Maurene ''S POV


    His eyes raked over my body with a forbidden emotion in them. I caught the struggle in his orbs as he licked his lower lip. I fought hard to drag my gaze away from him but he held it in ce. Ady appeared beside him and I nced at her. Amanda. Her mouth tilted in a smile that didn''t reach her. She came here as his date as well. She slowly curled her arms around his arm.


    Liam held my hand tight as we walked forward. People began to murmur and I didn''t know what they were talking about. From what I could sense, there were Alphas and Lunas in this hall. Liam dealt with all kinds of them but I noticed there were very few of other supernaturals. I nced around the ce and noticed the vampire we had to visit. Mr. Galen. He was also staring at me. I blinked and he waved at me, offering me a smile I could notprehend. I tried to force the muscle around my lips to pull a smile but I failed badly. I eventually sent him a wave which he gave a nod of his head in response to.


    Liam led me away and we went to the ce where the wines were served. The server poured some wine into two wine sses and ced it before us. I reached out to take mine but Liam tapped my hands away, giving me a subtle re which I returned into full force too.


    "What?" I asked him through gritted teeth. He said nothing as he picked the drink and ced it close his nostrils before he took a sip. He nodded and handed it to me. Why was he behaving like they could kill me in this ce? They could actually but... the behaviour Liam was exhibiting is strange.


    I didn''t bother to take the drink and as we stood, side by the side. People sent silent nces our way. Was it because we were the only humans in the hall?


    "What is the party all about?" I asked Liam, looking around the ce and how everyone seemed to chatting with one another.


    "A business party." He replied, the first normal words he had said since we came.


    "Oh," My mouth parted.


    "You know what? What about you go meet Mr. Galen to talk for some moment, huh?" He suggested.


    I blinked twice. Wasn''t he the one who said I should stick to him?


    I said nothing as I nodded, walking away from him. I would obey him. He was my boss, I reminded myself. Not far from where Galen was, somedies I did not recognize appeared before me and I halted to a stop, confused at their sudden intrusion on my path.


    "How may I help you?" I nced between them.


    They shared a surprised look amidst one another before one of them turned to me to speak. "You are Liam''s secretary?" Her perfectly drawn brows arched in question.


    I stared at her for a second before bobbing my head once in response.


    "I see. Nice meeting you. I am Loretta''s friend, Daphne Gates." She introduced, stretching forth her hand. I gaped at the hand before taking it.


    "My pleasure."


    I ignored the twodies who were with her. From her introduction, I understood why they came to me.


    "I know her work when I see one," Daphnemented, her eyes roaming the gown on my body. "And you have a very nice model body to show her masterpiece." She added.


    I blinked. I did not understand what they were here to tell me. Appreciate Loretta or... threaten me to leave Liam.


    "Daphne, just hit the nail on the top. She is not just a secretary, she is also his wife." One of thedies hissed, flipping her dark brown curls to the back. I would have admired her but the way she was eyeing me with so much jealousy and hate in her eyes made me utter a snort.


    "I am not here to discuss some petty matters with you. Please, I will take my leave." I said, walking past them.


    "What? She is so rude!" I heard the one who had spoken spit behind me. I rolled my eyes as I squared shoulders.


    If they wanted to fight for their friends, they should do it better and not in the midst of these people. Galen looked up at me even before I got to him and his lips curled into a smile instantly. I wondered what always made him smile every time he saw me. I returned his smile, stopping before him as a waiter passed by me. I quickly picked up a ss, remembering what Liam had done earlier. I did not drink it.


    Galen''s eyes followed my action and his smile widened. "I see Liam is grooming you well." He said, taking a sip of the wine with his eyes watching me.


    My brows twitched at what he said. He has never been direct with his words. Always staring at me with amusement. What was so amusing about me that even I, I''m not aware of it?


    I put his words behind my back. "Been a long time." My lips twitched in a smile.


    "Yes, Maurene. Didn''t think Liam would want to bring you to a gathering like this. This is so much suffocating air for a human." He sniffed in the air before scrunching his nose in irritation.


    Truth be told, I was not feeling anything weird. I didn''t feel suffocated at all. Just the usual feeling of being in the midst of people who worked themselves to be at the top of the society. Either by scrupulous or wicked ways. Either way, I did not feel any bit of envy toward them. Since I can embody such a masterpiece, let me be who Liam wanted me to be today.


    Galen leaned closer, enough for him to ce his mouth close to my ears. I clenched my fist as I stilled myself to listen to what he wanted to say. "You look elegant in that dress. Are you aware that all the men here are ensnared by your blinding beauty? Take a look around."


    That was when I saw it. I nced around the entire hall and realized I was at the center with Galen.