Ep 2.

Kayla’s POV.

Standing before the mirror, I couldn't help but smile at my reflection. The white gown I wore beautified my body and curves, and I turned to each side, appreciating the way it revealed my figure.

"If you weren't my best friend, I would have taken you right into my bed and had sex with you!" Willson, who had entered the room, blurted out, his words causing me to burst into laughter.

"Come on, Willson, don't be silly!" I urged, attempting to stifle my laughter.

In truth, I was well aware of Willson's deeper feelings for me, extending beyond mere friendship.

However, I chose to ignore it, avoiding complications that might come up from acknowledging those emotions.

"I am not being silly, Kayla, and you know it! You look like a damn model, and I just don't understand why he didn't appreciate you back then! I bet his head would be on fire if he was to see you tonight!"

Willson added, causing me to pause for a moment.

He was referring to my past, and it was clear he knew more than I sometimes gave him credit for.

"I'll call you once the inauguration is over, Willson. Bye!" I declared with a determined voice, grabbing my purse from the nearby bed.

The persistent mention of my past and the one man who had hurt me deeply was something I wished to avoid.

"Kayla I…" He started to say something, but with a firm voice, I cut him off.

"That's enough, Willson! I'll be leaving now." I walked out of the house, letting the door slam shut behind me, without looking back or giving him a chance to continue.

I knew my abrupt withdrawal would likely leave him frustrated, but I didn't care. My past was a chapter I preferred to keep closed, not discussed openly.

Soon, I reached the waiting car that had come to pick me up from Willson's house.

Without hesitation, I climbed in, shut the door, and in no time, we were on our way to the Pack's best hotel for the inauguration.

The moment the car pulled up to the venue, I stepped out, and the flashing cameras immediately turned their attention to me, capturing shots at every possible angle.

Despite the nerves making my palms damp, I focused on maintaining composure, acting as if nothing important was happening.

Entering the venue, filled with members of the pack, my eyes sparkled with a bright smile, excitement coursing through me at the vibrant atmosphere.

"Kayla?" I suddenly heard my name, and following the sound of the voice, I turned to the right to see Aunty Sarah approaching, a smile lighting up her face.

"Aunty!?" I exclaimed, rushing towards her and letting her pull me into a warm embrace.

"I've missed you, Kayla! How have you been? I can't believe you are here today!" Aunty Sarah pulled away from the embrace, her eyes filled with genuine joy as she looked at me.

"I missed you too, aunty!" I responded, holding my purse lightly, starting to feel more at ease in her presence.

She turned me around, assessing my curves and the dress I wore. I could tell her happiness was genuine, not a playacting.

"I'm so glad you're here," she beamed, her confidence contagious.

Aunty Sarah, the one person who had seen the potential in me even when others criticized me, continued to praise my achievements, particularly my role as the personal assistant to the Alpha of the pack in the largest company.

"I'm proud you made it to this point, Kayla! You actually became the woman of your dreams! Imagine becoming the personal assistant to the Alpha of the pack in the biggest company? You are one…" Aunty Sarah's words of admiration were abruptly cut off by a venomous interruption.

"One bitch who couldn't keep her legs closed for a second!" The harsh voice belonged to none other than my stepmother, Mrs. Becky.

Turning around swiftly, I faced her with a polite greeting.

"Good evening, Mrs. Becky." I bowed my head, attempting to show respect, though her presence brought an air of tension.

"Please hold it to yourself, Slut! We both know why you are here, to take my daughter's husband, to seduce him. But trust me, it wouldn't happen. Not when she has a child for him!"

Mrs. Becky's words dripped with disdain, revealing her hatred towards me and her baseless accusations.

I took a deep breath, choosing not to engage in an argument at such an important event.

Mrs. Becky's words cut through me, piercing a deep, painful hole in my heart.

The daughter she spoke of, the one she accused me of trying to seduce her husband, was the actual source of the wrangle of my pain.

"What? I bet you are just so ashamed of yourself that you can't even say a word! Pack's Slut!" Mrs. Becky continued her rant, and at this point, I could no longer bear it.

Unable to restrain my emotions, I retaliated, my fists clenching against my dress.

"I am not ashamed, Becky... I am just in pain knowing you keep fooling yourself!" I shot back, ignoring Aunty Sarah's cautionary words.

"Kayla, watch it!" Aunty Sarah warned, but I refused to heed her advice.

"How dare you try to…" Mrs. Becky began, but a smirk played on my lips as I felt a wave of disgust surge through me.

"You have no right to speak to me the way you just did, Becky! You should be ashamed of yourself, fighting for a slut isn't worth it."

"And before I forget, my dad picked you up from a strip club, so the earlier you remember that, the better for you!" I declared, my anger evident as her face contorted in disbelief.

"Who is the slut now, Becky?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I walked past her, our shoulders violently colliding.

The quarrel had taken a toll on my emotions.

Making my way towards the bathroom, I took a deep breath, my heart racing from the courage it took to stand up to Mrs. Becky.

As I moved toward the bathroom, and just as I was about to take a left turn, I collided with someone.

"Are you okay?" His soft and soothing voice pierced into my ears, his gentle grip on my hand instanly intensifying the beating of my heart.

I looked up to catch a glimpse of him, and to my greatest surprise, it was the man whose presence seemed to invoke a mixture of emotions within me.

The one I was certain was familiar but I just couldn't tell how or why.