Don't fall for Alpha

Everyone at the function seemed to know one person. Alpha. Many whispered his name and avoided his eyes. He stood near the far end of the hall. The room was filled with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. The air was thick with expensive perfume and warm champagne. Fairy lights blurred gold overhead. Everyone was too dressed up, too loud, too happy—laughing with their teeth showing. He wasn't trying to attract attention. If anything, he seemed determined to disappear. A few people looked at him for only a second before quickly turning their faces away. Veneris frowned. What had he done? What was wrong with him? “You don't want to know,” a voice beside her said. Veneris adjusted the sleeve of her simple black dress, her fingers lingering on the loose thread at the cuff. It was Linda, her friend and the only familiar face in the room. She was already on her second drink, her bright red lipstick a sharp contrast to Veneris's bare face. She took a sip and said, “Stay away from Alpha.” “Why? I don't get you.” Linda's eyes flicked toward him before returning to Veneris. She lowered her voice. “Don't get close to darkness, girl.” Linda disappeared into the crowd as soon as she heard her favourite song, leaving her glass half-empty on a passing tray. Veneris was left stranded, but her gaze found Alpha again. Why isn't he drinking? Suddenly, she heard something crash. A glass shattered against the floor, wine bleeding dark across the white tiles. It was followed by a harsh, slurred voice. “Oops. Sorry... murderer.” Everyone nearby turned. Alpha stood staring at the broken pieces of glass around his shoes. As he raised his head, his eyes locked with Veneris's. There was something tired in them. He looked like a man who had grown tired of fighting back. Tired of explaining himself. “I'm bleeding!” an old lady cried near Alpha, clutching her ankle. “Alpha!” someone shouted. A murmur swept through the crowd, low and hungry. They wanted a scene. Veneris pushed through the crowd toward the old lady and knelt beside her. Her heart jumped when she saw the red stain spreading across the woman's white dress. But there was no blood. It was wine. A young woman rushed forward and dropped beside the elderly woman. “Mom, are you hurt?” She pushed Veneris hard on the shoulder. “It's just wine, okay!” Veneris said loudly, louder than she meant to. Alpha crouched beside the woman, careful not to step on the broken glass. “Please don't move.” His voice was calm and gentle. He carefully helped the woman step away from the broken glass, one hand hovering near her elbow without quite touching, as though he was afraid of frightening her. “Are you hurt?” The woman shook her head, clutching her stained dress. “No, young man.” Alpha looked relieved. His shoulders dropped slightly. “Good.” He turned toward one of the waiters, who had frozen near the wall. “Could you please get someone to clean this up?” The waiter nodded and hurried away. The elderly woman smiled, a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. “Thank you.” Alpha smiled back. It was small, tired, but genuine. “You're welcome.” Veneris stared at him. That wasn't what she expected. She had expected someone arrogant. Someone intimidating. Someone who enjoyed making people uncomfortable. But nobody was applauding him. Nobody was taking pictures. Nobody was even paying much attention anymore. The crowd had already returned to their drinks and laughter. For a moment, neither of them said anything. The music thumped around them, making the quiet between them feel strangely private. Then he smiled again. Not a confident smile. Not the kind of smile people used when they wanted something. It was small. Almost shy. It didn't quite reach his eyes, but it softened his whole face. Veneris smiled back before she could stop herself. “Hi,” he said. His voice was lower now, less careful. “Hi.” He glanced at the glass in her hand. She was holding it so tightly her knuckles had turned white. “Enjoying the party?” Veneris looked around at the flashing lights and at Linda laughing too hard across the room with strangers. “Is it obvious?” He laughed quietly. Just a short breath through his nose, but it was real. “No.” “Then why did you ask?” “Nothing much, really,” he said, taking a half-step back, as though he had suddenly remembered he wasn't supposed to be talking to anyone. “I'm Veneris,” she said quickly, a little too loudly. Alpha stopped and looked at her. His eyes stayed on her face for a second too long, like he was memorizing it. Before she could say anything else, someone called his name. “Alpha!” The voice cut sharply through the music. Veneris turned. A man a little older than Alpha was walking toward them. He had the same sharp jawline and dark eyes, but there was something colder about him. His suit was perfect. His stride was angry. “You are not supposed to be here,” he said. “Or else your father will know.” His voice was low enough to sound like a warning but loud enough for Veneris to hear. He didn't even look at her. The change in Alpha was immediate. His smile disappeared. His shoulders tensed. He turned toward the voice. His expression wasn't friendly anymore.It was closed, guarded. “You actually came?” A hand suddenly grabbed Veneris's wrist. Linda was beside her, breathless, her lipstick slightly smudged. Her eyes were wide and fixed on the older man. “Veneris, stop,” she hissed. “That's Julian. Alpha's brother. If he sees you with him—” It was too late. Julian had already turned his cold eyes toward her. He wasn't supposed to notice her. Men like him didn't notice girls in simple black dresses with loose threads on their cuffs. But he did. His eyes locked on her face and stayed there, sharp and assessing. They moved from her eyes, still wide from saying her name too loudly, to her mouth, then to the nervous way her fingers twisted in her dress. Veneris felt her stomach drop. There was emptiness in his stare but not completely. There was something else . Interest. “Veneris,” Julian repeated. He hadn't been looking at her when she said it, but he'd heard. He said it slowly now, as though testing how it sounded. As though he intended to remember it. He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “Interesting.” His eyes narrowed. “My brother never talks to anyone.” A brief silence passed. Then Julian asked, “Why you?”