Twenty–Four
Alexander’s POV
I left the Gallery after that. The whole encounter took longer than I expected, especially since I had a brief chat with the Gallery security about the ruined painting. All in all, I felt Isabella’s pain. I could only imagine how sad and frustrated she was about something like this happening, but somehow I also felt it. Would I let it cloud my judgment or sensible decisions? No. All I would do is find out who was responsible for that because it was a purely wicked act, and it made me mad that someone would do that. Not now, though; I had an event to host.
There wasn’t much time to review every single thing I planned to do, so I just let it go, praying to the goddess that I wouldn’t embarrass myself and my pack as I went to get ready for the event. I had already taken a bath and dressed up, so I just took care of my hair and sprayed myself with something nice before going to make sure that everything was ready. The only thing that wasn’t fully set when I left the Gallery was the food table and once I found out that it was all set and the first guests were arriving, I went to take my place at the door to welcome in people before linking Blake to let my father know that it had begun.
The place was beautiful, and I had to say that Isabella and all the people working under her really outdid themselves. There was something about the lighting and the gold decor that really opened up the room, and all that was Isabella’s idea. Everything looked good, and I could only hope things
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Twenty–four
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continued to go smoothly. I know it sounded quite childish, but I really wanted my father to be satisfied at the very least. I really wanted him to be proud of me.
Yes,. Alpha. Blake linked back, and I rolled my eyes. Only Blake would tease me with a title he had no business calling me informally. Well, I mean, I’m sure my grandfather’s Beta called him ‘Alpha‘ all the time, but I didn’t think it was necessary, and Blake knew that.
“Alpha Ben.” I greeted with a polite nod and welcoming smile as the first guest came in. He had black hair, and when he smiled, his eyes wrinkled, even though he looked to be a little above forty.
+ stretched out my hand and he took it, shaking it after a polite nod of his own. We were both Alphas, so bowing to each other was grossly unnecessary, but it would hurt the pride of either of our wolves to do that, hence the nodding to acknowledge and show our respect for our positions in our respective packs.
“It looks like you’re already settling into your duties.” He complimented as he looked around. “I could not make it for your homecoming party but I’m glad to finally meet you.”
I smiled, “Thank you. I’m glad to finally meet you as well.” I said and he nodded. He moved on while I stayed and greeted guest after guest. There were young Alphas like me who seemed to have also just taken on the position, there were also middle–aged ones and the ones that seemed to be the same age as my father, and also the ones who seemed even older.
Realizing that I haven’t actually seen the finished food table
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myself as well as some of the new paintings, I linked Blake to come to stand in for me shortly at the door while I went to do just that.
I mean, I’m sure it would all have been taken care of but my anxiety levels just may skyrocket if I don’t see it myself. Blake arrived in a bit and I excused myself to do the needful. The decorative gold easels that Isabella decided the paintings be displayed with were not only sitting pretty but they were also all filled up and when I counted them, my eyebrow raised in confusion as I wondered what Isabella hung up. I
Taking it one after the other, I appraised each painting, taking note of the names written on the plaque just beside them as I went around, anticipating what would be on the easel beside Isabella’s name plaque. While I believed that she could come up with something spectacular in 30 minutes, I also knew that. she was too pissed to do that as well as so stubborn when it pertained to me.
I mean if it had no relation to me and she randomly wanted to paint something, I believe she could in 30 minutes, but I understood how she felt towards me. I felt the same towards her. We both always manage to completely piss the other off. I viewed painting after painting. Charcoal art and clay art as well until finally,
“Isabella Rossi,” I whispered before my eyes flicked up to the painting to see that it was the one she had shown me earlier, fuming as she showed me how it had been ruined and demanding what exactly it was that I wanted her to do with it. If we’re being honest, I didn’t actually look at it then but now I could see the beauty it was meant to be, cursing silently at not having seen it and been given a chance to appreciate it.
Still, there was something about art, and that thing, whatever it was that I could not name brought out some beauty in this painting still. Even in its damaged state. Strange, I know but that was the truth. It was beautiful and I wouldn’t even mind having it hanging on my walls.
My fingers lightly brushed her signature at the bottom of the work and just then the room filled with a scent I knew too well. A scent that immediately shadowed every other once it made its entrance. I withdrew my fingers to myself before turning to one of the staff beside me.
“Take this off,” I told him, my finger flicking over the painting.
“A–alpha?” The man looked like he was about to choke. I sighed. How scary she must be that this guy looked torn between his apparent fear for her and obeying his Alpha. It was quite amusing and I almost laughed, truly.
“You heard me,” I said simply and he nodded before going to do as I said.
I smelt her before I heard her and boy could I also feel her fury. “What are you doing?” She demanded.
“A–alpha’s orders m–ma’am.” The man stuttered.
“I wasn’t talking to you.” She said stiffly and I cocked my head. “What are you doing, Alpha?”
“That painting is ruined, isn’t it? I don’t know what you were thinking putting it up in the first place but it cannot be displayed in this exhibition.” I said calmly.
Isabella was far from calm though. In fact, if Isabella was a volcano, she would’ve erupted right at that moment
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“What do you really want, Alexander?” She gritted out before leaning back, “What is wrong with you?” She said loudly this time and I bristled when I felt a few eyes land on us.
“You want a painting or not? I didn’t ask for this, okay? So just stay away from me. You said you’re the Alpha and that makes you head of everything in the pack yet someone came into this same pack house where you sleep and ruined the painting that you made me do. Look, I’m exhausted in every way possible and I would really appreciate it if you LEAVE ME ALONE from now on.”
I let her finish speaking and thankfully people around had long decided to mind their business so they were no longer looking our way.
She was about to turn away but I held her back by her arm, feeling her stiffen at the contact, “You will definitely be hearing from me, Isabella.” I said, leaning closer. “I will deal with you later.” With that, I released her and turned to walk away, bristling when I saw no other person but my dad.
They would’ve definitely announced his presence but of course, I hadn’t been concentrating. He was looking straight at me and he wasn’t smiling. My lips parted slightly before I shut them up again, my jaw tensing. I finally decided to go to him but just as I put my leg forward, he turned and began a conversation with another Alpha.
I placed my thumb and index finger on my temples and sighed before turning to the attendant who I had told to remove Isabella’s painting.
He had done that and was back to his spot. “Clear this up,” I told him, gesturing to the entire booth. Her easel as well as
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her name plaque. If her work wasn’t here but an empty easel still stood beside her name, people would definitely wonder
why.
