Chapter 221: Chapter 224

Chapter 224 Edwin The invitation on my desk felt like it was mocking me.

It was a warm and sunny day, the type of day that was perfect for basking in the sunlight and enjoying some of the peace that came along with early summer. But right now, staring at that d***n invitation, I felt chills running up my spine.

Audrey, who was curled up like a cat in the armchair by the window, sketching dress designs on her tablet, glanced up at me and shot me an amused look.

“You’ve been staring at that thing for ten minutes straight now, Edwin.”

I felt the tips of my ears redden as I looked away. “We don’t have to go, you know. We could stay home. Or maybe even go to the estate for the weekend.”

My mate raised her eyebrows at me. “Edwin, I know you don’t want to see your parents, but it’s just one night. In public.”

I couldn’t help but sigh. Audrey was right, of course; the annual charity gala this weekend would be stuffed to the brim with attendees. My parents would be there, the socialites they were, but I would likely hardly see them.

Still, it didn’t sound appealing to see my father again. Not after the cruel way he treated my mate and tried to take Crescent from me.

And especially not after what Audrey did to him.

The thought still brought a satisfied smile to my face-the image of him curled up on the floor in a fetal position, reeling from the memories Audrey had shoved into his mind. And the way that Audrey had stood so triumphantly over him, finally putting the b***d in his place after all these years, would forever be seared into my mind.

But while my parents had not contacted me after that night, I was certain that they were furious.

“I doubt he learned anything after what you did, you know,” I mused, not having to specify for Audrey to know what I was referring to.

She sighed and set aside her tablet. “You don’t know that for certain.”

I shrugged. “He’s a stubborn old **rd. You scared him, that’s for sure, but whether or not he’ll have something nasty to say if we see him this weekend...”

“And you’re going to let that possibility stop you from attending the gala?” Audrey asked. “We really should make an appearance.

Especially since we’ve been cultivating those... rumors that I’ve shifted.”

Once again, she was right. Over the past weeks, the rumors that the Silver Wolf had finally shifted were spreading like wildfire.

And it was working, too; it was all over the news, my approval ratings as Alpha of Crescent were higher than ever, and as for Coldclaw...

Well, they hadn’t sent rogues to terrorize Audrey in quite some time. Charles and Peter were still on the hunt for Fiona, the sly b**h, but nothing bad had happened as of late.

But if we didn’t make a public appearance soon... Well, people might get curious. Might wonder why the Silver Star hadn’t shown her face yet. Why, if she was so powerful, she would still be hiding.

Who knows,” Audrey said, standing and planting her hands on her hips with a sly grin. “Maybe he did learn something. And maybe he’ll apologize.”

I snorted at that, even as my mate sauntered over to me and planted her hands on my shoulders. “Ha!”I scoffed as I grabbed 08:38 Mon, Oct 14 Chapter 224 her waist and tugged her closer. “As if Erik Brooks would ever apologize. But...”

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I paused, tracing the gentle slope of her waist, her hips, her thighs. I hadn’t had the pleasure yet of taking Audrey to one of these society functions since we’d become mates, and the idea of seeing those curves in something sleek and s***y for all to see was indeed tempting.

“Come on,” I said, rising so that I was towering over her. “Let me take you shopping.”

“Edwin... I told you I could make my own dress!” Audrey scolded as we pulled up to the sleek shopping mall just outside of town.

“I mean, it would be a fun challenge anyway to make one before this weekend..”

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly as I put the car in park, got out, and opened her door for her. “I want some new ties anyway,” I said. I didn’t give her a chance to protest further before I was grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the car.

Audrey sighed, but didn’t resist as we headed into the mall.

Inside, the air smelled like soft pretzels and new leather. We byp***ed the Ci***bon, with me promising my mate that I’d get her something sweet after we’d finished shopping, then headed into one of the upscale clothing stores.

The sales attendant, a tall blonde wearing a professional pantsuit, recognized us immediately and came rushing over. “Alpha Brooks... Silver Star,” she said, bowing her head respectfully to each of us-particularly Audrey—in turn.

