Howl For My Heart

Chapter 4-Replaced spotlight

Griffin Mansion

(The next day)

I had woken up before dawn to prepare Zayn my little five year old for school while Damian left the house without letting me know where he was going,I was glad he had left so early because I was on my way to work. As I thought about dropping Zayn off at school, I suddenly cringed as I remembered how Damian had clearly warned me to cancel any plans I had for work, I knew within me that I wouldn't do that.I had a very important case I simply couldn't walk away from at the office.I worked alongside my colleague Elena Turner, one of the best divorce attorney in all of Metro city.I didn't work my butts off in law school just to sit down at home planning a party when I had a matter to attend to.I was competent enough to do both I concluded.

In no time I rushed to the office to add a final touch to my argument and then I raced back to oversee the final details of the party.It was an exhausting task but I managed to pull through.The decorations were perfect and the catering was flawless,I had worked tiredlessly to make sure everything was on point.

Griffin estate was filled with life and laughter,pack members chatting with one another with the clink of their glasses and the sound of music filled the air.I moved through the large hall offering smiles and plesantries to everyone,this night had to be perfect just like Damian wanted.I had put my best into the arrangements ensuring everyone felt welcome.I hoped tonight would be different for Damian and I,maybe he would finally see my contribution to the pack and treat me differently.As I kept fraternizing with our invited guest my eyes spotted someone very familiar whom I hadn't seen in years.I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming,no I wasn't.It was indeed Alvira McDermont, Damian's childhood friend walking into the packed hall with the aura of superiority around her.I caught a glance at Damian moving towards her direction in a bid to give her a warm hug.What the heck! What was she doing here? Alvira had never liked my presence in Damian's life.I guessed she wanted him for herself.

As I watched the both of them exchanged hugs my senses where heightened, I wasn't in approval of the unnecessary show of affection between them.Damian had choosen me as his mate, not her.

As I stood glued to the spot from where I gazed at them, I felt a warm hand pulling me back to reality.My eyes shifted and there Darcy was looking so stunning in her short handless emerald coloured gown.

"Ember you really outdid yourself." She muttered in excitement.I freigned a weak smile as I thought about Alvira in Damian's arms.

"This party is perfect." a certain form of relief flooded my chest as I shifted my focus to Darcy and her words.

"Thanks, I just wanted...."

"Attention!! everyone." Damian's voice boomed through the speakers cutting our conversation short.The entire room came to a stand still as Damian stood on the small podium, looking every bit the powerful alpha of Silver-moon pack with his tailored suit to match the confidence radiating from him.The moment had come for Damian to recognize all the effort I had put into organizing the party.

"Family,I want to say I appreciate your presence and the time spent so far." My heart pounded as I watched Damian give his speech

"I want to take this moment to recognize a woman so special to me, someone who had worked tiredlessly to make sure this night's event is successful." he said with a bright smile spreading across his face.

"Please a round of applause for Alvira McDermot."

My heart skipped a beat as he called her name.All my hopes shattered into a thousand pieces as I heard the resounding applause for Alvira.She stepped forward to the podium still with that air of superiority following behind her.She casted a grimace look at me before turning her face back to Damian while placing her delicate hand on his arms.

I felt like I was going to explode with anger,all the appreciation meant for me was given to another.Snatched away from me.

Alvira gave the hall what appeared to be a gracious nod

"The pleasure is all mine,Damian.I would do anything for the pack." Right there at that moment I wanted to scream it wasn't true and Alvira was nowhere to be found before now, instead I swallowed all the hurt I felt from my throat to my stomach.

Damian's sharp gaze finally fell on me and there was no remorse in his eyes,he had done this on purpose.

I walked straight to him as he decended the podium.

"Why Damian?I..." He stopped me with a cold hug wrapping his hands around my waist as he whispered into my ear.

"Don't do anything stupid Ember.You disobeyed me today,we will discuss this later." My heart beat increased as Damian mentioned later,I knew the night was far from over.The pack party was still very much in full swing even after Damian's speech.I spotted Nelson, Damian's Beta carrying Zayn in his arms.It was not my decision to allow Zayn attend the party but Damian took pride in showing him off to the pack as his heir.

Beta Nelson dropped Zayn off halfway and I saw him weaving his way to meet his father with a bright smile plastered on his face.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Zayn beamed with a smile which made his little dark brown eyes cave in.I watched as Damian's cold expression melted away,he scooped our son into his arms with the rare softness I bearly saw anymore.

"How is my little man?are you having fun tonight?" He pressed a kiss on Zayn's forehead as he asked.Zayn nooded in a funny manner,the thick black curls of his hair unraveled as Damian raked through them with his hand.

"Aunt Alvira showed me how to balance this coin on my nose."

"Oh! did she?" Damian exclaimed in excitement."I see you've met Alvira already.She has been with daddy before you were born."

"He learns fast,just like his father." Alvira said as she ruffled his curls all the more.Zayn laughed so pure and innocent, completely unaware of the tension between us adults.I freigned a smile as I emerged from the close corner where I had watched them all the while

"He is a perfect little boy." Damian muttered with so much pride and acceptance for his son,a pride and acceptance I hadn't seen directed at me for a very long time.I eventually drew closer to take Zayn away from Damian as he began to yawn

"Time for bed my sweetheart." I lifted him gently from Damian's arms and his tiny hands wrapped around my neck as he buried his sleepy head into my shoulder.

I heard Alvira heaved a dramatic sigh as I turned my back to go away with Zayn,I could feel Damian's eyes on my back but I didn't turn to look at him.I realized I didn't even take note when Darcy left the party, I just felt so trapped in a world that didn't appreciate me,a world that had refused to see me and even after exhausting myself it still wasn't enough.