Chapter 1

Ella's POV

The expensive silver thread on the leading man's suit collar caught my eye.

I knew this because I was staring at it—hard.

There was no way not to look. Night, three strange men, wearing suits that probably cost more than my family's annual rent, standing up from my couch.

I instinctively stepped back.

"Uh," I said. "Hello?"

They didn't answer, just stood there, three pairs of eyes fixed on me simultaneously.

My back pressed against the wall, the cold surface biting into my skin. My breathing was tight but rapid.

Great. Just great.

Today, August 14th. My birthday.

And so far today, I'd already been targeted by a bunch of bitches, humiliated by my ex-boyfriend, and accidentally pissed off the most popular guy with girls at school.

So, could things get any worse?

And reality told me...

Yes. Yes, they could.

The three men finally moved.

Three people, same second, right fist clenched, pressed against their left chest.

Bowing.

To me.

I was stunned.

"..."

My brain was screaming.

"It is our honor to meet you, heir of the Hunter family, descendant of the Brennan lineage."

But my mouth felt stuffed, unable to produce a single syllable.

I stared at them, my brain practically exploding. What the hell was going on with this damned day?

...Okay.

Maybe that morning, when I accidentally ran into my ex-boyfriend Conan—who had brutally dumped me—I should have realized: today was going to be unlucky.

Absolutely.

——

【Earlier today】

When I slipped away from the opening ceremony, I hadn't expected to run into him on the playground, along with his little entourage.

Fuck.

He looked over.

—Those amber-golden pupils.

My steps faltered, puzzled.

Had those eyes always been so oppressive? Cold, sharp, fierce, and...

Irritated.

Was Conan angry?

Why? Had someone pissed him off?

Should I gloat?

Thank God, of course I should. Otherwise, would I have to hold him tenderly and say, "Conan baby, don't cry"?

"Get lost!"

Just as I was debating whether to laugh or laugh out loud, the others around him noticed me too. A girl in a champagne-colored dress, with light blonde hair, who'd been clinging tightly to Conan's arm, glared at me furiously and screamed.

"This isn't a place for trash like you!"

Bianca. I knew her.

Cheerleading captain, queen bee of the social circle.

Most importantly, madly obsessed with Conan.

Now she was pressed tightly against Conan's shoulder, and Conan, hands in his pockets, looked completely indifferent, letting her lean on him.

Dream come true, huh?

I crossed my arms and sneered. "You know what? That dress really doesn't look good on you. Did you pick it yourself? Terrible taste."

Bianca's face twisted with rage. I clearly heard the suppressed laughter from those around her.

I glanced at Conan, who hadn't said a word, rolled my eyes, turned around, and tried to leave as if nothing had happened.

But some things, once you've seen them, you can't pretend you haven't.

I could hear sobbing from within the little circle they'd formed.

"Please... please let me go, I'll be good..."

I stopped, biting my lower lip.

Damn it, I turned around.

Fuck!

Bianca shrieked, "What do you think you're doing?"

A muscular guy I didn't recognize tried to grab me, threatening fiercely, "Don't come over! This isn't your business!"

His words triggered a chorus of agreement.

"This is pack business!"

"Right! Stay out of it!"

Pack?

I looked up at the guy who'd said that word.

Such a strange term.

Who talks like that?

Conan always said things I couldn't understand too—was that why they hung out together?

But whatever it was, it wasn't a reason to bully someone.

I stepped in front of the boy curled up on the ground crying, looking at Bianca, then turning to face Conan directly.

Our eyes met again.

That same unfamiliar oppressive feeling—cold, fierce...

Dangerous.

Everyone else fell silent.

Looks like I'd guessed right—Conan was still the core of this group.

Even though he stood there like a mute, not saying a word.

Right, alpha wolf?

"We're all classmates. Don't go too far."

Conan stared at me coldly. Suddenly, he pushed away Bianca's hand and moved toward me.

"You have no right to interfere with this," he said flatly.

Was that a threat? Or a challenge?

Glaring at me viciously, as if looking at something annoying and bothersome.

Not like the wild dog who used to climb through my window just to be with me anymore, huh?

First, mercilessly, without any explanation, just a text saying "We're done" and wanting to end things.

Called countless times, sent countless messages—not a single reply.

Couldn't reach you, didn't know your address so I couldn't find you. Angry, heartbroken, worried, anxious, but could only keep waiting... And in the end, what I waited for was Bianca!

Right, exactly!

In the end, it was that Bianca who came to my house and viciously delivered the breakup announcement for you!

You couldn't even be bothered to see me?

And now you dare look at me like that?

"You're trash!"

I laughed bitterly, glancing at Conan's hand, which seemed to be trembling with equal rage. "Whether I have the right or not isn't for you to decide."

At that moment, confronting Conan, I had no idea what would happen next, no idea what kind of...

Price I would pay for standing there.

I lowered my gaze, touched my neck, and shivered.

...Stop thinking about it!

——

【Now】

Damn it, there were other life-threatening matters to deal with right now.

The three men across from me finally lifted their bowed heads, finally lowered the hands from their left chests, and I finally regained my ability to speak and the strength to handle the situation.

I pulled out my phone, took a deep breath, and bolted for the door while quickly dialing—

"Hello, 911, what is your emergency?"

"...Haven Town, Town's Edge, 32 Bleaker Street—there's been a break-in!"

Three lunatics dressed like mafia elites!

In the last second before bursting out the door, I saw the expressions on the three men's faces change drastically.

They chased after me, the leader even pulled out a stick! Thugs, huh? Or magicians?

Where the hell did he pull that long thing from?

...Wait, was that stick glowing?

Something was wrong. Shit!

I... why couldn't I control my body anymore!?