Chapter 30
Lisa’s POV_
Panic flared in my chest like a fire. My hands grew cold, and I could feel the blood drain from my face.
I quickly stepped behind Rylan. I was trying to hide myself from view. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear what anyone was saying anymore.
“What’s wrong?” Alexandra whispered beside me, her eyes narrowing slightly.
I shook my head, unable to speak.
Ella’s smile faltered as she noticed my sudden shift in behavior. “Lisa? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I whispered quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Just… felt a little dizzy for a
second.”
Damien was still talking to Rylan. They were deep in conversation about some alliance event. He didn’t
seem to notice anything strange.
I peeked again. The man had turned halfway in my direction.
I ducked lower behind Rylan’s shoulder. My heart was thudding painfully in my chest.
I couldn’t let him see me. Not here. Not now.
Why was he here?
Of all the places… of all the events…
I wanted to run. But I couldn’t make a scene. Not in front of so many people.
I gripped Rylan’s arm tightly. He looked down at me with a concerned frown but didn’t say anything. Maybe he sensed something wasn’t right.
The rest of the conversation was a blur.
I heard laughter, polite greetings, bits of words floating around me, but I wasn’t really present anymore. My mind was stuck in that single terrifying truth; he was here.
I didn’t know if he had seen me yet. I prayed that he hadn’t.
Maybe the crowd would protect me. Maybe I could just stay hidden and get through this party without
ever having to face him.
But a voice deep inside me whispered that fate wasn’t going to be that kind.
“Lisa,” Rylan murmured while leaning slightly toward me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I forced another smile and nodded. “Yes. I just… need a moment.”
He gave a small nod, his eyes scanning my face. I could tell he didn’t believe me but he didn’t push.
1/5
Ella’s eyes lingered on me with a slight frown. She clearly noticed something was wrong too. But Damien called her attention again and she turned away. She was distracted.
I kept my eyes down, hoping to disappear.
But the burning in the back of my neck told me someone was watching.
Someone I wasn’t ready to face.
Not yet.
Not tonight.
I tried peeking from behind Rylan. And then… I saw her.
She walked up to him with two drinks in her hand, smiling like she owned the world. Like she owned him. Her emerald green dress hugged her body tightly. It was strapless and shimmering under the lights. Her long dark hair was curled in soft waves, cascading down her back like silk.
She was beautiful, elegant and confident.
And she was with him.
Kael.
My mate. Or rather, the mate who had rejected me.
My heart squeezed painfully as I watched her hand him a drink and lean in close. He smiled at her. Not the cold, guarded one he always wore in the past, but something softer and warmer.
My stomach turned.
It should have been me.
She laughed at something he said, and he chuckled quietly. They looked… happy. So happy. Like they
belonged together.
Like I had never existed.
Sierra growled in the back of my mind, low and angry. “We’ve dodged a bullet with him rejecting us. Don’t feel jealous of them. We should be happy that he is not in our lives anymore.”
I bit my lip.
She was right. I should be happy. I had a new life now. A new chance. I was safe in the Frostbane Pack. I
had people who cared about me.
And yet… I couldn’t stop the ache in my chest.
I couldn’t stop wondering.
What would it have been like if Kael hadn’t rejected me?
Would I be the one standing beside him now, in that green dress, smiling up at him with stars in my eyes?
Would I be happy?
The thought pierced deeper than I expected.
But just as I was lost in my spiraling thoughts, something made my skin prickle. A strange pull. I looked up
and froze.
Kael was staring at me.
His eyes were locked onto mine, wide with shock. His face went pale and he looked as though he had
seen a ghost.
My breath caught in my throat. I quickly ducked behind Rylan again. My heart was hammering in panic.
No. Not now. I couldn’t face him. I wasn’t ready.
And if Kael was here at Alpha Damien’s engagement party, that could only mean one thing.
His parents were here too.
And that meant… my parents were probably here as well.
I dared a glance to my right, staying as hidden as possible behind Rylan’s tall form.
There they were.
My mother and father. Chatting with some guests, smiling like they had no care in the world. Like they
hadn’t cast me out without a second thought.
I could barely breathe.
If they saw me… they would drag me back. They would make a scene. They would maybe even beg Rylan and Alpha Damien to force me to return home.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I had to get out fast.
I turned to Rylan and tugged on his arm gently. “Rylan,” I whispered. “I need to use the washroom.”
He looked down at me with concern. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, it’s okay,” I said quickly. “I just… need a minute.”
go Before he could say more, Alexandra stepped beside me. “I also need to go,” she said lightly. “I’ll with
you, Lisa.”
I gave her a grateful look. “Okay.”
We walked quickly through the crowd. My heart was still thudding like a drum. I could feel Kael’s eyes on me even though I didn’t look back.
Alexandra glanced at me sideways as we moved down a quieter hallway.
“Is everything okay?” she asked gently.
I nodded too fast. “Yes.”
“You don’t look fine, Lisa,” she said softly. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “Nothing. I just really need to pee. That’s all.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re a terrible liar.”
I didn’t say anything.
She sighed and said, “I saw him.”
My steps faltered. “What?”
“I saw the man you ran away from in the shop the other day,” she said. “The one who chased after you.”
I stared at her.
“I remember everything,” she added with a shrug. “You told me he was your ex.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah. That’s him.”
“And you don’t want to see him,” she said, her voice kind. “Got it.”
I nodded quickly. “Please don’t tell Rylan. Please, Alexandra. I don’t want him to know.”
She smiled softly. “Don’t worry. I won’t. This is just between us.”
We reached the washroom, and she opened the door for me. The cool air inside was a small relief from
the chaos of the party outside.
As I stepped in, Alexandra kept talking.
“I understand how you feel,” she said gently. “I went through something similar.”
I turned to her. I was curious despite myself.
“I had an ex,” she continued, leaning against the counter. “His name was Caleb. I thought he was everything. But… he cheated on me.”
My eyes widened. “I’m so sorry.”
She smiled faintly. “Yeah. He was a jerk. But the worst part was how broken I felt afterward. Like I wasn’t
good enough.”
I moved closer. “He must have been blind to hurt you.”
She laughed softly. “That’s what Rylan said too. When he found out what Caleb did to me… he was furious. He wanted to declare war on Caleb’s pack.”
“What?” I gasped.
She nodded. “Yeah. He was so angry. Said no one hurts his little sister and walks away.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “That sounds like him.”
“It does,” she said with a soft chuckle. “But I had to stop him. I told him not to punish innocent people for one person’s mistake. Eventually, he listened.”
There was a pause.
She looked away, her expression turning distant.
“Since then,” she said quietly, “I’ve stayed away from love. I keep my distance. Even when guys show
interest… I just can’t. Caleb hurt me too deeply. And the scars are still there.”
I didn’t know what to say.
So I just whispered, “I’m sorry you went through that.”
She looked back at me. “And I’m sorry you did too.”
We stood in silence for a moment.
Two broken hearts. Two women hurt by the ones they trusted most.
Maybe we weren’t so different after all.
“I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone all that,” she admitted.
“I’m glad you told me,” I said. “And… thank you for understanding.”
She reached out and gently squeezed my hand.
“Anytime.”
