<h4>Chapter 506: Blindfolded Alpha</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror, letting my eyes travel slowly from head to toe. For a moment, I didn’t quite recognize the woman standing there. A knowing smile tugged at my lips as the thought crossed my mind - <i>River is going to stop breathing when he sees me</i>.


    I had spent nearly two hours getting ready.


    A long, hot bath with rose oil.


    Skin scrubbed to baby-softness.


    Lotion massaged into every inch until my skin glowed and smelled faintly of vani and clove.


    A light dusting of makeup - shimmery lids, flushed cheeks, glossy lips.


    My long silver hair... usually a waterfall down my back... was swept up in a high bun that showed off my neck, with a few artfully loose strands framing my face.


    And then there was finishing touch... the diamonds River had given me the previous evening - beautiful, breathtaking, and sparkling on my throat like frozen stars. The matching earrings caught every movement, glimmering whenever I turned my head.


    But it was the dress that had my heart beating fast with excitement.


    It was a familiar ck gown.


    The same one he had gifted mest Christmas.


    The same one I had worn to the year-end ball.


    But tonight... tonight would be the first time he would see me wearing it ever since he gifted it to me.


    The off-shoulder neckline swept smoothly across my corbones, dipping just low enough to be daring but not vulgar. The fabric hugged my body like it had been designed solely for me, shimmering with the slightest movement. The skirt fell fluidly around my legs until, with a shift of my hips, the high slit revealed a glimpse of pale skin and the length of my silver heels.


    I inhaled slowly.


    Composed myself.


    Smiled again.


    That was when knocking sounded at my bedroom door.


    I stepped out of the walk-in closet just in time for Sera to enter. The moment her eyesnded on me, she frozepletely... her lips parting, her eyes widening, and her entire face blooming with awe and surprise.


    "Oh..." she breathed, hand lifting to her chest. "My Lady..."


    Her reaction made heat rush to my cheeks. I smoothed the gown over my hips, suddenly unsure.


    "Do I look alright?"


    "Alright?" she repeated, scandalized. "You are WAY past alright. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Alpha River doesn’t stand a chance."


    "Sera," I hissed under my breath, though I couldn’t hide my smile. "Don’t say things like that."


    She only chuckled. The woman had changed so much from when we first met. Now she spoke to me with warmth, loyalty, and genuine fondness. Somewhere along the way, she had be someone I trusted without hesitation.


    "We have done exactly as you asked," she reported proudly. "He’s ready. The moment he finished getting dressed, we blindfolded him and escorted him to the empty hall on the third floor. He’s waiting in the corridor."


    A flutter of anticipation stirred in my chest.


    It was really happening.


    "Good," I murmured, gathering my confidence like fabric around me. "You may all retire for the night, Sera. You too. I want the house empty. Just River and me."


    Her smile widened knowingly, but she bowed obediently. "Of course, My Lady. Enjoy your evening."


    With that, she slipped out of the room.


    I exhaled, suddenly aware of my heartbeat pulsing at the base of my throat. Then I lifted the skirt slightly with both hands and headed out.


    - - -


    The third floor was quiet. The soft glow ofntern sconces along the walls cast warm pools of light over the polished floor. Each step of my silver heels echoed lightly through the hallway.


    And then I saw him.


    River stood outside the closed double doors of the hall, tall and impossiblyposed despite the green silk blindfold tied neatly over his eyes. Even blindfolded, he radiated power in a way no other man could.


    He wasn’t wearing his usual tailored CEO suit.


    Instead... a silk white shirt clung to his shoulders, crisp and elegant. The top two buttons were undone, exposing a faint triangle of skin. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing strong, veiny forearms and the sleek watch sitting on his wrist. His ck trousers fit him unfairly well, highlighting the length of his legs.


    His hair had grown a little, it brushed his nape, styled neatly yet soft enough that I could already imagine running my fingers through it.


    Even dressed casually, he looked breathtaking.


    Maybe more than usual.


    And definitely more dangerous.


    As though sensing me through our bond, he turned slightly in my direction.


    "Angel." His voice was low, smooth, andced with something like suspicion. "What are you up to? What’s with all the secretiveness... and the blindfold?"


    I smiled, unable to stop myself.


    He sounded curious... and equally suspicious.


    Closing the distance between us, I reached forward and slipped my hand into his.


    The moment my fingers touched his palm, his breath hitched.


    He squeezed gently, instinctively.


    And heat unfurled in my chest.


    "Be patient," I whispered.


    I stepped alongside him, my shoulder brushing his arm, and pushed open the double doors with my free hand. The hall beyond was dimly lit, quiet, empty... just the two of us. The air smelled faintly of jasmine from the candles I had ced earlier.


    Guiding him forward, I led him inside.


    His steps were slow, cautious because of the blindfold, but trusting... because it was me holding him.


    "Angel," he murmured, his voice dropping even lower. "You are making me nervous."


    I smiled, squeezing his hand as I led him toward the center of the room.


    "Good. That’s the idea."


    He exhaled a breathyugh. "I swear, if this is some kind of revenge-"


    "It’s not," I cut in, biting back a grin. "Just... trust me."


    Another few steps and we were exactly where I wanted him.


    I let go of his hand.


    He instantly tensed. "Evaline?"


    "Don’t move," I instructed softly. "Just stand there."


    Silence settled between us... quiet, fragile, full of suspended breath.


    For a moment I simply looked at him.


    His broad frame.


    The way the soft candlelight slid across his cheekbone.


    The way he stood with that natural strength... confident, steady, and yetpletely open to me.


    This man.


    This impossible, infuriating, breathtaking man... was <i>mine</i>.


    My fingers trembled slightly as I reached toward him.


    "Ready?" I whispered.


    "For what?" he asked, confused.


    I slipped my hands behind his head, untied the knot of the green velvet scarf, and slowly... very slowly... lifted the blindfold away from his eyes.