Chapter 5 Crescent Night Gala

Maya's POV

Night has come, and so was the Crescent Night Gala. After changing into some elegant dresses, Corina and I made our way to the party. While she had on a nice green dress with a crossover neck, I was wearing a navy blue dress with only one strap on the left side, and a slit on the right. 

When we arrived, the party was in full swing. I subconsciously kept one hand down by my side, trying to cover the slit that was revealing my thigh. “I really wish you would lend me that dress instead,” I said, not used to these sorts of dresses.

“Ah, don’t be shy. You look great in that,” Corina said. “Besides, you’re wearing a mask. No one would know it’s you.”

“Am I supposed to be reassured or offended by that?” I questioned, having mixed feelings with that statement. 

Corina only giggled, and gave me a pat on the back. “Chin up. You look stunning, Maya. Oh, how about the punch bowl? I’m feeling parched.”

I nodded to that, and followed her to the punch bowl. As we made our way there, though, I froze when I saw a pair of people I would rather not see also making their way there. 

Jayden and Jillian.

They may have masks on, but I could still make out who they are. Especially with the mark heating up on my shoulder. The sight of them made me remember what I overheard at the apartment door earlier. I won’t crawl at their feet for ‘protection’ as Jayden puts it, and I’m not going to beg them for anything, either. Not when it was clear that they wouldn't let me go.

“Should we skip the punch?” Corina asked, also noticing them.

“Please,” I nodded, turned my back to the two people walking toward me, not wanting them to notice my presence. As we left, just a few steps away from the bowl, something grabbed my arm in a vice grip and turned me back around.

“Maya! Where were you?” Jayden questioned, his concerned voice sounding very fake in my ears.

“Not interested in your schemes, Jayden,” I bluntly said as I shook off his hand from my arm. “I don’t need some scum to watch my back. You want to be with someone stupid enough to be with you? You already have that someone."

Jayden’s face twitched as he claimed, “What? No, babe. I was really worried about you.”

“Oh, how about you give her a bit of space, Jayden?” Jillian said, walking up to us. “She’s just being petty because you haven’t been with her for a long while. No need for you to entertain her. Although, Maya, you really need to face reality. Who do you think would ever be interested in someone like you? Even here, in a masquerade ball.”

How I just wanted to slap her in the face. We are both humans, and yet she is here, acting like she is better than me. Even though it is her and Jayden who are in need of me.

“Maya has someone who truly loves and accepts her,” Corina said, also unamused with actions. “If anyone is unworthy of real attention, it is Jayden. Who went after trash like you.”

Jillian scoffed at her claim. “Oh please. If that is true, where is that man? Exactly what loser would ever choose her?”

I heard murmurs around us, and noticed a crowd gathering around. I pursed my lips together, knowing well that things will not go well if I don’t do something to stop it. It wasn’t until I noticed a familiar tall figure nearby, though, that I saw my ticket out of here.

“You want to know who my significant other is?” I smirked, before walking to the figure. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was thinking, approaching him like this, when I didn’t even know his name.

“Hi love, are you here looking for me?” I smiled at him, gently wrapping my arm around his. The guy who swapped phones with me. He may be in a mask, but there was no mistaking that large build. 

“Uh… No.” And once he recognized me, his eyes turned cold. “It’s you! What are you doing here?” He lowered his voice, but I could clearly feel the anger in his tone. He must’ve thought I was pestering him again. 

There was no time to explain myself, as all eyes were on me. I wanted the drama back there to stop, and right now, he was the only one who could help me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, pulling him away a bit, “Just, please play along. I promise I will make it up to you.” I stared at him, praying he would really help me. One part of me thought he wouldn’t go along with the ruse, leaving me as a laughingstock in the party, even if this was a masquerade. 

Surprisingly, though, as he removed his arm out of my hands, he wrapped it around my shoulders, holding me close. Puzzled, I looked up at him, and saw him faking a smile at me.

“Are you sure you’re well enough for this? No one will blame you for missing out,” he suddenly asked, at a volume audible enough for everyone to hear.

“Huh? Oh, I’m fine. Really,” I answered, unsure where he was going with this.

“Are you sure? We both were pretty wild, after all.” His voice dripped with gentle allure.

At that, I finally realized what he meant, as he pushed some of my hair behind my ear, his finger brushing against it. Those suggestive words, mixed with his handsome face and husk voice made me blush, as I awkwardly looked away from him. “Y-Yeah… Yeah, I’m just fine.”

“If you say so. I promise to be more gentle next time. It pains me to see you hurt.” I heard him hum, as he rested his head on mine. 

And what? next time? I know we didn’t actually do what he was suggesting we did, but hearing him say that, with his arm wrapped around me in a warm, comforting embrace, almost made me believe that we had the first time. 

“Ugh, Maya. This is your new boyfriend?” Jillian asked scornfully, snapping me out of my daze. “Seriously? You’re clearly trying to pretend to be over Jayden. I mean, look at this guy. You must be desperate for Jayden’s attention to pay someone else to pretend to be your lover. What a laugh.” 

“Stop Jills!” Right after she said that, Jayden immediately rebuked her.

Though I grimaced to hear her already catching on to the truth, I was more confused by Jayden’s reaction. He looked at my ‘boyfriend’ with wide eyes and shaking, as though in fright. It especially seemed that way as he looked at Jillian in panic when she spoke about him.

"What's gotten into you, Jayden? Why are you yelling at me?" Tears welled up in her eyes, as if she were the one wronged and heartbroken, "You still have feelings for her, don't you?" 

I sneered. She's always adept at playing victim. After all, men are drawn to that soft, vulnerable type of woman, which I am not.

“Jayden. I’d like to question you myself about your taste in women,” my ‘boyfriend’ said, holding me close to him still. “I must say, for a Delta, you sure act like a dog constantly in heat. Not even rogues would do something so low. Do you have anything you wish to say?”

Jayden, to my surprise, only looked down as he spoke, palling and sweating. I have never seen him act this way before. He was usually so proud of himself, even in the face of other strong or high-ranking werewolves. What was so different from this one?

“M-My deepest apologies, Alpha. Jills is only human, and has been secluded for a while. S-She doesn’t know better,” he stuttered out in embarrassment, surprising me with what he called my help. 

“I am not looking for an excuse for that human. And while I am at it, this is supposed to be a masquerade party, any issue you’ve had prior should have no place in this party. Then again, I suppose I am one to talk, having to point out your relationship to my girl and honored guest. But if you think about it, what man would just stand idly by while their loved one is being talked down to like this? I guess we both have much to learn, don’t we?”

Jayden said nothing in response; only shakily nodded. “W-We will be leaving now,” he then said, dragging the surprised Jillian away from the scene.

I was satisfied to see them leave, truly I was. Corina and I exchanged glances, and both of us laughed from ear to ear. My shock at the revelation of who the phone man was, however, outweighed that, as I wordlessly looked up at him.

‘Alpha…? He’s the Alpha?!’