Chapter 4

I could see the triumph in Eileen’s eyes all night. It shone in the way she smiled too wide, in how she lifted her chin whenever someone congratulated her. This was her dream. Marrying into one of the wealthiest Alpha lineages in the country. To her, the money and the status were the real prizes. The fact that Travis was devastatingly handsome was just a bonus she liked to show off.

I stood up and excused myself, heading toward the buffet. I could not stand the conversation at our table anymore. Every word revolved around mergers, territory assets, offshore accounts, and power plays that felt heavy and suffocating. It made my skin crawl.

“Eileen never mentioned her sister was this stunning.”

I turned and saw William standing there with an easy smile. I returned it awkwardly as he slid into the seat beside me. If I remembered correctly, he was Travis’s cousin. I had felt his gaze on me throughout the ceremony, lingering longer than necessary, but I had brushed it off as my imagination.

“Why’d you bail on the main table?” he asked, already loading food onto his plate.

“Business talk isn’t really my thing,” I said with a small shrug.

“Same here. Damn business.” He laughed and shook his head. “But seriously, I’ve never seen you at any of the inter pack gatherings.”

“I’m not much for parties,” I replied as I walked toward a quieter table tucked into the corner of the garden, where the lights were softer and the noise faded.

He followed anyway, completely ignoring the hint. He stopped just where the shadows began. “So what do you do with your time then?”

“I run a pet shop.” The words came out easily, though they always carried weight. It was the only thing my mother had left me before she passed away. I worked every day to keep it alive. It was my last connection to her.

“There you are, William.”

Eileen’s voice cut through the air sharply. I glanced sideways and saw her gripping Travis’s arm, her fingers possessive. “And you’re here too, Aubrey?”

They pulled out chairs and joined us without asking. The atmosphere shifted instantly. The air felt heavier, tighter, filled with Travis’s silent Alpha presence. He did not say a word, yet it pressed down on everyone at the table.

“We’re just talking,” William said easily. “Why were you looking for me?”

“I want to introduce you to one of my bridesmaids,” Eileen said, smiling in a way that did not reach her eyes. “You two would be perfect together. You should date her.”

William laughed and glanced toward the table where her friends sat. “I don’t know, Eil. I think I’ve already found my type right here.” He gestured toward me.

I nearly choked on my juice. I did not know if he was joking or serious. I risked a glance at Travis. His jaw tightened, a muscle ticking as his pulse throbbed visibly in his neck.

“Her?” Eileen pointed at me and laughed, sharp and mocking. “God, William, you have zero taste in women.”

William frowned, clearly confused. He did not seem to notice the bitterness and jealousy rolling off Eileen in waves. “Look at her. She’s the most captivating woman at this party.” He realized how that sounded and quickly added, “Aside from you, Eil. But seriously, if you’re trying to set me up, set me up with Aubrey.” He laughed loudly, oblivious.

“You’re not a match,” Travis said suddenly.

We all jumped. His voice was hard and cold. He did not smile. He did not even look at William. He looked like he was barely holding himself back from shifting and throwing him over the estate fence.

Eileen rolled her eyes, stood up, and tugged Travis away by the arm. I spent the rest of the night with William. He was kind, funny, and easy to talk to. Everything Travis was not. Where Travis felt dark and suffocating, William felt light and safe.

The next morning, I was awake at four o’clock. My hands shook as I packed my life into a single suitcase. I had to leave before the news of my pregnancy reached my father. I would not survive that confrontation.

Crash.

The sound of porcelain shattering echoed from downstairs. Then Eileen’s scream tore through the house.

“What is wrong with him? Mom, did I do something wrong last night? Did I embarrass myself?”

I slipped out of my room and peered over the banister. A priceless Ming vase lay shattered across the marble floor. Eileen’s palms were bleeding as she clutched a jagged shard of ceramic, her hands trembling.

“If this wedding doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself, Mommy! I won’t be the laughingstock of the pack!”

My heart slammed against my ribs. The wedding was off? Why? Had Travis backed out?

“He can’t leave me! He can’t!”

“It’s not going to happen, sweetie,” Estella said, trying to soothe her though her face had gone pale. “We’ll talk to him. He can’t do this to a Beta’s daughter.”

My father’s booming voice echoed from downstairs. I started to move, but my brother Fred caught me at the landing and lifted a hand to stop me.

“Go back to your room, Aubrey,” he said firmly.

“Fred, what’s happening?”

He sighed, eyes flicking toward the chaos below. “Travis canceled the wedding. No explanation. Eileen is losing her mind.”

I returned to my room and sat on the edge of my bed, my thoughts racing. How was I supposed to escape with everyone awake and screaming?

I looked out the window. Jumping meant landing in the backyard, but the third floor drop was too high, even for a wolf. Then I saw it. Three black SUVs tore through the gates and skidded to a stop in the driveway.

Travis stepped out, followed by a line of guards. My breath caught. Was he here to apologize? To fix things with Eileen?

I crept back to the balcony overlooking the foyer.

“Travis!” Eileen ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I knew you were joking. The wedding is still on, right?”

“What the hell is this, Travis?” my father growled, pointing at his chest. “You cancel the wedding through a legal notice and then show up here like this?”

“Mr. Castile, I’m not here to grovel,” Travis said calmly. His voice echoed through the house. “The agreement between our families was that I would marry your daughter. But the contract never specified which daughter.”

Silence fell over the room.

Then his head tilted upward. His eyes locked onto mine on the third floor. Everyone followed his gaze. My body froze.

“Get to the point,” my father roared. “Are you marrying my daughter or not?”

Travis did not look away from me. “I am marrying your daughter... Aubrey. I’m here for her. Because she’s carrying my heir.”