“Of course!” She turns to Daryl, smile still firmly in place despite her growing discomfort. “Please, excuse me. My mother will have my head if I’m late.”

She also knew she wasn’t expected, that her parents didn’t care what she did as long as she showed up and didn’t cause a scene but the alpha doesn’t seem to want to back down and Ruby is far from being interested in turning down any reason to escape.

As soon as he does, Ruby takes the guard’s offered arm and says goodbye before letting him lead her away and down stairs.

“I... should not be here tonight. Thank you for the rescue.” A beat. “I don’t actually have to take photos do I? Because I could really use some air.” She was painfully sober; she’d be stupid to get drunk around this many alphas and so close to her heat.

And of course that was the only reason the smoky scent of the alpha at her side was so appealing. Or so she tried to tell herself.