Chapter 3

The pain was so intense, my vision started to fade, Keith's face blurring. However, even through the haze, I caught the annoyance and scorn in his voice.

When I finally got my bearings, I did not even bother trying to explain.

Keith left me at my front door and walked away without looking back.

I had barely stepped inside when my mom called.

"The alpha asked your brother to come home for dinner. You should come too. It'll be nice, the whole family together."

Her voice was soft, and I could not help but laugh at the irony.

Why did she insist on playing the perfect mom? Anyone who did not know us would have thought we were the picture of a loving family.

However, it had been five years since we cut ties over her decision to be with some high-and-mighty alpha. Other than setting me up on awkward blind dates, we barely talked.

I did not have the energy to call her out on her act, so I just nodded and let it slide.

The next day, around noon in the villa, lunch was just hitting the table when Keith strolled in, fashionably late.

I could not help but stare as he approached. He was all sharp lines and designer threads, a world away from the guy who lived in hoodies.

I was still trying to wrap my head around it when my mom, clinging to her alpha's arm, cooed at Keith with a syrupy smile, "Keith, you're finally here! Come, sit down to eat. We've all been waiting for you."

I could not figure out my mom's deal. She knew Keith could not stand her, yet she kept up that mother-of-the-year charade.

Predictably, Keith barely reacted, not even sparing her a glance.

However, Mom did not miss a beat. She was all over him at the table, fussing like she owned the place.

Then she went all June Cleaver, serving the alpha his soup and trying to pass me the bread spread like a picture-perfect mother.

Too bad it was blueberry jam.

I froze for a second. I was allergic to blueberries—like, break-out-in-hives allergic.

Before I could say a word, Keith, cool as a cucumber, grabbed the jam from her, "She can't have this."

I blinked, surprised, and turned to look at him. He was the picture of calm, like he had not just stepped into a family minefield.

Mom's smile went stiff. She tried to play it off, "Keith, you and your sister seem close. That's a relief for me and Alpha."

The dinner table was silent, but Mom did not seem to mind the quiet. She smoothly changed the subject, "Oh, Elsie, Lucas—the heir to the Morey pack—mentioned he'd like to have dinner with you."

I barely gave a glance, "I'm booked up, tell him no thanks."

I used to go along with those setups, but I was done playing the dating game.

Mom's face turned stormy in an instant. She slammed her soup spoon down, her eyes icy.

"The whole pack knows you're out there, making a mess of your reputation. Who else would take you? I'm busting my back trying to sort out your love life, and you can't even be grateful. How long do you expect me to worry?"

I was used to that kind of shaming, but I could not help sneaking a look at Keith.

Keith, though, was busy texting, oblivious to me. I caught a glimpse of the name 'Joan Ferguson' on his screen—the she-wolf the alpha had set him up with.

A pang of hurt hit me, but I kept quiet and mumbled, "Fine, I'll go."

That got me a pleased smile from Mom.

Keith shot me a look that I could not quite read.

We left the villa separately after the meal. I got to Keith's car first, flashing my best smile.

"Hey, Keith, how about a ride home? Maybe hang out at my place for a bit?"

Keith squinted at me, a hint of a smile. "Sure."

He opened the car door, and before I knew it, I was in the back seat, caught off guard.

The door slammed shut, and Keith was suddenly there, leaning in close, his presence overwhelming.

"What's happening?" I gasped, my heart racing as I started to push back.

Keith made it look easy, pinning my wrists above my head with just one hand, while his other hand worked his tie loose and used it to tie my hands together.

It was dark inside the car. He dipped his head to nibble at my ear, his voice a low murmur.

"This is what you wanted, right, Elsie?"