CHAPTER 5 – A JEALOUS SISTER

Several glowing golden eyes stared from the darkness beyond the garden.

Alexander’s grip on Sylvie’s wrist tightened slightly.

“We need to leave,” he repeated quietly.

Sylvie frowned. “Alexander, you’re scaring me.”

He leaned closer, his voice low.

“You should be scared.”

Before she could ask another question, the garden lights flickered.

A strange tension filled the air.

Then suddenly—

The shadows moved.

Several men stepped out from the darkness near the trees.

They looked human.

But their eyes were wrong.

Too bright.

Too wild.

Alexander’s expression turned cold.

Rogues.

Sylvie felt something strange stir inside her chest again.

The same warmth she had felt before.

“What’s happening?” she whispered.

Alexander stepped in front of her protectively.

“Stay behind me.”

One of the men stepped forward and laughed.

“Well, well.”

His voice sounded rough.

“The great Alpha Knight.”

The room grew silent as several guests slowly noticed the situation near the garden doors.

Vanessa immediately moved closer, curious.

“What’s going on?” she whispered.

Daniel frowned. “Something doesn’t look right.”

The rogue man looked directly at Sylvie.

“There she is.”

Alexander’s voice dropped dangerously.

“You’re not welcome here.”

The rogue smirked.

“We’re not here for you.”

His glowing eyes focused on Sylvie again.

“We’re here for her.”

Gasps spread through the crowd.

Sylvie felt her heart pound.

“Me?”

Alexander’s wolf growled inside him.

Mine.

His voice became icy.

“No one touches her.”

The rogue laughed.

“You think you can stop us?”

Alexander’s silver eyes flashed.

“Yes.”

The tension exploded instantly.

Several guests began panicking.

“Call security!”

“What is happening?!”

The rogues suddenly rushed forward—

But before they could reach Sylvie, several men in black suits appeared from the shadows.

Alexander’s guards.

The fight was quick.

Brutal.

Within minutes, the rogues were dragged away by security.

The mansion slowly became quiet again.

Guests whispered nervously.

Sylvie looked at Alexander.

“What was that?”

Alexander studied her carefully.

“Trouble.”

“That’s not an explanation.”

Before he could answer—

Vanessa suddenly spoke loudly.

“Well, this is interesting.”

Everyone turned toward her.

Vanessa crossed her arms with a smirk.

“First you slap me in front of everyone.”

She pointed at Sylvie.

“And now strange men show up looking for you.”

Her voice grew sharper.

“What exactly have you been doing lately, Sylvie?”

Several guests began whispering again.

Margaret stepped forward with a worried expression.

“This is becoming embarrassing.”

Sylvie’s father sighed heavily.

“This family has already suffered enough humiliation tonight.”

Sylvie felt anger rising again.

“So now this is my fault?”

Vanessa laughed mockingly.

“Oh please.”

She walked closer.

“First rich men… now dangerous strangers.”

She tilted her head.

“You really are talented at attracting attention.”

Sylvie clenched her fists.

“That’s enough.”

But Vanessa didn’t stop.

“Maybe those men came because they paid you.”

Gasps spread through the room again.

Daniel looked uncomfortable but didn’t defend Sylvie.

Alexander slowly stepped forward.

The room immediately grew quiet.

His silver eyes locked on Vanessa.

“Choose your next words carefully.”

Vanessa swallowed but forced a smile.

“I’m just telling the truth.”

Alexander’s voice turned colder.

“You’ve said that several times tonight.”

Vanessa lifted her chin.

“And?”

Alexander took another step closer.

“And you still haven’t proven it.”

Vanessa’s confidence began to fade.

Her grandmother suddenly spoke again.

“That girl has said enough lies for one evening.”

Vanessa spun toward her.

“Grandma!”

Her grandmother’s voice was calm but firm.

“Sylvie is the only one in this family who still knows how to behave with dignity.”

Vanessa’s face turned red.

“That’s not true!”

Sylvie watched silently.

Vanessa pointed at her again.

“She slapped me!”

Sylvie raised an eyebrow.

“You deserved it.”

Several guests tried to hide their laughter.

Vanessa trembled with anger.

“You think this is over?”

Sylvie stepped closer.

“What exactly do you plan to do?”

Vanessa’s eyes burned with hatred.

“You stole everything from me tonight.”

Sylvie blinked.

“Everything?”

Vanessa pointed toward Alexander.

“Him.”

The room became quiet again.

Sylvie looked surprised.

“Are you serious?”

Vanessa leaned closer.

“You think I don’t see it?”

Her voice became venomous.

“The way he looks at you.”

She laughed bitterly.

“But it won’t last.”

Alexander’s eyes darkened.

Vanessa straightened proudly.

“Men like him don’t marry girls like you.”

Sylvie crossed her arms.

“And girls like you do?”

Vanessa smiled slowly.

“Yes.”

Her voice dropped.

“Because I know how to get what I want.”

Margaret placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“That’s enough for tonight.”

But Vanessa wasn’t finished.

She looked directly at Sylvie.

“You should enjoy this attention while it lasts.”

Her smile became colder.

“Because I promise you something.”

Sylvie remained calm.

“What?”

Vanessa whispered,

“I will destroy you.”

The words hung in the air.

Alexander suddenly spoke.

“That would be a mistake.”

Vanessa turned toward him.

“You’re protecting her now.”

Alexander didn’t deny it.

“Yes.”

Vanessa laughed again.

“Let’s see how long that lasts.”

She turned and walked away.

Margaret followed her quickly.

Daniel hesitated before leaving as well.

The party slowly began to settle again.

Sylvie sighed heavily.

“What a disaster.”

Alexander looked at her quietly.

“You handled it well.”

Sylvie looked at him.

“Did I?”

Alexander nodded.

“Yes.”

Sylvie rubbed her temple.

“My family is exhausting.”

Alexander smiled faintly.

“That’s one word for it.”

Sylvie glanced toward the door where Vanessa had left.

“She won’t stop.”

Alexander’s expression hardened slightly.

“I know.”

Sylvie looked at him curiously.

“You seem very calm about that.”

Alexander leaned closer.

His voice dropped softly.

“Because if she tries anything…”

His silver eyes glowed faintly.

“She won’t like the consequences.”

Sylvie stared at him.

“You’re very protective.”

Alexander didn’t look away.

“You’re my mate.”

Sylvie groaned softly.

“We’re still having that conversation?”

Alexander smiled slightly.

“Yes.”

Sylvie shook her head.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Alexander looked at her quietly.

“Maybe.”

Then he added softly—

“But you’re starting to believe me.”

Sylvie froze slightly.

Because deep down…

A small part of her really was.

And somewhere upstairs in the mansion—

Vanessa stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.

Her cheek still burned from the slap.

Her eyes slowly filled with rage.

“Sylvie,” she whispered.

“You think tonight was your victory.”

Her lips curled into a dark smile.

“But this is only the beginning.”

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

A rough voice answered.

“Yes?”

Vanessa’s voice turned cold.

“I have a job for you.”

There was a pause.

“What kind of job?”

Vanessa’s smile widened.

“Someone needs to disappear.”

Silence filled the line.

Then the man asked quietly,

“Who?”

Vanessa’s eyes darkened.

“Sylvie Hart.”

And far below the mansion…

In the quiet garden…

Two glowing eyes were still watching the house.

Waiting.