Chapter 2

Isabella heard her mother’s voice from behind the door.  

“Come in.”

“Nathaniel came to see you again today. It’s been a week, Isabella. Give him a chance to explain himself. I’m sure there’s a reason why he did what he did.” 

Isabella had already told her parents what happened, but their reaction was exactly what she had expected. In the end, she was still the disappointment her parents wished to get rid of. They had told her to accept Nathaniel’s actions and continue with the wedding.

For her parents, it was natural for an alpha to have a mistress. Even after learning that the person Nathaniel slept with was his stepmother, they didn’t care.

At that point, Isabella’s feelings went dull. She was disappointed in herself for hoping her parents would be on her side just for once. But she was wrong—her parents only cared about themselves, and her happiness meant nothing.

Sometimes, she thought she wasn’t even their daughter.

“Mom, why don’t you marry Nathaniel yourself? That way, you can be the Luna of both pack houses.”

Her mother’s expression changed. Isabella thought she had just hit a nerve... or two.

“Get yourself ready and meet your fiancé! And wear some makeup. Cover those eye bags! You look like you haven’t been sleeping for days!” Her mother snapped, slamming the door behind her.

Isabella drew a long breath, got herself ready, and went downstairs to see Nathaniel.

“What do you want?” she asked coldly.

Nathaniel smiled and leaned in to kiss her, but she pushed him away.

“Isabella, come on! It’s been a week! It’s time to let it go, and I’m here to pick you up.” 

Let it go?

“Is everything a joke to you?! The moment you slept with that woman, our relationship was over!”

Nathaniel laughed.

“That’s funny. Did you think you could get away from me? Your parents like me, and they need me. They will never allow us to break up. Now, get ready, and I’ll be waiting for you here. We have a banquet to attend.”

Why does everything have to be a struggle for her? Did her feelings mean nothing to them? Is this how it felt to be a bird trapped in a cage?

Isabella went upstairs and got herself ready. She didn’t put in any effort for Nathaniel’s sake.

When she came back down, he seemed astonished, but what else could he do?

With a heavy heart, she entered his car, and they both went to the banquet. When they arrived at the venue, she avoided holding Nathaniel’s hand.

Nathaniel forcefully grabbed her hand before giving her a look.

“Look, we’re engaged, and you should be grateful that I even want to marry you. Besides, I can do whatever I want—even if it means sleeping with any woman I land my eyes on!"

Isabella gritted her teeth. "Are you hearing yourself, Nathaniel?"

"I’m a man, and a man has his needs. Why can’t you just let go?!”

That was the dumbest excuse Isabella had ever heard.

“Have you ever actually thought about how I would feel about this? Nathaniel, my heart is closed to you. And I will find a way to stop this marriage,” Isabella said firmly.

Nathaniel pulled her closer, his grip unrelenting.

“You can try, but I assure you, you will never get away from me,” he threatened.

Isabella struggled to free herself, but his strength overpowered her.

“Just be a good fiancée and make me look good,” Nathaniel said, his tone cold and commanding.

What was she to this man? A mere doll for him to control and use? Did he think that buying her expensive things and parading her around lavish banquets would fix everything?

The current Alpha of the Red Moon Pack entered the hall, commanding everyone’s attention. He announced his decision to step down from his position. Nathaniel's face lit up with excitement, but his joy was short-lived when a man Isabella had never met appeared.

The man introduced himself as Dominic Vance, and declared he was taking over as the new Alpha, effectively replacing Nathaniel.

Isabella felt ecstatic. This was her chance to cancel the wedding and prove to her parents how futile their efforts were. While Nathaniel and his father loudly protested the Alpha’s decision, Isabella slipped out of the banquet hall with a smile on her face.

This was the best day of her life!

**

In the bar section, Isabella sat down, savoring her small victory with a glass of gin and tonic.

“So tell me, why would a beautiful woman like yourself be sitting here alone, drinking gin and tonic?”

She turned to see the man appeared earlier in the banquet, standing beside her, a charming smile playing on his lips.  

"D-Dominic Vance..." she muttered.

He smirked at her.

Good heavens. Now that she had a closer look at him, he was undeniably attractive. With his brown hair slicked back and his mysterious almond-shaped eyes piercing through her, she felt something stir within her—something that had been empty for far too long.

“You come here often?” he asked, leaning casually against the bar with one hand in his pocket. “Can I offer you a drink?” he offered smoothly.

Isabella blinked. Weren’t the drinks free? Before she could say anything, Dominic gestured to the bartender to prepare another round for them. 

Had she ever been this weak when it came to alcohol? Or was it the sight of this ridiculously handsome man making her feel lightheaded? 

“So, are you expecting someone?” Dominic asked, his tone light and teasing.

