CINDY'S POV
"No, I didn't," I retorted.
I looked at my stepmother, who was surprised to see me fighting back this time.
"How can an 8-year-old kill an adult? As a matter of fact, you were with him when I found him lying on the floor unconscious."
"How dare you—"
"Enough," Alpha Luis cut Aunt Jezel off. He stepped in front of me to protect me from her.
"Don't accuse without proof. If you won't respect this event, you may leave now. Guards!"
In a second, two guards grabbed her arms and dragged her away. People moved aside to give way as Aunt Jezel tried to break free from their grip and screamed at the top of her lungs.
Stephany and Jenny ran towards their mother, hoping they could talk the guards into releasing her.
When the three were cast outside, the atmosphere of the mansion slowly returned to normal. The music continued, people talked, and Luis and I danced the night away. Everyone watched us as we devoured the wide space in the center with the gracefulness of our dance.
After our dance, Luis and I went to the balcony, where no one else was present. It was just the two of us. We talked under the full moon, sharing childhood memories and secrets that strengthened our connection.
But I heard a bell ring again. I remembered what the moon goddess said. When Luis said it was already 12 o'clock, I hurriedly excused myself and ran outside the mansion.
"Please tell me what your name is."
I heard Luis ask from the entrance, but I couldn't answer him because I was already running down the stairs while holding my dress up. I noticed my necklace slipped and fell on one of the stairs. I was about to retrieve it, but I saw Luis running down to stop me from leaving, so I left the necklace and ran towards my waiting automobile.
When I arrived home, a painful slap to the face greeted me.
"You, bitch! Making me embarrassed tonight? Is it because Alpha Luis is your mate, so you think you're superior now!?" Aunt Jezel shouted at me.
Jenny stepped forward, pointing at my cheap, worn, tattered clothes. The beautiful gown I wore was gone, and I was back in my old clothes. "And look at you. You're a piece of trash. You shouldn't belong here, Cindy. You should be grateful mom adopted you, so you should show some manners."
"You're nothing like your pet mice," Stephany interjected. "Both of you are pests in this household."
They were so angry that they started pulling my hair and slapping my face. I cried so much I almost couldn't breathe. I yelled for help, but no one came. Our house is far from our neighbors.
But they weren't satisfied. They put me in the dark storage room with nothing but old, broken furniture; dust and cobwebs were everywhere. They imprisoned me there.
"Let me out!" I yelled as I banged my fist on the door, but all I could hear was laughter from the other side.
That night, I cried until I fell asleep.
———
ALPHA LUIS' POV
I need to find the girl I danced from the party who also owned the necklace. I know she's my mate. My wolf is reacting to her presence, and for some unexplainable reason, I'm drawn to her. I want to protect her.
So I went to her residence, Lunaris family. My messenger indicated this is where she lives.
"Alpha Luis! What brings you here?" A middle-aged widow greeted me at the door. "Was it for my daughters, Stephany and Jenny?"
Her daughters, who were obviously lazy and nosy, peeked out from beside the door.
"No, I came here for your stepdaughter."
The lady frowned. "Who? Cindy?"
I didn't know her name yet, but maybe it's Cindy. "Yes," I said, unsure.
The lady frowned. "Oh, dear, Alpha. After she disrespected me last night, she went home and packed her things. She said she's going to your mansion to marry you for your money. I tried to reason with her, but she said it was her chance to escape this poor life since she had effectively seduced you that night."
What the lady said made me uneasy. My mate was after my money? Is that why she didn't tell me her name last night?
