Chapter 60 The switch 1

Chapter 60: Chapter 60 The switch 1

Talia’s POV

The slow music wrapped around us like a warm blanket.

Kaelen’s hand was on my waist, very firm and steady, and his other hand held mine. We moved together across the floor, and wolves watched from every corner of the hall.

I had never danced with anyone before, and my heart was pounding loudly, and I was sure everyone could see how nervous I was.

My palms were sweaty. I wiped them on my dress, but it did not help. Kaelen’s hand was steady on my waist, and his grip did not waver. I focused on his shoulder, on the fabric of his jacket, and on anything but the faces watching us. One, Two, Three. I counted the steps in my head. Left, Right, Left, Right. I did not fall.

My feet kept stepping on Kaelen’s shoes, and I kept whispering apologies to him, because I was sure I looked clumsy. But Kaelen did not laugh. He did not even frown, and he did not let go. He just held me tighter and whispered, "Follow me."

So I did.

I stopped thinking about my feet and started feeling the music. His hand was warm on my waist, his chest was firm against mine, and for a few moments, I forgot about Vivienne and the poison and the plan.

He led me through the steps, with his body guiding mine, and his gray eyes that were fixed on my face, and for once, he did not look away.

I wished the moment could last forever, but soon, the music stopped.

For a second, neither of us moved. His hand was still on my waist, and his gray eyes were still on my face. Then he blinked, and the moment broke. He stepped back, and the cold air rushed in between us, and I shivered.

He did not seem to notice, or maybe he did. I really could not tell with him.

Kaelen led me back to the table, as wolves applauded. Some smiled, and some whispered, but I did not care about any of it.

I sat down, and Kaelen sat beside me.

The golden glass of poisoned dark wine that Vivienne gave to me was still there. I looked at Vivienne, and as usual she was watching me, with her sharp smile, and her eyes that were cold.

She was waiting, and I needed to move the plans into action.

"Alpha Kaelen," I said, leaning toward him. "I need to go to the bathroom."

His eyes narrowed. "You cannot go alone."

"Yes, I will not go alone," I replied.

"Take guards," he instructed.

I shook my head. "That will draw attention. People will begin to whisper, and they will think something is wrong."

Kaelen’s jaw tightened.

"Let me take servants instead," I said. "It is normal for a Luna to be attended by servants."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded.

"Fine. But I have to approve of this servant."

I looked across the hall and saw Nora, who was standing near the back, beside Piper. I caught her eye and nodded for her to come over.

She made her way toward us, and when she reached the table, she bowed.

"Luna," she said. "How may I help you?"

"Escort me to the bathroom," I said.

Kaelen looked at Nora and his gray eyes were cold. "Watch over her."

"Yes, Alpha." Nora bowed again.

As I stood up, Kaelen’s hand caught my wrist. "Do not drink or take anything from Vivienne," he said.

His fingers were tight around my wrist. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make a point. I looked at his hand, then at his face. "I know," I said.

I picked up my golden glass from the table. "That’s why I was going to throw this away in the bathroom."

He held on for a second longer, then he nodded and released my wrist. "Go."

I felt the absence of his warmth immediately, like stepping out of the sun into the shade. But I brushed it off my mind, and stayed focused.

Nora led me through the crowd, and the path to the bathroom that I planned to use passed through Vivienne’s table. I had planned it that way.

My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking. But I held the glass tightly so it would not slip.

Piper was standing near the back, dressed in a servant’s uniform. She saw me coming, and as her eyes met mine, she nodded, and I nodded back.

As we passed Vivienne’s table, Piper moved into action.

She bumped into a servant carrying a tray of drinks like she was in a hurry. The servant stumbled, and glasses of drinks turned over, and dark red wine spilled across Celeste’s dress.

Celeste shrieked.

The sound cut through the music like a blade. Heads turned, conversations stopped, and for a moment, no one moved. Then everyone started talking at once.

I used the noise as cover.

My feet moved before my brain caught up, as I moved left, right, and around the edge of the crowd. No one looked at me, because they were all watching Celeste. It was just perfect.

"You clumsy fool!" she screamed, jumping to her feet. "Look what you have done!"

The servant stammered apologies. "I’m very sorry, my lady. I stumbled."

Celeste’s face was purple. Not red, but an actual purple. I had never seen anyone’s face turn purple before from anger. Her hands were shaking, and her voice was loud enough to wake the dead.

Wolves were staring, while some were laughing behind their hands. Elara kept her head down, pretending to be scared. But I saw the corner of her mouth twitch. She was enjoying this.

Celeste’s face was still purple with fury, and her beautiful dress was ruined.