Chapter 3

Gianna Marino

His hands were warm. I didn’t see his face, but I was grateful. His intervention came just as I was about to fall apart.

He stopped at the backyard of the mansion and finally turned to me.

I gasped. “Carl?”

“Why did you just stand there and let them say all those mean things to you?” he asked, his voice low, his expression tinged with sadness.

Carl, Ethan’s close friend. I’d only seen him once since I got involved with Ethan. He was rarely around. He probably heard his friend was getting engaged and flew into the country to witness it.

“Did you know all along, too?” I asked, my voice cracking as stupid tears gathered in my eyes again.

“I got an invitation to my best friend’s engagement party,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t know he had another plan up his sleeve.”

I sniffled and wiped the tears off my cheeks. “Thank you… for back there.” I gestured toward the hall.

He nodded. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just don’t understand why you’re still here after the way they treated you. I always thought you deserved better than Ethan.” His voice was soft, almost hesitant, yet filled with conviction.

For the first time, I really looked at him. He wasn’t as striking as Ethan, but his broad build and warm eyes made up for it. Those eyes were gentle, comforting. I wanted to fall into his arms, just to feel like I wasn't alone.

“Why are you telling me this?” I whispered.

For a moment, I forgot about the pain Ethan had caused me. All I could feel was the warmth growing in my chest.

“Because I like you,” Carl said, his eyes searching mine. “I didn’t say anything before because Ethan found you first, but… I was never happy with how he treated you. I told him that a couple of times, but he warned me to stay out of his business.”

He paused. 

My face didn’t betray what I was feeling.

“Did I say something wrong?” he asked quickly. “I’m… sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about my feelings when you’re feeling like this. It’s selfish of me.”

I wasn’t even upset. Somehow, his words, his honesty, everything, helped soothe the sting of betrayal. For the first time in hours, my heart didn’t feel completely shattered.

“It’s fine…” I murmured.

Then, gently, he suddenly pressed his lips against mine.

Catching me off guard.

His lips were Soft. Tentative.

Then he pulled away slowly, and I bit my lower lip, trying to steady myself. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, each beat whispering more.

Was this what it was like to matter to someone? I wondered, trying to hide the smile that tugged at my lips.

"Come back with me. I'll be leaving in two days. Start afresh far from this drama. You can leave now and return to your father's pack later, much later. When you are in a better state to fight. You are vulnerable now and it's three against one." He said but I didn't respond. It was too much for me to process. How everything went from fine to bad or worse.

“I should go,” he said softly, running his thumb over his mouth.

“You should get some rest.”

I nearly scoffed. As if Beatrice would let me do that.

I watched him walk back into the hall, eyes trailing his every step until he disappeared from view. How could a man’s words warm me up that quickly? How could one kiss make me feel this way?

I never really thought of Carl before. I barely knew anything about him, except that he was always traveling. But now… now his words echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t shake them off.

I stepped back into the hall but just at the entrance, my body collided with someone. I swallowed hard when I saw him.

Huge, intimidating build and cold eyes yet something warm lurked in his eyes. It was no doubt he was an Alpha but I hadn't seen him before.

"I'm.. I'm sorry." I stuttered despite myself and stumbled away from him before he could say anything.

Ethan and Cassie were mingling, exchanging pleasantries with the guests. I was certain the pack members already heard what happened and I would be a laughing stock by the morning. I tried my best to ignore them as I served appetizers to the other side of the room but I was failing miserably.

It all felt like a cruel dream. A nightmare I couldn’t wake from.

Watching the man I once made beautiful plans with, standing there… with someone else. Not just someone else—someone I called my best friend.

Standing exactly where I was supposed to be, by his side.

At that moment, I made up my mind to start afresh. I would leave with Carl and return someday to claim what was rightfully mine—my father’s empire and mansion.

It wouldn't make sense to stay back... 'fuck!' I screamed mentally in frustration and stumbled towards the ball in the hall.

The bartender was a bit surprised when I ordered for something strong but he didn't question me, he just gave me what I asked and I drank and drank.

Shot after shot.

The world began to blur, and maybe I welcomed it there was no use staying alive when I couldn't protect the things my father worked so hard to build and protect.

"Give me... more!!" I ordered, my frustration taking over, I was a little tipsy but I wanted to keep going until the alcohol blur out the pain in my heart. But as I brought the nineteenth or twentieth shot to my mouth--I wasn't counting-- there was a barrier. 

It seemed like a hand was preventing me from taking the shot. Wait, was I just so drunk to start seeing things?

"That's enough for one night. You'd be a mess if you continue to drink like that in the party you got rejected." The voice startled me and I blinked. 

Deep, firm and authoritative but still soothing. 

I turned and saw him.

The man I’d bumped into earlier in the hallway. He was leaning against the bar, dark clothes clinging to his tall, sculpted frame, a glass in his hand. His presence demanded space. Power radiated off him like heat. And those eyes—cold, unreadable, yet familiar in a way that made my heart stutter.

I stumbled forward.

“You,” I slurred softly, pointing, “I know you from somewhere, but I don’t know where…”

He didn’t answer. Just looked at me with a gaze that seemed to see everything.

I turned, dizzy, and nearly tripped on my own feet—but his strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.

"You do have a knack for stumbling," he said, voice deep, velvet and steel.

I blinked.

The hall.

“You,” I whispered again, now steadier. “The hall…”

Just then, a sharply dressed man approached him, whispered something in his ear. I watched the quiet exchange, the way the man lowered his head in respect before walking away.

So this wasn’t just some Alpha at a party. There was more to him but I was too drunk and mentally weak to even try to think about it.

I tilted my head, my lips curving in a drunken smirk.

“So, you’re the infamous Alpha Alessio Giordano of Red moon pack. The ruthless and wealthy CEO and Alpha everyone fears,” I teased, words half-laced with slur, half with amusement. I'd heard of him from the mouths of the pack members occasionally and they always spoke about him with fear. Talking about his latest kill.

However I never got to see him, never even knew until his guard or whoever the whisperer was called his name.

His mouth twitched. A smirk.

He didn’t deny it.

I leaned in closer, brushing the edge of my fingers along his lapel, steadying myself with his chest. My breath was warm against his skin, my eyes glittering from alcohol, pain, and something dangerously close to desire.

“How about you spend the night with me, Alpha Alessio?”