Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 25: Clarissa - Adrian Black

Darren and I walked back into the hall. It was still as crowded as before. Groups of three or four werewolves stood chatting in their own circles.

But there was one group that seemed to draw far more attention than the rest.

"That’s Adrian and Shannon," Darren said, catching where my eyes had gone. "Come on, let’s go greet them."

He gently pulled my hand.

The moment people noticed us approaching, the crowd parted in two without us saying a word. Darren smiled at them, and I copied my eldest brother’s polite expression.

But honestly, I knew they weren’t stepping aside because of Darren’s friendly smile. They were stepping aside because he was Darren. My smile would never have the same weight.

When the last layer of people moved away, I finally saw a tall, handsome man with black hair like Richard’s—but with bright brown eyes. Though if we’re talking about looks, Richard is still more handsome.

Beside him stood Shannon, dressed in a stunning blue gown. Her straight blonde hair fell neatly down her back, accented with a blue gemstone hairpiece.

She looked so elegant. Truly fitting for the future Luna of the Black Pack, the largest pack in this region.

They noticed Darren and me approaching, and both of them lit up.

We stopped in front of them. Darren gestured toward me. "Adrian, this is Shannon’s older sister."

"Clarissa Eshaan," I introduced myself, placing my right hand over my left chest and bowing slightly.

It was the formal greeting I’d been practicing all week. Honestly, I’d been learning a lot of etiquette. Life among elites wasn’t as simple as eating, chatting, and laughing all day.

Adrian returned the greeting. "It’s nice to meet you, Clarissa."

He smiled warmly. His face reminded me of Richard, similar features, but with completely different auras.

Adrian felt warmer and more approachable than Richard. But personally, I preferred Richard’s demeanor. He seemed more trustworthy. There was nothing fake about how he acted. When I was with him, I never felt like he would do something behind my back.

"I’m actually in the same year as you," Adrian said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "When you comeback to the academy, we’ll be in the same class, Best Class. Welcome aboard."

I nodded politely. Darren had told me a few days ago about the class transfer. I didn’t mind. In fact, I felt much more relieved.

No more hateful, condescending, or fearful stares from the other students. No Oscar. And I could finally measure my real abilities, abilities that had been overlooked simply because I wasn’t in Best Class. Who knows? Maybe I could even reach first rank. Maybe.

The only things I’d miss were Mrs. Willette, who never judged me for my status, and Nadia, who had been willing to talk to me.

Anyway, I wasn’t switching schools, so I could still see them.

After greeting Adrian, Shannon grabbed my hand and beamed.

Earlier, her appearance made her look mature and elegant, but that smile brought back all her cuteness.

Even though we were twins, I would always treat Shannon like my little sister. She was too precious.

"You look really beautiful tonight, Sister Clarissa," she said.

"You too," I replied with a smile. "You two look like a couple destined by the Moon Goddess."

The two of them let out soft laughs at my comment.

Some of the nearby guests who overheard also chuckled. "It seems Miss Clarissa has quite a sweet tongue."

I didn’t respond that busybody. I really did think they were perfect for each other.

Shannon pulled me closer to her protectively. Adrian was still smiling, but the smile he gave the man who’d spoken earlier carried a sharp edge.

But when his eyes shifted to me, his expression softened back into a friendly smile.

"Since Clarissa brought it up, we’ll be making an official announcement..."

I blinked, confused. The other guests also looked puzzled, clearly unsure of what Adrian was about to announce.

When I glanced at Darren, he looked completely calm. And Larry, who I hadn’t even realized was already standing beside him, didn’t look confused either.

"Shannon and I are fated mates," Adrian declared as he wrapped an arm around Shannon’s waist.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Darren smiled proudly, and the two stars of the night beamed with joy.

This was... shocking. For everyone, and for me.

Marrying your fated mate was incredibly rare. Oscar and Fina were already considered unbelievably lucky. And now Adrian and Shannon too.

But the impact of their bond was far greater. That was because they came from two different major packs.

Childhood friends and engaged couples could still break apart, but fated mates were like a divine seal binding two souls.

No one could separate them, not even they themselves.

