Chapter 2
Sylvia stared at the messages popping up one after another, her cheeks burning.
It was really hard to imagine Kaelen being the one sending these messages.
In her eyes, Kaelen was a strict, cold, and domineering ruler. He seemed so stern that no one dared get close to him. He was nothing like this clingy guy who sent cute emojis begging for praise.
"Is the Alpha going to sweet-talk his girlfriend?" one of the nobles whispered.
"I'm so jealous. Word has it that his wolf form is a huge black-flame wolf towering nearly seven feet at the shoulder. No need to say more about other things."
"Who do you think that 'sweetheart' is?"
"It must be Vivian Voss, right? The daughter of the Royal Advisor. She openly courted the Alpha last month. The Luna title is definitely hers."
"Yeah, I think so too. They're a perfect match."
Sylvia silently shoved her phone back into her pocket, screen facing down.
She didn't dare send a single reply.
It was because the messaging account she was using was a human account she'd set up when she was working as a menial on the fringes of the pack.
Kaelen only knew her as a regular girl studying in the human city. He had no clue that she was a low-born from the Crescent Pack, let alone that she was a nobody who couldn't shift into a wolf.
She couldn't imagine what would happen if he found out his "sweetheart" was actually the girl cleaning the pillars in the hall corner.
Sylvia shuddered. She wondered if she would get kicked out of the pack right away or torn apart by Kaelen himself.
After all, the Alpha couldn't accept a wolfless low-born as his fated mate. It would be a total disgrace that tarnished Kaelen's reputation forever.
"The meeting is suspended for five minutes," Kaelen announced suddenly. His voice was low, yet it carried unyielding dominance.
He stood up, his black coat brushing the throne's armrest, and then walked out of the hall in big strides.
The silent hall instantly erupted into noisy chatter.
"Oh my god, the Alpha really went to pamper his girlfriend."
"That 'sweetheart' must've been blessed with incredible luck."
"I'm betting five bags of potato chips it's Vivian."
Sylvia shrank into the corner, wishing she could melt into the pillar. She glanced down at her phone.
Kaelen had sent three more messages, the last one reading: [Honey, if you ignore me again, I'm calling the cops.]
Sylvia was left dumbfounded. She thought he was overdoing it.
She quickly replied: [I'm fine, but busy.]
Kaelen replied instantly: [Honey, as long as you're okay.]
[You're swamped with work there. Why not come and work for me? You can laze around and still get paid.]
[It's okay if you don't want to. But I miss you so much. How about we meet up in person?]
The thought of meeting him made her heart clench.
It had been half a year. Kaelen had asked to meet her many times, and she always made up excuses.
She said she had exams to take, internships to do, family matters to handle, or she felt unwell.
She was scared he'd see her real self, scared he'd find out she couldn't shift, scared his hope would turn to disgust, and scared she'd lose the only warmth she had in life.
And now, those excuses wouldn't work anymore.
She was standing inside his council hall. She stood thirty-seven rows away from him, listening to others guess who his girlfriend was.
"Sylvia." A shadow blocked the light above her.
Sylvia looked up and saw Rhett Blackwood, Guard Captain of the Crescent Pack and her direct superior.
He mocked her openly last month, saying a wolfless trash had no right to have feelings.
Rhett wore a gentle smile on his face. "The Alpha wants to see you. Head over to the side hall."
Sylvia's blood ran cold all over again.
*****
The side hall was smaller than the main hall, yet fancier inside.
The obsidian floor was so polished that it reflected everything. Portraits of past Alphas hung on the walls. Their eyes seemed alive, staring down sharply at anyone who stepped inside.
Sylvia stood at the entrance on the cold floor. "Sylvia Ashby, here to pay respects to the Alpha."
"Come in." Kaelen's voice drifted out from behind a screen, giving away nothing of his mood.
Sylvia kept her head down and shuffled inside slowly.
She didn't dare look up, keeping her eyes locked on the floor a few inches ahead of her toes.
That was the basic rule for a low-born facing nobility. Looking nobles in the eye was a big no-no and could get low-borns whipped.
"Look up," Kaelen demanded.
Sylvia froze and then slowly lifted her chin.
Kaelen sat behind a large black walnut wood desk, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at his phone. The faint glow from the screen cast shadows over his sharp brow bones and straight nose.
He skipped his formal attire today, only wearing a loose black silk robe. Its collar hung open, revealing flawless skin around his collarbone.
It was the same skin tone as in that shirtless selfie he'd sent last night.