<h4>Chapter 605: Into His Arms</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I had attended formal gatherings before.


    Business Parties. Pack ceremonies. Diplomatic dinners where politics hid behind polite smiles.


    And this evening... it wasn’t any different either.


    The only difference was that instead of apanying River as his partner like in the past, I was now apanying Elion as his partner.


    The moment we stepped into the grand ballroom, the atmosphere shifted in a way I could physically feel.


    Conversations paused.


    Heads turned.


    And then whispers began.


    It was nothing new. After being River’s assistant during my internship, I was no longer new these reactions.


    I kept my posture straight, my shoulders rxed, just like I had learned through my past experiences. My hand rested lightly on Elion’s arm... not clinging, not hesitant, just present enough to signify exactly what I was meant to be tonight.


    His partner.


    As well as his assistant.


    My loyalty was clear.


    It belonged with him.


    "Alpha Grey," one of the Alphas greeted as we approached a cluster of powerful figures near the center of the hall. "You have been difficult to reachtely."


    Elion’s smile was smooth, controlled, diplomatic. "Busy schedules. You can understand."


    Introductions followed quickly, and I offered polite nods and greetings to the Alphas and thedies apanying them. Some of the women smiled warmly.


    Others...


    Not so much.


    The first re came within minutes.


    Then another.


    And another.


    By the time the evening progressed into the second hour, I had stopped counting.


    The reason was obvious.


    Elion Grey.


    The youngest, handsome, and one of the most powerful Alphas alive.


    Unmated.


    Wealthy.


    Influential.


    And tonight... visibly apanied.


    By me.


    Even after learning that I was his assistant, barely anything changed in the way these young women looked at me.


    I could practically hear the silent questions echoing around the room.


    Who is she?


    Why her?


    What is so special about her?


    Why is she so lucky?


    I ignored it.


    Completely.


    Instead, I focused on my role - answering questions about council work, rifying logistical matters, responding politely when someoneplimented my dress, appearance, or knowledge.


    "You look stunning," one Luna told me warmly. "That color is extraordinary on you."


    "Thank you," I replied with a soft smile. "That’s very kind."


    Elion’s presence beside me remained steady and grounding throughout the evening. He navigated conversations with effortless authority, asionally including me in discussions when relevant, which only reinforced my position at his side.


    But through it all...


    I felt it.


    River.


    His gaze.


    I didn’t need to look to know he was looking at me from the other side of the hall.


    The sensation was unmistakable - heavy, intense, almost tangible against my skin.


    Several times I nearly turned my head. Several times I stopped myself. If I looked at him... I wasn’t sure I would be able to look away.


    So I didn’t.


    I stayed focused on Elion, on conversations, on maintainingposure.


    Even when my pulse betrayed me.


    Even when awareness of River burned at the edge of my senses like heat from a nearby me.


    Fortunately, or on purpose, Elion didn’t approach River either. And River stayed away from us as well, probably because of the same reason that was keeping me from even looking at him.


    We kept walking around the hall, meeting and greeting more and more of the important figures in our world.


    So by the time the fifth champagne offer happened, I was already mentally exhausted from politely declining alcohol all evening.


    "I really don’t drink," I had exined to four different people already.


    But this time, the woman offering the ss looked particrly insistent. She’s one of thosedies who had been unable to look away from Elion all evening and seemed to dislike my very existence with each passing moment.


    "Oh, it’s just a toast," she said with a charming smile. "It would be rude not to."


    The two Alphas Elion had been speaking with turned their attention toward me as well, their expressions expectant.


    And suddenly...


    It felt harder to refuse.


    I didn’t want to create awkwardness. Didn’t want to reflect poorly on Elion.


    So I smiled politely and epted the ss.


    Maybe just this time. I could take one, small sip just to stay polite and be done with this.


    I lifted the ss toward my lips... only for a hand to close gently but firmly around my wrist... stopping me.


    I blinked in surprise, turning my head.


    Elion.


    He smoothly took the champagne flute from my hand without any hint of tension, his movements natural, confident.


