Prologue

(Emi’s POV)

Four Years Ago

“You don’t want to be here.”

That was the first thing Iris told me when I arrived earlier that day. I should’ve listened. The way her eyes begged me to run far, far away. She had rushed out of the building and stood by my car as I got out.

“Look, I’ll compensate you for any lost wages,” she said desperately.

I only frowned, shrugging off my friend. We had met, because she and I both were employed at the same catering company. She was the supervisor of the catering company and I was one of her caterers that worked the events. She was the daughter of legendary 5-star chef and her connections got her hired on the spot, but she worked hard, friendly, and was a lot of fun to be around. It wasn’t hard to become fast friends with her.

“I’m already here,” I chuckled, confused over her behavior.

I quickly tied my hair up in a messy bun before grabbing the rest of my uniform from the back seat. Pushing my arms through the sleeves of black long sleeved blouse, I watched Iris look nervously back at the building. The event was a huge affair — important members of the higher class and higher ranked armed forces were attending.

Iris needed all the help she could get for the event so it confused me on why she wanted me to leave. She chewed her bottom lip as she followed me. We made our way through the building to the kitchen where other staff were already there. They were grabbing trays and disappearing into one of the banquet hall.

I went to grab a tray of champagne flutes when she grabbed my arm and tugged me towards the banquet hall. She shushed me, putting her finger to her lips. She peered into the banquet hall we were serving and I followed her line of sight. My boyfriend, Spencer Wolfe, stood there looking handsome with some beautiful blond wolf hanging off his arm.

My heart sank at the sight. He said that he was going to be out for a family gathering. I had asked if he wanted me to attend, already knowing he’d reject the idea. His arm candy was the right pedigree to be seen with and he had told me that it meant nothing. I believed him until he leaned down and kissed her right in front of everyone.

Tears filled my eyes as I watched him look down into her eyes like he worshiped her. You can’t fake something like that. I watched his eyes darken when she whispered into his ear and he smirked, letting his hand on her hip linger lower until he cupped her ass. He whispered something back in her ear and I watched her light up like a promise.

“You don’t have to, Emi,” Iris whispered to me. “Go home. You don’t have to work this event.”

I shook my head. “It’s-It’s okay. I’m fine.”

Iris sighed, looking at me with concern and pity before she just nodded her head. Trying to put on a strong front, I carried my tray of champagne flutes out like I’ve done multiple times. I knew he noticed me right away. For what it was worth, he did stop being so handsy with her. He started to put some distance between them and shoot me concerned looks, but it made me a target in the end and she wasn’t the type to take too kindly to being ignored.

I was making rounds when he stopped in front of me.

“Would you like anything, sir?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know him. I showed him the tray of hors d'oeuvres I was carrying about. “I recommend the deviled eggs. They’re my favorite.”

He sighed in frustration. “Em, c’mon.”

“I’m working,” I snapped back. His eyes narrowed at that. “As far as I’m concerned, I saw everything I needed to. There’s really nothing left to discuss, is there?”

I tried to move by him, but he grabbed my arm, preventing me from passing by him. He leaned down so only I could hear him.

“You know it means nothing,” he told me, but I only chuckled at that.

I shook my head. “I’m over it,” I lied. “I’m over you. It’s done.”

“You’re nothing but a little doll I dress up and play with. You don’t get to tell me it’s over,” he growled at me.

I looked him straight in the eye. “Let go of me.”

“This isn’t over,” he reminded me, releasing my arm.

I quickly dashed away, making my rounds and purposely staying away from him. He was in a stormy mood and his companion was getting frustrated. When I needed to pass by them, I went flying. The tray flew up in the air. Food went everywhere.

“Watch where you’re going,” his companion snapped at me. There was dark, cruel glint in her eyes as she looked down at me. “You’d think they hired amateurs to do such a prestigious event.”

Their friends chuckled and whispered their own critical words, making a spectacle out of me. I looked up at Spencer. There was only a smirk on his face as he swirled the liquid in his flute. He didn’t bother stepping in, allowing her to humiliate me right in front of some of the most influential people in the northern part of the city.

When his companion saw his expression, she smiled before ‘accidentally’ spilling her drink all over me. She scowled at me with a cruel satisfied smile on her face as she looked over her handiwork.

“Oops,” she murmured, shrugging her shoulders.

I didn’t realize tears were falling down my cheeks until his expression changed. I stumbled to my feet. He tried to reached for me to help me up or steady me, but I pulled back from him.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed at him.

His eyes darkened maliciously. “Wasn’t planning on it, doll face,” he chuckled and I knew that he was going to shatter my already broken heart. “I’m done with playing with dirty rag dolls anyways. You’re embarrassing me. This was the reason why I never asked you to any of these events. You can’t even conduct yourself with dignity. I can’t stand the sight of you. You’re just a waste of my time and energy.”

I immediately rushed off, out of the banquet hall. He had said that in front of all those people. I hid in the janitorial closet, crying stupid tears for a stupid asshole that did deserve any of them. I could hear Iris calling out my name, but I stayed hidden.

The most delicious, intoxicating scent overwhelmed me. My heart raced in my chest like a frantic bird trying to escape from its cage. Mate. My mate was actually here. For a moment, I rushed to the door to the janitor’s closet to fling it open. Everything in me begged to find out who smelled so good, but I froze in place, realizing myself.

I was covered in champagne and food. I was just publicly humiliated in front of these highly respected wolves. Whoever it was had to be from that world — their world. They wouldn’t accept me. They would reject me like Spencer and his friends had.

As the smell got stronger, I pressed my hand against the shut door. I knew they were on the other side of it. My breathing became erratic and I wanted nothing more to rip away all obstacles between us. I wait for the moment the door swung open to reveal my mate, but it never happened. It never came.

Instead, his scent that wrapped around me like a safety blanket started to disappear until all that was left lingered in the air. The realization what had happened decimated what was leftover from Spencer’s betrayal. Tears blinded my vision as I fell weakly against the door.

My mate’s rejection was more subtle and polite than Spencer’s rejection, but I felt it more. I felt the pain like I was torn apart and left to bleed out.