2

I thought all day as I cleaned up the room. People rarely change and even if they do, I don’t believe in giving second chances to killers. I’ve been there. I’ve forgiven for seven years and I’m not about to spend my second life doing that again.

“Miss, we’ve arrived.” The driver knocks on the door once before opening it for me. I step out of my car onto a wide, circular driveway paved with polished stone, the grand mansion rising before me with towering pillars, enormous windows, and elegant balconies. Manicured lawns stretch on either side, dotted with sculpted hedges, colorful flower beds, and towering trees, while a tiered fountain sparkles at the center of the courtyard. Soft low sunlight glints off the mansion’s cream stone façade, and discreet garden lights line the winding pathways leading toward the entrance.

“Thank you. Have them take my bag to my room, I’ll be in the garden.”

Plan A is to escape from Kaiden’s clutches. I’m not sure how I will do that yet but I have to or else I will end up dead again.

“Yes miss.”

The sprawling garden is designed with perfectly trimmed hedges framing winding stone pathways, vibrant roses bloom around elegant fountains, and towering trees provide patches of shade across the manicured lawns. Beyond them, colorful flower beds, sculpted shrubs, and a sparkling swimming pool far away completes the breathtaking garden view, making every corner feel like a private paradise.

My gaze settles in a rose bush in full bloom. Its vibrant red reminds me of the marble stained with the beautiful red of my blood that night. “It was just a few hours ago… I can still feel the knife…” I turn away from the rose but a thorn scratches me regardless. At the sight of my own blood, plan B is clearer than ever.

If I cannot escape, Kaiden will have to die.

“Miss Carrie, your mother calls for you.” A maid announces her presence as my wound binds up.

“Do you know how much battering a werewolf with exceptional healing abilities needs to have taken to die in a pool of their own blood?”

“Uh… I don’t…”

I turn to the young maid. She’s a beauty. Her curly dark hair is pulled out of her face in a low bun and long lashes frame her pretty big grey eyes. “Just take a guess.”

“Umm… a lot?” She fidgets earning a chuckle from me.

“Yes. A lot do battering.” I let out a sigh, looking beyond her at my family’s imposing mansion.

Now, what should be done to the family who left me for dead in his arms?

-

“Carrie! What were you doing in the garden? Didn’t I tell you to not be late?” My mother raises her voice.

“You didn’t specify a time so I doubt I am late.” Just then my younger sister walks in, heels clicking against the floor to announce her presence like I need something else to add to my headache.

“Wow! Look at her go, Mummy.” She comes around me to sit on the sofa. “You think because you’re engaged you can act out?”

Lyra Llothair. If I were to describe her in a few words, that would be. Conniving, Blonde, Beautiful and… I lower my gaze to her voluptuous chest, Bouncy. Intelligence isn’t really her strong suit, well, only when she’s being compared to my older brother and I.

“Cat got your tongue?” Lyra blinks, watching me with those pink eyes she shares with our mother, with absolutely no respect for me.

That’s right, I used to take this behavior and cower at my family’s feet like I wasn’t one of them. Right now though, I can’t seem to find the energy. Just a few hours ago, I was being brutally murdered, I guess death really puts things into perspective.

“I didn’t see you at the party yesterday.” I take a seat and cross my legs, interlocking my fingers on my thigh.

“I double booked and the other wasn’t an ‘engagement’ I could cancel.” She smirks. “I hope you're not mad big sis, I sent a gift too. Did you see it?”

“No, Kaiden got me so many gifts I couldn’t bother with the rest.” Before she can say anything, I turn to our mother. “Did you need me for anything?”

“Kaiden is visiting tomorrow. He sent word ahead, apparently he could reach you.” Knowing the kind of person my mother is, I’m sure my change hasn’t gone over her head.

“Silly me, I must have forgotten to charge it.” I stand. “Since that all, I’ll be in my room. Have dinner sent up, will you, Lyra?” I turn to her when I’m at the door.

“Why should I?” She sneers.

“Why shouldn’t you?” I stare pointedly at her. “You’re the youngest here, or should I have Mother do it?”

“I uh…” she turns to Mother but she’s busy with some papers, pretending she doesn’t hear us.

“Good.” With that I leave. I wait till I get into my room before I do a little victory dance. It is not much but it’s a start.

My room is just the same. It’s spacious with soft cream walls, warm gold accents, and carefully placed touches of blush pink create an atmosphere of quiet luxury. A plush ivory rug spreads across the polished marble floor, leading to a king-sized bed dressed in silky white linens and pale pink cushions, while elegant wall art and a few neatly arranged books add a touch of personality without cluttering the space.

I breathe in the scent of my perfume. Before walking 🚶‍♀️ ver to the floor-to-ceiling glass doors which open onto a private balcony overlooking the mansion’s landscaped gardens, also allowing sunlight to spill into the room. To one side, a discreet entrance leads into a spacious walk-in closet lined with illuminated shelves, glass-fronted wardrobes, and a velvet ottoman. Everything feels expensive without being loud about it.

Just the way I like it.

On my bed, I stare at the ceiling thinking of how to get my engagement to Kaiden broken off. Since it’s between our families, a random excuse won’t cut it. It’ll just be passed off as cold feet. However, that’s not what I want. Even if I reject our mate bond, I’m still bound to him by this ring. The skin it’s resting on starts to sting uncomfortably at the thought of going through life with Kaiden again so I rip it off my finger and hurl it at the couch.

I need to come up with a plan fast. A scandal should cut it! But with who? I start scrolling on my phone for celebrities who have been in scandals, looking for who I can partner with.

Two Hours of scrolling later and none of them stand out to me. “My future sure is bleak!” I roll off the bed onto the plush rug. “None of them seem trustworthy and besides that, most of them have one or two ties to the Jackson family. Those fools don’t have the spine to stand up to Kaiden. ‘First son of the Almighty Respectable Alpha Family.’” Ugh!

Does someone like that exist? Someone who doesn’t give a damn about the social hierarchy and who would do anything they want.

In the future there were a handful of them. Levi Sanders, the youngest CEO of Sanders Electronics, doesn't fit because he loves his mate.

Elias Maxwell, cute, rich but arrogant, I won’t be able to put up with him.

Who else was there? As a name and face comes to mind, I immediately jump with a gasp.

“SOREN WYSTERN!” He’s perfect! He kept to himself mostly and was able to grow his company in record time. Although I do not know much about his background, at this point in time he should be struggling to get a sponsor to fund his start up.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” I mutter to myself, pacing around my room like a mad person. If I date someone like that and call it true love, I’ll seem mad and a scandal with Soren, a poor guy from nowhere will bruise Kaiden’s ego. I will become a stain or whatever and his pride won’t let him be with me any longer. Of course mother will have a heart attack but I don’t care about that.

I need to come up with my own money fast though. It’s one of the reasons I became trapped in Kaiden’s clutches. “But not to worry,” I giggle, “my hobby has always been to binge watch Lottery Reality TV.”

Life is finally looking up.