Page 54 of The Alpha King's Hunt
I lean over to Janet, one of my senior coordinators, who's sitting a few seats down. "Are there any more water bottles under the chairs by you?"
She shakes her head. "No, sorry. I think we're out."
I sit back, suddenly aware of how dry my throat feels, how warm the room is.
Octavian leans into me. "I can get you some water if you'd like."
I turn to him. "What? Are you sure? I can?—"
"It's all right," he says, standing. "Stay here. I'll be right back."
Before I can protest, he's gone. I watch him walk away, his broad shoulders cutting through the crowd with ease.
As I stare at him, I'm unable to stop the smile creeping across my face.
He's infuriating, but I can't deny it any longer—how much I like having him here.
I turn back to the stage, forcing myself to focus on the auctioneer's voice as he announces the next lot.
But then I hear it.
Shouting. A commotion.
Confusion passes through the crowd, heads turning, low voices rising.
I turn, trying to see what's happening, when Octavian comes barreling through the crowd like a freight train.
His six-foot-six frame cuts through people with ease, his face hard, his eyes wild. He's moving way too fast for comfort, and I immediately feel my stomach drop.
He reaches me in seconds, grabbing my hand and yanking me to my feet.
"We need to go."
"What—"
I don't get to finish.
He pulls me against his chest, and I crash into him, his arms locking around me.
"Octavian, what's?—"
A scream cuts through the air. High-pitched. Panicked.
And then, an explosion.
The world shatters. I see bright light, feel heat, and hear chaos.
Everything blurs together, and I feel myself falling, Octavian's arms tightening around me as the floor pulls away from my feet.
And then, everything goes black.
15
OCTAVIAN
Keira introduces me to another wealthy couple. I've lost count. Ten? Twelve?
"This is Octavian," she says, her hand resting lightly on my forearm. "A family associate."
