Rena's PoV
Alpha Rhys stayed quiet for about a minute, his eyes had that probing look in them before he finally said, "can't go inside or won't go inside?"
I shook my head thoughtlessly. "Both."
He still didn't look away. So I swallowed and continued.
"Is it possible that we change the conditions?" I had thought this was the simpler option, only to realize that he was bringing me to this damned ball.
I had attended it once. After Jason's graduation, it quickly became one of the worst nights of my life.
Thinking about it, Jason might probably attend. Then what would be the point of running away and trying to strike a deal with Alpha Rhys?
"Refusing both conditions simply means we can't work together. I won't be changing them."
I'm not surprised at the cold and stern look that his eyes now carried, but it somehow made me feel guilty and I felt a need to explain.
"Alpha Rhys, I was expelled from the Shifter Academy. I'm not allowed at events like this."
I saw the surprise that flashed in those green eyes for the slightest second and then he placed his hand on my shoulder.
There's no telling if it's the sudden intimacy or my fear, but shivers and tingles rushed through my entire body at that one action and he probably noticed it because of how his eyes moved away from my face to rest on my body for a while.
When he met my eyes again, his eyes were back to being unreadable.
"Rena, you are my date. Since this year's gathering is being held in my region, nobody would dare to send you away."
Before I could reply, he continued. "There's no changing the conditions. You just have to decide which one is more important to you."
I'm unable to find the right words to reply because he's completely right.
I looked outside the window, watched as people climbed on the red carpet and got their pictures taken.
All my nightmares started because of the Shifter Academy. Because my first party at the Shifter Academy was when I lost my first dream.
And now, it was going to take away my only chance at finding my daughter.
At the thought of Daisy, I found my resolve softening.
What's the worst that could happen? Get embarrassed? Get thrown out?
There was truly nothing that they could do to me that would be worse than anything I have already experienced.
I tried to take quiet, deep breaths in the hope that Alpha Rhys wouldn't notice. When I felt better, I met his gaze again.
"Let's go."
His lips parted into a smile that revealed those charming dimples again. I'm starting to realize that he had to smile deeply for anyone to notice that he had them.
"I knew you would come around," Alpha Rhys said.
His hand resting on my shoulders suddenly moved up to wrap around my neck, and my entire body stiffened when he leaned in close.
"I can assure you that there's nothing in there that's scarier than me, Princess."
Whatever message he wanted to pass across went directly to my nervous system and I let out a small forced laugh as he moved away from me.
The driver got down on cue and opened my door, which was right behind him.
The flashing lights of the camera flooded my eyes immediately.
As I placed one foot down, all the lights suddenly stopped, and I looked up to see that Alpha Rhys was now standing in front of me with his palms stretched forward.
'Goddess help me,' I chanted in my head as I placed my hands in his strong and large ones.
Alpha Rhys helped me out of the car and then smoothly moved from holding my hand to wrapping his entire arm around my waist.
I did my best to keep a straight and blank expression as the camera lights flashed all around us.
"Who's the date, Alpha Rhys?" One reporter yelled from somewhere and started a chain of questions.
"Are you finally getting a Luna?"
"Is this the future Luna?"
Almost as if he didn't hear them, Alpha Rhys kept walking inside and I noticed that even though the cameras stayed flashing, not one reporter dared to come close like they did with the other guests that entered earlier.
Good thing that I wasn't the only one that found the man scary.
Alpha Rhys was like the demon's signboard.
Attractive enough to have you letting your guard down but ruthless enough to make sure you regret getting close.
After tonight, I knew why his nickname had changed to the Devil Alpha.
He hadn't exactly done anything that was over the top to me. But just by spending time with him, I could feel that wild and explosive energy that was hiding beneath that suit.
Almost like you could tell that he was only barely keeping things civil and if anyone gave him enough reason, then he had the ability to ensure hell rained down on them.
We got to the end of the red carpet, and I started to move away, only for Alpha Rhys to wrap his arm around me tighter.
"Where are you going, Princess?" He leaned in and whispered.
Another wave of shivers.
"Alpha Rhys, in a gathering like this, I'm certain there's a lot you have to do. I'll just wait for you in that corner over there," I pointed at the back of the hall that had some empty single seats lined together.
Alpha Rhys chuckled, and then with his other hand, he turned me around so that my entire body was pressed against him.
He would most certainly feel my heart pounding against his chest from how close we were.
"You are my date tonight, you should call me Rhys."
I shook my head, ready to argue, but he beat me to it.
"Also, who brings a beauty like you to the ball and keeps her hidden in a corner?"
He leaned down until I could feel his lips pressing my ears.
"Rena, you are the highlight. You have no business being in the shadows."