CHAPTER FOUR

Solara's POV 

The other responded, her eyes blazing. "I mean your client ordered that you get the hell out. Or we'll throw you out into the goddamn street."

A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat. He didn't only ditch me but also ordered that I'm thrown out... And what the fuck is client? Did I ever tell or discuss any payment plans with him?

My eyes landed on the fancy wall clock and it's almost midnight. Rage, frustration and irritation coursed through me. Where would I go by this time?

Shame, Solara!

Now.. the stranger had tagged you a whore—while Lucas a gold digger.

There must really be something about me that makes the men abandon me.

"We won't repeat ourselves anymore," the first one growled.

"Sure. I will leave." I raised my hands in surrender.

I slipped out of the bed, gathered my clothes that was sprawled across the floor and threw them on. I stormed out of the hotel. Outside was dark, cold, silent and frightening. I stood by the roadside hoping I'd get a taxi but no one was forthcoming.

Fear crashed down on me as I wrapped my hands around myself, and that was when I saw a motel across the road. I sighed in relief and quickly walked into the motel to spend the night there.

_____

I blinked my eyes open, adjusting myself to the sunlight filtering in through the window blinds. 

I was disoriented for a while.

What the hell happened?

Then the memories hit me like a sledgehammer; the stranger at the masquerade ball. How he had almost claimed me but his phone buzzed and he had to leave. He promised to come back, but he never did and ordered me to be thrown out. How I had ended up spending the night in this motel.

A strange pain clouded my chest. Of course, he didn't come back. No one wants me. Neither Lucas nor the stranger. In fact, the stranger had hurt me more than Lucas did.

I forced back my tears and quickly consoled myself; It's their loss not mine.

Then my phone beeped on the bedstand beside me, flashing Mira. I answered it.

“Where the fuck are you, Sol?!“ She asked, her voice urgent. 

My brows furrowed in confusion. She definitely saw me leaving with the stranger yesternight. Before I could respond, she continued.

“Have you forgotten we are having Herbology test by 8. A. M. This is 7: 30. A. M., and you're not here yet.“

Fuck!

I yanked the duvet off me and jumped out of the bed. “I swear… I totally forget about the test. I'm coming now.“

She ended the call and that was when I saw a lot of missed calls from her.

I ran around the room, quickly gathered my clothes, threw it on and stormed out of the room.

Yeah… I didn't read at all, but then I'm so smart that I'm sure I'd score above average if I take the test. But missing it? Never an option.

All heads turned towards me as I struggled to run out of the motel in the heavy ball dress, but I didn't care. I slipped into the backseat of a taxi.

“To the Moonfang College.“

________

“Thank you so much for informing me about the test, Mira,” I said to Mira as we walked out of the lecture hall.

I didn't know how I managed to do it, but I had gotten to the dorm, shower, dress up and head to the lecture hall. I had arrived five minutes late but thank Goddess the professor came in immediately after.

“You welcome,” she said with a mischievous smile on her face. 

I know where she's heading to and gods knows that I really don't want to talk about it. I don't want to tell her that I was abandoned yet again.

“So how was your night?“ She finally asked. “You know… the stranger, how is he? Is he better than Lucas?“

I blinked so hard, trying to get the memories of his abandonment out of my mind.

Unaware of the storm raging inside me, she slung her arms across my shoulders. "Tell me, Sol,” she teased, her voice ringing out like a bell. “Is he better than Lucas?“

Is he better than Lucas?

I didn’t even get to find out. But I liked the way he latched at my nipples and spanked my ass roughly.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice echoed behind me. “….Solara…..“

Ashen.

He is the only one who calls me my full name and it has never sounded so melodious from any other person than it did anytime he called it.

I turned back at him, and he had an unreadable expression on his face. He closed the distance between us in few steps.

“Hi,” he waved at Mira.

“Beta Ashen,” she said, bowing slightly. Then she winks to me. “I will be in the cheerleading room. Don't forget we have to head to the rink soon to meet the new Coach.“

“Alright,“ I answered.

She turned and disappeared down the hallway.

