Chapter 8

Eyra’s POV

I could skip dinner, but not breakfast. I’d told the maids time and again that I wouldn’t sit with Dave and Elara, but what happened was beyond my wildest imagination.

Dave came up to the attic with Elara.

“What do you want?” I asked as Elara walked into my room without knocking.

She scanned the room, waved her hand, then pinched her nose. “This room is so stuffy. I’m amazed anyone can stand being in here.”

Isn’t that because of you?

“I’d like to go back to my own room, then,” I replied.

“Well… unfortunately, my family is coming, along with my best friend,” she said.

“Again?” Dave asked, which meant he hadn’t been told about this at all. Or maybe it was all just Elara’s excuse to keep me from sleeping in a decent room.

“Yes, babe. Didn’t I already tell you that my best friends are coming?” Elara said with a panicked expression that Dave would probably never notice because he was blinded by love. “You… don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not,” Dave replied, smiling as he stroked Elara’s cheek. “But Eyra’s right. We have plenty of rooms. She can take one. Unless you’re planning to invite the whole pack here.”

Dave turned to me with a cold stare, then said, “Just go back to your old room. Ask one of the servants to clean it up.”

I shook my head calmly. “No need. I’m fine to be here, anyway. Besides, I’ll be leaving soon. So, no need to bother to expel me in a disgusting way.”

Hearing my words, Dave's face darkened instantly. His forehead was wrinkled with his jaw tightened.

“Are you seriously going to bring this up again?” he retorted with a scornful look. “You just made a mistake, and now you think you can make me forget all that with your little acts?”

“I’m not putting on an act,” I said, glancing at Elara, then back at Dave. “The media pack is reporting on me. Was that you?”

He snorted, laughing sarcastically at my question. “What is this about exactly?”

“Fine. I’ll take that question as proof that you really don’t know. However, if you’re the one behind it, I think there are other ways to speed up the divorce proceedings besides ruining my reputation.”

“Ruining your reputation? Are you insane? You seem to be looking forward to being with that man. But, one thing you should know–”

“Dave...” Elara cut Dave off, clutching her chest. “I-I can't breathe.”

Dave, who had been staring at me with every muscle in his face tensed, softened instantly when he looked at Elara.

Knowing all of this was indeed sickening, but I shouldn’t be surprised or hurt anymore. It’s just that talking is easier than actually living through it.

“Is your asthma acting up? It must be because of this dusty room. Let’s go see a doctor right now.”

“Dave, no. I just need some rest. Let’s just get out of here.”

For a moment, Dave unmoved; gazing at Elara tenderly before replying, “All right. Let’s go to the bedroom.” He supported Elara’s body, which looked weak.

“But you’ll stay with me, right?”

“Elara, I have to go to the office. There are many contracts that need to be renewed, and they’ll definitely need my signature.”

“But I need you, Dave. Please...”

Dave sighed softly, then nodded. “All right. I’ll ask Beta Drake to take care of everything.” Dave guided Elara out of my room without looking back. Only Elara turned to look at me, flashing a barely perceptible, cynical smile.

Screw whatever it was—whether Elara’s attitude was intentional to provoke me, I didn’t care anymore. I just let out a sigh of relief, before the two of them suddenly stopped in their tracks.

What now?

“Dave, wait. I think I went too far with Eyra. How about she just stays in the room next to ours? It’s so comfy, and I might be able to count on her if you’re not home.”

“Don't bother. I'll stay here. If you need help, there are plenty of servants who can take care of you,” I replied. However, Dave didn’t seem to like my answer.

He glared at me again, then said, “Move your things over there.”

I didn’t respond, prompting him to speak again. “Grandma invited us to dinner. She said there’s something she wants to discuss and she wants to welcome Elara back. So, don’t let her down.”

I didn’t nod; I just replied coldly, “All right. I’ll be there.”

After they left the room, several servants—who seemed to have received orders from Dave—came over and asked what I wanted to take to my new room.

Even though I’d been given a new place, I didn’t want to leave this one. I felt comfortable here and had no problems—except for the layers of dust that were harder to clean. It made sense; this room had never been touched by anyone but me.

Just as I was about to leave, a message came in that made me furrow my brow.

[Unknown number: You need to see this. Come to Midtown Manhattan at 10.]

I let out a heavy sigh as I read the short message from Mr. Wynter. He surely understood that I’d gotten into trouble for meeting him, and now, once again, he was asking me to cross the line Dave had set.

I immediately pressed the green button on the screen, which connected me to him immediately.

“Is there something you want to say?” he asked, cutting straight to the point.

“I can’t, Mr. Wynter,” I said. “You must have read last night’s news. Our plan will fall apart if the pack council finds out about that.”

“I won’t cause you any trouble this time. I promise. You’ll definitely be happy to see what I want to show you.”

“But, Mr. Wynter—hello? Mr. Wynter?”

Damn it! Why is it so hard to negotiate with this guy? If I refuse, he might not be willing to help me. But going along with him isn’t easy either.

Dave's grandma had already extended an invitation to dinner. To me, that was a sign she already knew what was going on. Maybe she didn’t know all the details. That’s why she wanted to get the information straight from us.

I hurried to get ready, carefully making my way down the stairs to make sure Dave and Elara weren’t there.

The room was empty. There were no signs of life other than me and the servants. The two were probably spending time alone together in their room or...

“Where’s Alpha Dave?” I asked as a servant approached.

“He and Miss Smith are out, Ma’am.”

“Did they say where they were going?” The servant shook her head. “All right. If they come home before I’m back, tell them I went to the boutique to buy a new dress for the dinner.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

I hurried off in one of the cars from the garage and arrived at the Midtown Manhattan building, just as Mr. Wynter had requested. Another message came in, as if he knew I was already there. He asked me to go to one of the stores labeled “Maison Wynter House.”

A picture message came in. It was a card bearing my stage name, Selene Noir.

[Unknown Number: That’s a special edition card I printed just for you. Show this pict to one of the staff members. They’ll know what to do and give you my gift.]

Not long after, A woman in a suit approached me with a friendly smile.

“What can we do to help you, Miss?”

“Mr. Wynter asked me to come,” I replied. The woman immediately understood, then invited me into a room.

“All of Mr. Wynter’s favorite designer collections are here,” she said. However, only one dress caught my attention. I stepped closer and touched the surface of the dress, my eyes growing misty. “I’ll leave you now; one of our staff members will assist you, Miss.”

I nodded. When I refocused on the dress in front of me, a message from Mr. Wynter came in.

[Unknown number: Have you found one you like?]

[Yes. It’s just—I don’t understand how this dress could look exactly like my long-lost design?]

[Unknown Number: I’ll explain later. My staff will prepare the dress for you.]

I didn’t reply to Mr. Wynter’s message; instead, I was gazing at the dress still displayed on the mannequin, running my fingers over the soft fabric with a smile on my face.

“Hey, Miss! Don’t touch that dress!” someone shouted. The sound of rapid heel clicks approaching me.