I swallowed my nerves and smoothed the front of my tattered skirt, bracing myself as best I could. My heart thundered as I took a tentative step forward.
I couldn't avoid him forever, no matter how embarrassing my current state was. If nothing else, I owed him a greeting—he was the Beta, for goodness' sake!
"Buenas tardes, Beta Axel," I said, trying to keep my voice steady even as I felt the gaze of every worker here on me. My cheeks burned, no doubt as red as a ripened tomato.
Axel turned toward me, his beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to place me. "Buenas tardes," he replied politely but stoically.
I could feel him giving me a one-over before he asked, "Do I know you?"
Ouch.
Of course, he didn't recognize me. I looked nothing like the girl he'd met at the gala, where I'd at least been dressed decently and had my hair brushed.
