Page 56 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

Sasha rolled her eyes and gave a little shrug."He went to find another partner.There's been this girl who's been eyeing him all week and I think he just gave in.Look‚ over there."She pointed across the crowd‚ and I followed her hand to see Liam with a slim‚ petite girl in an off-white gown.

I was about to say something when Sasha nudged me again‚ lowering her voice."Anna‚ look at him.His eyes are fixed on you‚ not on anyone else‚ not even the people swarming him."

I glanced back towards Ryan‚ and sure enough‚ even though people were calling his name and shaking his hand‚ his gaze was locked right on me‚ sharp and unreadable‚ as if I was the only person that mattered in that entire crowd.My stomach twisted uncomfortably.

Sasha leaned closer and whispered‚ "I also heard from Liam that he was once a student of our school.a really bright student too‚ apparently‚ and from a very rich family.He was specially invited to this gala‚ and his father is some very well-known man.Anna… do you know his family?"

The question hit me like a stone‚ but I quickly forced my face to stay calm.I knew that if I told Sasha the whole truth‚ she would connect the dots too fast‚ and then everything I'd been trying to hide would explode out in the open.So I just shrugged and pretended like it was nothing."I don't really know‚ Sasha.Maybe.I don't know much about him outside school."

Sasha frowned but didn't push it.She just sighed and then gave me a sympathetic look."Sorry‚ Anna‚ but I think I have to leave you now.He's coming over here‚ and the look on his face isn't looking good.You'll have to face him alone.I'm really sorry babe."

I panicked a little‚ my hand shooting out to grab hers."Please‚ Sasha‚ don't leave me with him right now.I can't… he's hurt me so much already‚ I'm not ready."

Her eyes softened but she shook her head quickly‚ glancing nervously at Ryan who was already striding towards me with that same unreadable expression."I'm so sorry‚ Anna‚ but I don't want him transferring his anger onto me.I can't.You'll have to do this on your own.I love you‚ okay?"She squeezed my hand once and then tugged Caleb with her‚ both of them scurrying off into the hall‚ leaving me standing there alone.

My teeth clenched as I turned back to see Ryan‚ his eyes glued to me‚ his strides long and purposeful‚ his entire focus narrowed down on me like a predator closing in on prey.I wanted to move but my legs were stuck‚ and just as I thought he was about to reach me‚ two lecturers stepped in front of him to greet him.He stopped‚ his expression flickering briefly‚ and they started shaking his hand‚ talking to him‚ slowing him down.I saw that as my chance.

Without thinking too hard‚ I scanned the crowd and spotted a guy standing off to the side‚ tall‚ good-looking‚ and clearly without a partner.I didn't hesitate.I rushed over to him‚ plastering a smile on my face as I reached for his hand."Hi‚" I said sweetly‚ breathless from nerves‚ "can you be my partner for the night?"

The guy blinked‚ startled‚ then smirked when his eyes ran over me."Of course‚ sexy."

I forced a laugh and immediately linked my hand with his‚ dragging him along before Ryan could catch me.We walked into the hall together‚ and my heart finally slowed a little when I saw how crowded it was inside.Music filled the room‚ couples were already on the dance floor‚ and the noise was loud enough to blur my panic.I tugged the guy straight to the middle of the dance floor‚ forcing myself to move with him‚ anything to get lost in the crowd and not be found too quickly.

Minutes passed.My body relaxed bit by bit as I swayed with the stranger‚ convincing myself Ryan was still caught up outside‚ probably still surrounded by people.I let myself believe I had bought some time‚ that maybe I'd be able to avoid him longer than I thought.

But then‚ without warning‚ the air shifted.I didn't even need to turn around to know he was behind me‚ close enough that I could feel his presence pressing against my back like a storm ready to break.and then his voice came‚ sharp‚ low‚ and commanding‚ cutting straight through the music.

"Get your hand off her!"

CHAPTER 154

Anna's POV

The guy didn't even wait a second longer.He bowed quickly‚ muttering‚ "Please‚ forgive me‚" before scurrying off like his life depended on it.

I just stood there‚ frozen‚ my brows furrowing.People always did that around Ryan‚ and even though I was seeing it more than once‚ it still threw me off every single time.The respect‚ the fear‚ the way their whole demeanor changed the moment he appeared‚ it was as if he was someone much bigger than I really knew.Sure‚ I knew he was the heir to the family's business‚ but now‚ with what I'd just found out from Dad and Mom‚ that he was also the future Alpha of the pack‚ it felt like my entire life had been thrown into some new reality that I wasn't even sure I was ready for.

Ryan reached for me‚ but I moved away quickly‚ refusing his touch‚ and I walked straight off the dance floor.My chest was tight‚ my head pounding‚ and all I wanted was air.

Of course‚ he followed after me‚ calling my name‚ his voice echoing through the hall as if he wasn't even trying to keep things private.

I scanned the place‚ desperate for somewhere to hide‚ and when I saw a group of girls slipping into the ladies' restroom‚ I went straight after them.He wouldn't dare follow me there.At least‚ that was what I thought.

I was wrong.

Before I could even push the damn door shut‚ his foot slid between it‚ stopping me cold.

"Ryan!"I snapped‚ my chest rising and falling fast.

He didn't even look the slightest bit guilty.He grabbed my hand and dragged me right out of the ladies and into the men's restroom instead‚ his grip unshakable.

I ripped my hand free the moment he let go‚ glaring at him with all the fire I could muster‚ but he stood there as if my anger didn't even scratch him.Calm‚ firm‚ unbothered.Then‚ without hesitation‚ he locked the door behind us‚ and the sound was making my stomach twist because now it was just us‚ no one else‚ nowhere to run.

"Why are you avoiding me‚ Anna?"His voice was low‚ deep‚ the same tone I'd heard before when he sounded as if something inside him wasn't fully human anymore.It was scary‚ strong‚ commanding.

I tried to push past him‚ heading for the door‚ but in one swift move he yanked me back and pinned me there instead‚ his body caging me against the cold wood.His face was so close to mine‚ and my heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could feel it.

"Leave me‚ Ryan!"I shouted‚ struggling against him‚ but he didn't move‚ didn't budge an inch.Instead‚ his eyes locked on mine‚ sharp and searching‚ as if he was desperate to understand."Why are you suddenly avoiding me?What the hell did I do?!"