Chapter 2 2

But just as I let out a sigh of relief, thinkingit would be a day full of romance, the roar of powerful engines froze my blood.

We watched as these huge guys started to get out of the vehicles. They were like walls of muscle and arrogance, and their predatory aura flooded the parking lot before they even set foot inside.

“Damn, Lyra, look at that!” whispered Sienna, her eyes wide. “They look like they're straight out of a mercenary magazine. They're huge... and you can tell they have enough money to buy this whole town if they wanted to.”

Shit, a lump formed in my throat. The wolves of the Golden Mountains Pack were easy to recognize. Fair skin, military bearing, and those tattoos that ran up their necks like warnings. Plus, they had that dangerous vibe that makes any low-ranking human or wolf want to crawl on the ground in respect.

“Girls!” Miriam's shout made us jump.

We immediately moved away from the window and turned our gaze to Miriam, who was behind us with her arms crossed and an annoyed expression.

“Stop drooling like teenagers. I want professionalism. Lyra, you're in charge of the reception. They're Alphas, so treat them like royalty. We need them to spend every last penny on this stupid Valentine's Day dinner.” She ordered with the same thirst for money that used to define her.

I was stunned. “Me? Welcome them?”

“Do you have a problem with that? You better go do your damn job once and for all!” Miriam didn't hesitate as she growled at me sharply.

Shit, shit, the last thing I wanted was for someone from that pack to recognize me. But Miriam was looking at me impatiently; she would kick me out of the restaurant if I didn't do my job.

Faced with that, I swallowed hard, forced a professional smile, and walked toward the entrance. The door opened and a blast of cold air came in with them.

They walked as if they owned the place, looking at me with that disgusting superiority, whispering among themselves as if I were part of the furniture.

I took the name board and looked at the men as they handed me their ID. “Mr. Wallace, your table is reserved by the window,” I said to one of the Alphas, guiding him with trembling hands to one of the girls.

“This way...” said Sienna, looking at the man flirtatiously.

Everything was going “well” until I looked down at the reservation list for the next group. I felt the ground disappear beneath my feet and had to lean against the wall to keep from falling.

“Silas... Silas Vane...” I whispered, and the name tasted like bile on my tongue.

In seconds, the atmosphere in the restaurant changed. The Alphas who were already seated stood up in respect.

I wanted to look down, hide behind the folder, but it was too late. He was already crossing the threshold.

Silas had grown up. He was no longer the impetuous young man who dragged me through the mud; now he was a man made of pure muscle and authority. His black suit fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders, and on his lapel he wore a small silver pin with the emblem of his lineage.

I dug my nails into my palms as I remembered how that same man had called me nothing in front of all his people.

By then he was the King's son, the future of all the packs, but it was obvious that the title of king already belonged to him.

“Mr. Vane... your... your table is over here,” I stammered, trying not to vomit.

I wanted to turn away quickly, but I felt his gaze burning the back of my neck. The air turned icy, despite the heating and the Valentine's Day candles.

“You? What the hell are you doing here?” His voice was hoarse, laden with a contempt that made my bones vibrate.

I forced myself to look at him for a second. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, taking in every curve of my body with an expression I couldn't decipher. I felt naked and humiliated.

“My Alpha, we must sit down. The meeting has to begin,” his Beta interjected in an authoritative voice.

Silas shook his head, but didn't take his eyes off me as he walked toward his table. “Yes, we must begin,” he hissed as he passed by me, his scent of forest and storm hitting me like a punch.

When they walked away, I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding. But the nightmare wasn't over. I continued with the list, my fingers numb.

“Mr. Wyatt Derri...”

Was this a joke? Wyatt? That was the guy who had insulted me the most during the attack, the one who swore to the King that he saw me talking to the dark creatures.

Wyatt approached me with a snake-like smile, wearing a red tie that contrasted with the evil in his eyes.

“Well, look who we have here... the traitorous bitch turned waitress,” he said, taking a glass of red wine from the tray Isla was carrying.

I didn't want to respond, but the guy wasn't going to let it go. With a cynical gesture, he tilted the glass and spilled the wine directly onto my chest.

The red liquid, dark as blood, immediately soaked my white shirt.

“Oops! How clumsy of me,” he laughed, which was echoed by the other wolves accompanying him.

I took a step back, but Wyatt grabbed my arm with such force that I let out a groan. He pulled me close to his face, and his breath, smelling of mint and arrogance, disgusted me.

“Listen to me, trash: go change that dirty rag and make sure you serve us well. If you provoke me, I'll finish the job the old King left half done. I'll rip your skin off myself,” he spat the words in my face.

He pushed me so hard that my back hit the doorframe, causing the red heart decorations to jingle.

I stood there, trembling with rage and fear, while they sat laughing in the romantic candlelight, ignoring my humiliation.

I ran to the bathroom with tears in my eyes. I felt small, dirty, and desperate. How was it possible that the past had come back today of all days?

I took off my stained shirt and tried to wash it in the sink, but the red wine wouldn't come out. At that moment, Isla came into the bathroom.

“Lyra! For God's sake, I saw what that jerk did to you. Are you okay?” she said, rushing over to me.

“Yes... I'm fine,” I said, fighting not to cry right there.

Isla looked at me with a gentle expression and came closer to me. “You can't go out like that. Wait, I have something that will work for you.”

She immediately rummaged through a shelf and pulled out a dress that we kept for emergencies or special events. “It's my backup dress for Valentine's Day dinner. You have to wear it.”

It was a dark red velvet dress with a sweetheart neckline and silver details. “Isla, I'm not wearing that. It's too...”