"Riven?" A voice startled them both as if they were caught in the middle of stealing something precious.
"Loui!" Riven was the first to pull his act together.
Ella swallowed hard, feeling flustered. Out of everyone, why would it have to be Loui? Only Loui knew it was her beneath the mask.
"What are you doing here?" Loui asked seductively, drawing imaginary circles on Riven's chest, eyeing Ella to leave.
But Ella was glued to her place. She felt a pang of jealousy gushing through her when Loui drew her fingers on his chest. She felt like Loui was invading her territory or snatching something as valuable as her breath from her. For the first time, it appalled her wolf. She was fighting to take control, alarming her. Her wolf wanted to snap Loui's head from her body or, at least, cut her fingers.
Riven breathed, pulling out Loui's hand from his body. "I will be back in some time. I need to make a call." He excused himself. He didn't even spare an indifferent glance at Ella or Loui, even if his heart was pounding.
He wasn't sure of anything anymore. He felt thousands of irrelevant thoughts clouding his head, overshadowing his judgemental skills. Was he feeling so worked up because of the mysterious woman? Or was it because he felt like Loui caught him doing something he shouldn't have? His wolf was restless. Ever since he stepped into Bluemoon pack territory, his heart had been yanked.
Until now, Riven had to worry only about Ella and Chloe. It made him unsettled when he saw Chloe participating in the event. Didn't she return only a few days back? She said she would understand and give him some time. Yet, she was here to torment him. He knew Chloe still liked him romantically. But he could no longer respond to her genuine emotions. He was no longer the same man. It was hard for him to breathe in his pack. Chloe would pop up everywhere he went despite arranging for her to stay in the packhouse and ordering Kelly to give her company. He thought he would get some Chloe-free time here. But no! He was on his way out of the ballroom to sort his thoughts when he stumbled upon the blue girl.
With Ella, Riven had made some peace with himself. His concerns were not unjustifiable. It was purely because he was an excellent alpha wolf. He had genuine worries about her life in the pack. He dreaded it if she was abused. But now, there is this mystery girl. So much for not wanting anything serious. Wasn't he here for simple fun? Mateo would embarrass him when he learned what he was up to here. Loui should be fine. But no, he was getting into a whirlwind of drama, and the worst was that he had no control over it.
Riven turned to look in their direction. The blue girl and Loui were in the middle of some heated conversation. He had a rough idea that it could be about him. He wondered if Loui knew her. But Loui would be the last person he would go to seek help. Despite being pretty and loaded, Loui gave a terrible vibe to him while the girl in the charming blue dress was scintillating his heart in ways he didn't prefer. He wanted to stay aloof from emotions like love, like, or likewise.
On his way out, Riven stumbled upon Levi. For some strange reason, he was glowering at him. He could never understand the siblings. One was overly friendly, and the other wouldn't stop giving him cold glares. He wondered if Levi would object to his presence on his land if not for the event.
"What are you doing outside?" Levi brooded, stealing a glimpse at the ladies. But that subtle action of his didn't miss Riven's hawk eyes. Riven wondered if the siblings knew the mystery girl's identity. Should he ask Levi? But then he voted against it.
"Why is everybody watching me? I need to poop. Care to join?" Riven smirked, taunting Levi. He was irritated by how the siblings acted all the time. He needed to breathe without answering his every move. They were overly interfering without any rights.
Levi glowered, grunting. If Riven wasn't the alpha of the most powerful pack, he wouldn't have thought twice before throwing him out of his land. But now was not the time to pick a fight, especially with Riven. He was going to get crowned in a couple of days. He didn't feel the need to reply to Riven's haughty remarks. So, he brushed past him, hitting his shoulders purposefully. Riven couldn't help but laugh at Levi's childish behavior. These people were despicable!
At the front door, Loui was giving a mouthful to Ella for trying so hard to get Riven's attention despite her various warnings. Ella couldn't even retort, since she was not in a position to retaliate.
"Do you think I wouldn't recognize you? You always whine about how miserably we treat you, and can you afford colored lenses? Huh! You sneaky snake!" Loui boomed at Ella, stepping towards her, intimidating her. Ella swallowed hard, blinking in fear, stepping back a little.
