Chapter 273
273
273
Riley’s POV
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In their memories, I had always been the quiet one-the shadow in the corner, the lone wolf no one cared to approach.
Back in Mooncrest High, every hour of my life was consumed by study. Even when the others went out during holidays, laughing and drinking under the neon lights of Mooncrest, I kept to myself.
Three years of silence. Three years of solitude.
If my face had been plain, if my grades hadn’t stood so far above theirs, perhaps I truly would’ve been invisible. But because I was beautiful and because I excelled, my refusal to blend in only marked me as more of an outcast. A wolf walking alone will always be noticed.
By the time my classmates snapped out of their shock, my hand had already struck across Zao’s bloated face six times in quick succession. The sound of each slap cracked through the air like claws against bone.
Zao finally came to his senses, his piggish eyes bulging with fury.
“You filthy bitch,” he roared, jowls shaking, “you dare lay a hand on me? You’re asking for death!”
He raised his thick arm, ready to strike me down.
And then the door to the private room burst open.
“Who is Miss Carmen?” A woman’s gentle voice carried into the space.
Every head turned. A hotel server stood there with a polished smile, pushing a silver cart. Atop it rested a cake so pristine it looked almost holy under the dim lights.
“Excuse me, who is Miss Carmen?” she asked again, her voice sweet but careful.
Kaman, dressed in blood-red silk, stepped forward at once, the pronunciations of ‘Carmen’ and ‘Kaman’ were so similar that she thought it was calling her name.. “That would be me.”
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Her brow furrowed with confusion. “Is there some mistake?”
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The server glanced her over-her bright dress, her heavy perfume, the smug tilt of her chin-and clearly decided she must be the one. After all, the President of the Duskgrave Corporation himself had ordered the exclusive 101 suite for Miss Carmen’s birthday.
No ordinary woman would dare turn away such honor.
The server’s smile grew warmer, and she pushed the cake toward Kaman. “Miss Carmen, this is a gift from Silverfang Den, prepared especially for you. We wish you a happy birthday.”
Kaman froze. Birthday? Hers wasn’t for another two weeks.
But then her painted lips curled into a triumphant grin. Of course. It had to be the “class idol” from back in school-now a so-called rising star in the Duskgrave Corporation-who arranged this to impress her.
Yes. That had to be it.
Lifting her chin, Kaman pretended to accept the gesture graciously. “Thank your manager for me, then.”
The server bowed slightly, her tone unfalteringly polite. “It’s our pleasure.” And with that, she wheeled her cart away, leaving the air heavy with envy as all eyes turned toward Kaman.
But before the bitter taste of their flattery could fade, Zao’s rage boiled over. His meaty hand seized a platter from the table, and with a guttural snarl, he hurled it toward my head.
“Ungrateful whore! You dare humiliate me? I’ll smash you into the floor!”
My wolf reacted instantly. I reached for the fork on the table, ready to drive it into his arm if he came close enough. But before I could strike, Mia-my loyal Mia- threw herself between us.
The sound of shattering porcelain ripped through the room as the plate broke
across her skull.
“Mia!” I cried out, my heart stuttering.
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She staggered but held her ground, shielding me with her frail body. Blood trickled down her temple, yet she whispered fiercely, “Young Miss, I’m fine. Go. Find Alpha Lucien.”
Laughter erupted around us-cruel, mocking, the sound of carrion crows circling a wounded wolf.
“Did you hear that? She thinks she knows Alpha Lucien Duskgrave!” one of them jeered.
“Know him? Ha! The Alpha Prince of the Stormridge Pack? The man who stormed into Mooncrest half a year ago and claimed the East Expanse with a billion-gold investment? He’s Mooncrest’s most powerful wolf now. And she thinks she could be anywhere near him?”
“Pathetic. But if she begs Zao prettily enough, maybe our ‘class idol’ will let her watch Alpha Lucien from a distance.”
“Please. Our idol wouldn’t even waste a glance on trash like her.”
And then-
“I wouldn’t waste a glance on what kind of trash?”
The words cut through the room like a blade, cold and sharp.
The door swung open again, and a man stepped inside.
Dressed in a white plaid suit, his presence filled the room effortlessly. His features were striking, undeniably handsome-handsomer than any other man here. No wonder they had once called him the golden boy of Mooncrest High.
But my wolf bristled. His charm was surface-deep, like polished silver hiding rust beneath.
And I could already sense-the night was only just beginning.
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