Chapter 196 Sudden Shift
_Rowena’s POV_
The party was held at the Logan’s mansion downtown, at exactly 7 pm on Friday evening.
I arrived in the Bentley Alaric sent because he couldn’t come over to the Ashthorne residence. He had called earlier to explain that Brielle’s father needed him at the venue early for a quick discussion before the guests arrived. But he promised he would be waiting outside the front entrance to walk in with me.
However, traffic near the estate held me up. By the time my driver pulled up to the grand gates, I was almost an hour late.
The press was everywhere. Media vans lined the driveway, and news reporters stood behind silver velvet ropes, holding cameras and microphones. Because Brielle was a famous public figure and the daughter of an influential family, her homecoming was a major event for the city’s elite.
The chauffeur opened my door, I stepped out, smoothing down the fabric of my black dress. The night air brushed against my neck, and my fresh blonde hair swayed gently over my shoulders.
The moment my heels touched the red carpet, a wave of camera flashes blinded me. Gasps echoed through the crowd of journalists.
"Is that Marchioness Ashthorne?" a reporter shouted.
"Look at her hair! She looks completely different!" another called out.
I did not let the noise or the blinding lights break my stride. I kept my head held high, maintained a confident smile, and walked gracefully past the flashing cameras toward the front doors.
When I stepped inside the main ballroom, the room was buzzing with music and laughter. I scanned the space, expecting to see Alaric waiting near the foyer. Instead, my gaze landed directly on the center of the dance floor.
Alaric was there, standing under the massive chandelier.
And he was dancing with Brielle.
Brielle had her hand resting gently on his shoulder, wearing a bright silver dress that shimmered under the lights. My heart gave a tight tug, but I kept my composure completely intact.
I did not let a single trace of surprise or hurt show on my face. I looked closer and noticed Alaric’s expression. His face was completely impassive, his jaw set firm, and his posture stiff as he moved purely out of politeness.
Then, Alaric turned his head slightly and caught sight of me standing near the entrance.
The moment his eyes met mine, he stopped dancing immediately. Without saying a word to Brielle, he stepped away from her, turning his back on the dance floor, and walked straight toward me.
Brielle froze in the middle of the room, her arm still half-raised. For a second, a flicker of pure shock crossed her face, but she quickly laughed off her awkwardness, smoothing her dress and pretending it did not bother her at all.
Alaric did not look back at her once. He kept his eyes locked on me as he crossed the room. As he drew closer, his cold expression completely melted away, replaced by a warm, genuine smile that made my chest feel light.
He stopped right in front of me, taking in my black dress and my blonde hair.
"You look absolutely breathtaking, Rowena," he said softly, his voice deep and smooth.
He reached out, gently took my right hand in his, and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of my fingers.
"I am sorry I was not outside to greet you," Alaric continued, looking directly into my eyes. "Brielle’s father pulled me into his study the moment I arrived, and then Brielle insisted on a polite dance before I could slip away. But my eyes have been looking for you all night."
I smiled back at him, feeling the lingering tension in my shoulders disappear completely. "It is alright. You are here now."
"And I am not leaving your side for the rest of the evening," he promised.
Before we could say anything else, footsteps approached us from the side. Brielle’s mother, Mrs. Logan, walked over with a polite, calm smile on her face. She was wearing a deep dark blue gown that looked very elegant.
"Good evening, Marchioness Ashthorne," she said gently, nodding her head toward me. "I am so glad you could make it to our home tonight. Your dress is lovely, and the new hair color suits you remarkably well."
"Thank you, Mrs. Logan," I replied politely. "Thank you for having me."
Just then, the music in the ballroom began to fade out. The loud chatter among the guests gradually died down as a tall, broad shouldered man stepped up to the small stage near the front of the room. It was Mr. Logan, Brielle’s father and the host of the evening. He tapped his glass with a small silver spoon, gathering everyone’s attention.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, family, and distinguished guests," Mr. Logan spoke into the microphone, his voice booming across the grand room. "Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate a very special occasion. As many of you know, my dear daughter Brielle has returned home after a long time away."
The crowd clapped politely as Mr. Logan raised his glass in the air.
"We are here tonight to celebrate her immense success, her grace, and her official return to our pack community," He continued proudly. He turned his eyes toward the side of the stage. "Brielle, my darling, please come up to the center."
Brielle smiled brightly, stepping out from the crowd and walking up to the center of the room. She waved gracefully at the applauding guests, looking calm, elegant, and entirely in her element.
I stood beside Alaric, watching the stage calmly. Alaric kept his hand firmly wrapped around mine, his warm fingers offering a steady sense of security.
Mr. Logan waited for the applause to quiet down before speaking into the microphone once again. His eyes shifted across the audience, landing directly on Alaric standing right beside me.
"As we welcome Brielle back into our lives," he continued and his voice took a deliberate tone, "we must also acknowledge the deep history she shares with our respected Alpha King, Alaric. A past that remains deeply rooted in both of their lives, no matter how much time has passed."
The entire ballroom went dead silent.
Beside me, I felt Alaric’s hand tighten around mine. He shifted uncomfortably, his stance hardening as a dark look crossed his face. Up on the center stage, Brielle’s bright smile vanished instantly, and she appeared strangely sullen, lowering her gaze to the floor.
I could already tell what her father was planning.