Chapter 4

Elena's POV

The moment he spoke, every hair on my body stood on end.

My heart lurched so violently that it hurt.

For one terrifying moment, I forgot where I was.

That voice…

No. It couldn't be.

It sounded so much like Lucien.

I stood frozen, my fingers unconsciously tightening around the edge of my robe as memories I had buried five years ago came rushing back with brutal force.

Then I quickly shook my head.

I was letting fear play tricks on me.

Lucien wasn't supposed to be here.

The last time I had heard anything about him, he was still overseas completing his Alpha training and business school. He wasn't expected to return until much later this year.

Besides, what would the future Alpha of Crescent Fang be doing inside a human nightclub?

I forced myself to breathe and lowered my head respectfully.

"I'm sorry, sir, but revealing my identity goes against the club's policy. Every client receives the same answer, no matter who they are."

Without giving him another opportunity to insist, I slipped into the role I had perfected over the years.

"The booking is for the entire night," I said professionally as I walked gracefully around the lounge, maintaining a careful distance between us.

"You may choose how you'd like the session to proceed. If you prefer music, I'll have it played. If you'd rather enjoy a quiet evening with drinks first, that can also be arranged."

Still, he said nothing.

The silence unsettled me.

When I glanced at him again, he was already on his feet.

A strange uneasiness settled in my stomach.

Instinctively, I took a step backward.

He matched it with one of his own.

I frowned.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he continued closing the distance between us until I was forced to retreat again.

A flicker of annoyance replaced my nervousness.

"If you're not interested in my services, then you've wasted both your time and mine. I have other clients waiting tonight, and I don't intend to spend the evening arguing over something that isn't negotiable.”

I turned toward the door and reached for the handle.

"I'll let Mr. Brandon know you've changed your mind. He can assign another girl to you and refund your booking.”

I had barely wrapped my fingers around the doorknob when his deep voice stopped me.

"So, you're refusing me?"

I slowly turned around.

"I'm ending a booking that clearly isn't going anywhere."

A faint, almost amused smile tugged at his lips.

"I don't think you understand who you're speaking to.”

"I don't think it matters."

"It matters because I'm an Alpha. No woman has ever rejected me."

I folded my arms across my chest.

"Then tonight will be your first."

For the first time since entering the room, genuine irritation crossed his face.

Without another word, he reached into his jacket and placed a sleek black card on the table between us.

"I'll pay you three times whatever Brandon is paying. Name your price if you have to. All I want is for you to take off the mask."

For one dangerous second, my resolve wavered.

But the temptation disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

No amount of money was worth exposing myself.

If a wolf recognized me…

If word somehow reached Crescent Fang...Alpha Kaelan would discover I was alive and once he discovered that…

He would discover Eli.

I couldn't let that happen.

"I've already given you my answer. I don't care how much you're willing to pay. If you're dissatisfied with the club's rules, you're free to leave.”

His expression darkened.

“Name your price”

I could feel my patience slipping away.

"This is Astringe, not wolf territory. Your title means absolutely nothing inside this club, so stop throwing your rank around like it's supposed to impress me. Either cooperate with the rules, or I'll have security escort you out.”

I turned to leave, convinced the conversation was over but I had taken only one step before a powerful hand wrapped around my wrist.

My breath caught.

Before I could react, he pulled me backward with enough force to send me crashing against his chest.

"What are you…”

The ribbon behind my head snapped and the mask slipped from my face.

It drifted silently onto the polished floor.

For one endless moment, neither of us moved.

Then his sunglasses slowly slid from his face as shock overtook every feature.

His lips parted.

"...Elena?”

The blood drained from my face.

If someone had told me that after five years of hiding, of running, of convincing myself I would never see him again, I would have laughed in their face.

Yet here he was, with eyes filled with so much hatred.

My lips trembled.

"...Lucien."

His expression twisted instantly and his voice cracked through the silence like a whip.

"Don't! Don't you dare say my name.”

I flinched.

A bitter laugh escaped him as he took another step back, running a hand through his hair in disbelief.

"So this is where you've been."

His eyes slowly traveled over my outfit before settling on the mask lying at our feet.

"I spent years believing you were dead and all this time..." He looked around the luxurious lounge before returning his eyes to me. "You were here.”

He shook his head.

"I never imagined you'd sink this low."

Every word felt like another knife twisting into my chest.

"So after cheating on me with my uncle, this is what your life became?”

His lips curled with contempt.

"An ordinary prostitute."

He laughed again, but there wasn't an ounce of humor in it.

"I guess karma finally caught up with you”

My vision blurred.

“Lucien…you don't understand, it's not what you think”

"What don't I understand? What explanation could possibly justify what you did?”

His chest rose and fell with every angry breath.

"Do you have any idea what you turned me into?”

I couldn't answer.

I wanted to tell him everything.

That none of it had been real and I had been threatened and I had run away to save our child.

The words lodged in my throat but all I could do was cry.

Lucien stared at me for another second before letting out a humorless laugh.

"That's right, you've got nothing to say.”

The moment he turned away in frustration, I reacted on instinct.

I ran.

I had almost reached the door when his furious voice echoed behind me.

"Elena!"

My fingers had barely touched the handle before another hand seized my wrist.

He spun me around so quickly I lost my balance..

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Please... Lucien, please let me go”

His grip only tightened.

"You don't get to disappear again until you give concrete reason for your betrayal”

Fresh tears streamed down my face.

"You're right," I sobbed. "I betrayed you. I'm a terrible person. Hate me if you want...but please...just let me go.”

Before he could answer, the lounge door burst open.

"Coco!"

Both of us turned.

Maya, my best friend, stood there, completely out of breath, her face drained of color.

"I'm sorry for barging in, but the hospital has been trying to reach you."

Her eyes filled with panic.

"They said your son…”

She swallowed hard.

"...he's gone into a coma.”