Isabella shook her head and downed her drink, feeling a mix of amusement and disbelief.

Wait—was Dominic doing what she thought he was doing?

“Wait, are you trying to flirt with me?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dominic gasped theatrically, a playful grin on his face as he ordered another set of drinks.

Why was her fiancé’s uncle flirting with her? This man was asking all the textbook questions of someone trying to flirt, and Isabella couldn’t help but find it both absurd and oddly intriguing.

“What if I said I am?” Dominic asked with a playful smirk.

Isabella hesitated. “Well… I’m honored, but a week ago, I was betrayed by the person I loved for years. It’s not easy for me to suddenly accept someone I’ve never met. The void in my heart is too hollow to be filled by someone who only has his looks to offer.” 

“I see,” Dominic said with a shrug. “But it seems you look like my next lover.” 

Isabella gasped, utterly taken aback by the man’s confidence. He seemed slightly distraught beneath his calm demeanor, yet it was clear he was a master at concealing his emotions.

What had possessed him to be so bold—to say something like that to a woman he barely knew? 

This man was too much for her to handle! Was he trying to be flirty just for the sake of it?

“I’m sorry—I should kill myself for saying something so corny,” Dominic said, his voice laced with mock regret. “Trust me. I’m not always this cheesy. Promise.”

Isabella scoffed, unable to hold back a grin. “You heard yourself, huh? Yeah, you *should* kill yourself. Even the goddess Selene would puke if she heard that line.”

They both laughed at the absurdity of his words. It felt good—better than she had in days. Dominic's initial nervousness seemed to fade, and his charm shone through.

“Say, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever encountered. What should I do to make you give me your number?” Dominic asked, his tone still teasing despite the blush creeping up his neck.

Isabella chuckled, amused by his effort. “How about taking me out for a date?”

Dominic smirked. “Oh, you’re hungry? Instead of eating out, why don’t we go somewhere private?”

Normally, Isabella would have said no to a stranger making such a bold suggestion, but for some reason, she found herself captivated by his sultry voice and magnetic presence. Maybe it was the heartbreak, or maybe it was the way he made her laugh. Either way, she found herself saying yes.

Dominic led her to a garden not far from the main building. They walked side by side, taking in the beauty of the foreign flowers planted in the garden beds. Since she was a child, Isabella had always seen gardens as magical places—places where anything felt possible. Being here gave her a sense of freedom, a break from the suffocating pressures her parents placed on her. 

“It seems bringing you here was a great idea." Dominic glanced at her with a satisfied smile.

Isabella returned his smile. “I like it here. It’s peaceful, away from all the stress and pressure of being an Alpha’s daughter.”

The two of them sat on a stone bench, letting the serene atmosphere settle over them like a comforting blanket.

“Parents are supposed to be the reason we have mental breakdowns. It’s what they do full-time,” Dominic remarked with a dry laugh, and looked at her intently. "I don’t understand why Nathaniel would cheat on someone like you. It’s his loss.” He gave her a warm smile.  

So, he knew about Nathaniel's betrayal?

Is that why he’s trying his luck with her, using such corny pickup lines?

She wasn’t sure if it was the gin and tonic she’d had earlier, but when Dominic removed his jacket and placed it gently over her shoulders, she suddenly felt warm all over.

“Has anyone ever told you how handsome you look?” she asked, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.

Dominic's smile widened at the question. “Oh, countless times.” 

Before she could respond, Dominic leaned in and kissed her.

Isabella froze in place, her mind racing. Why would this man take such a drastic step?

The kiss was brief, but it left a lingering taste of whiskey mixed with something fruity. It felt almost like a greeting—unexpected yet not entirely unwelcome. 

Am I cheap for accepting this man’s kiss? she thought. No, it must be the alcohol!

“Would you like to continue this in a more comfortable setting?” Dominic asked with a sly grin. “Or should we just stay... on this uncomfortable grass?”

Without answering, Isabella grabbed his collar and pulled him into another kiss. If Nathaniel could have sex with his stepmother and then tell her to let it go, she could certainly have sex with his uncle—who was ten times hotter than he was.

“I know a way that leads directly to my room. No one will notice us,” Dominic whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin. He left a trail of kisses down her neck to her collarbone, sending shivers through her body.

“What are you waiting for?” Isabella murmured.

Dominic chuckled before lifting her in a bridal carry. He moved swiftly yet cautiously, ensuring no one saw them as they slipped through a discreet pathway leading back to the main building.

“Turn the doorknob,” he instructed softly.

Isabella obeyed, her heart pounding as they stepped into the room.

She didn’t have time to take in her surroundings before Dominic tossed her onto the bed, his intentions clear.