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~Cana’s POV:

Hearing the words that had been spoken by Zane’s uncle was like a punch to the gut. For the second time tonight, the sick feeling of betrayal washed over me.

I looked between Zane and his uncle, not sure what to say after hearing that Zane was betrothed. I didn’t have anything to say.

The man In front of me was a total stranger, except for the times when I caught a glimpse of him visiting the pack house and the well-known fact that he was a Lycan, I knew nothing about him. So, who was I to feel betrayed?

“I want her gone,” His uncle hissed.

“Uncle Callahan-“ Zane tried to speak up, but his uncle cut him off.

“She’s not worth it, Zane. I want her gone and you out in the main parlor as soon as possible.”

Callahan, as I now knew his name, glanced once in my direction, throwing me a nasty look that I had too familiar with in less than a day, before storming out.

Zane sighed as soon as the door slammed shut and turned to me.

“You…have a betroth?” The words rolled off my lips before I could even stop them.

“It’s not like that,” Zane defended, taking a step closer to me.

Instinctively, I stepped back. My actions caused his brows to furrow and his face to harden.

“Don’t avoid me, Cana,” He growled, closing the distance between us and grabbing my wrist.

His hold on my wrist wasn’t painful, but despite this, I flinched. He noticed and quickly let go, but didn’t step back.

“Let me explain-“

“You don’t have to.” I cut him off before any more words could be said. “I’m just some useless wolf who had been banished from her pack and you happened to help. There’s no need for you to explain.”

His eyes softened a bit, but before he could reply, there was a knock on the door behind him.

“Alpha Zane ?” Came the voice of a maid.

Zane clamped his eyes shut, clearly angered by the interruption. He took a deep breath and turned around.

I took that moment to inhale the air free of his pheromones, calming my heart which had begun to tingle funnily the moment his uncle announced he was betroth.

“What is it?” He growled out.

“Y-your uncle, he’s asked for your presence and demands that you no longer keep your betroth waiting.”

Zane muttered a few curse words before turning back to face me.

“Cana, please listen-“

“You have a fiancée waiting.” It was unreasonable of me, but I didn’t want to hear his excuse. “Don’t waste any more time with me, please.”

I gestured an open palm towards the door. Zane hesitated but eventually seemed to give up.

“I’ll explain as soon as I’m back,” He ran his hand down my forearm, leaving a trail of goosebumps on my skin, “Stay here.”

I didn’t nod, nor did I say anything, but I guess Zane took that as a positive answer.

He left and as soon as he was gone, I took off. His pack house was a lot bigger than Axel’s, but after a few minutes, I managed to find my way to the front door.

I stopped just before opening it and glanced back. This, for some reason, didn’t feel right.

Perhaps it was the fact that I was homeless that didn't sit well with me, or the idea of leaving the comfort Zane had offered, even though his uncle had been a major dick to me, that felt like the wrong decision.

I was already going through a shit-fest and the last thing I needed was to make matters worse for myself.

But then again…

My chest tingled at the thought of his betroth and I frowned.

I couldn’t stay here and be a third party.

With that thought in mind, I opened the door and rushed out. Some of the guards and Maids I passed stared at me like a crazy person, but I didn’t care.

All I wanted was to put some distance between Zane and me and forget all about the foreign feelings that were creeping up inside of me.

For the third time that night, I found myself aimlessly wandering the road, my feet leading me towards nowhere.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I knew it was already past midnight and I was far away from the Orleans pack.

I spotted a motel sign that looked cheap and well, affordable in my state. I made my way to it. Luckily, their lowest room came at a cheap price and after gathering some of the remaining cash I had, I was able to pay.

The room was smaller than the one back at the pack house and had only a queen-sized bed with a nightstand and lamp, and a small bathroom, but that was enough for me.

After stripping off the ruined dress and washing up, I plopped down onto the bed, my mind a million miles away.

So many things had happened in one day and now that I was left alone, I couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened.

First, the rejection. Second, the banishment, and last, the unknown feeling that crept up within me when I was close to Zane.

I curled up on the bed and prayed that the moon goddess would guide me in the right direction, but for now, sleep.

My body needed it.

I was awakened by a light tapping on the door of the motel room.

My eyes fluttered open and I glanced at the watch sitting on the bedside. It was half past nine.

I had been asleep for nearly 7 hours and yet, I still felt exhausted and empty.

Rising from the bed, I dragged my body towards the door, contemplating if it was food I needed to the fill void I was feeling inside of me.

“Who is it?” I asked, my voice a bit hoarse.

The person didn’t answer, so I swung the door open and my eyes widened the moment I saw Zane standing there.

“How…?” I attempted to close the door, but his foot stopped it.

“I told you to ‘Stay’ Cana, why did you leave?” Zane asked as he walked into my room.

“How did you find me? No, why did you come after me?” I questioned, taking steps of my own away from him as he approached.

“That’s not the question I asked, Cana,” As if only now, realizing what I saw wearing, a thin black singlet and a pair of night shorts, his eyes raked over my body and his scent suddenly filled the room.

Goosebumps rose on my skin. I didn’t want to know if they were good or goosebumps, because the very next second I knew I had to leave before things escalated beyond my control.

I dashed for the still-open door, but Zane caught me with his hands around my waist.

“Dammit Cana, stop running.” He placed me back on the floor and I noticed how worried, rather than angry, he looked. “I’m trying to help you here.”

“Why?” I asked. “Why would you want to help someone like me?”

His scent softened at the implication of my words.

“Don’t look down on yourself so much, Cana, you’re so much more than those people made you believe you were.”

I slipped out of his hold and looked away. “I don’t need your pity, Lycan. So please, stop following me.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why?!” I snapped, the pent-up pressure of the entire situation getting the better of me. “What’s so useful about me that has you so invested?”

Zane thought about my question for a few seconds. “I can’t tell you now, but,” He stretched out his hand, “if you come with me, I can let you know a few things.”

I didn’t budge, at least until my stomach suddenly growled.

Zane chuckled and my cheeks flushed red.

“At least have breakfast with me.”

I hesitated, but because there was a good offer in front of me, and I had also used up my last money the previous night, I reluctantly agreed to it.

“Fine.”

Zane smiled and I squeezed the fabric of my shorts.

Everything was going to be okay. After everything I had gone through yesterday, what more could go wrong?