Page 21 of Betrayed By the Alpha

Zach couldn’t deny that it was. Bruce had really worked hard on this one. The invitation card mentioned that it was going to be a golden festival, but he hadn’t imagined that nearly everything in the room would be completely gold.

"It is," he muttered. The ceiling looked to be about fifty feet away from those down below. Hanging from it were the biggest chandeliers Zach had ever seen. He feared that if one fell, it could crush someone to death.

As they navigated through the bustling crowds, Zach caught sight of his friend making his way towards them. "Hey, there's Ryder," he announced to Hayley.

"Your friend," she questioned with a playful grin.

"Yeah," Zach confirmed with a slight nod.

"He's quite the looker," Hayley remarked as Ryder drew closer.

Zach glanced from her to his friend, who wore a mischievous expression on his face. "Yeah, I guess he is," Zach mumbled in agreement.

She hit him gently on his ribs. "Don't be jealous. You’re..." She couldn't complete what she wanted to say to Zach's disappointment because Ryder had arrived.

Ryder faced Hayley, ignoring Zach, who had just stretched his arm out for a handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Green. How are you enjoying your night?"

"Well, we just arrived. It's nice to meet you, Zach says...not much about you actually."

Ryder glanced at his friend. "If I was in the midst of a lady with such beauty like yours, I would even forget my own mother—"

"All right, go away, Ryder." Zach pulled Hayley close to him and pushed his friend aside. "Never believe anything that comes out of that man's mouth. He is the inspiration behind the wordCasanova."

Hayley laughed, taking one last glance at the sour look on Ryder's face. "He looks like he could be nice." Zach only rolled his eyes, mentally noting to sew Ryder's mouth shut when he saw him next.

Hayley was right. They had gotten the attention she spoke about the second they walked into the hall.Shehad gotten the attention rather. It was annoying him greatly, and not because he was jealous, but the looks she got were just disturbing. Lustful eyes followed her everywhere, but Hayley didn't seem to notice—either that or she just didn't care.

The ceremony opened with Bruce's welcoming speech, where he spoke about how much he had spent on the festival to ensure it went perfectly. It was a ridiculous amount, and Zach knew the Mayor didn't do it because he cared, but because of the praise he wanted to receive. Sure, the biannual moon festival was important, but so much money didn't need to be spent in one night when they were so many unfinished projects. Projects that his father started, and was going to continue, but he couldn't because he died. Bruce made so many promises but forgot about them as soon as he took power—now that Zach thought about it, he didn't think Bruce had any intention of sticking to his words.

"So, what goes on in this festival?" Hayley asked, meeting his gaze over the wine glass she held to her lips. "Honestly, it's nothing like I imagined. Why are the people not dancing? Where is the merriment for a festival being celebrated once every two years? If you want to, we could join the festival that goes down at the market. I attended that two years ago and it was one of the best things ever."

"Yeah, this used to be fun too," Zach said. "But I guess this is what happens when hardly any werewolves are invited to the moon festival. I do not see many wolves here, apart from Ryder and that lawyer of yours. Bruce has turned this to a party about him. The people won't be happy about this. I bet I was only sent an invite because he knew the werewolves would give him trouble if their Alpha wasn't invited."

The festival’s purpose was to celebrate life for all wolves, but the primary purpose was for every unmated wolf to be given a chance to find their mate. Zach found it sad how the festival had turned into something entirely different.

"Why would he do that?" She looked around, a wondering look on her face.

"That is the question," Zach answered as he sipped his wine.

"So, what's going to happen tonight?"

"Well, there's food, drinks, dancing, and if we're lucky, if it is like the previous festival, you will get to see the beautiful moment a werewolf finds their mate. I am not the lover type of person, but I can't deny that it's really a beautiful moment when two mates meet."

"Sure."

Zach realized what he had just said immediately. "I'm sorry, I didn’t mean—"

"It's fine, let's drop this. Look, there's Monroe and the Mayor. Let's go and meet them."

"Why would you want to meet them? They are both assholes."

Hayle gasped. "Zach, you have to greet them. You are the Alpha."

"What? I am?" He smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. She leaned her head against his arm, smiling at the men approaching.

"Mayor Bruce," Hayley greeted with a little bow. Her eyes moved to the lawyer standing behind him. "Mr. Monroe, nice to see you."

"Please, Miss Green, let's leave the title aside. Just call me Bruce”." As he spoke, he reached out for her hand, and when Hayley laid it on his, he brought it to his lips for a light kiss.

---