Chapter 2

I forced myself to extend my hand towards her, the handshake quite represented a painful farewell to the dreams I had once held close. A silent acceptance of the harsh truth that I was not destined to be by his side.

I noticed that Kai avoided my gaze. Although I never explicitly expressed my interest in him, I could easily tell he must've sensed it and perhaps knew how heartbreaking this supposedly joyful news was to me.

A lump formed in my throat, growing with each passing moment, and I knew it would only be a matter of seconds before I burst into tears. "Enjoy the party." I flashed her one last fake smile before walking into the crowd, heading towards the grand brown doors that led out of the ballroom.

I clenched my fists tightly, feeling my nails piercing into my palm, as each passing moment intensified the storm brewing within me. My eyes blurred with tears, threatening to spill over.

Every detail, from the faint traces of lipstick on Kai's lips to the bright conspicuous red mark on the girl's neck, etched itself into my memory, serving as a painful reminder of what I could never have.

I bit my lips hard to stop the sobs and mask my vulnerability until I left the hall without being noticed. Not like they would care, though. In fact, watching me cry and breakdown had been a pleasurable sight to these people.

With my head hung low, I finally approached the door but unexpectedly bumped into a hard wall—a person, to be precise. Red liquid instantly spilling on both of us. I lost my balance due to the impact and fell hard on my butt.

All thoughts about Kai vanished immediately, and I ignored the pain from the fall, swiftly getting back on my feet, hoping whoever I just bumped into and spilled drink on wasn't someone of a high status to make my father yell and punish me for being a disgrace to him over and over again.

"I'm sorry." I apologized, looking up to see an enchanting pair of emerald eyes peering down at me. He stood tall, adorned in an unmistakable expensive tuxedo, with guards behind him.

Definitely someone of great significance.

But he wasn't frowning or berating me for ruining his multimillion-dollar suit. Instead, he bore an expression that resembled concern if I was seeing correctly.

"Are you okay?" He asked in a deep, alluring voice, sending chills down my spine. I think it'll be safe to say he was the second person, after Kai, to speak to me calmly.

His captivating voice resonated within me, momentarily dispelling the anguish that had previously engulfed my heart.

I pushed the thoughts aside, trying not to embarrass myself further. "I'm sorry I ruined your outfit." My voice trembled slightly as I rushed my words, hoping my father wouldn't notice before I could clean up this mess.

However, before I could say another word, a booming voice erupted from behind, startling me and causing my hands to tremble.

"SARA!" I turned around to face my father, who stormed towards me with visible anger in his eyes. Upon reaching me, he raised his hands high, smacking me hard on my face. The impact caused me to fall to the ground instantly.

A loud piercing sound rang loudly in my ear and I had to blink repeatedly to clear the haze clouding my vision. I could hear my father still yelling, although his voice sounded quite distant.

Commotion breaks around me, and a glass of wine shattered on the ground a few meters away from me, creating a cacophony.

There's another voice yelling, and it's not my father's. Looking up, I see the stranger I bumped into, engaging in what seemed like a verbal fight with my father.

"No." I sprang to my feet, ignoring the dizziness I felt from my sudden movement. "I'm fine," I said to the stranger, causing him to stop what he was saying. I tried to force a smile on my face, hoping it would reassure him to drop the case.

This would be the last time he'd stay in our pack. As soon as the ceremony is over, he will return to his pack and live his life like nothing ever happened. While I will be left here to face the consequences of his actions. For trying to defend me.

I'm not about to make that happen. Not even with the fact that the only person who could save me after this stranger was gone would be too busy catching up with his mate.

"It was my fault. I should've seen you." I forced an awkward chuckle, trying to clear the tension in the air.

Thankfully, the stranger spoke up, finally diverting his mean gaze from my father. "Show me the restroom, please."

One of the waiters, who stood by the side, watching the scene from the very beginning, stepped forward to show him the way. "Come with me-"

"I was not talking to you."He snapped, cutting her off with a demeaning scowl. "You." He spoke, staring in my direction.

I exhaled heavily and rubbed my sweaty palm on the sides of my gown. "This way, please." I headed out of the brown doors with him, but not without stealing a glance at my father, whose eyes foretold all that could happen as soon as this stranger steps one foot out of our pack.

Although, I couldn't help but wonder who he was that he was able to make my father go silent with obvious caution. Last time I checked, father never gave a care if people were watching while he punished me for even the slightest mistakes. Not even if they were alphas.

Shaking off the thought, I proceeded down the next corridor that led to the guests' restroom. Standing by the door, I bowed a little, waiting for him to walk into the restroom.

"You should clean up, too; your dress is stained, and you could use some rest." He leaned against the door with his hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes filled with concern.

"Thank you, sir." I muttered, shifting my gaze to my intertwined fingers.

"You know, I'm not that old, right?" He chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

"I should leave," I stated. "Enjoy your evening." Without waiting another second, I turned around and headed out of the corridor, walking up the stairs that led to my room.

Shutting my room door behind me, I released the breath I had unknowingly been holding.

Another ungrateful evening!

I needed to shut my door lock for some privacy and process all that happened this evening, but, since father had removed the lock from my door since I turned twelve, depriving me of all the human privacy I needed, that was obviously impossible.

According to him, he owns the entire house, and me as well. Yet, he seemed to have overlooked the fact that he also owns the door lock of Adam and Lilah's room. Or perhaps I am just too unfortunate.

Lilah's the second favorite child of my father, two years younger than Adam and currently living my dream life at The BlackMoon Pack's University. One of the most prominent packs that ever existed.

After I was done with high school, father made it clear that it was the only education he could afford to give me and I should be grateful for that—which I genuinely am. Now all I needed to do was wait for my mate, and if he turned out to be a loving one, I could get the life and education I dreamed of.

Being educated definitely attracts respect, and that's the kind of woman I aim to be.

I turned my gaze to the brown door, listening to the faint music coming from the ballroom, knowing that as soon as all of that is over and the entire guests depart to their various Packs and houses, I'll be facing a punishment for publicly disgracing the almighty alpha.

Hopefully, he's not going to choose to starve me throughout tomorrow as a punishment, 'cause I barely had any food down my throat today.