Chapter 3

The next morning, Daniel appeared with a beautiful white evening gown. “There’s a banquet tonight. You’re coming with me.”

A banquet?

Before my Beta father died, I’d attended countless events like that. However, I no longer knew how to be around crowds.

Instinctively, I tried to refuse. “Alpha, can I not go? You should take Jessica instead.”

His eyes went cold instantly.

“My business partner values family and responsibility. In his view, only an Alpha with stability and a mate can be trusted.

“Rosie, don’t forget you’re still my mate. You made mistakes, but you’ve been punished. Attending this banquet with me is still your duty.”

That same icy look he’d given me three years ago, when he thought I’d pushed Jessica, was back.

A tremor ran through me, and I blurted an apology.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I’ll be good and do whatever you need. Just don’t send me back.”

He gave a satisfied hum. “Show up at your best and don’t screw it up.”

Night fell, and the banquet hall blazed with lights.

While Daniel chatted easily with the evening’s most important business partner, I stood behind him like a shadow, a glass of wine in my hand that I didn’t even want.

I was afraid of drawing attention, so much so that even my breathing was quiet.

However, the thing you fear most always finds you.

A guest turned suddenly, and I sidestepped to avoid him, only to bump into a passing waiter.

“Crash!”

The wine glasses crashed one after another onto the floor. The sharp crack of glass rang out through the hall.

My heart leaped into my throat. The first instinct burned into me from Silver Prison was to apologize.

“I’m so sorry…” I bowed deeply, nearly folding myself in half.

Every eye in the room swung toward me, unhidden surprise on their faces.

Daniel’s expression darkened in an instant.

Only then did I realize how badly I’d slipped. A Luna wasn’t supposed to look this small.

“I need to go to the restroom,” I muttered, fleeing the scene in panic.

I stumbled into the bathroom, breathing hard, my heart pounding like a drum.

“Rosie, embarrassing yourself again?”

I whipped around to find that Jessica had followed me in with a triumphant smile on her face.

“I’ve been enjoying fine food with Daniel these three years while you’ve been whipped in Silver Prison. Doesn’t that feel unfair?”

I stayed silent. I didn’t want to fight.

With no one else around, she dropped the gracious act. Her hand shot out, striking me hard across the face.

“Weren’t you arrogant before? What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Remember this, Rosie. Stop reaching for what’s not yours. The future Luna will be me!”

Before Silver Prison, I would have said proudly I was Daniel’s destined mate and that he loved only me.

Now, I just held my burning cheek and whispered, “If you want it, take it.”

I was going to die anyway.

Jessica’s smile widened with satisfaction.

“Even if you try to fight me, I have endless ways to send you back to Silver Prison. I heard some guy there tried to assault you? Shame you fought him off.”

My heart lurched. How did she know about that?

Could all those deliberate cruelties in Silver Prison be tied to her?

Jessica had already turned to leave. My body shook as I tried to follow, but after only a few steps, something warm trickled from my nose.

One, two, three drops.

I reached up to stop it, but the blood kept pouring, staining the white gown red.

My strength drained out with it, and I collapsed hard onto the floor.

…

Meanwhile, Daniel had been waiting a long time without seeing me return. He sent a waiter to check, then turned back to his partner, speaking smoothly.

“Sorry for the scene. Rosie’s the Luna I’m preparing to claim. Lately, she’s gotten timid.

“She’s probably sulking about something. Next month, I’ll hold my bonding ceremony for her. I’ll send you an invitation. Hope you can come…”

At that moment, a scream echoed from the other side of the hall.

“Alpha Daniel, something’s happened! Your date’s covered in blood. She looks like she’s dying!”