"Well, there's what you want, and what you tell others you want. You taught me that difference, if you'll recall." Alistaire drawls casually, rolling the shoulder of the arm not concealed under his jacket. A crease in the fabric indicated he may or may not be palming something with some heft.

At the External's advance on Marcelo, Alistaire had pivoted his position. It looked like he was just shifting to get a better look at something across the way, but it put him more between Selene and his Aunt.

He scoffs lightly, raising his eyebrows. "'Fawning'? If I were fawning, I'd be offering myself up to your bedchamber again, Selene; but I'm afraid that period of my impulsive youth is gone. I'm not your Pawn anymore." His back doesn't straighten, but there's a certain readiness that creeps into his body language

He ignores Brooke in favor of still watching the adults in the room.

"I don't need to claim anything, Selene. It's simply how things are now." His eyes flash. "You have no business with Stephanie, and, as she stated, it's a lovely party. Go enjoy it. Elsewhere." He reigns his ego in, stopping from actually threatening her. He's a hedonist, and possibly a sociopath, but he's not a fool.