking of others.”
“Not always,” I admitted. “Sometimes I’m just thinking about how devastatingly handsome my mate looks in formal wear.”
He laughed, the sound wrapping around me like a warm blanket. “Is that so?” His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer as we reached the bottom of the stairs. “Then perhaps we should skip the gala altogether. I have some very interesting ideas about what to do with this gorgeous dress… and what’s underneath it.”
“Alexander!” I playfully swatted his arm, though Luna purred at the suggestion. “There are at least two hundred people waiting for us.”
“They can wait a little longer,” he murmured against my ear, sending delicious shivers down my spine.
“Behave,” I warned, though I couldn’t help smiling. “This is serious.”
His expression sobered, though his eyes still held that special warmth reserved only for me. “I know, love. And I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished with this foundation. Felix would be too.”
The mention of my son brought the familiar ache to my chest, but tonight it was tempered with purpose. Let’s go make him proud, then.”
The drive to The Crescent Hall Hotel passed in comfortable silence, Alexander’s hand resting on mine, his thumb occasionally brushing over my knuckles in a soothing rhythm. When we arrived, flashbulbs
greeted us–the werewolf community’s most prominent journalists documenting the arrival of Alpha Alexander and his mate.
“Ready?” he asked, before the valet opened my door.
I nodded, summoning all my strength. “Ready.”
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Chapter 108
+15 BONUS
The Grand Ballroom of The Crescent Hall Hotel had been transformed into a winter wonderland, with crystal decorations catching and refracting light in homage to Felix’s winter birth. Ice sculptures adorned the center of each table, and delicate snowflake projections danced across the ceiling. The Felix Winster Foundation logo–a small wolf paw inside a protective circle–was elegantly displayed throughout the venue.
As we entered, conversations hushed momentarily before resuming with increased intensity. I felt the weight of hundreds of eyes upon us–some sympathetic, others merely curious to see how the grieving mother was holding up.
“Alpha Alexander and Luna Summer,” the announcer called, and heads turned our way.
Alexander’s hand pressed reassuringly against the small of my back as we made our way through the crowd. Pack leaders, Council members, and influential werewolves from across the country nodded respectfully as we passed.
“You’re doing wonderfully,” Alexander whispered. “Just breathe.”
At the appropriate time, I found myself ascending the steps to the podium, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged animal desperate for freedom. Alexander squeezed my hand once before I stood alone before the sea of faces.
The room fell silent.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” I began, my voice steadier than I’d expected. “The Felix Winster
Foundation was established with one purpose: to ensure that no child suffers in silence within our packs.
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I paused, gathering strength.
“My son Felix was taken from me because our system failed him. Because I failed him.” My voice cracked slightly, but I pushed forward. “He was labeled defective, damaged, unworthy–because he didn’t fit the perfect Alpha standard. Tonight, we begin changing that narrative for all children who don’t fit neatly into our pack hierarchies.”
As I continued outlining the foundation’s mission–providing medical care, legal advocacy, and safe houses for children suffering from abuse within packs–I became aware of a disturbance at the entrance.
And then I saw him. Alpha Foster.
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