Chapter 16

I felt myself freeze at the mistake and I chanced a glance up at Lorenzo. He gave me a strange look, one that could’ve been sadness or disgust, but he didn’t say anything. Maybe he didn’t care anymore; it wasn’t like we were still in love and he certainly didn’t have feelings for me like that. Or perhaps he was just trying not to

embarrass me. Whatever it was, it was probably for the best that he glossed over it.

“Come on, let them handle the boxes and let’s get you to your new home. It’s time for a new beginning,” Lorenzo said, reaching for my arm and I followed him on autopilot out to his car.

As we drove across town I felt the stress melt off my shoulders knowing I was finally free of that awful debt collector and that run down building. Moving into the apartment went surprisingly smoothly and soon I had a place all to myself, with more than one room!

Lorenzo had to leave once I was settled. He seemed busy and preoccupied, which made sense for the most sought after alpha in the city. Lorenzo, ambitious and a workaholic, clearly had his priorities; and it stung that even after all we’d been through the last 24 hours, I was still an afterthought to him.

The movers finally left me in peace and I collapsed onto my newly acquired queen bed. After staring up at the ceiling and letting reality sink in, I decided to pull out my phone and video call Adeline to update her on everything that happened.

“Oh my god, he really is such an amazing man,” she gushed after I filled her in on all that I’d been through.

I scoffed at her innocent reaction.

“It’s only because he’s not the poor kid he used to be. He must not mind letting some of his wealth slip through his fingers, especially since it’s probably sympathy money. He is the one who dumped me after all,” I said, avoiding Adeline's gaze through the phone. I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince: me or her.

“Okay but let’s be real Ellie, he saved your life and helped you out, that’s a fact you can’t ignore. It’s been five years since he ended things, but you obviously still have a place in his heart.” Adeline had a point, but I was hesitant to admit it. Then she spoke up again: “What if you asked him out to dinner?”

Her suggestion surprised me, but as much as I recoiled at first, it didn’t sound like the worst idea. I could play it off as a way to thank him for all he had done to help me, strictly cordial. Besides, I really did owe him a gesture of gratitude, even if he was a busy alpha who might not even accept my invitation or think much of the meal. I decided it was worth a shot.

My wolf spoke up and asked me: “Are you sure you’re not falling for him now?” I pushed the feeling away, of course I wasn’t falling for him. I was just doing the right thing.

I said goodbye to Adeline who encouraged me one last time before hanging up, and then I sent Lorenzo a text. He read it immediately and replied right away that he would arrive on time. I couldn’t deny that I felt pleased.

Later that day I walked into the restaurant where I used to work, but this time as a customer. When the owner saw me she gave me a grand smile and assured me I would get a discount given I would be dining with the Lorenzo Sinclair. As I took my seat, I looked around at all the other couples dining around me and couldn’t help but feel a bit giddy. My heart raced at the thought of being in this atmosphere with Lorenzo again, but I couldn’t admit how excited I was.

But time began to tick by and Lorenzo still hadn’t shown up. I kept checking my phone, watching the minutes slip away and not even a word from him. Perhaps he was busy? Or stuck in traffic and something held him up? I looked around the restaurant and felt my heart drop at the increasing number of empty tables. Then I noticed my former coworker Lisa coming over to check on me.

“Eleanor, are you okay? I brought you your favorite appetizer to snack on, on the house,” Lisa said as she gingerly placed the food on the table in front of me. I smiled up at her weakly and she tried to return the gesture, but I could tell she felt awkward.

My appetite had disappeared though and eventually I was the last person sitting in the restaurant. I could feel my former coworkers watching me with pity from the kitchen, unsure of what to do. Lisa came back over to comfort me, likely seeing the tears that had begun to spill down my cheeks, leaving wet drops on the table cloth. “Maybe he just got held up in a meeting?” Lisa offered, trying but failing to reassure me. I simply shook my

head and stood up, pushing my untouched food away from me. I grabbed my bag and left the restaurant.

I didn’t want to talk about it, nor could I convince myself that Lorenzo had bailed on me because of alpha duties. He had responded so eagerly before, he could have at least sent a message if he wasn’t coming. But he didn’t. The asshole stood me up and rejected me… again.

Trapped in my thoughts, I walked in the direction of my new apartment only vaguely aware of my surroundings on my new commute home. Suddenly I got the feeling someone was following me. I was on high

alert and I risked a glance behind me and noticed a figure a few steps behind me.

Before I could run, the stranger lunged at me and covered my mouth with a gag. I felt myself slipping out of consciousness but had the presence of mind to throw my scarf on the ground in my struggle, pretending I still had a sliver of hope.