Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Ignoring a red-faced Alaric, I turned to leave.
But I didn’t get far before he grabbed me. Then, he questioned me coldly, “Isadora, you don’t want my money? What does that mean? Are you trying to burn this bridge for good?”
I looked him straight in the eye. “We have no relationship. It’s best we keep our distance and avoid any misunderstandings.”
My thoughts drifted to Kieran, that pathologically possessive man.
If he ever found out another Lycan had touched me in public, that poor soul would wish he’d never been born.
But Alaric glanced at Cassia, clearly thinking he had it all figured out.
“In three days, our Alpha is hosting a welcome party for the Alpha Supreme. I plan to take you and show you what high society is like.”
“But first, you need to change out of that trash. I don’t want you embarrassing me—”
Before he could finish, I cut him off firmly. “No, thank you.”
Hearing my second refusal, Alaric’s face darkened. The hand holding the check froze mid-air, and he clenched his jaw.
“Isadora, it seems your temper has grown. If you don’t want to go, fine. I’ll take Cassia.”
Cassia’s eyes lit up at the thought of Alaric taking her, and she immediately interjected, “Alaric, I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise I won’t embarrass you.”
I had no interest in getting involved in their drama again. I turned and walked away briskly, leaving them with one last sentence. “I hope you two are still this confident in three days.”
I rushed out of the arrivals hall, the fresh air slightly easing my nausea.
Five years ago, on the night I was rejected by Alaric, I had agreed to form a mate bond with Kieran.
A month later, we held our bonding ceremony. A year later, we welcomed our first pup, Orion.
Recently, I had discovered I was pregnant with our second pup. If it weren’t for official business, I would never have returned to Chicago, and I certainly would never have run into Alaric.
Three days later, I showed up at the party alone, wearing light makeup and a casual outfit.
The moment Alaric saw me, his eyes lit up, and a smug smile graced his lips. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”
“But if you want to win me back, you have to at least please me. At an occasion like this, you should dress in a way that befits my status.”
I brushed past him, ignoring the comment.
But I had only taken two steps when Alaric grabbed my arm impatiently. “Isadora, I’m talking to you. Where do you think you’re going?”
I shook his hand off and answered calmly, “That’s your seat. Mine is over there.”
Following my gaze, Alaric looked toward the seats reserved for the most honored guests. His expression instantly soured.
Cassia shot me a venomous glare, then pointed at my necklace and shouted, “Isadora, how did you sneak in here? And how dare you show up wearing that fake necklace?”
Her voice was so loud it immediately drew everyone’s attention.
