Chapter 4

The morning chill brushed my hair, and the sunlight kissed my face. I squeezed my eyes shut against the glare, a sharp throb hitting my temples.

I hissed, my head feeling like it was stuffed with lead.

​Then, I heard it… the steady splash of a shower running nearby.

My eyes snapped open. I wasn't in my room. I was sprawled on a king-sized bed. The mattress was softer than flower petals.

And the room...

It was bigger than Logan's bedroom, like twice in size. There were only a few pieces of furniture, but I could say they were very expensive.

“Where am I?”

I gulped, glancing at the curtains. They were rare to purchase, made of heavy, blockout, quality fabrics.

​I rubbed my eyes, praying this was a dream. Then, the blurry memories of last night hit me like a physical blow.

​The club. The drinks. The escort.

"I was in the club and got drunk. Then... I met an escort!"

I glanced at the blanket, which was wrapping around my body.

"Oh, shit!"

​I gripped the silk blanket, my breath hitching as I slowly looked down at my body.

'I hope I didn’t do anything stupid last night. Please, please no…’

I let out a jagged sigh of relief. I was still fully dressed.

​"Thank God!" I whispered. I had passed out before I could do anything truly reckless.

The sound of water running down inside the bathroom captured my ears again. I glanced at the bathroom door and bit my lips.

"Is that man inside the bathroom and taking a shower?"

My cheeks turned red when I remembered the blurry image of that escort.

I looked away from the door and quickly got out of the bed.

"He must have rented this place for one night. I can guess he really captures rich women." I mumbled, looking for my heels.

​I found my heels near the bed. I was about to wear them but stopped.

Glancing at the bathroom door, I shook my head. "No, I can't wear this here."

I grabbed my heels in my hand and thought about leaving the place.

I was not in the right mind last night. I was not a woman who would sleep around with men. I was fortunate that I didn't have sex with that escort last night.

I made my way to the door but halted my steps. I turned around and glanced at the bed. I saw my purse was there.

I quickly tiptoed there. I reached for my purse and was about to turn when my gaze fell on the nightstand.

There, lying mockingly next to a notepad, was Logan’s bank card. Something came to my mind.

'He actually paid the bill for the place from Logan's card,' I thought with a sharp scoff.

However, I didn't feel a shred of guilt. Looking at the luxury around me, I hoped the bill for this place drained Logan's account.

"You deserve this, Logan," I murmured.

​I grabbed a pen from the nightstand and scribbled a quick note on the pad.

“​Thank you for last night. But I hope we never meet again, Mr. Escort.”

​I dropped the pen, snatched my purse and Logan's card, then bolted.

​As I hurried through the villa, I realized it was even bigger than I thought— a massive, silent fortress of glass and stone. It was empty. Not a single soul in sight.

"That man! He really took advantage of the card! I bet he had never got the chance to stay at a place like this before.”

​Just as I reached the main exit, I heard a heavy door click shut upstairs.

My eyes widened when I realized the man had already come out of the bathroom.

I did not want to face him.

So ​I didn't look back. I pushed through the front door and ran into the morning air, leaving the stranger and my dignity behind.

Third POV

The man stepped out of the bathroom, a towel low on his hips and another draped around his neck to catch the water dripping from his hair.

His sharp eyes immediately cut to the bed.

​It was empty.

​A muffled thud, the sound of the heavy front door closing echoed through the silent villa.

His eyes narrowed, a dark glint in his gaze.

​"Left?" he murmured, his deep voice vibrating in the quiet room.

​He wondered if she had finally realized who he was or if the bold little wolf from last night had simply lost her nerve.

He didn't rush. With a slow, deliberate grace, he moved to the closet and pulled out his clothes.

After wearing a dark suit, he stood in front of the mirror.

Standing before the mirror, he fastened a limited-edition watch. His reflection was as cold as the ice he was often compared to.

He thought back to last night, how she had stumbled into his arms, demanding to buy him.

That young woman was drunk and tried to look bold. He had intended to see how far her bravery went, but then he had felt something.

It was the heat radiating from her skin. She wasn't just drunk, she was burning with a fever.

He didn't touch her. He wasn't interested in a woman who couldn't even stand on her own two feet, yet her fearlessness had stayed with him. No one had ever dared to approach him without permission.

No one.

​A sharp ringtone broke the silence.

He reached for his phone on the nightstand, but his hand stopped.

That woman’s bank card was missing. He didn't use it. But the spot where he left it was empty. It looked like she took it with her.

In that spot, there was a crumpled piece of paper.

He picked it up. The handwriting was neat, too elegant for the mess she’d been last night.

​He read the words, and his jaw tightened.

"Thank you for taking me here. But I hope we will never meet again, Mr. Escort."

He crumpled the note into his fist. A cold sneer curled his lips.

​​"Never meet again? I don't think so, little wolf." He tossed the paper into the bin. "You still owe me for the night.”

His phone rang again.

He checked the ID, his expression smoothing into a mask of calm respect as he answered.

​"Grandma."

​"Aleric, my dear!" The voice was warm through the speaker. "You returned yesterday and haven't come to see me? I won't have it.”

He was none other than the man everyone feared and was bound to obey in the pack,

Aleric Vance.

People in the business world say he had sharp eyes like an eagle. Nothing can go unnoticed by his eyes. He was a business mogul who made his own empire himself.

"I’m sorry, Grandma. I’ve had… distractions. I’ll be there soon.”

His grandma, Selina Vance, was the only person who could convince him of anything. He only obeyed her in his family.

“Good. I will wait for you. Since you are back, we don't want to delay. The coronation celebration will be the day after tomorrow. After all, the Alpha of the pack is back.”

His face was calm as if he was not that excited. “Okay, Grandma,” he replied.

Grandma Selina chimed. “Your aunt, Helena, and her family are more excited than anyone."

Aleric glanced out of the window, his mind already calculating.

Selena continued, "I am sure Logan will be happy to see you again. He got engaged six months ago. I will invite his fiancée too. She is now a member of our family."

Aleric furrowed his brow with a slow, deliberate grace when he heard about the girl Logan got engaged to.

He couldn't attend Logan's engagement, nor did he meet his fiancée.

His deep voice came out uninterested as he replied,

"Invite whoever you want, Grandma."