Chapter 4: I Will Grant You One Request

Yvette

I was really surprised to hear him call me that name. I mean, it had been almost five years since I last saw him.

I forced myself to remain calm because for some reason I was all tense. Was this an effect of the sickness? Or was this because of his strong aura?

“It’s been a long time, how have you been?” I managed to ask.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he answered.

“Fine.”

Huh? Was he only going to answer with one word? I guess he hasn’t changed much then.

Still the same man.

For the rest of the drive, I sat perfectly straight in the back seat, hands resting neatly on my knees, like a student sitting in front of a strict teacher.

Soren didn’t say anything; he just concentrated on driving, but somehow the silence between us felt heavier than conversation.

When the car finally stopped outside the restaurant, I immediately reached for the door.

“Thank you for the ride,” I said, and tried to bolt out immediately, but halfway out I noticed his eyes narrow slightly.

Why was he looking at me like that? Was he surprised that I was so eager to leave? But why wouldn’t I be? I literally felt like I was suffocating in that car.

I stepped out of the car immediately and began walking inside but a few seconds later I could feel his presence by my side, walking alongside me.

Inside the elevator, it was just the two of us, the enclosed space making his aura even stronger.

“How is uncle Philip?” Soren suddenly asked out of the blue, catching me off guard.

“He’s doing well,” I said softly. “He still complains about his bad knees, but Aunt Millie keeps him under strict watch.”

“That’s good.” He nodded, a trace of relief flashing through his face.

The elevator doors opened shortly after and we stepped out onto the third floor.

But as we passed one of the private rooms, my feet suddenly stopped.

The door was slightly open, and I could see people laughing and cheering inside, it looked like a… birthday celebration.

In the center of the crowd stood two familiar figures.

My mate, Alpha Kael Draven.

And Lyra.

I watched as Kael fastened a delicate emerald necklace which glowed under the lights around her neck and my chest tightened instantly.

That bastard, wasn’t that the necklace he had told me he ordered for me three months ago on my birthday? The one that was yet to come because apparently it was a rare custom piece from the Crescent Jewel House.

Now he was placing that same necklace around another woman’s neck.

Lyra lifted her chin proudly as the room erupted into applause. She looked so radiant. When last had I even been this happy?

Beside me, Soren followed my gaze.

“You know them?” He asked.

“Yes,” I replied without looking away from the room.

“The man is my mate.”

“And the woman…is my stepsister,” I informed him quietly.

The words tasted bitter, but was there even anything left to hide in this matter? Everyone already knew about their affair in the pack.

My dignity had long since been trampled, so what was left to hide?

“Let’s go,” I said, finally turning away from that room but before I could walk away, Soren spoke again.

“Yvette.”

I stopped and he stepped closer, his voice low.

“You know your uncle Philip once saved my life and I have never forgotten that.” He said and I nodded.

I knew he was talking about nine years ago when he had fallen down the mountain near our territory. It was Uncle Philip who had found him half-conscious and carried him back home.

But why was he bringing this up now?

“I owe him a debt for that. So, I will grant you one request,” he continued.

“Anything you want.”

For a moment, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was the Alpha of Blackwood Pack really offering me a favor?

“Thank you,” I said sincerely.

Maybe fate hadn’t abandoned me completely after all.

…

When I entered the private room Jaxon had booked, my cousin’s family was already waiting.

“Uncle Philip, Aunt Millie, Jaxon.” I greeted and Millie immediately pulled me into the seat beside her.

“You’ve gotten so thin,” she said with concern. “Are you skipping meals again because of work?”

My fingers touched my cheek awkwardly.

The truth was…

I have barely been eating lately.

Between work, stress, and the sickness slowly eating me alive… When did I ever have time to eat properly?

The healer also noted that maybe it was one of the reasons that my situation worsened so quickly aside from the emotional stress and bitterness trapped inside my heart.

The irony was almost laughable.

Lyra’s mother had once stolen my father.

Now Lyra had stolen my mate.

And I had nearly destroyed myself caring about people who never valued me.

But not anymore, from now on, I will take care of myself.

“Yvette? Are you listening?” Millie’s voice snapped me back to reality and I smiled gently.

“Yes, Aunt Millie. I’ve been eating, it’s just the hot weather.” I said and Uncle Philip handed me the menu.

“Order whatever you want, tonight we’re celebrating Jaxon’s promotion.”

Jaxon laughed.

“Don’t be polite. Order anything.”

I glanced at the menu and quietly chose a few simple dishes.

Uncle Philip frowned.

“What werewolf eats just vegetables? It’s not enough, at least some steaks too.” He complained and before I could protest, he grabbed the menu and added several of my favorite dishes.

Throughout dinner, Millie kept placing food onto my plate. But after only a few bites, my appetite disappeared.

My stomach twisted uncomfortably.

“I’ll be right back, I need to use the restroom,” I said calmly.

As I walked past the smoking area, I heard familiar voices.

Kael’s friends.

“Alpha is not going home tonight?” One of them asked.

“Of course not. If you had a Luna like Yvette always checking on you would you want to go home?” Another mocked and they all laughed.

“Exactly, she’s so clingy. No wonder the Alpha prefers Lyra now. I bet she’s better in every way, looks, background, skills, and even in the other aspect.” He teased and they burst into another round of laughter.

A faint, mocking smile curved my lips.

So this was what they really thought of me.

And Kael…

He had never once stopped them, In fact, he seemed to be enjoying them making a mockery of me.

Through the smoke, someone suddenly noticed me.

A chair scraped loudly and Kael stepped forward, his expression dark.

“Yvette.” He called out, his voice cold.

“So now you’ve started following me around?”