Chapter 3

I ended up at Helena's Moonlight Gala by Alexander's side.

Even though I was trying my hardest to let him go, being anywhere near Helena still made my stomach turn.

Still, faced with his request, and figuring it was my second-to-last day here anyway, I slipped into the dress and went along.

"Sit here for a bit," Alexander said, guiding me to a table before stepping away to mingle with pack elders and business associates.

I tucked myself into a quiet corner, sipping fruit juice while watching him and Helena together. They truly looked like the perfect match.

Back in San Francisco, they called him Alpha Stone for a reason. He ruled the city's shifter underworld with an iron fist.

Daughters from elite packs practically lined up to marry him, and rival Alphas constantly sought alliances with the Crimson Pack.

Next to them, I felt like nothing more than an ugly duckling. I had no right to dream of having him.

A long while later, Alexander came over and took the seat beside me. "Lily, what do you think of Helena?" he asked softly. "Do you think... you could see her as family?"

I frowned, not quite following.

Alexander offered a rare, faint smile and explained, "Helena did something huge for me. At a pack gathering a few months back... she helped me out. So, I have to marry her."

His gaze drifted casually back to Helena, watching her every graceful movement across the hall.

My eyes stung with a sharp, burning ache.

He must really love her.

Swallowing every drop of bitterness down my throat, I forced a smile. "She's great. You two look perfect together."

Alexander didn't answer. He just stared at me in total silence.

I lifted the hem of my dress and stood up, excusing myself to the restroom, terrified that if I stayed one second longer, my tears would betray me.

I had no idea Helena had been watching the entire exchange.

Toward the end of the gala, she specifically cornered me, handing me a glass of champagne to offer a toast.

"I shouldn't," I declined quietly. "He doesn't let me drink."

Helena burst into rich, mocking laughter, leaving me bewildered.

In the end, I felt cornered into taking the glass.

Three drinks in, my vision blurred and my mind spun out of control. By the time I forced my heavy eyelids open again, I was lying on an unfamiliar hotel bed.

And right beside me lay a shirtless man.

Panic surged through me. I scrambled to get up, but right at that moment, the door was kicked wide open.

I whipped around in terror, only to meet Alexander's bloodshot eyes.

Like an enraged beast, he tore into the room, lunging at the man beside me. Fists and kicks rained down until the sick crack of bone echoed through the room, shattering the man's leg.

Helena hurried in behind him, playing the part of the panicked peacemaker. "Alexander, calm down!"

Alexander shoved Helena aside without a second thought, his crimson eyes locking onto me with pure, murderous fury. "Lily Parker, how could you degrade yourself like this?!"

"If you liked someone, you could have just told me! I would have given you my blessing!"

"Why the hell did you have to run off to a hotel room with some random bastard?!"

I shook my head wildly, tears streaming down my face.

I had no memory of how I got there. All I remembered were those three drinks before everything went black... Warning bells screamed in my head, and I instinctively looked over at Helena.

A sinister, fleeting smirk touched her lips before she smoothly put on a facade of gentle concern. "Lily, this really wasn't right of you."

"Alexander raised you like his own kid. Even if you don't see him as family, you can't break his heart like this!"

*No. That's not what happened.*

*I didn't...*

Alexander was so blinded by rage that he couldn't hear a word of reason.

He had his enforcers drag me back to the mansion, throwing me into the basement cell.

Almost as if trying to punish me, he got completely wasted and brought Helena down to the basement to see me.

Right in front of my face, he pinned Helena against the cold stone wall, kissing her with reckless, desperate fury.

Helena let out coy, playful protests while leaning into his touch, her gaze catching mine with triumphant, venomous satisfaction.

My heart died right then and there.

This time, I had truly destroyed whatever bond Alexander and I had left.

I begged him to let me go several times, but he only turned his back on me with chilling indifference.

Three days slipped by in that dark cell.

Two hours left until my flight took off.

I couldn't miss it.

When Mrs. Garcia came down to deliver my meal, I broke down and begged her. Her heart softened, and she snuck the key to unlock the iron gate, letting me out.

"Don't worry, Miss Parker. I'll take the blame for whatever happens," she whispered softly. "He's just acting out of anger. Once he cools off, he'll forgive you."

I gave her a small nod, pulled my lightweight carry-on through the back door into the cool night air, and looked back at the sprawling estate one last time.

*Goodbye, Alexander.*