Ryder's POV
I stood at the edge of the grand ballroom, surveying the sea of familiar faces.
Greg's dinner party was in full swing, with champagne flowing and laughter echoing off the crystal chandeliers.
"...so, I dared him to stuff the entire turkey leg into his mouth and guess what! He did. He almost choked…hahaha"
"That's something" I laughed.
I stared at Mathias Kennedy, with a polite smile on my face and a clenched fist. If I have to smile one more time at his frat boy humor, there will be a dead body hanging off those shiny chandeliers and I don't think Alpha Branson of brown Oak pack will take lightly to his heir being strangled at a dinner party with his own belt.
"Excuse me, Mathias and please enjoy the party" I said and tapped his shoulder.
"Will do! A man getting his freedom back from a childless slut of a wife is a party worth having! So cheers!"
I don't know, I must have grabbed him too hard or maybe it was the wall I 'accidentally' directed him to but Matthias Kennedy ended up with a bloody nose.
"Be more careful, Bud" I said and pressed a handkerchief to his nose while signaling one of my men to get him to the physician.
I spotted Greg himself, beaming with pride as he raised a glass to toast his son's divorce.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Only Greg would throw a party to celebrate his son's failed marriage. And, of course, he'd invited a slew of eligible ladies, no doubt hoping to play matchmaker.
As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on Joshua, standing stiffly by the bar, his eyes fixed on some point across the room. We hadn't spoken in days, not since...everything. but I knew better than to approach him. Not yet, at least.
Instead, I made my way through the crowds, exchanging polite smiles and handshakes with the guests. Everyone seemed to be staring at my face, and I knew it was because of the nasty bruise on my cheekbone. I'd gotten it in a...disagreement with Joshua or more accurately Joshua's scissor Jack and without Kaida's blood, I was back to healing at a snail pace. it was still a bit tender.
As I reached the bar, I caught the bartender's eye and ordered a whiskey.
I turned to survey the room again, my eyes drifting back to Joshua. He was still standing alone, his eyes fixed on the floor now.
I felt a surge of frustration. Why was he ignoring me like this? Didn't he know I was trying to make amends?
Just then, Greg bounded over, a glass of champagne in hand. "Ryder, my boy! Great to see you! And congratulations on...ah...your recent...adventures." He winked, nodding towards my bruised face. "Nice bruise, son"
I forced a laugh, feeling a bit like a spectacle. "Thanks, Greg." I said more loudly than necessary.
Greg got embarrassed. He grabbed my shoulder, a little too tight "I think you meant Father"
"Did I?" I pried his hand off all the while we both smiled like nothing was amiss.
Greg chuckled and clapped me on the back. "My son is a comedian! Twenty five years and suddenly, he's too cool to call his old man, father! Now, let's talk about the lunar gala. Have you heard about it?"
I nodded, taking a sip of my whiskey. "Yeah, I've heard it's going to be quite the event."
Greg grinned. "It's going to be spectacular! And I have it on good authority that some very interesting people will be attending..."
As Greg launched into a lengthy and enthusiastic description of the gala, I found my eyes drifting back to Joshua, wondering what he was thinking, and why he was still refusing to talk to me.
"Are you paying attention?" Greg asked me.
"No." I answered truthfully. "Not really. Excuse me"
I stood at the edge of the ballroom, sipping my whiskey and watching as Joshua deliberately ignored me. He'd been doing it all night, turning his back on me whenever I tried to approach him.
I felt a familiar sting of frustration but I pushed it aside. I was used to Joshua's moods by now when it came to our mutual link - Kai.
Growing up, whenever she gave me blood, he would avoid talking to me for hours, sometimes days. He was a grudge holder, still is.
Just as I was starting to think that Joshua was going to continue ignoring me all night, he suddenly turned and strode over to me. His eyes were blazing with anger, and his jaw was clenched.
"You're just standing there, like a statue, without any emotion whatsoever," he spat. "Don't you care about anyone but yourself, Ryder?"
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a spark of anger ignite within me. "And how, exactly, am I supposed to react?" I asked, my voice low and measured. "You're my best friend, and you just admitted to being in love with my wife. I think in this scenario, I should be the annoyed one!"
Joshua's eyes flashed with defensiveness. "That's the point!" he said. "You are not annoyed! You are not vindictive! You are bloody cool, sipping your whiskey and enjoying your humiliating ballroom party! You are insane, Ryder!"
I felt a surge of frustration, and for a moment, I forgot to keep my mask in place. "Does Saint Joshua need someone to punish him for thinking bad…bad thoughts about his friend's wife? Does he need a hug?"
"You are a lunatic" he murmured. And he started to walk away when I spoke.
"How am I supposed to react?" I repeated, my voice rising. "You're telling me that the person I trust most in the world is in love with my wife. What am I supposed to do, Joshua? Break down in tears? Start a fucking fight?"
"Yes!" He screamed out loud and everyone turned around to look at us.