Alpha's One Night Bride
Alpha’s One Night Bride – Chapter 21

Marian had the art show set up beautifully. She cleared out the entire art hall in the foyer of her studio and put all the newest art pieces out for display. A long table with a white tablecloth was placed against the wall where she placed the beverages and food for the guests.

On the other side of the room was another white-clothed table where the cash register sat upon. It was Lucille’s job to man the register; typically, it would be my job, but Marian needed me considering the most important guests were there because of me.

Mallory spent time mingling with the guests and explaining her art pieces to them, trying to make some sales. She was the most persuasive out of the three of us.

Marian had my photos placed on a singular wall, as though it was its own exhibit. The backdrop of the wall was a light orange which reminded me of a sunset. The lighting highlighted my photos and made them the most noticeable.

Most of the photos were from the time I went to Onyxfang. They were photos of the ethnic werewolves in their natural forms and their natural settings. Most of them had no idea I was taking the photos, so it only made it look more natural and more beautiful. I had no idea how live-like the photos were until they were displayed in front of me in a literal spotlight.

In some of the photos, I had captured werewolves howling at the full moon with the broken and run-down buildings in the background. One photo was of a beautiful auburn wolf with ember eyes. At the time, I was only trying to capture some of the buildings and landscaping, but she got caught in the background. She was staring directly at the camera; her eyes being big and bold, had traces of sadness lingering within them.

“Dorie…” I whispered, staring at the picture. I hadn’t even realized I captured her in one of my photos. Jonathan, who was standing beside me, followed my gaze and frowned.

“I really wish you hadn’t had gone there without me,” he muttered, staring at the photo.

“I’ve already apologized for that,” I told him.

“Dorie is dangerous, Arina. She wanted to kill you. She said it herself through the link,” Jonathan told me. I didn’t say anything in response. I knew he was right and that she probably would have killed me, but I can also see how much pain and sadness she’s facing.

I couldn’t blame her for that. I would be sad too if I ever lost Jonathan to someone else. She must have loved him and felt blindsided when he left her.

Interrupting my thoughts, the doorway to the studio swung open. Standing there was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen with the most beautiful woman standing beside him. The man’s features were dark; his hair being jet black and his eyes being so dark they almost looked black. He wore a black business suit with a grey blazer and a matching grey tie. His hair was at a length where it almost landed at his shoulders, and he had one side tucked behind his ears showing off his broad face structure.

The woman standing next to him was a bit shorter than him; both were tall in general. Her dark brown hair sent waves down to her thin waistline. She wore a red dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her eyes were brown but with splashes of gold, which brought out her olive skin. She wore a light layer of pink blush on her upper cheekbones and a bronze blush right below the pink, thinning out her already thin features. Her thick lips glistened with light brown l*p gloss.

“Boris and Nikini Conway,” Jonathan said from beside me, following my gaze to the couple.

I, of course, already knew that. I’ve seen images of them before; not to mention they are always on the television. Jessica has always been obsessed with their lifestyle; she always says they live such an elegant lifestyle that she aspires to be where they are at one day.

It was one thing seeing them on the television and in magazines, but it was another thing seeing them in person. He didn’t even look like a detective, he looked like a movie star, and she looked like a model.

Marian had also noticed them entering and was already making her way across the studio to greet them. Turning my back towards them to face Jonathan, he caught my eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked; I realized that I probably looked as though I was going to pass out.

“I can’t believe they are here,” I told him, keeping my voice low. “What if they hate my photos?”

“They already like your photos,” he reminded me. “They just want to take a closer look, not on a computer screen.”

“I know but they look so… intimidating,” I whispered.

He smiled.

“They are just people like you and me,” he told me. I looked up at him through my lashes and frowned.

“Not like me,” I told him. “Maybe more like you.”

“I’m not famous,” he said, humor in his voice.

“No, but you are well-known and well-liked, Jonathan. Plus, you’ve met them before,” I told him.

Jonathan was looking past me at that point. Following his gaze, I realized Marian was walking Boris and Nikini in our direction.

“Oh my god,” I whispered under my breath, turning back to Jonathan. “How do I look?”

He smiled again.

“Beautiful.”

I was wearing a black noodle strapped dress that landed just above my knees. My hair fell in curly locks around my shoulders. I brushed my side bangs out of my face, with my fingers, to reveal both of my eyes. I wore black heels so I could at least feel as though I was tall and not being towered over. However, most everyone there was still taller than me, so I was constantly looking up at people. Especially Jonathan, who was probably the same height as Boris.

“Arina.” I heard Marian from behind me. Turning she had a smile plastered on her face; a smile that almost looked forced and unnatural. “I want you to meet Detective Conway and his luna.”

Nikini hardly looked at me, she went straight to my wall of photos and began assessing them. Boris on the other hand stood there for a moment, sizing me up with his eyes. I felt my face grow red as he looked at me.

Soon he looked at Jonathan and they shook hands, greeting one another for this wasn’t the first time they’ve met. Moments after, Boris went to join his luna at my photography wall, and together they stared amongst the photos.

They said nothing as they assessed my work, both of their faces expressionless.

The silence was so loud.

“Arina took these photos in Onyxfang,” Marian explained to them.

They both ignored her.

After what felt like a lifetime, Nikini finally turned around. Her eyes scanned my face and then scanned my clothing. Her face remained expressionless; I couldn’t tell what she was thinking or how she was feeling.

“When Marian had mentioned you, I was expecting a more experienced artist. One with a professional portfolio and references following the work you’ve done. Imagine my surprise when we travel to this… uh… lovely small town and find that you are nothing more than a child,” said Nikini. Her voice was velvety and laced with a French accent.

“She might be young, but she takes after her mother,” Marian mentioned.

“Is that so?” Boris finally spoke; his voice was dark and gave me chills down my spine. I stepped closer to Jonathan as the two stared at me. Boris was more curious and Nikini in almost pity.

“Do you have any idea how important my gallery is?” Nikini asked. “The grand opening is only a few weeks away and I have nothing to feature. If you ask me, this trip was a complete waste of time.”

I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. I felt Jonathan tensing from beside me.

Nikini’s gaze met mine again.

“However, your mother was our photographer for our wedding and did a beautiful job. Shameful for what happened to her,” Nikini began. “Our daughter, Makena’s, 16th birthday is a few weeks away and we need a photographer to capture some photos of her and the event. We are willing to hire you for that job and if all goes well, we might be able to feature some of your work after all.”

“You’ll need to create a portfolio of only your best work,” Boris added, still eyeing me.

“Yes, of course,” I told them. My voice sounded strained.

“Marian,” she turned to face Marian whose face beat red; she looked mortified. “Be a dear and send me Arina’s email address.”

Marian nodded slowly; I could tell she was biting her tongue. She wasn’t used to being told what to do, especially in her own art studio.

“I’ll email you the details of when and where you need to be for my daughter’s party. It’s best to not be late and to be prepared,” Nikini said, turning back to me.

I nodded.

“Now if you’ll excuse us,” Nikini said as she brushed past me and towards the rest of the art.

Boris looked amongst each of us before his eyes landed on me one last time. His lips were pressed in a thin line. After what felt like a lifetime, he addressed Jonathan and said his goodbyes before joining his wife through the rest of the studio.

“They seem… interesting,” I said, breaking through the silence.

Looking at Marian, she was still staring at Nikini and Boris intently.

“I’ll be in my office,” she finally muttered before disappearing through her office door.