"How dare you try to flirt with my man wearing my dress?" Loui bellowed, wondering how Ella fixed the dress in such a short span. She regretted giving her such a beautiful dress. It somehow stressed her tiny figure. It wouldn't be wrong to say Loui was jealous. She looked down at her shimmery red velvet gown. It had a cute off-shoulder dress, giving away enough of her cleavage, and a deep slit that went to her thighs, accentuating her long legs. She looked chic and lit. But the blue dress Ella wore made her look like a princess from a stellar Disney movie.
Ella felt like punching Loui in the face. What dress was she talking about? She had to spend hours making it wearable.
"No, I was just surprised to see him when I was about to open the door. It wasn't anything!" Ella lied through her teeth, clutching her dress tightly to stop her palms from sweating.
"Do you want me to believe it? Don't you think I am not seeing how you are trying to get his attention? Did you follow him into the forest? Did you pretend to collapse when you couldn't get his attention? There wasn't even a bruise on your body. What could have happened to you to collapse otherwise?" Ella glared at her, making Ella fumble. But before the latter could answer, she continued her accusations. "Amie and Betty always reminded me of what a sly thing you are. But I never paid attention to it. I should have been careful when I caught you flirting in the kitchen."
"What? I wasn't flirting with him then!" Ella blurted out in turmoil. What was Loui even saying? Weren't they wolves? Why would she have a bruise mark? She always healed fast. Perhaps her wolf had cooped up with it better than others. She got hurt because of her chores and lifestyle.
"So, are you agreeing that you are flirting now?" Loui scoffed in annoyance, smoldering at Ella, giving deadly glares.
"What?" Ella gasped, her eyes widening. Why was Loui trying so hard to put her words in her mouth? Her wolf was restless for the first time. She had trouble calming her wolf down, especially when Loui was bullying her for no reason. Isn't this event meant to find someone you like? So why was Loui targeting her? It wasn't like Riven or her did something to warrant such a reaction. They haven't even shared any meaningful words, let alone have a decent conversation.
When Loui saw Levi walking toward them, she brushed past Loui to complain. "Brother, the sly vixen is targeting my man." She whined, visibly upset.
Levi sighed in anger. His frustration towards Riven was now directed at Ella. When Ella saw Levi's darting eyes that changed their color to brown for a second, she stepped back in fear. Her wolf squealed, pushing back at her head. She had always feared Levi, since he was the biggest bully in her life.
Levi kept looking at Ella, clenching his fist. Even Loui was startled to see such an extreme reaction from him. She had assumed, like always, he would growl at her and give her some punishment to keep her so busy that she wouldn't be able to attend the event. But what Loui was witnessing was probably much better. From her brother's intense response, she assumed that he would presumably expel Ella from participating. It was for the best. She smirked victoriously, twisting her lips sinisterly.
Levi kept glowering, unable to control the raging clouded emotions. Ella had always triggered him in worse ways. But when she was looking smoke-hot yet delicate like a flower in that blue dress, he could not stop his mind from having groundless ideas. He was acting strangely despite trying to get a grip on himself. He was unreasonably cranky. He hated the idea that Ella was trying so hard for Riven, and he could clearly tell all of those efforts were working in her favor, much to his charge. He tried to reason that his feelings were not disproportionate. He was so worked up because of his sister.
"I would like you to stay away from Riven Black. If not, I would banish you. This is my last warning, Ella." Levi reverberated, breathing heavily.
Ella swallowed hard, blinking too many times in fear. She was even more afraid because Levi threatened her that he would banish her if she made any more mistakes. It wouldn't need much work for Loui and her minions to blame her even if she somehow crossed paths with Riven. She sighed, making up her mind to avoid Riven like the plague. She didn't want to invite Levi's wrath by stretching something that had already met its end. It would only hurt her. He had never looked more intimidating. She sighed, nodding in agreement, even before she realized she was doing it.
Loui was a little disappointed. Levi didn't even give her any punishment. It baffled her to see he was a little different these days. He was a little liberal around Ella for some time. Did the witch manage to win over her brother somehow? Loui shook her head in disbelief, trying to brush out that horrible idea. It could never happen.
Loui reasoned that her brother had some standards to maintain. He could never even want to be in the same place as Ella. Plus, didn't he threaten her? It was a good enough warning. After all, if Ella didn't follow his orders, he would banish her. Maybe it was for the best. No one wants to align themselves with a rogue wolf. So be more careful!
"Is there a problem?" A gorgeous woman in a purple ball gown interrupted.