“Is there anyone named Elena Blackwood here?" another delivery guy shouted, silencing the crowd.
Heads turned, eyes darting around, and whispers spread. While Elena stiffened, her face heated with embarrassment as all those eyes fixed on her.
“That’s me. Is there a problem?” Elena answered as she shakily stood.
The delivery guy walked toward her and placed a big box on the table before her.
“This is a gift from Ms. Ardyn Blackwood," he said nonchalantly.
"Sign, please."
Gasps spread through the crowd. Elena's hands shook as she took the pen. Earlier, she received pictures that she tried to hide, but there was no way she could hide this.
After signing, the guy opened the box for her and took out a stunning white ceremonial dress and a bouquet of red roses. Murmurs grew louder among the crowd, and chaos was about to erupt again. The delivery guy cleared his throat and dropped the bomb.
“She said, ‘Wishing you a happy mating ritual ceremony.’”
And just like that, the room went wild.
“Shameless!” someone yelled in disdain.
“She slept with Ardyn's mate on her wedding day!"
Elena's cheeks burned like they were on fire. The whispers quickly morphed into accusations; sharp glances aimed right at her.
“You call yourself her sister? Betraying her like this? Absolutely disgusting!”
A wave of nausea washed over her, and she stumbled backward. Her eyes went to the crowd's faces all twisted with disgust, judgment, and pity. Without thinking twice, she spun around and bolted for the exit.
Meanwhile, Easton was pacing, restless. He couldn’t care less about the chaos happening inside. All that was on his mind was Ardyn. Just Ardyn. His mate, his rock, and also the woman he messed up.
"Where the heck is she?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
As soon as he received her last short but brutal text message everything started to go downhill. He had to find her.
Grabbing his car keys, he jumped into his vehicle, knuckles pale against the steering wheel. He slammed on the gas, weaving through traffic like a man possessed, desperation blinding his judgment. Red lights blurred by horns blaring like crazy in the background. But his thoughts raced even faster than the car. Why didn’t she yell at me? Why didn’t she fight back?
Sweaty palms clutched the wheel tighter. For the first time, Easton felt real, gut-wrenching fear that she might be gone for good.
By the time he skidded into the driveway, it felt like his chest was about to explode. He stumbled inside, calling her name.
"Ardyn!"
Silence.
The house felt too empty, too quiet. Panic was clawing at him. He burst into their bedroom only to freeze at the doorway.
Her side of the room was completely empty. The wardrobe doors were wide open and bare even her scent was gone. Just his stuff remained, staring back at him, reminding him of everything he’d lost.
"Ardyn!" he shouted again, storming back into the living room.
The omega housekeeper appeared, her eyes wide and nervous.
"Where is she?!" he demanded.
"She... she packed her things and left yesterday, Alpha," the omega stammered, twisting the hem of her apron.
