Chapter 4

Nick's POV

After sending Eva the message, I tossed my phone aside in frustration.

Just then, Wayne walked in with several gift boxes in his arms.

"Alpha Nick, these are the evening dresses you picked out," he said. "Should I send them all to Luna Eva?"

I waved my hand and replied, "Yeah, send them all. Let her pick the one she likes."

Wayne nodded. Then, he spoke up hesitantly. "There's a woman named Zora Knott asking to see you. Should I let her in?"

My hand paused, and the irritation I'd been feeling all day deepened.

Yesterday, after my meeting with the elders, I had somehow ended up outside Lycus Restaurant. Through the glass door, I saw Eva chatting cheerfully with a friend.

A surge of anger arose in me.

Hadn't she invited me for dinner? I'd turned her down, and she actually just went and had a good time with someone else? She was certainly enjoying herself, alright.

So she wasn't serious about the invitation after all.

Fuming, I turned to leave, but Zora's delighted voice rang out from somewhere nearby.

"Nick!" Zora called enthusiastically. "Did you come here just to see me? I sent you a message yesterday. Why didn't you reply?"

I frowned. I'd been talking with the elders last night and hadn't noticed her message.

Zora complained for a bit and then pulled me toward the restaurant entrance. But we were quickly stopped by the staff on duty.

"We're friends with the owner. Let us in already!" Zora lifted her chin proudly, signaling me to talk to the staff.

As I observed how she acted so entitled, Eva's demure doe eyes suddenly popped into my mind.

She would never behave like this. In fact, I had never seen her so overbearing and forceful. She always spoke gently in a soothing tone.

Seeing that I remained unmoved, Zora nudged me. "Go on. Don't you know the owner? Tell her to let us in."

I took a step back and coldly rejected her request. "You need a reservation to get in. We don't have one. It's reasonable that she isn't letting us in."

Zora glared at me angrily, tears welling up in her eyes. "You're always like this! You're so stubborn about your so-called principles. That's why I left you three years ago!"

Upon seeing her cry, I thought I'd feel something.

But why was my mind filled with Eva instead?

Eva never complained about my principles. Even when I rejected her harshly, she would just lower her head and reply softly in her sweet and subdued voice.

Why am I thinking of her again? Wasn't Zora the one I loved?

…

Wayne's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Alpha Nick, should I let Ms. Knott in?"

I waved him off and said curtly, "Tell her I'm busy. I'll get back to her later."

I grabbed my coat and slipped out the back door, heading straight to my parents' house. I stayed there for the night. The next morning, I went with them to my villa, where my birthday banquet was held.

The moment I saw the beautifully decorated area, I nodded in satisfaction.

I knew I could always count on Eva. But why didn't she come out to greet me like she usually did?

Guests started arriving, but there was still no sign of Eva.

A strange unease crept up on me.

When Zora arrived holding an invitation, that unease reached its peak.

"Who said you could come?" I asked coldly.

Zora flinched at my frigid tone. She waved the invitation in her hand with a hurt expression.

"Your butler sent this to me. What's that supposed to mean? Why can't I come to your birthday banquet?" Zora retorted.

I ignored her and turned to grab Carl, who was bustling about.

"Where is Eva? Where did she go? Why haven't I seen her?" I asked sternly.

Carl froze for a moment before rushing upstairs to look for her.

Moments later, he came back down all pale and flustered.

"Alpha Nick… Luna Eva is gone!"