MasukAMELIA This is, without question, the worst and the most embarrassing lunch of my entire life.The restaurant that Alpha Ethan chose for our joint lunch is beautiful: soft lighting, elegant table settings, and everything else looks splendid. However, just one look at the restaurant’s decor is more than enough to scream that this restaurant has the kind of atmosphere designed for romance, which makes my current situation approximately a thousand times worse.Also, I'm seated between Logan and Alpha Ethan, thanks to the sitting arrangement at the round table. I’m trapped in the middle, wishing desperately to be anywhere else, and both Alphas are silently glaring at each other, the tension so thick I can almost taste it. Clearly, they are competing for something I don’t understand.“The specialty here is their spice blend,” Alpha Ethan says conversationally to me, completely ignoring Logan’s presence. “They source their peppers from the southern packs and the taste is quite distinctive.
AMELIAThe morning drags on and I continue keeping myself busy with the patients until the time for lunch break finally arrives. Done arranging my desk, I’m about to leave my office when Sophia suddenly appears in the doorway with a smirk I don’t quite understand.“Amelia, it seems you're already leaving for lunch. I'm sorry to delay you, but there’s a patient waiting to see you.” “A patient? But I thought my schedule is clear until—”“He insisted it had to be you specifically. And he’s handsome,” she cuts me off, her smirk deepening into a mischievous smile that somehow makes me uneasy.But I accept. “Okay. Let the patient in and—”The rest of my words die in my throat the instant she opens the door and my gaze collides with the patient entering inside, seated on one of the sofas, his eyes locking onto mine just as firmly.Logan. The patient is Logan!Maybe I'm hallucinating—“Amelia, this is the patient I was telling you about. I’ll now leave you two alone. Take your time!” Sophia
AMELIAThe instant he is gone, the door closes and my legs nearly give out. “Easy,” Alpha Ethan catches me and helps me back into my chair. “You're alright now.”“A week.” My voice shakes. “He’s staying for a week.”“I know. Can you handle it? If you want, I can assign some guards to—”“No,” I shake my head. “I can’t live with guards following me around for a week. I just need to stay strong and keep remembering why I left him. I will not let him manipulate me.”“That's right. By the way, you were magnificent tonight. You stood up to him. That took courage.”“Or stupidity.” I try to laugh, but it comes out broken. “Threatening to die rather than going back with him probably wasn’t my smartest move.”“I don't believe that. Your reaction was honest, and I'm sure Logan never expected it. You did absolutely well, and I'm proud of you.”“Thanks,’’ I manage a smile.“Now let's continue the banquet. Logan is gone now, so relax and enjoy your meal.”I nod and the banquet continues, though it
AMELIALogan stares at me like I have just declared war.Maybe I have.“Amelia, you don’t mean that,” he mutters weakly. “You can’t seriously be willing to die for Ethan instead of returning to Ravencrest with me.”“I absolutely mean every word, Logan,” I state firmly, still standing my ground. I hate that we are doing this in front of everyone gathered here for the banquet. This is supposed to be a lovely dinner to mark the possible beginning of peace, but Logan, as usual, is still so selfish and always makes everything about himself.“Move Amelia,” he warns, now staring angrily into my eyes as if his glare will make me step aside.But I'm done with his filthy rude attitude.“I'm not moving an inch,” I insist, glaring right back into his eyes. “You’re in Alpha Ethan’s territory now and you don’t have the right to attack him in his own home. You don’t get to threaten him, and you certainly don’t get to drag me anywhere I don’t want to go.”“I’m trying to protect you—”“By forcing me
LOGAN“...Deadfang is my pack now, and nothing you say or do will change that…”Amelia’s words keep ringing inside my head. I can’t find any words to counter her. I can’t even articulate the tangled mess of guilt flooding everywhere inside me, so how can I defend myself, especially when she’s right?But I need to try. Also, something is off. I don't recognize this version of her. Where is the quiet, submissive woman who spent a year dying and doing everything to please me? Where is the soft-spoken woman who accepted my coldness without any complaints?This Amelia staring right back at me is not the Amelia I know. This version is refusing my commands like she has every right to defy me.What happened to her?“Amelia, do you want more juice?” Ethan cuts off my thoughts, his hand already reaching for one of the bottles.“Yes, Alpha Ethan. Thank you,” Amelia nods and the bastard smiles as he refills her glass. Next, he serves her scoops of food onto her plate. He's so gentle with her, giv
AMELIA Logan. He is really here.But thanks to my savior, Alpha Ethan, I don't have to deal with him. At least I'm safe for now. Both men are shaking hands like old acquaintances, which is weird.Anyway, weird or not, all I need to do is survive this banquet and retire to my bed in peace. Right now, Logan is walking beside me, and I can feel his eyes boring into my skin and nearly making my knees weak. No Amelia. Stay strong.After entering the hall, Alpha Ethan gestures to the long table already set for the occasion. His place is at the head naturally.“Please make yourself comfortable,” he says to me, kindly guiding me to the seat on his immediate right. It looks like a position of honor, a place for a Luna or a favored companion.And the implication isn't lost on Logan after I settle down.Everything around me suddenly feels smaller and more suffocating with Logan’s presence poisoning the air, but I'm not giving up. I'm here now, and I'm not doing this for Logan. I'm doing this







