Chapter 5
On the third day of the countdown, Liora received an invitation to a formal banquet.
It came from a neighboring pack’s Luna, an old friend and mutual confidante, who had specially invited both her and Carmen to attend.
Holding the invitation in her hands, Liora spun around in place, giddy with excitement.
“This is perfect!” her wolf cheered inside her mind. “Finally, you got a chance to be alone with him. Maybe tonight… he’ll say ‘I love you.“”
Liora couldn’t stop the smile from blooming across her face.
“Hurry up and pick a dress!” her wolf urged. “That blackish green slip dress, the one Carmen likes best, remember?”
Of course, she remembered.
She’d worn that dress once when she walked past the training grounds. Carmen had been deep in conversation with his warriors, but the moment he
turned and saw her, he froze.
But in the next moment, too proud to admit anything, he’d turned away, awkwardly muttering, “You… you wouldn’t even look that good if you weren’t wearing that dress.”
The memory of his arrogant tone made her laugh softly.
She dashed to the closet in an instant, pulled out the blackish green slip dress, and slipped it on. Then came the makeup–a delicate, glowing touch, long lashes, and a soft lipstick that brought warmth to her usually pale complexion.
She even curled her hair and put on the emerald necklace Carmen had once given her.
He had claimed it was “just something he picked up,” but Liora knew better. Carmen didn’t give gifts to anyone.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes sparkled with hope.
“Tonight, it has to work,” she murmured softly.
Meanwhile, Carmen was waiting at the door.
He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal–gray suit. The open collar of his jacket revealed a sliver of skin, making him look regal and distant, as if he were the
center of gravity at any event.
But he wasn’t moving. He just stood there, seemingly waiting for someone.
Seeing him, Liora smiled unconsciously and quickened her pace down the stairs.
Then someone appeared at his side.
It was Evelynne.
She wore a white off–the–shoulder gown, her long hair curled elegantly, makeup flawless. She slipped her arm around Carmen’s effortlessly, smiling up
at him like she was his Luna.
Liora froze halfway down the stairs.
Her eyes fell on Carmen. There was a brief flicker of pain in her eyes but she quickly buried it deep inside.
She forced a smile and said coolly, “What’s this, Alpha Carmen? Are you taking Evelynne to the banquet?”
Carmen shot her a cold glance. His tone was filled with undisguised contempt. “Evelynne is my date. Do you have a problem with that?”
Liora’s fingers curled around the hem of her dress tightly, nails digging into her palm.
“No problem,” she said flatly. “Just a reminder, Alpha Carmen, we’re still bound by the mate bond. Aren’t you worried about the gossip you’ll cause when you show up with another woman?”
Carmen scoffed. “Liora, do you really think I care what people say? You’re just a prop. Don’t flatter yourself.”
With that, he turned and walked out with Evelynne on his arm, not sparing Liora a single glance.
Liora stood frozen, watching their retreating figures. Bitterness beyond words surged in her chest, and even her wolf whimpered softly in her mind.
The banquet was dazzling. The chandeliers sparkled like stars, and the hall was filled with werewolves from various packs.
When Carmen and Evelynne arrived, all eyes turned toward them.
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Carmen seemed to be deliberately trying to humiliate Liora, showering Evelynne with attention throughout the banquet.
He pulled out Evelynne’s chair, poured her wine, draped his jacket over her shoulders during the fireworks display. He even leaned in close, whispering things into her ear, drawing curious stares and hushed whispers from the surrounding guests.
“I heard Carmen and Liora are fated mates but hate each other. It looks like it’s true.”
“Yeah. Look how gentle Alpha Carmen is with Evelynne. Meanwhile, he doesn’t even look at Liora.”
“Poor Liora. She’s supposed to be his Luna, but she looks like a complete outsider.”
Liora heard every word, each one slicing into her like a blade.
She clenched her wine glass so tightly her knuckles turned white, but she didn’t say a word or take a step forward.
She knew too well if she showed she cared, Carmen would only become smugger.
But the worst wasn’t over yet.
Midway through the banquet, Evelynne suddenly stood up and excused herself, saying she needed the restroom. Carmen nodded gently and watched her
leave with a warm smile.
A short while later, however, Evelynne returned in a panic.
Her dress was disheveled, hair a mess, eyes brimming with tears.
“Carmen, help me!” she cried, throwing herself into his arms. Her voice trembled with panic and despair. “I was in the bathroom when Liora… she brought a group of rogues. And they tried to… tried to rape me!”
7
Chapter 5
