MIKE, YOU PICKED THE WRONG TIME TO CALL

SERA'S POV 

“So, you’ve gotten to the stage where you ask a stranger if I’m telling the truth or not?” Victor asked, his eyes fixed on Mia.

Mia didn’t even flinch. “I think so,” she replied, and without another word, she stood up and left the dining room.

Victor turned his gaze on me. “Thanks. I owe you,” he said.

I didn’t respond. My mind was too busy. I felt uneasy, like a child who had just stolen candy. I had just lied to Mia, my friend, and it didn’t sit right in my heart. I wanted to disappear. I wanted to find the nearest excuse and leave this place before I drowned in regret.

“The maids will lead you to the room prepared for you, if you’re ready,” Victor said with a small smile.

“I’m ready,” I replied almost immediately. Why would I waste time? The faster I left his presence, the better.

Two maids appeared as if they had been standing behind the door, waiting for the signal. They led me down a quiet hallway, and soon we stopped in front of a room. When I stepped inside, I froze.

It looked… familiar.

It was almost the same as my old room back when my father was still the adviser to Victor’s late father. The same soft colors on the walls, the same style of curtains, even the same arrangement of the bed and table. It was like walking back in time.

“We can redecorate if you don’t like it. This was Alpha Victor’s idea,” one of the maids said softly.

I forced a smile. “I love it,” I said. My eyes went straight to the wardrobe. I don’t know why, but something told me to open it.

When I did, I nearly gasped.

New clothes. Dozens of them. All neatly arranged, some still with tags. I didn’t even know when I smiled. Maybe it was the sight of something that wasn’t dark or heavy with secrets.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you last night.”

I jumped a little at the sudden voice behind me.

It was Victor.

I turned around and saw him standing at the door. He had this calm look on his face, which I never trusted. The maids, like trained birds, silently left the room, leaving just the two of us.

“I was never angry,” I said.

Victor smiled, that slow, knowing smile. “Then why did you run?” he asked.

I lowered my eyes. “I just didn’t like the way you embarrassed me. You reminded everyone who I am… the daughter of a betrayer.”

Victor took a step inside. “Still the same thing. You were angry. I didn’t reject you because you’re not beautiful or sweet. I did it because that’s what the pack wanted. Not everyone would like it if their Alpha was fated to a woman whose father caused pain and death to the pack.”

His words hit me like a slap I didn’t see coming. I felt my chest tighten, and before I knew it, I was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“If that’s the case,” I said, my voice cracking, “why do you want me to live and eat under your roof? Oh, I get it. You want me to be your secret. Your… sex mate. But hidden from the world. Is that right?”

Tears were already gathering at the corners of my eyes. I hated that he could still make me feel like this.

Victor moved closer. I could see the regret in his eyes, or maybe I imagined it. He sighed, like he was about to explain, but then… my phone rang.

Of all times.

I glanced at the screen. An unknown number.

I hesitated. Should I answer? Victor was the Alpha, and he was clearly having a serious conversation with me. But the way he looked at me— like he was daring me not to— made me press the green button.

“Hey, beautiful,” a voice said the moment I answered.

It was Mike.

Oh, no.

I glanced at Victor. His face shifted. Just a tiny change, but I saw it. He didn’t like what he was hearing. He stepped back slightly, his eyes narrowing.

“Hey, Mike,” I replied, trying to keep my voice neutral. My fingers tightened around the phone.

“I should have called you earlier,” Mike continued. “But I was dealing with some pack work.”

“Oh. I hope it wasn’t stressful?” I asked, forcing a small laugh. My whole body was stiff. Talking to another man in front of Victor felt like standing on thin ice with a wolf underneath.

“It was,” Mike said. Then his voice softened. “But I feel relaxed hearing your voice.”

I blinked. Relaxed? Hearing my voice?

I had only just met him. What was he saying? My cheeks went warm, but not from flattery— more from pure awkwardness.

“I’m… pleased to hear that,” I managed to say. “But can we talk later? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“Sure,” Mike replied.

I ended the call quickly, like the phone was on fire.

Victor tilted his head slightly. “That voice sounded familiar,” he said slowly. “It sounded like Mike’s voice. My friend.”

I froze. My heart actually skipped. How could he know?

“So you gave him your number,” Victor said, his voice sharper now. “Didn’t you tell him you’re fated to someone?”

I met his eyes. I wasn’t going to cower. “If I had told him that, do you think I’d still be alive?” I asked, my tone cold.

Victor stared at me for a long second, then a slow smile crept onto his lips. Not a warm smile. A warning smile.

“Don’t let this repeat itself again,” he said.

Then he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me sitting on the bed with my heart pounding.

I could still feel the jealousy in the air.

But why?

Why was he jealous when he didn’t even want to be with me?