    "My apologies," he said lightly, raising the ss toward the others in a toast. "I’ll take this one."


    The two Alphas chuckled, clearly unbothered.


    "I have to send her back to the academy after the party," Elion continued casually, not even bothering to spare thedy a single look. "She’s still a student. Thest thing I need is for her to arrive intoxicated and for the professors to me me or call me an irresponsible boss."


    Laughter followed. So did understanding and agreement.


    Not from thedy obviously. If anything, she looked even more unhappy after witnessing Elion helping me out. But there was nothing she could do anymore.


    And just like that...


    The situation dissolved.


    No awkwardness.


    No pressure.


    Nothing.


    Elion clinked sses with them, then handed the champagne to a passing server.


    When his gaze flicked briefly toward me, he gave me a subtle wink.


    Relief washed through me so fast I nearlyughed.


    "Thank you," I murmured under my breath.


    His lips curved faintly. "That’s what partners are for."


    My heart warmed at the simple statement.


    Throughout dinner, the awareness of River’s gaze on me returned again and again.


    Once, when I was seated across the table from Elion, I felt it so strongly that my fingers tightened slightly around my fork.


    And once again, I didn’t look.


    I couldn’t.


    But I knew.


    He was watching.


    And the knowledge sent restless energy through my chest that I struggled to contain.


    After the banquet concluded and guests began dispersing into smaller conversations, Elion suggested we step onto the balcony for some air.


    The night greeted us with cool wind and a crescent moon hanging low in the sky.


    For the first time all evening, I exhaled fully.


    "Well," I said, leaning lightly against the railing, "I’m pleasantly surprised."


    Elion nced at me. "About?"


    "The number of res I received tonight."


    He chuckled - a genuine, amused sound.


    "I should be thanking you," he said. "You saved me from at least half a dozen strategic approaches."


    My brows lifted. "Strategic?"


    "Women sent to ’coincidentally’ run into me," he rified dryly.


    That made meugh.


    "Why aren’t you dating anyone already?" I asked, curiosity slipping out before I could stop it.


    He considered for a moment, then shrugged lightly.


    "Perhaps you should introduce me to someone," he said. "Someone nice. Maybe one of your friends."


    I was ready to dismiss it as a joke.


    But then...


    I paused.


    My eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you serious?"


    Now he looked intrigued. "What are you nning?"


    "If I introduce you to someone," I said slowly, "you have to give it an honest chance."


    His lips curved. He gave it a real thought, and then - "Agreed."


    Excitement sparked instantly.


    "Oh, I know exactly who," I said, grinning. "Be ready this Sunday."


    Heughed softly. "I have justmitted myself to something dangerous, haven’t I?"


    "Yes," I said sweetly. "Very."


    I turned to look at him. "You know you can trust me to find a suitable enough person for you."


    He gave me a warm, genuine smile. "If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have even started this conversation in the first ce."


    Afortable silence settled between us for a moment before Elion spoke again.


    "You know," he said casually, "I’m actually in more trouble than you tonight."


    I didn’t need rification.


    River.


    I sighed. "That’s your fault. You are the one who decided to tease him and y this dangerous game."


    "I did it for you."


    That made me blink.


    "For me?"


    He exhaled softly, then looked at me with surprising directness. "That’s right. For you. I noticed the tension between you two," he said. "And your longing looks."


    My mouth opened instantly.


    "I do not-"


    One knowing look from him stopped mepletely. The protest died in my throat.


    Because...


    He wasn’t wrong.


    Heat crept into my cheeks.


    I looked away, sighing in disbelief. "Am I really that obvious?"


    "To me," he said simply.


    I groaned quietly. "Wonderful."


    There was no point denying it.


    My longing for River... it existed.


    And apparently Elion had seen right through me.


    After a moment, he spoke again.


    "Well," he said, his tone shifting slightly, "since I have decided to help... I might as well go all the way."


    I frowned. "What does that mean?"


    A faint smirk appeared on his lips.


    "Just don’t be startled."


    Before I could ask another question... his arm slid around my waist.


    And suddenly...


    I was pulled straight into his arms.