Chapter 3

Liam's claws dug into the wooden armrest, his chest tightening with every passing moment. His eyes never lifted from the papers scattered before him. His mind, however, was elsewhere.

“Elena,”

Liam growled, his voice low and dangerous. His gaze remained fixed on the reports in front of him as he heard her hurried footsteps approach.

She came closer, but hesitated just at the door, taking a moment to gather her breath before entering.

“Liam, Juliette... she’s—” Elena’s voice cracked, her words trembling.

“What now?” he barked, the words sharp, dripping with impatience.

“Another dress? Did she make some new foollish designs and expect me to praise her for it?”

“No, alpha Liam,” Elena hesitated, finally stepping forward. “It’s… Juliette’s not at dinner..”

Liam’s jaw clenched. Not at dinner?

“She’s been missing since this morning. We’ve looked everywhere, but she’s—” Elena’s words faltered, her voice softening with a hint of unease. “Liam, she’missing. ”

He stood abruptly, knocking his chair back as he glared at her.

“If she wanted to skip dinner, fine. Let her. If she’s throwing some tantrum, let her starve.”

Elena backed away, fear flickering in her eyes, but Liam wasn’t finished.

“She’s probably just sulking. And if she is, she’ll learn her lesson.”

As the evening dragged on, Liam couldn’t help but glance toward the door, expecting to see her there.

Dinner came and went, but her seat remained empty. The smell of roast meat filled the air, but the weight of her absence crushed every bite.

Liam’s hands clenched into fists beneath the table, his wolf pacing restlessly within him. Every time he glanced over at her chair, a sharp pang of longing struck him.

After the meal, the sound of the wind howling outside seemed to punctuate the emptiness that had settled over the room.

It was only after the last plate was cleared that the thought hit him like a thunderclap. She’s not coming back tonight. Where is she?

He rose from the table, walking toward the window.

The wind shook the panes, and in the pale light of the moon, Liam could make out his dresses swaying in the breeze, each one hanging like a silent, waiting ghost. Each one was stitched by her hand. Juliette’s work.

His breath quickened as memories flooded him—the last time she’d been in danger, the last time he’d been too late to protect her. That human… The trafficker. Two years ago.

He had barely arrived in time to stop the bastard from taking her, and yet... he’d failed her.

“You’re not smart enough for this world, Juliette. How could you be so foolish?”

"He... he told me he had the latest fabric," Juliette whispered between sobs, her voice breaking on every word, "He said it was the finest cloth—something you’d love. I thought I could use it... to make you something new. Something special."

“Does it hurt?” he whispered, a distant echo of the moment when he’d seen her hands bleeding, the needle stuck deep in her skin. “No,” she’d said, smiling through the pain. “It doesn’t hurt, Liam. Wait until you see the dress I’ve made for you.”

He growled under his breath.

Liam's dreams were plagued by Juliette.

Every night, her face—tear-streaked, fading into shadows—haunted him.

He woke with a jolt, heart racing. The moonlight spilled across the room, but it was too cold.

"Alpha! Alpha!" a servant’s voice snapped him from his thoughts.

Liam's heart thudded. "Is she back?Tell him I won’t blame her, tell her I have chosen the date,"

"No... Alpha, it’s the rings your booked for Garrick for his wedding gifts. They’ve arrived."

Liam’s chest tightened. He took the box, hands trembling. Inside, two rings—silver and jade, intricate, symbolic of bond and loyalty.