Page 50 of Hound

I froze. “What significance does that hold?”

“He attacked Katerina during our hospital visitation in October,” Alek noted.

My negligence continued to disgrace me. Though it was absurd for them to think Lorenzo could do such a thing, I still hadn’t known about the speculation. Had Sonia? Impossible. A matter of this grand extent should have been reported to me.

“What?” Lorenzo growled as he stepped to my side, his tone sharpening around the edges. Tristan was at his feet and paused before us. Lorenzo’s fiery gaze probed Alek as he tried to collect himself by closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. “You think I could hurt my cousin? My blood? She’s the only family I have fucking left!”

“Then why are you here and she isn’t?” Alek rebutted, vexation oozing into his slouched shoulders.

“Sonia sent me,” Lorenzo muttered through gritted teeth as his gaze fell on everyone.

Tristan raised an eyebrow as he inched closer on Lorenzo’s side, further huddling us all. “She never misses an event. How can we believe that?”

“She gave me a note.”

“A note?” I asked. Lorenzo unveiled it from his pocket and Tristan unfolded it, my hands taking it to read.

We all fell silent as Alek took a step back, his expression hardening with thoughts. I, on the other hand, did what I could to cool down Lorenzo with a slight touch. His anger simmered behind me, our fingers brushing alongside each other.

“This is ridiculous,” he whispered into my ear with a scowl.

“I understand, but you need to also see their perspective. The evidence pointed at you.”

“Yes, but the evidence is fucking wrong. I didn’t even know she got fucking attacked. I’m fucking fuming that she?—”

“Katerina?” Tristan interjected as his eyes fell on the staircase. Ours did the same.

Lorenzo tugged forward, my touch instinctively wrapping around him and keeping him to my side as Alek stepped to her. “You must control your anger. This is not the place to display it.”

His nostrils flared as he rolled his shoulders, his height realigning as he craned his neck to follow Alek and Katerina. The two walked from the main staircase to the center of the dance floor, seemingly a natural fitted pair compared to what Davina had chosen for him and her. Though the two were paired in deep plum attire, Alek’s velvet suit complemented Katerina’s flaring yellow, tulle dress better.

Alek’s attention was solely on Katerina, gazing at her as if she was the only being in existence, unaware of how eyes took in the scene. He showed no care to what could be potentially whispered as he smiled at Lorenzo’s cousin, fangs fully protruding. When had he grown the confidence to showcase them? Like our younger brothers, he would conceal them. Up until. . .he was next to Katerina.

A sense of lightness, leaning toward a newfound feeling, one of optimism and agency, coated my body at the sight of them. I glanced at Lorenzo, hope flickered ever so slightly in his sturdy eyes.

Music poured, bodies surging the grand dance floor, following the slow strides of the thrumming instruments. Yet, the music didn’t meet my ears as a pair caught my attention and the sounds tuned out.

Ms. Hoko hid in the shadows of the ballroom, a towering male figure beside her with a cloaked appearance. His head whipped away, yet the twist in my chest confirmed the silhouette I recognized from my youngest of years.

That Man’s.

Lorenzo’s nostrils broadened as his eyebrows furrowed. “I smell him.”

“Who?”

“Mallory.”

The fluttering harmony suddenly halted, and Lorenzo strode to Alek as Katerina and him finished their dance. Words left Lorenzo's lips, yet all that was heard was the echo of a microphone.

Davina took the stage with an ever-growing presence that drew eyes to her.

“I wanted to begin tonight’s announcements touching upon this year’s underlying theme by showing our gratitude toward all the high-ranking guardians that have joined us at this lovely Christmas Ball. This night is the representation of those that have brought together both kinds within and beyond the Ministry and Bureau. Let’s give them a well-deserved round of applause.” Claps and cheers exploded, amplifying the sudden sharpness in my chest.

One similar to the night of our mother’s passing, five years ago today.

“But, this isn’t the grand news for tonight. Everyone, I’m proud to announce that I, Davina Ambrogio, am now engaged!”

How is this possible?

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