Chapter 2: A Failing Investment

Erik mumbled to Rose, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. “You’re so pale. I will take you to the infirmary.”

“That won't be necessary. Luna Mia can handle it,” barked Erik’s father. His voice was a whip of authority, slicing through Erik’s panicked haze.

Luna Mia stepped forward, gently hugging her adopted daughter. She tried to pull the girl away, but Erik only tightened his grip, his knuckles white against Rose’s silk dress. The room held its breath.

“Let us continue the celebration,” Alpha Caleb ordered, his voice dropping an octave as he utilized his Alpha command. The invisible weight of it forced every wolf in the room to stiffen. “Erik, take Leona back to the dance floor.”

I saw the muscles in Erik’s jaw twitch. He tried to resist, his wolf warring with the command of his Alpha, but finally, he yielded. Luna Mia managed to guide a tearful Rose away, and with a stiff, robotic nod, Erik took my hand.

The joy of the evening had evaporated. Erik danced with me, served me drinks, and kissed my hand like a dutiful husband-to-be, but the warmth was gone. He was a man performing a chore, his eyes constantly darting toward the door. His thoughts were with the "angel" in the infirmary, and every time he looked at me, I saw a flicker of resentment, as if my presence were the only thing keeping him from her side.

After the party, he escorted me back to my room. I leaned into him, tangling my fingers in his ginger locks, trying to reclaim the man who had worshipped me only a day ago.

“Now, let’s have a proper celebration,” I whispered seductively against his ear. “I know exactly what I’m missing right now, and I’m losing my mind wanting to feel you inside me again.”

I moved my hand playfully over his chest, sliding lower, but he caught my wrist with a grip that was too tight, locking it in place before pulling away entirely.

“Baby, it’s been a long day. It’s time to rest,” Erik said, his voice flat. He gave me a chaste, dismissive kiss on the forehead. “Besides, your parents are in the same wing. If your father caught me in your bed before the mating ceremony, he’d rip my head off.”

“The presence of my parents didn’t seem to bother you yesterday when you were losing yourself in me all night long,” I hissed, the rejection stinging more than the public humiliation.

Erik rolled his eyes, a look of pure irritation crossing his face. “Leona, watch your tone. Someone might hear us. I’m your mate; we have our whole lives. Rest well.”

He disappeared into the hallway without looking back. I leaned against my door, biting my lip until I tasted copper, while my wolf, Alma, howled in agony.

“He is going to her,” Alma cried in my head. “The bond is screaming, Leona. He is going to her.”

I spent the night in a fever dream of jealousy and rage. The next morning, I used every trick in my makeup bag to hide the dark circles and the hollow look in my eyes. I chose a short red sundress and high heels—a battle uniform for a woman fighting for her heart.

But when I entered the Alpha’s dining room, the silence was deafening. The long table was set but empty.

“Where is everyone?” I asked an Omega as she placed a plate of fruit down.

“Alpha Caleb, Luna Mia, and your parents finished early and left for a stroll, Miss,” she replied, her eyes avoiding mine.

“And Erik?”

The Omega’s breath hitched. She looked at me with pure, unadulterated pity—a look I hated more than fire. “Young Master and Miss Rose left for the amusement park at dawn.”

My blood boiled. I didn't finish breakfast. I changed into my training gear and headed for the arena, desperate to hit something. But as I crossed the drive, I saw my pack’s SUVs idling. My father and Renata were standing by the lead car.

“I didn’t know we were leaving,” I said, walking toward them.

Renata looked impeccable, her smile as sharp as a diamond. She stepped forward and brushed her lips against my cheeks, but her eyes remained ice-cold.

“Only us, my dear,” she whispered, her voice carrying a jagged edge of accusation. “You will stay here with your groom’s pack until this... unpleasant situation is resolved.”

I looked at my father. He was on his phone, scrolling through emails, his face a mask of disappointment. He didn't even look up.

“Father?”

He finally glanced at me, his eyes devoid of comfort. “You’re a future Luna, Leona. Act like one. You’ve managed to let your mate’s attention wander on the very night of your engagement. It’s embarrassing for our bloodline.”

“I didn’t do anything! He—”

“Fix it,” he snapped, cutting me off as he climbed into the car. “I didn't raise an Alpha's daughter to be a pathetic footnote in a scandal. Hold your position, or don't bother coming home.”

Renata leaned in one last time, her voice a low hiss. “I trust you’ll be able to keep your man in check. If you can’t even handle a little mistress like Rose, what hope do you have of ruling a pack?”

They drove away, leaving me standing in the dust. I was quarantined. They weren't leaving to give me space; they were leaving because I was a failing investment.

I spent the next four hours in the arena, punishing the punching bag until my knuckles were raw and bleeding. I ran until my lungs felt like they were filled with broken glass. I was walking back, drenched in sweat, when a black limo pulled up.

Erik stepped out, his face lit with a smile I hadn't seen since the night before. He offered his hand to Rose, helping her out as if she were made of spun glass. She looked radiant, clutching a giant teddy bear and batting her eyelashes innocently.

The moment they saw me, the air turned to ice.

“Rose, just go inside,” Erik muttered, his protective stance returning instantly. She hurried past me, ducking her head like a frightened rabbit.

“Saving your princess from the dragon?” I mocked, my voice raw.

Erik’s gaze flickered with guilt, but it was quickly buried under a layer of slick charm. “Baby, don’t be like this. My sister is sick; she needed a distraction. But you... you are the queen of my heart.”

He motioned to the driver, who began unloading designer bags—Gucci, Prada, Chanel.

“Peace offerings for my possessive lioness,” he said, taking my hand.

He spent the afternoon showering me with gifts and promises. He whispered that I was the only one for him. He made me feel like the centre of his universe again. I wanted to believe him so badly that I let my guard down.

In the evening, Erik was taking me out for dinner.

I dressed in a new dress he gifted me from the latest collection of the famous werewolf designer, on my neck shining necklace with rubies and diamonds - also Erik’s latest gift.

But the moment before we stepped into Erik’s car, a familiar figure appeared, draped in a princess-style lavender ballgown that screamed for attention.