Shadow of Love

The charity party was hosted at the convention hall of a VIP hotel. The hall was dazzling, illuminated by crystal chandeliers, and filled with the elites of the society. Men and women dressed in their finest attire mingled, laughter and chatter echoing across the grand hall. Leon stood at the crowd's edge, his heart pounding as he scanned the room.

It had been almost 6 months since he'd last seen Athea Verion, and this gala was his only chance to get close to her. His father had pulled strings to get their family an invitation, but now that he was here, Leon realized how out of place he felt. The grandeur, the power exuding from everyone—it was overwhelming. Yet his resolve didn't waver.

"She has to be here," he muttered to himself, adjusting his cufflinks nervously.

Leon wandered through the hallroom, moving from group to group, his eyes constantly searching. Every so often, he would catch snippets of conversation about the Verion family. People whispered their names with a mix of awe and fear. The eldest son, poised for leadership. The youngest daughter, is vibrant and daring. And, of course, Athea—the shadow that moved behind the scenes, commanding respect and fear in equal measure.

Finally, he spotted her.

Athea stood near the center of the room, surrounded by a circle of powerful individuals—politicians, CEOs, military officials. She was dressed in a striking dark gown that shimmered like obsidian, her crimson eyes gleaming with confidence. She held a glass of champagne, speaking with an older man whose posture screamed deference.

Leon's breath hitched. She was radiant, commanding, untouchable. For a moment, he froze, unsure of how to approach. How could someone like him—a mere teenager—demand the attention of someone so far above him?

But he had come this far. He couldn't turn back now.

Taking a deep breath, Leon began weaving through the crowd, his steps hesitant but determined. As he got closer, the sound of her voice reached him—low, measured, and tinged with amusement.

"...the proposal is ambitious, but you'll find my terms are non-negotiable," Athea was saying, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

Leon stopped a few feet away, his courage faltering as he realized how out of his depth he truly was. The people around her were titans of their industries, discussing matters far beyond his understanding. How could he possibly interrupt?

Just as he was about to retreat, the unexpected happened.

A loud crash echoed through the ballroom as a waiter stumbled, sending a tray of drinks crashing to the floor. The sudden noise drew everyone's attention, including Athena's. She turned, her crimson eyes scanning the room—and landed on Leon.

For a moment, their eyes met. Leon's heart raced, and he felt a surge of hope.

She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable, before turning back to her companions.

Leon's stomach sank. She didn't recognize him.

He waited there for a few minutes pretending to enjoy his drinks alone, what felt like an eternity passed as he finally spotted the people around her leaving. He watched Athea lean back in her chair signing as she sipped from her glass.

Summoning what little courage he had left, Leon stepped forward. "Miss Vernon," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

Athea turned to him again, her gaze cool and detached. "Yes?"

Leon swallowed hard. "I... I wanted to thank you. For what you did at the club last year."

Her brow furrowed in faint confusion. "Club?"

"it was last April when you saved me," Leon said, his voice quieter now. "When those men were harassing me."

Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed by mild amusement. "Oh, you're that boy." She smiled faintly, as though recalling a distant memory. "I remember now. You were crying, weren't you?"

Leon flushed, embarrassment burning his cheeks. "I wasn't—" He stopped, realizing there was no point in arguing. "Yes, I was. But I was scared and I am also thankful for everything."

Athea studied him for a moment, her smirk widening as she saw the emotions flitting across his face—embarrassment, hope, admiration. It was almost too easy.

"Interesting," she said softly, tilting her head. "But what brings you here tonight?"

"I... I wanted to see you," Leon admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her smirk grew. "How flattering." She took a step closer, her presence almost overwhelming. "Tell me, what do you want from me, little Omega?"

Leon froze, caught off guard by her directness. "I—I just..."

She chuckled a low, melodic sound that sent shivers down his spine. "Relax, boy. I'm only teasing."

Athea's mind raced. The boy was clearly infatuated, and his emotions were written all over his face. She found it amusing—and, perhaps, useful. An idea began to form in her mind, one that promised a bit of entertainment.

"You seem... sincere," she said, her tone softer now, though her smirk remained. "Perhaps we should talk properly. How about a dinner next weekend? I'll have my assistant contact you."

Leon's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "R-Really? That would be amazing!"

Athea inclined her head slightly. "Consider it a thank-you for reminding me of that night."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Leon standing there, his heart pounding with excitement.

Meanwhile...

As Athea returned to her circle, her smirk faded, replaced by her usual calculating expression. The boy was of little importance to her, but his enthusiasm and naivety might prove entertaining. Perhaps she could find a use for him—or at the very least, enjoy watching him squirm.

The gala continued around her, but Athea's mind was already elsewhere, plotting her next move.