“The new Coach is Lucas' uncle,” Ashen said, stepping closer with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. “He's a very powerful man whose influence is enough to shake Lucas' rule even though he's the Alpha, and that's why he's being blinded to think that if he marries Nyra whose father is a Beta, he can more be respected and powerful within the council.“

I threw my head to the side. The words cut deeper than I cared to admit. “But he loves her?“ I insisted. “You don't have to make excuses for him.“

“Excuses?“ He repeated as if my word was absurd. His voice dropped lower. “I'm not making excuses for him, Solara. He's my friend and I know him better than anyone else. The happiest times I have seen him is when you both were together. That slut is not right for him.“

“Lies…. All lies, Ashen.“ I shake my head, tears burning my eyes. “But even if it's true, it doesn't matter anymore. We are done now. Really done.“

Ashen ran a hand through his hair. “You can't just throw away everything you've shared, Solara,” he said, his voice was laced with frustration. “Please you both should have a heart to heart talk. Let him know that you love him. Let him know you're not with him because of his status or money.“

“No… Ashen.“ I shook my head in disagreement. “Let him think whatever he wants. I won't force myself on him anymore. It might be difficult but I will stop loving him. This time, I chose to walk away. I chose myself.“ A tear rolled down my cheeks.

Ashen's gaze softened, plagued with guilt. “It's fine, Solara. I don't mean to make you sad.“

I nodded, wiping off my tears with the back of my hand. “I know, Ashen.“ I forced a smile at him. “I know you're just looking out for me.“

A moment passed before he straightened and extended a black bank card. “Lucas said I should give you this. Ten million dollars for the reward. He also said, you can take the penthouse since he knows how much you liked the place.“

I hesitated.

Ten million dollars?

A luxurious penthouse?

That would set me up for life. I would be able to go to school peacefully without struggling with part-time gigs; I work as a model for an upcoming clothing brand and also a tutor.

But taking this money would only prove him right that I'm a gold-digger. Besides I won't be at peace spending his money while watch him flaunting another woman.

“I don't want his money, Ashen,” I simply said. “He can donate it to the motherless home.“

Ashen breathed out. He looked at me like he couldn't understand me at all. “But you need it, Solara.“

“Maybe,” I answered with a small smile. “But I'd rather struggle than take his fucking money.“

Ashen parted his lips to speak but I beat him to it. “I have to leave now,” I quickly added before he tried to convince me any further. “I will see you later.“

He dipped the card back in his pockets. “If you're free tonight, text me—let me buy you and Mira dinner.“

“Of course, I'm free,” I interjected, my voice light. “Who is busy for a free dinner?"

He let out a hearty laugh that made him look so handsome and beckoned at me to go on.

I bowed before turning and disappearing from the hallway. I walked towards the cheerleading room.

Mira and the rest of the girls were already dressed up in our super tight uniform—a short blue skirt and white top.

“You're late,” Elara—the cheerleader— spat, glaring at me. She had always hated me for reasons I don't know. I was only able to join the team because of Lucas' help.

“I'm sorry,” I muttered and quickly moved towards my locker to get my uniform and changed into it.

“Let's go,” Elara ordered.

With our pom-pom in our hands, we moved out of the room towards the rink.

The arena buzzed with energy, packed from the nosebleeds to the glass. Cold air nipped at my exposed skin, and the sharp scent of ice, sweat, and popcorn hung in the air. We moved to the stage, waving our pom-pom and the students cheered us on.

Subconsciously, my eyes was fixed on the front roll where the ice hockey team are seated but Lucas was no where to be found. I wonder why though. He is supposed to be here since he is the captain, and his uncle is also the new coach.

I scolded myself…. Why do I still care?

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a moderator says, his voice booming through the microphone. “Give it up to the Coach. Grand. Prince. Damon. Blackwood.“

Cheers and applause erupted. Lights flashed as he skated to center ice, fully kitted in the Coach uniform. 

Then he removed his helmet, my breath seized.

Tall. Stoic. Jaw set in the exact way.

It was no other person than the stranger from last night.

Yes... him.

The one who promised to come back for me but never did. 

The man who ordered me to be thrown out in the street.

The devil in Armani