That was why a fated-mate bond was a double-edged sword. If the pair loved each other, it was bliss. But if they didn’t... it became a disaster.

Seeing Shannon’s bright smile, I could tell she loved Adrian. And Adrian seemed to genuinely love her as well.

Even if Adrian looked like the sly type, as long as he never used that against Shannon, then it didn’t matter. A gentle, innocent girl like her sometimes needed someone who could shield her.

"Congratulations, young master Adrian, Miss Shannon."

Everyone rushed to congratulate them, pushing forward to get closer.

Meanwhile, I, the weak omega, was shoved backward.

My balance suddenly slipped. Thud. Someone else pushed forward and bumped into me.

Panic shot through my chest. I didn’t want to become the center of attention while everyone was celebrating Shannon. That would be humiliating.

"H-help..."

My voice was swallowed by the noise.

Whatever. I might as well just die.

Just as I braced myself for my body to crash onto the cold floor, something solid caught me.

Larry.

He was my lifesaver.

Larry helped me stand properly, then carefully guided me away from the herd of young werewolves desperate to get noticed by the stars of the night.

We headed to the corner near one of the sofas. Larry handed me a drink.

"Are your legs hurt?" he asked. He probably thought something was wrong with my foot when I almost fell.

I shook my head. "I’m fine, Larry. Thank you."

He nodded without saying anything, but the tips of his ears turning red were answer enough.

For a moment, we just sat quietly, watching the excitement unfolding ahead.

Everyone was thrilled. The younger crowd gathered around Adrian and Shannon. Others formed their own groups.

The older women had their own circle. The adult men too, talking with serious expressions.

Alpha Will was there, always surrounded by people.

My gaze drifted back to Shannon, then to Alpha Will. They looked so alike.

"Larry, Alpha Will and Shannon have the same scent. They must be really close, right?" I murmured absentmindedly.

"Yes. Ever since she was little, Father often took Shannon along whenever he had meetings outside the pack. They were always together," Larry replied, then patted my shoulder. "From now on, he’ll bring you often too. So don’t worry."

"I wasn’t even worried about whatever you’re imagining," I protested.

"Yeah, I know," he answered, acting like he knew everything.

He totally misunderstood. Good thing he’d just saved me from humiliation and a bruised backside. If not, I might’ve actually smacked his head.

I went back to observing the room, and something felt... off.

"Larry, why don’t I see Richard anywhere?" I asked, letting my thoughts slip out, again.

"Richard? He rarely shows up at public events like this."

"Huh?" I blinked.

But Richard did come, so why wouldn’t he show himself? To the point people assumed he wasn’t here?

My mind suddenly recalled a rumor, one even someone like me had heard.

"Larry... is it true Richard has a congenital illness that keeps him from becoming heir?" I whispered.

Larry turned to me, staring a bit too long. I returned the look with my best fake-innocent expression.

"Yes. Richard’s red eyes aren’t hereditary. It’s an illness he’s had since birth. He can’t see in the dark, even after his inner wolf awakened."

My eyes widened. My mind replayed Richard’s handsome face, those crimson eyes that had pulled me in so effortlessly.

I never expected those eyes to be an illness.

For a werewolf, being unable to see in darkness was like receiving a harsh punishment.

Times might have changed. There were lights everywhere now. But still, that weakness could become a vulnerability, something enemies could exploit.

Especially for an alpha, whose entire life revolved around protecting the pack. He always had to appear strong, flawless.

I let out a heavy sigh.

"Why are you so curious about Richard? Do you know him in person?" Larry suddenly asked.

Curious about Richard? I wasn’t curious about him. It’s just that... our kiss scene appeared in my thoughts.

Without thinking, I slapped my own cheeks. Larry flinched in shock.

"I feel very sleepy. I’ll go to the restroom," I said quickly, standing up before he could say anything else.

I hurried toward the restroom, hoping no one else would be inside so I could have at least a moment to myself.

Thud!

As I turned into the hallway leading to the restroom, my body bumped into another woman.

The collision wasn’t hard. Neither of us had been walking fast. No one fell.

I looked up at the person I bumped into. "Sorry—oh—Arlisse!"

...