The Alpha novel Chapter 34

Scarlet's POV

We are in front of another gorgeous, modern skyscraper that the Kane brothers own. We take the elevator up and it opens onto a large open ballroom. Round tables are on one side, all of them covered in fine cloths with gorgeous centerpieces on each of them. People are milling about everywhere throughout the decadent room as they cluster in groups, some chatting, some enjoying the art, some snacking on hors d'oeuvres. The entire space has dimmed lights while candles flicker on the tables. Recessed lighting lines the walls, spotlighting the multitude of canvases that adorn the space. In the center is a raised stage with a podium and microphone. A wall is just behind it and slightly off to the side so that you can see it passed the speaker. A large cloth is draped over it and I'm assuming it is hiding the portrait of myself.

My stomach rolls inside of me as my anxiety once again builds. I'm worried about how it turned out and what will happen. I'm not sure why. Just the idea of it being unveiled seems to set my nerves on edge. I link my arm through the crook of Ethan's elbow as he guides me into the room and toward his siblings. They are all standing in front of a wall divider that has a painting on either side of it. The one they are observing is of a woman in the throes of passion as her lover presses her backside against a window overlooking the city. "This picture makes me hot," Isa states plainly, her brothers instantly groaning at her.

"Goddess Isa! We don't want to know what makes you hot!" Tyler exclaims and I let out a small chuckle.

"Oh come on! I know I'm not the only one!" she insists back.

"I'm pretty sure that's what Lucien was going for," I remark as Ethan and I finish our approach.

"Lucien, huh? You on a first name basis with him now?" Xander asks with a cocked eyebrow. A low growl rumbles out of Ethan.

I shrug nonchalantly. "That's what he told me to call him," I answer innocently.

"You look stunning Scarlet," Isa pipes up, successfully changing the subject.

"Thank you. So do you," I return.

"So, do you guys want to look at the rest of the work?" Alex questions.

"I'd love to."

"Lead the way," Ethan states with a gesture of his hand to say ladies first. We begin wandering along the edge of the room as we look at one painting at a time. The chatter continues as everyone takes turns remarking on the pieces.

"Wow. I love this one. Look at the brush strokes," Isa says about one.

"This one is more my style," Alex remarks in front of another.

"Alpha Lucien clearly likes women..." Xander adds after looking at what must have been the tenth painting we passed. And he was right. Every single piece portrayed a woman as its main focus, though they were of varying ages, races, and stages of undress. Some of the paintings were clearly meant to be provocative while others brought out the other sides of a woman, maternal, driven, sad, happy. Each one was exquisitely done and provoked all kinds of feeling and emotions. Lucien was clearly very talented.

As we finished looking at the displayed pieces, a familiar voice rang out from behind us. "Alpha Ethan! Miss Scarlet!" Lucien greets as he comes up to us. "I do hope you've enjoyed the exhibit!"

"Oh yes. It's been wonderful," I reply with a smile as a waiter comes by with a tray of champagne and offers us all a flute of the bubbly liquid. Lucien quickly snatches up a couple and hands one to me with a beaming smile.

Ethan matches his with a tight grin of his own, clearly not liking Lucien's presence. He picks up a drink of his own and takes a gulp before turning back as Lucien continues. "I can't wait to unveil my featured piece. I do hope you all like it. I have had such a creative surge since meeting my lovely muse," he coos as he places a hand on my lower back. Ethan glares daggers at Lucien as his chest rumbles, clearly trying to hold back his wolf.

I smile politely at him and shift my body, causing his hand to drop back to his side. "Yes, well, we should probably go take our seats. Dinner will be served soon and then the auction will begin," Ethan remarks gruffly.

"Ah yes!" Lucien replies with an excited clap. "I better finish my rounds! Alphas, ladies, sir," he adds as he bows his head to the rest of us to bid ado.

"I hate that guy," Ethan growls once Lucien is out of earshot and distracted by someone else.

"Oh come on. He's not nearly as bad as his daughter," I remark as I squeeze his shoulder, trying to calm him down. I lean over and kiss him on the cheek before we go and take our seats at the table that is front and center before the stage.

Dinner is delicious and as they finish people begin to mill about again as numbered paddles are handed out to everyone who is wanting to participate. Ethan and I are standing in the center of the open floor in front of the stage after being introduced to a couple other Alphas. They start on one end of the wall as the canvases are brought up one by one and bid on. I am shocked by how much some of them are going for. The room is full of wealthy Alphas from all over the world, but I had no idea to what extent. Paintings were going for tens of thousands of dollars.

Finally, we are down to the last piece as Lucien returns to the mic. "I would like to thank all of you for coming out to join us tonight. This event wouldn't have been the success it was if it wasn't for all of you. I do have one more piece that I am very excited about. As soon as I arrived here in Crescent City, I found my muse. She is a rare beauty and I just had to paint her, immortalize her. And I must give my sincerest gratitude to my subject, the stunning Scarlet Denton," he toasts as he holds out his champagne flute to me. I instantly blush at all the attention as all eyes land on me. Whispers and chatter break out for a moment before Lucien continues. "And now for the piece de resistance."

My heartbeat accelerates and my breath hitches as Lucien reaches up and yanks the cover off the painting with gusto. Gasps fill the room and Ethan snarls as I stand frozen. For a mere moment, the rest of the room seems to disappear as I stand there in shock. My breath is stuck in my throat as I stare up at the stage. My wide eyes are locked on a massive canvas displaying a painting of me, completely nude.