I felt Audrey stiffen slightly at the use of the title; she was still getting used to it, still resisting being seen as anything except Audrey’, but had eased into it a bit more lately. I was glad to see her beginning to embrace that side of herself.

“My mate needs a dress for an event this weekend,” I said, gently nudging Audrey forward. “Would you help her pick something out?”

The sales attendant nodded enthusiastically. “And do you have a budget in mind, or...?”

“Price is not an issue,” I replied, already making my way over to the ties. “In fact, don’t let her see the price; otherwise she’ll complain that I’m spending too much.”

Audrey’s face reddened at that. “I’m still checking the price,” she growled down the bond as the saleswoman led her away.

Over the next half hour, I meandered around the store-trying on various shoes, shirts, and ties-while Audrey shuffled in and out of the fitting room in increasingly extravagant gowns.

“Too p***fy,” I heard her say, and glanced over to see her in a princess-style ball gown complete with sparkles woven into the gauzy skirts.

“Too... much,” she said next, wearing an extremely revealing number with a plunging neckline that went almost all the way down to her bellybutton.

“Too pink!” I nearly laughed at the Pepto Bismol-pink mini dress that looked more suitable for a cutesy ballerina than a future Luna.

As Audrey hurried back into the fitting room with another gown in her arms and a beet-red face, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Shifting the shirts and loafers I was holding into my other arm, I slipped it out and opened my messages.

“Finally got cell service! Found a trail,” a text from Peter read. “I think Fiona has a safehouse somewhere up north in Coldclaw territory. No roads, so I’ll have to go on foot. But it’s a good lead.”

I frowned as I read the text. It should have been a cause for clebration, but... I should have been there with my brother, hunting her down and getting any information on Coldclaw that I could find. And yet I wasn’t.

08:38 Mon, Oct 14 Chapter 224 Instead, I was here, buying outfits for a d**n charity gala.

3 0770 Of course, I knew that there was power in remaining in my pack The Alpha couldn’t exactly go running off, leaving his pack and the Silver Star vulnerable. So I’d been delegating from here, even if I felt a bit guilty letting my little brother put himself in danger.

“Wait for reinforcements, at least,” I quickly texted back. “Don’t want you going alone.”

There was a brief pause, and then Peter replied: “It’s easier if I’m on my own-less noticeable. About to lose service again. Talk soon. Tell the little star I said congrats on graduating.”

Sighing, I shook my head as I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

“E-Edwin? What do you think...?”

I abruptly turned at the sound of my mate’s voice-and I didn’t realize I’d dropped the things I was holding until I heard the soft thud on the carpet.

Audrey was standing there, looking... devastating in a silver gown.

Liquid silver cascaded down her slender waist and round hips, pooling on the floor around her feet. Thin straps, delicately beaded with the tiniest pearls, revealed her milky white shoulders-and that mole on her collarbone that I always liked to kiss.

The neckline was just right, plunging carefully between her breasts. The saleswoman had picked out a long p****l nec**e that hung in the space between her breasts, which subtly caught the light as she moved.

And her hair... long, pin-straight, flowing all the way down to her mid-back with her silver streak on prominent display.

“Good Goddess,” I found myself growling as I strode up to her. Stopping in front of her, my hand came up to reverently touch the pearls between her breasts.

Audrey’s voice was hardly more than a whisper as she murmured, “You like it?”

Like it?

Without warning, I whirled on my heel to face the saleswoman. “Don’t come into the fitting room,” I commanded, my voice leaving no room for argument.

The saleswoman’s face quickly morphed from confusion to understanding, her cheeks flushing red. “Y-Yes, Alpha,” she muttered before scurrying away and busying herself with a display of sweaters near the front of the store.

Audrey’s eyes widened as I turned to face her again. “Edwin, what are you-

But before she could finish, I was picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder fireman-style, ignoring her tiny squeak of protest.

I practically kicked open the fitting room door and strode inside SEND GIFT 0