23. Belle

Chapter twenty-three

Belle

G ryphon hired a seamstress for the ball, and I have never had to stand so still in my entire life.

She pricked me with her pins a few times, but I'm pretty skilled when it comes to masking pain.

So, I grin and bear it as best as I can as she dresses me up like her very own living doll.

The gown, though…

I have never had the luxury of wearing something so beautiful before.

It's blush pink with real gemstones.

I hope Gryphon isn't trying to apologize for imprisoning and interrogating me, and I already told him that I've forgiven him.

I have a very forgiving nature, and I don't hold on to grudges.

Which is why I have forgiven Troy.

I just wish he would forgive himself.

He is punishing himself, and it's wreaking havoc on his health.

He barely sleeps; I hear him moving around at night since I'm a light sleeper, and I worry that he'll succumb to alcohol again.

The Alpha is weening himself off the stuff, yet Rian still can't find it in his heart to forgive him.

I don't want to pry too much, but if there is something I can do to get them both to talk again, then I have to try.

The same with Leo.

He and Troy were once close. They used to go on missions together, and we can go back to those times.

I do not want to be the reason the pack falls apart.

I'm not even a part of the pack bond yet, but even I can sense the gaping hole I've caused.

Since I caused it, then it's up to me to mend it.

Besides, I'm worried about Troy.

He is sick and I want to help.

I always thought it was the Omega who suffered the most from an Alpha's rejection, but it seems I was wrong.

Alphas need us as much as we need them.

My seamstress places another pin inside me, and I flinch when she pierces me a little.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, miss," she fusses nervously.

I brush her off. "No, it's okay. I can—"

The door creaks open, and we both whirl around to find a hulking Alpha in the doorway.

Dread wraps its ice-cold fingers around me.

"Troy…" I whisper.

His nostrils flare, picking up on the scent of my blood, and I have no idea what has come over him.

He's wild, and I haven't seen that flaming light in his eyes since the days he used to threaten me.

My seamstress backs away, bundles of pink fabric in her hand.

She's a small Beta woman, and I knew she meant no harm, but Troy still acts like she stabbed me with a sword.

His pupils shrink when he finds her, and then a growl tears free from his throat.

"You… stay away from her…"

Troy advances closer, and she yelps, dropping all her materials.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It won't happen again…"

The Alpha bares his teeth. "No. It fucking won't. Get out."

She doesn't need to be told twice. She doesn't even bother to pick up her things as she scurries out of the room, and now it's just me and Troy.

My face heats up as he continues to hover, and all I can do is look at the ground, too afraid to meet those electric blue eyes.

I know what it's like being on the receiving end of Troy's ire, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Not even Francis.

A Beta whom Troy has met, and I don't doubt anymore that Troy wouldn't kill that Beta if he ever saw him again.

Not just for me, but for himself.

The Beta used him, and it was how he found me in the end.

If it hadn't been for Francis, then I never would have left the pack in the first place.

If not for his threats, then Rian wouldn't be ignoring his Alpha.

There wouldn't be such a rift between them.

I wasn't even aware that Troy had been lurking in the hall.

He can be inconspicuous if he wants to be, and a shudder skitters down my spine.

Leo and Rian went to get some suits fitted, so it's just me, Troy, and Jeremy in the house.

Jeremy is a little more lax when it comes to me and Troy.

He trusts the Alpha around me, and I know that Troy wouldn't hurt me.

But right now, the Alpha is frightening me.

The way he acted around my seamstress just now.

I'd be surprised if she returned after this, and just when she was almost finished.

The Alpha is silent, nostrils flared as he continues to breathe rapidly.

His breath fans the stray hairs on my head, and I'm still too scared to meet his eyes.

I remember that ire and how it felt when it was turned on me.

My insides turn to mush, but I know that I'm safe.

Troy just has an odd way of expressing affection for those he cares about, and it warms my heart that he's the one protecting me now.

Just like how he once protected Rian.

Finally, I meet his eyes, and all the air leaves my lungs.

Troy is swaying back and forth, and I don't even know how he remains on his feet.

He goes cross-eyed next, and I reach up, placing my hands around his face. "Troy."

His eyes regain focus, and then they find me.

Neither of us breathes.

We've never been this close before...

His coffee scent is sharper up close, but I can't focus on that now as my only concern is the sick Alpha before me.

"It's okay, Troy. It was just a prick. Nothing to worry about."

He doesn't even hear me now as his gaze zeros in on my lips, and his pupils dilate.

His breath turns reedy as he wheezes next, and he really is sick.

His skin is hot and sweat glistens his face.

So, I wipe away a bead of sweat beneath his nose, and he shuts his eyes, sighing in satisfaction.

Color returns to his face, and could my touch have done that?

"It's okay. Just a prick."

"B-Belle…" he whispers, and I freeze.

The way he says my name… So much longing.

It was the way he called out my name after he passed out on the couch.

The same night I left.

He opens his eyes, and I spy the silent promise burning inside the blue.

He's going to kill Francis.

Just for me.

The door opens, and Jeremy stands there, arms crossed over his chest. "Can someone tell me why Macy has just run out of the house like her tail is on fire?"

I look at Jeremy, guilt written all over my face. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. T-Troy…"

The Alpha sighs and steps toward us. "It's fine, Belle. I managed to get enough information from her. Troy smelled blood and went on the defensive."

I bow my head. "Does this mean you have to find someone else to finish my dress?"

A shame.

It would have been such a beautiful gown.

Jeremy shakes his head. "She'll be fine. Gryphon will just have to pay her double after this."

His eyes find Troy now. "You been drinking again, Troy?"

No. He hasn't.

He's just drunk on me.

Troy is still in a daze, shaking his head. "W-what happened?"

Jeremy sighs and starts pushing Troy toward the door. "It's best I lock this one away for a while."

I nod, gazing down at my reflection in the mirror.

Just before Troy leaves, I catch that longing look in his eyes, and the promise.

The promise of Francis's head.

Troy is willing to blacken his soul just for me, and I don't know what to feel.

Terror? Happiness?

I always dreamed of someone coming to rescue me when I lived in Francis's gilded cage, and it looks like I got my wish.

Francis will never get his hands on me again, and I smile at myself in the mirror.

Take that, Francis.