Chapter 273 Family Ties
Ella
The grandeur of Logan’s family estate was unmatched, the chandeliers glistening with thousands of crystals, reflecting the light in the room. I hesitated for a moment on the threshold, taking in the lavish spread of food and guests buzzing with conversation.
My previous assumption had been sorely inaccurate. This was not a mere family dinner. It was a statement, a spectacle. And I was the trophy on his arm, the daughter of the CEO of WereCorp. An accessory.
I put on a smile, though, if only to play my part- just as Logan had requested. It was part of our plan, after all. And after what happened with the billboard, Logan’s motives behind wanting to take down the Mafia were becoming more clear to me.
Logan was ever the commanding presence. Every move he made, every word he uttered, seemed to draw attention. Tonight was no exception. His sharp gaze traveled the room, making sure to make contact with every important person in attendance. It was difficult to find any hint of the melancholy I had glimpsed earlier, maybe I had been mistaken.
But when he was with his father and brother, there was an unmistakable tension. Their discussions, filled with veiled jabs and curt nods, were strictly about business, the sort of gritty dealings that made up the underworld.
“Leonard,” Logan’s brother, Harry, his voice dripping with honeyed venom, said, “how do you feel about this new alliance with the Morgans?”
Their father, Leonard, turned to me with a measured smile. “I am delighted to connect with the Morgan family. The union of our families will strengthen us, wouldn’t you say, Ella?” Before I could respond, Logan jumped in. “Father is right. This partnership is crucial.”
I recalled my own family gatherings. They were always filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine connection.
Tonight, though, there was an undercurrent of something more sinister. I shifted my attention from Logan and his father, searching for a maternal figure that might bring some semblance of warmth to this icy affair.
But as the night wore on, I couldn’t spot her. The question of her whereabouts burned in my mind, but I hesitated to ask Logan directly. Then, a voice, sugary with a hint of mockery, cut through my thoughts as I perused the hors d’oeuvres on my own.
“Oh, Ella, it’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much. I’m Marina.” Logan’s brother’s fiancée stepped forward, her extravagant red dress shimmering with every move.
“I don’t like her already.” Ema’s voice dripped with disdain inside my head, nearly causing me to choke on the martini that I was sipping on.
“Give her a chance, Ema,” I replied. And yet, this woman’s demeanor was nothing like mine. She was proud, poised, and, in a word, regal. But Ema was right, there was something off about her… The way that her eyes shifted around when she stepped up to me.
On the outside, she was a pretty princess. On the inside, there was something smarter, more calculating. She was out of Harry’s league by leaps and bounds, and she was an Alpha, too. I doubted that money was at the forefront of her needs.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, taking her delicate, outstretched hand. Almost immediately, Marina jumped into the typical conversation of a snarky woman at a fancy ball.
“You certainly have made an entrance tonight,” she said, gesturing to my dress with the hand. that I just shook while her other hand gently held a martini glass. “Though, I must say, I’m rather surprised you wore that dress. Surely someone of your stature could afford something more… fitting.”
I looked down at my dress, a simple yet elegant piece that I had felt proud to wear. It was the white dress from the shop, right before the billboard…
I took a deep breath, reminding myself to remain composed. “I believe in wearing what I feel represents me, not just what’s in fashion or expected.”
She smirked, circling me like a shark with its prey. “Hmm, how quaint. And here I was thinking Logan would want someone a bit more refined. But I’ve heard he’s always had a penchant for… unique choices.”
“Well, you look stunning,” I said, forcing a tense smile. “That color looks nice on you.” Marina’s lips twitched, a clear sign that my kindness took her off guard. Just then, a familiar voice cleared the fog.
“Is everything alright here?” Logan appeared beside me, his presence immediately commanding Marina’s attention.
She straightened up, her demeanor changing in a heartbeat. “Just getting to know your lovely partner, Logan. It’s been enlightening.”
He slid an arm around my waist, pulling me closer, his protective stance unmistakable. He said nothing. Marina, not one to be easily subdued, lifted her chin defiantly. “Anyway… Enjoy the evening.”
With a final, lingering look at me, she walked away, leaving a trail of whispered conversations in her wake. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Logan. He pressed a soft kiss on my temple. An act for the onlookers, really, but intimate enough to cause a heat to climb into my cheeks. I quickly leaned away once there weren’t so many eyes on us, and shot Logan a look. He didn’t seem to notice, too distracted by the stiff atmosphere of the party.
The dinner bell rang shortly after that, and the guests made their way to the long banquet table laden with a fabulous array of different dishes. Glistening oysters, juicy cuts of steak, handmade pastas, fresh bread, and more were laid out across the table. I slid into a seat next to Logan, taking note of the fact that Marina didn’t seem to be eating. I immediately dug into my steak, relishing in the rich flavors and buttery texture.
Leonard, keen on directing the conversation, mentioned my father. “Edrick is a good man,” he said, leaning toward me from the head of the table. “It would be an honor if you and Logan were to get married.”
I stiffened. Our relationship was a facade. Logan and I both knew it. And now, it was being thrown into the spotlight.
Before I could utter a word, Logan’s brother stepped in. “Logan has had his fair share of relationships, hasn’t he? Who’s to say this one will last?”
I felt a sting at his words. Even if our relationship was built on lies, the bond we shared felt genuine. We were fated mates, after all. I had no intention of staying with him beyond this year, but… still.
The look Logan gave me was filled with understanding and defiance. Logan squared his shoulders, looking his brother directly in the eye. “Ella is different.”
“Oh? How so?” His brother’s tone dripped with skepticism. “Because we are Fated mates,” Logan responded, his voice firm. There was an audible gasp in the room. Fated mates were a rarity, an extraordinary bond that was said to last an eternity. To declare such a thing, especially in this setting, was a bold move. But it was true, even though I had previously decided that I would deny our bond.
Logan’s brother looked momentarily taken aback. His surprise, however, morphed into a sinister smirk. “Interesting, considering Ella isn’t even the biological daughter of the Golden Wolf Moana, isn’t that right? She’s the bastard child of her father and… Who is your mother, Ella?”
I could feel the rage bubbling up inside me. The implication behind his words was clear: that my lineage somehow made me less deserving.
It took everything in me to maintain my composure.
