Free Web NovelChapter 12: Chapter 12 A Sour Toast
Jade’s POV
Renzo didn’t blink.
Didn’t look away.
Didn’t soften.
His eyes were locked on mine with that same cold, consuming intensity that made my pulse throb not just in my chest but in the area in between my legs too. And he still held me, tight, confident, close enough that the warmth of his chest sank straight through my red dress and into my skin.
I could feel my cheeks blazing.
My breath was suddenly shallow.
And deep in my stomach, something warm curled and twisted, sending a slow wave of heat through my entire body.
I had never been this aware of anyone before.
Not like this.
Ronan, Ryder and Renzo, they always get to me in a way no one could.
Every second of Renzo’s gaze felt like a touch. Every second of his hold felt like a promise he wasn’t supposed to make. It left me dizzy, flushed, embarrassingly turned on. And the worst part?
He knew.
He could feel what he was doing to me.
And he didn’t look even a little sorry.
The music shifted, time to switch partners again. Bodies moved around us, hands unlinked, new pairs forming with practiced fluidity.
But Renzo didn’t move.
His hand stayed firm around my waist.
His other hand held mine like he had no intention of letting go.
He kept staring at me, eyes dark, unreadable, almost.... possessive.
People shuffled awkwardly around us, searching for their correct partners, but Renzo didn’t break eye contact. Didn’t adjust. Didn’t even pretend to participate.
He just held me, like the rest of the room didn’t exist.
My heartbeat felt like it was punching against my ribs. My legs were warm, unsteady, and I was half convinced he could feel the tremor in my body from how close he kept me.
Then, finally....
The music ended.
Only then did his fingers slowly loosen. Only then did he step back, giving me space to breathe again, though I wasn’t even sure I remembered how.
I exhaled shakily and retreated back to my seat, my skin still humming where he’d touched me. Valerio glanced at me as I sat beside him, a sly knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He winked.
A slow, amused, I saw every second of that wink.
I muttered under my breath, “Oh, shut up.”
He chuckled.
Before I could calm the lingering burn beneath my skin, a man stepped out from the side of the hall, walking toward the stage.
Mr. Hart.
Linda’s father.
And the man who took my father’s position as Beta.
He got a spoon from a passing waiter and tapped it against his glass sharply pulling the entire hall’s attention to him.
He smiled proudly. “Good evening, everyone. Tonight, we celebrate my beautiful, intelligent, kind, and truly exceptional daughter, Linda Hart.”
Of course.
Linda practically glided toward the stage, smiling like someone had spotlighted her soul. She hugged her father, took the microphone, and began her carefully rehearsed speech. freēwēbnovel.com
“I want to thank everyone for coming,” she said sweetly. “And of course, I want to acknowledge my boys, Ronan, Renzo, and Ryder.” She batted her lashes at the triplets. “You three always treat me like I’m special. And I absolutely cannot wait for my wolf to awaken so we can officially be declared mates.”
The hall erupted.
Howls.
Cheers.
Clapping.
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw the roof beams.
Valerio glanced at me sideways. “I am assuming you really do not like her.”
“Correct.” I didn’t hesitate. “If you knew her well, you wouldn’t like her either. She’s literally a chameleon. Whatever she needs to be? She becomes, to achieve her sinister goals. She is never real.”
He hummed thoughtfully, eyes drifting toward her. “Noted.”
Everyone raised their glass for the toast.
Everyone except me.
And when Valerio noticed, he clinked his glass lightly against mine, just to tease, before taking his sip.
I didn’t bother hiding my glare.
Mr. Hart stepped forward again. “Now.... for the most anticipated moment of the night. The Wolf Awakening.”
Silence swept through the hall like a cold wind.
He continued, “This ceremony is meant for my daughter, Linda of course, but anyone else whose wolf has yet to awaken should remain where they are. The ritual will still awaken your wolf regardless of whether you are on the stage or not.”
My fingers tightened in my lap.
This was it...
The moment I had feared.
The moment my wolf gets awoken.
The moment the bond appears, and our destined mate is revealed.
What will happen when my wolf is awakened?
Who is going to be my mate?
What if it’s a random guy that I’ve never met before?
What if it’s an old man? Or a wolf that absolutely despise me like everyone else does?
What if I have no wolf at all?
“And now,” Mr. Hart said grandly, “please welcome our revered priestess.”
The entire hall held its breath.
The priestess walked onto the stage, dressed in silver and white, the ancient moon symbols glowing faintly on her robes.
Her voice echoed
“It is time for the Wolf Awakening.”
An electric shiver ran through me.
This was it.
