Chapter 2

Caroline POV

Seven o'clock that evening, Isaac arrived right on time to pick me up.

He'd changed into a dark gray custom suit, wearing the tie I'd knotted for him that morning.

As soon as I got in the car, he leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Good evening, darling. You don't look well."

He took my hand, frowning slightly, his eyes full of concern. "What happened?"

If I hadn't heard that recording.

Right now I'd think I was the happiest woman in the world.

I withdrew my hand, pretending to adjust my dress. "Probably just hungry."

Isaac didn't suspect anything, smiling as he started the car. "Then let's go. Can't let my fiancée go hungry."

The restaurant was on the top floor.

We could overlook the entire city's nightscape.

While cutting my steak, I spoke as if casually: "Isaac."

"Hmm?" He switched the cut meat to my plate, his movements fluid.

"I ran into your friend Austin today."

I watched his eyes, not missing a single expression on his face. "He asked if I was nervous."

Isaac's hand paused while cutting the meat.

Just for a second, too fast to catch.

Then he looked up, his smile flawless. "Ignore him. You just need to focus on being beautiful."

"He also said..."

I gripped my knife and fork, my fingertips straining. "Floyd's back in the country recently. He asked if you'd feel awkward."

"Caroline."

Isaac set down his knife and fork, reaching out to cover the back of my hand.

His palm was warm, but his tone carried undeniable firmness.

"Why bring him up? I told you, we're getting married. Everything from the past is behind us."

He looked at me, his gaze so tender it could drown someone. "I only want you."

If that recording wasn't still sitting in my cloud storage, I might have believed him again.

"Right, it's behind us."

I lowered my head and forked a piece of beef into my mouth.

Medium rare, streaked with blood.

Despite being top-quality ingredients, it tasted like sawdust in my mouth.

"Oh, right."

Isaac seemed to remember something and pulled out an exquisite velvet box, pushing it toward me.

"Almost forgot—this is your pre-wedding gift."

I opened it.

A sapphire necklace with rich color and considerable value.

"Do you like it?" He looked at me expectantly.

I stared at that deep blue and suddenly remembered an Instagram story Bethany had posted last month.

The caption read: [I love this deep blue so much, but Isaac said it doesn't suit me.]

So it didn't suit her, which is why it came to me.

Or maybe he bought two, and this was the leftover one?

"I love it."

I closed the lid and smiled at him. "It must have been expensive."

"Any amount is worth it to spend on you."

Isaac ruffled my hair, his eyes full of affection.

I excused myself to touch up my makeup in the restroom.

Standing at the sink, I looked at the woman with perfect makeup in the mirror and forced out a smile uglier than crying.

Since you want to play the devoted lover.

Then I'll help you along.

I pulled out my phone and called Harlan, my father's Beta.

He answered quickly.

"Miss Caroline, have you considered the Alpha's proposal?"

I looked at myself in the mirror, my voice terrifyingly calm.

"I won't become an Alpha. That kind of work doesn't suit me. But I need you to do something for me."

Over the years, I'd rarely relied on my Alpha father's influence.

After all, my brother was deeply insecure about his position as heir to the Alpha title.

He always thought I, his sister who had been more combative than him since childhood, would replace him.

What a shame—I never had any such intention.

Still, to avoid unnecessary conflicts, I tried not to do things that could be misunderstood.

There was another reason: whether it was Floyd's Frostveil Pack or Isaac's Ironridge Pack, we couldn't afford to provoke either.

Even if I asked for help, my father couldn't rescue me.

But now, I wasn't asking them to rescue me.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Tell my family they don't need to make a special trip for my wedding. Also, book me a flight for the wedding day. I'll go back and explain to them myself."

After hanging up, I reapplied my lipstick and stared at that crimson shade, my heart hardening bit by bit.

Isaac.

I'll remember this final dinner well.

When I returned to the table, Isaac was replying to messages.

Seeing me, he quickly darkened his screen and stood up with a smile. "Let's go home."

I took his arm, feeling his muscles stiffen for an instant.

"Okay, home."