Chapter 6

The next morning, Sophia knocked on my door. “Madam Evelyn. It's morning. Please wake up.”

 I turned in my bed, then rose and stretched with a smile. It was my engagement day and Quinn and Alex were in for a surprise. I was almost giddy with the prospect, especially since I’v done my own investigation and learned that the omega waiter who’d drugged me five nights ago had done it under the orders of one of the ‘higher ups’. It turned out that higher up had been Quinn.

I smirked in bliss as my mind went back to the message I had received from the anonymous man who’d agreed to take part in my engagement today. We had agreed on his entrance to the engagement party and how much I would pay him for his appearance, while I figured out the best way to get rid of my adulterous stepmom and treacherous ex-fiancée.

Sophia pulled me from my thoughts, saying, “Your breakfast is served downstairs.”

  I looked at her.

“Why downstairs? I do not want to have breakfast while seeing their faces. I made sure I made myself clear a few days back.” I said with my eyebrows raised.  

“I apologize,” said Sophia, bowing her head. “The madam wanted you to have breakfast with the family downstairs.”

 I rubbed my temple. “All right. I’ll join them.” Only because I didn’t want them to ruin this beautiful morning for me. “Just run my bath for me.”

Sophia nodded and headed to the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later, I walked down the stairs confidently, even with the long scar running across my face.. Alex stared, looking pained, as I entered the room. Too bad you’re not marrying me, huh, asshole? He stabbed at his sausages, likely angry at himself for ruining his plan to inherit the Carson fortune, using me, was now thwarted badly.

Quinn noticed Alex’s face and she cleared her throat “Welcome to the table, Eve,” she said to me. I looked at her, said nothing and sat down beside my step brother.

“Congratulations on your engagement party, Sis,” said Kevin, handing me a small box.

 I nodded curtly and took the box from him. I opened it and saw a small bracelet. “Thank you,” I said and went back to eating.

Silence permeated the breakfast table. Afterward, Alex left the room, looking like he was going to go brood. Quinn seemed excited about the prospect of marrying me off, probably figuring she could finally have Alex, Carson, and the house to herself. She was in for a serious surprise. I had plans to make their lives miserable for making a fool of me. Kevin was the only one who seemed neutral.

As the preparations for the engagement party began in earnest, I left to go upstairs and battle with my hair, clothes, and makeup.

A short while later, after my hair had been arranged with pins and diamond hair accessories, I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. “Can I come in?” I heard Kelvin ask.

“Yeah sure.” I said and he walked in.

His face held surprise when he saw me, then gulped and looked away. I looked extremely attractive today, so he was probably wondering if they had all looked down on me because I was always dressed plainly.

“I don’t have all day, Kevin,” I said as he continued to stand there mute. “So spill it.”

He sighed. “I'm sorry about what my mom did to you, and I know it's shameless of me to ask, but can you please let it go? If the elders find out this party isn't an engagement ceremony for you and Alex, and it's because he cheated on you with my mom, my mom will lose her dignity and respect as a woman in our pack.”

“I have no plans to tell the elders why Alex and I aren’t getting married, and you shouldn’t be begging for forgiveness on your mom’s behalf. If she needed it, she would have asked for it herself. Now, is that all you wanted? And why are you suddenly so humble and calm toward me when you’re normally so cold and arrogant?”

 Kevin shrugged, then turned to the room, glancing back once before he walked out. My attendants went back to preparing me for the party.

After a couple of more hours, I was ready, but filled with nerves because my arranged partner hadn’t yet arrived.

Quinn texted me, “You should come down with that omega now. The party’s about to begin.”

I bit my fingers in fright. But then my phone pinged with a text message from my anonymous partner. “I’m here,” it said. I let out a sigh of relief. With renewed confidence, I strutted out of my room and down to the party pavilion.

I texted him to enter the compound and go to the pavilion, then raced to meet him. When I arrived at the entrance, Quinn and Alex were already there. Only that the stranger who exited the car wasn’t a complete stranger.

He approached me. “Hello, my love,” he said, then locked lips with me.

I was shocked, though my body remained rigid as my brain tried to figure out what was happening.

When our lips separated, he said, “Are you happy to see me?” He smiled and leaned in toward my ear. “Wasn’t very nice of you to leave the other night, and without even bothering to ask my name, too. It's Kian, by the way, Kian Sylvester,” he whispered.

 “How did you find me?” I whispered back.

“Coincidence, or maybe you’d call it fate, is pretty much a bastard, my beautiful. But before we continue our banter, won't you introduce me to your family?”

I straightened myself. “Of course,” I said, still trying to absorb the fact that my paid partner for the day was the man I had spent my very first night with. I turned and took in my stepmother’s expression. The look of shock there in her face satisfied me. I smiled. Anybody could see Kian wasn't just a random omega. Even though I knew little about him, I could feel his powerful aura.

I shifted my gaze from Quinn to encompass everyone there. “Elders, Mother, Brother, this is Kian Sylvester, the man I’m set to marry,” I announced with a small smile.

“What is the meaning of this?” Quinn asked. “Who is this good-for-nothing man you have brought home to marry?” Silence descended on the crowd.

 “Do not say another insulting word toward my woman,” Kian said in an authoritative voice. “Do you hear me?” He scoffed. “You call me a nobody? Well, ask Alex here who I am.” He turned to Alex. “Won’t you tell them, Brother?” he asked with a smile.

Wait, I don't remember Alex having a brother. Did he???

Alex folded his hands into fists. “What are you doing here?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“I thought that was clear… I’m here to ask for my woman’s hand in marriage.” He smirked mischievously. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think I wouldn’t amount to anything after Father kicked me out?”

Alex glared at him. “Go back to wherever you’ve been hiding all these years before I tear your fucking face off.”

“You will not address our Alpha in such a manner, you scumbag.” Kian’s aide inserted himself between Kian and Alex.

He turned to face the now murmuring crowd.

I stood transfixed. He was an alpha? And Alex’s brother? Oh, the moon goddess!

 “This is Alpha Kian Sylvester of the Blood Moon Pack, the strongest pack on this continent. Pay your respects properly.” 

Kian’s aide addressed the crowd.