Chapter 35

I glanced nervously at the crystal-studded watch on my wrist, it was still a few minutes before we were expecting our guests to arrive. Still, I couldn’t believe that the night of the Alpha Ball had finally arrived.

The main ballroom of the palace was thoroughly decorated according to my and Caleb’s outlines. There was elegant lighting, fresh flowers in every vase, and two string quartets.

I glanced down at my dress, and twirled the turquoise skirts in a circle, watching as the beads sparkled in the light. It was a gift from Caleb from the night before, left hanging on the back of my door when I got home. He had left a small note attached to the hanger which said, “To bring out your eyes.”

Some heavy footsteps echoed from the entrance, and I looked up just in time to see Caleb strolling into the room, his hair neatly coiffed back. His strength was on full display with a snugly fitted suit. Holding his head high, he looked like royalty.

I was sure this night would go smoothly.

“Here!” I said, beckoning him to come wait with me.

He waved. “Some party we’re about to have, huh?” He said, grabbing a flute of champagne off of the buffet table.

“Put that, down that’s for the guests.”

He pouted, pretending to look hurt. “What, I spent all this money to put this together, and I’m not even invited?”

I rolled my eyes, “Just be on your best behavior. We have to impress people, and that means no flirting with politicians’ wives, and no taking anyone home to fuck.”

Caleb grinned, putting an arm around my shoulder. “Don’t worry my darling fiance, the only one I’m taking home tonight is you. As for fucking, that’s up to—“

I pushed his arm off, “No playboy remarks either.” I said sternly.

He shrugged, taking a step back to look me up and down. I couldn’t help but blush with his gaze on me.

“What?” I said.

Wordlessly, he extended a hand, his palm open for me to take. I placed my fingers in his grip, and he pulled my arm above my head, twirling me around in a circle.

“It looks good on you,” he said, his voice lowering.

I bit my lip, “Thanks.”

He nodded, turning back to his champagne.

“”So, you know what our plan is?” I said, trying to change the subject.

He shrugged. “It’s not like it’s difficult. We welcome the Bears before the rest of the guests arrive, and make sure they understand that we’re more interested in working with them than Lucas is.”

I agree, “Then we’re going to share the evidence of corruption that Rachel provided us so they know Lucas can’t be trusted.”

Caleb finished the plan for me, “Then sign a few papers, which should be when the rest of the guests arrive. We have a party going off without a hitch.”

I smiled, “Foolproof.”

He took another sip of the champagne. “It was a good idea to send them our own invitations. That way, they’re here on our terms. Otherwise, Lucas would have brought them to cause chaos according to his plans. You did a great job figuring this all out, Ruby.”

“It’s not like it was difficult,” I said, smiling back.

Caleb laughed, nodding. “You know Ruby, I did have something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh?” I responded.

“We have been having trouble working together recently, and I just wanted to tell you I’m s—“

The doors burst open, interrupting his sentence.

I was shocked to see Lucas at the front of the incoming crowd, the group of Bears we invited. Among them were the names of Lucas’s collaborators that Rachel warned us about. It looked like he had managed to get a step ahead of us again.

Caleb smiled, his political persona plastered on his face. “Welcome everyone!” He said, his arms outstretched. “We are so pleased you could all make it.”

Lucas scoffed, his arms crossed over his chest. He was wearing a stark black suit with a white tie, but he still looked somewhat disheveled. His hair was messily combed back, and there was a bit of stubble over the edge of his chin.

“It is so lovely to see you, too, Lucas.” I said, forcing him to look at me. He might still have the Bears behind him, but I didn’t have to make it easy for him.

“Caleb.” He said stiffly, and turned to look at me. “Ruby.”

“You’re looking well. I haven’t seen Harper for some time, how is she doing? Has she been getting out and seeing her loved ones?”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed down to threatening slits. “She’s doing just fine, thanks.”

Caleb strode past him, extending a welcoming hand to the group of Bears. “And the guests of the hour, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to host you. Welcome to the Alpha Ball.”

The tallest of the group stepped forward to accept Caleb’s handshake. There was a thick scar spreading over his jaw, and his dark hair grew in wild curls over his forehead. “Likewise,” he said gruffly. “I’m Vic, the chief. This is Brutus, Antonio, and Wayne.”

The men behind him grunted in greeting.

“Gentlemen, follow me,” Caleb said, turning to lead them into the ballroom.

“If you don’t mind,” Lucas interrupted, pulling an envelope from inside his coat pocket. “I have a few things I’d like to discuss before we get the party going.”

Caleb cocked his head, and I could see the slight tension in his shoulders. “Go on,” he said.

Lucas unfolded the paper, and handed out the documents inside to the group of Bears in front of us.

“This,” he said, sweeping his arms grandly, “is what Caleb thinks of the Bears. This is how he will treat you if you make any agreements with him. I know he has been scheming to change your minds and ally with him instead of me, but Caleb is untrustworthy!”

I snatched one of the papers out of Lucas’s hands and scanned through the printed documents. There were official looking statements describing the Bears as hideous and barbaric people, and there were printed screenshots of dozens of social media posts saying they should be destroyed and killed.

“What the fuck is this, Lucas?” Caleb hissed, towering over his younger brother.

“Language, brother, please.” Lucas said. “This is what Caleb wants to do to you if you leave me for him,” he shouted.

“These are obviously fake!” I exclaimed, waving the papers. “There’s no official seal anywhere, and why would you print out screenshots of the social media posts, show us where on Caleb’s real accounts he posted this!”

Vic crumpled the paper in his hands, snorting furiously. “You think we can be played with like this?” He shouted, and threw the wad to the ground. “You want to ruin the Bears? Fine, the Bears will ruin you.” And with that, he leapt at Caleb, throwing a violent punch at his neck.

Caleb barely managed to avoid it, and he jabbed at Vic’s side, throwing him off balance. The other three men approached, each preparing to jump.

“Stop!” I screamed, and suddenly Joseph appeared from behind me, leaping into the wrestling pile of men.

Antonio grasped at Joseph’s throat, thrusting his knee into Joseph’s stomach. Joseph coughed, winded, but managed to free himself, and stomped into Antonio’s shins. With Antonio fallen, Joseph jumped on Caleb’s attacker, and the two of them began fighting off Vic and Brutus.

“Wait!”