Chapter 35

Arthur Winslow and his team moved back towards the front of the room like some perfectly coordinated pack. They moved as a unit and it was kind of freaky to see that not a single one of them stepped out of line.

They were a few feet away from the entrance to the ball room when the doors burst open.

“Looks like you guys got this party started without me, how rude,” Noah stumbled into the ballroom, holding a bottle of brown liquor. He had on a suit, but his tie hangged loosely around his neck and the first few buttons on his white shirt were undone.

He had his arm wrapped around Ava, who was wearing a skimpy black dress and some sky high block heels. The makeup on her face was smeared and she was laughing as if Noah had told some hilarious joke.

“They totally should have waited for us, baby. I mean, we’re the ones that bring the fun anyway,” Ava said.

Noah’s eyes were heavy and wild as they searched the room. They landed on Arthur and his team. “Well, well, well,” Noah slurred. He plastered on a drunken grin, “What do we have here? The almighty Arthur Winslow gracing us with his presence.”

Noah gave a small bow but wasn’t steady on his feet. He fumbled forward and Ava had to catch him at the last second so that Noah didn’t topple all the way forward.

Arthur and the rest of his team let out a laugh at Noah making a complete fool of himself.

Liam’s face hardened. He was still holding my hand when he walked up to Noah yanked him up and away from Ava, “Noah, go home. You’re drunk.”

Noah glared at Liam and swatted his arm away.

“I’m not drunk, I’m just maybe a little, inhebrilated,” Noah said. Ava let out a way too loud cackle.

Arthur just shook his head at the sight in front of him.

Noah straightened a little and narrowed his eyes like he was trying to regain focus. He looked back and forth between Liam and Arthur, his head swiveling back and forth, back and forth.

He staggered closer to Arthur. When he was right next to him, Noah threw his arm around Arthur’s shoulder, “You know, Arthur, I’ve always wondered something. I have always wondered who would win in a fight between you and Liam.”

Arthur tensed at Noah’s closeness. Even from here, I could smell the alcohol reeking off Noah. Arthur looked down at the place Noah was holding him, “Is that so?”

Noah realized the deadly look Arthur was giving him and he quickly pulled his arm back, “Maybe we should find out?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. I knew that he was just waiting for a moment like this. He had just been waiting for somebody to light the match that he had brought into our arena, “Is that a challenge, Noah?”

Noah laughed. It was harsh, and loud, and grating. He threw his arms wide open and looked around the ball room, enjoying all the attention that was now squarely on him, “Why not?”

“Nobody has time for your little games, Noah,” Liam said, his teeth clenched. But Noah pretended that he hadn’t heard Liam.

Noah left Arthur’s side and walked towards Liam and me. He circled us- but really me- like we were the prey that he just couldn’t wait to dig into. “Let’s make it interesting. How about we throw in a little wager?”

“Like, what?” Arthur said. It dawned on me that, like any good alpha, Arthur couldn’t say no to a challenge. I had seen this trait in Liam many times before. I could see it in him now. Even though Liam wanted to end this little spectacle that Noah was putting on, he could sense a challenge and I knew he wouldn’t be able to back down from it.

Noah stepped beside me and ran his fingers down the length of my arm. I flinched, pulling my arm away from him and he grinned, “Winner takes the girl.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt Liam tense beside me. “Noah, that’s enough,” Liam growled.

Noah turned to Liam, his eyes gleaming with hate, “What’s the matter, brother? Afraid you can’t beat your nemesis, Arthur? Or are you afraid that you’ll lose your precious little human mate and that somebody else will steal her away from you, the way you stole her from me?”

Liam shoved Noah and Noah stumbled back. But Arthur was right there to catch him before he fell to the ground.

Arthur’s smirked, loving to see the tension between Liam and Noah. “Well, now that is an interesting proposition, Noah.”

Noah grinned, as if he was happy to get the seal of approval from Arthur, “Isn’t it?”

Arhtur frowned, “But I don’t need a wager to prove my dominance. Liam already knows he could never win against me.”

The room was silent as everybody stared at Liam and Arthur. I could feel the tension in the room begin to rise.

Liam stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “You want a showdown, Arthur? Fine. But leave Ella out of this.”

Arthur chuckled. “Is that what you want, Ella? Because something tells me Ella kind of likes being involved in all of this.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

“Gentlemen, let’s be civilized. Why don’t we settle this on the ice, during our next match?” Noah said.

Arthur shrugged, “Deal.”

Liam didn’t say anything but I knew he wasn’t going to back down. Eventually, he gave a silent nod.

Noah grinned, clapping his hand as he staggered back, a satisfied grin on his face. “This is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to see you two tear each other apart.”

Arthur’s face hardened, “Trust me, I’m not the one who’s going to be torn apart.”

“You think I can’t handle you, Arthur?” Liam said.

“Oh, I know you can’t. But your overconfidence is indeed very amusing to me. I look forward to beating the shit out of you,” Arthur said.

And then, Arthur and his team turned and walked out of the hall

As soon as they left, the entire hall began to buzz with excitement at what had just happened. People could not wait for the upcoming showdown.

Noah and Ava started stumbling towards the bar, ready for another drink.

Monica and Peter joined Liam and I, their faces tense with worry at everything that had just gone down, “That was fucking intense,” Peter said, shaking his head. “The man sure knows how to make an entrance.”

Monica nodded, “But you guys did good. You didn’t just roll over and take his shit.”

Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe the shit Noah just got me into.”

Just then Noah stumbled over, still grinning like an idiot. He laughed, and clapped Liam on the shoulder, “Good luck, brother. You’re going to need it.”

“Fuck off, Noah,” Peter said.

Noah made a pouty face, “I was going to offer you some of my drink but you’re mean. I think I’ll just pour one out in honor of when Arthur beats you on the ice.” Noah tipped his cup and let the drink pour onto the floor. “You’re a gonner, brother.”