Chapter 40

Desiree. “We’ve arrived, Alpha,” the driver said as he drove to a gentle halt before the magnificent gates of the garden where the ceremony was currently in progress. I glanced at Maddox who exhaled deeply. He had this look of uncertainty in his eyes and it reminded me of what Gertrude had told me back in my room earlier—how Maddox easily gets overwhelmed at social gatherings like this. He was not at ease and a part of me wanted to soothe him but I held back the moment the guards came to open our respective doors. We alighted almost simultaneously and I was instantly welcomed by the soft music emanating from the gardens and the beautiful gaze of the moonlight. “Auburn Gardens,” I mentioned, staring at the writing imprinted on the see-through gate which gave me a glimpse of its beauty. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Maddox said as he came to stand beside me. I hummed, “How can I say just from a glimpse?” A tiny smile crept to his lips staring at the might of the gate. “You’ll be surpri