Chapter 5

Estelle's POV

On Friday afternoon, Megan helped me pick out a plain white dress.

I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers unconsciously moving to the side of my neck where the skin was smooth and unmarked, showing no trace of any claim.

"Why do I feel so anxious?"

I bit my lip and dropped my hand.

Megan came up behind me, holding out a delicate chain necklace. "Wear this—it'll go perfectly with the dress."

"Thank you." I took it from her, my fingers trembling slightly as I fastened the clasp at the back of my neck.

She leaned in closer, her eyes bright with excitement. "Estelle, tonight's celebration at Moonstone Hall! Every family of importance in Silvercrown City will be there—you have to seize this opportunity!"

"Just don't put too much pressure on yourself." She patted my shoulder. "Relax and stay close to Logan."

I nodded and took a deep breath.

Logan's car was waiting downstairs at the dormitory.

The black sports car gleamed coldly in the evening sun, and he was leaning against the door. When he saw me coming out, his eyes lit up.

"Estelle." He walked quickly toward me, his gaze sweeping from my face down to the hem of my dress. "You look especially beautiful today."

I managed a small smile. "Thank you."

He opened the passenger door and waited for me to get in before walking around to the driver's seat and starting the engine.

"Tonight's banquet is for my uncle," Logan said as he drove. "To celebrate his return from the border battlefield."

I gripped the fabric of my dress tighter.

"A lot of people are coming today," Logan glanced at me. "Don't be nervous—just stay with me."

"Okay."

I stared out the window at the rapidly retreating streetscape, my heartbeat accelerating.

The crystal chandeliers at Moonstone Hall blazed so brightly they were almost blinding. I followed behind Logan like a marionette, greeting various people with a practiced smile.

"This is my friend, Estelle."

I maintained my smile until my face felt stiff.

"I'm going to the restroom," I said to Logan in a low voice.

"Alright, don't go far." He squeezed my hand.

I wove through the crowd, avoiding those appraising gazes, and walked quickly toward the end of the corridor.

Pushing open the door marked "Terrace," the evening breeze hit my face.

I took a deep breath and walked to the railing, gripping the cold metal as I finally felt like I could breathe again.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind me.

I turned to see Alpha Bruce standing at the terrace entrance, his ice-gray eyes fixed on me, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Alpha." I quickly lowered my head in a respectful bow.

He made a sound of acknowledgment and walked over, leaning against the railing beside me.

The scent of cedar drifted toward me, carrying with it the oppressive presence unique to Alphas. The back of my neck prickled.

"You're Logan's girlfriend?" His voice was low and deep.

"No..." I quickly shook my head. "We're just friends. I came with Logan tonight to gain some experience."

"I see."

Then silence.

He just stood there, looking out at the city's nightscape, the lights reflecting cold gleams in his eyes.

I stood beside him, barely daring to breathe, my fingers gripping the railing tightly.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.

"The photographs you took," he said. "Logan showed them to me."

I froze.

"They're quite good."

I jerked my head up to look at him.

He happened to lower his gaze to meet mine at the same moment, our eyes meeting at such close proximity that I could see the deep gray patterns in his pupils.

I quickly looked away, my face burning.

"Thank... thank you."

After a moment of silence, Alpha Bruce suddenly asked a question that made my face flush crimson. "Have you slept with him?"

"I... we're just friends, it's not... not the kind of relationship you're thinking of."

"Does it have to be that kind of relationship to sleep together?"

Alpha Bruce's blunt question left me completely stunned. I felt like he must have some kind of misunderstanding about me.

When I didn't answer, he moved closer along the railing. "Answer me. Have you slept with Logan?"

Along with his question came his breath, disturbingly close.

"No, I haven't slept with Logan. I'm still a virgin." The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to bite off my own tongue.

Perhaps hearing an answer that satisfied him, Alpha Bruce let out a low laugh—deep and pleasant.

He didn't say anything more, but he also didn't step back from our extremely close proximity.

"Estelle!" Logan's voice came from the terrace entrance.

I quickly stepped back, turning to see him striding over, his gaze sweeping between Alpha Bruce and me.

"Uncle, what are you doing out here?" Logan walked between us with a smile. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Alpha Bruce glanced at Logan and raised his glass to take a sip.

"Getting some air."

Then he looked at me, his gaze lingering for two seconds.

"The person you brought—take good care of her yourself." With that, he turned and walked back into the banquet hall.

I stared at his retreating back, my heart still pounding wildly.

"Are you okay?" Logan grabbed my hand, his tone somewhat anxious. "My uncle didn't say anything strange, did he?"

"No." I shook my head. "We just... chatted casually."

Logan relaxed and squeezed my hand.

"After the banquet ends, I'll take you somewhere. There's a really good cake shop in Silvercrown City—we can stop by and get something."

"Okay."

I forced a smile, but my mind was full of the way Alpha Bruce had looked at me just moments ago.

Back in the banquet hall, Logan led me around various social circles.

I mechanically nodded, smiled, and responded, but my attention wasn't on these people at all.

Because I kept feeling a gaze fixed on me.

I lifted my head and looked toward the main table.

Alpha Bruce sat there, glass in hand, his ice-gray eyes looking directly at me.

My heart clenched. I quickly lowered my head, the fork in my hand trembling.

After the banquet ended, Logan drove me back to the dormitory.

The car stopped downstairs, and I unbuckled my seatbelt, preparing to get out.

"Estelle."

Logan suddenly grabbed my hand.

I turned my head.

His cobalt blue eyes stared at me, full of anticipation and nervousness.

"Be my girlfriend, will you?"

I froze in place, my mind racing.

Grandfather's medical expenses. My future in Silvercrown City.

I bit my lip and nodded.

"Okay."

Logan's face immediately broke into a smile. He leaned over and kissed my forehead gently.

"Thank you."

I pushed open the car door, and just as my foot touched the ground, I caught sight of a black SUV parked in the shadows near the dormitory building.

The window was halfway down.

Alpha Bruce sat in the driver's seat, his ice-gray eyes looking at me, his expression unreadable.

I froze completely, my fingers gripping the car door.

Then he started the engine, and the car pulled out of the shadows, disappearing into the night.

I stood there, my heart threatening to leap out of my chest.

"Why was he here?"

"What did he see?"

"He..."

"Estelle?" Logan leaned out of the car. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I shook my head forcefully. "Good night."

Then I turned and walked quickly into the dormitory building.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes.

The side of my neck suddenly felt burning hot, as if something had scalded it.

I raised my hand to touch it...

There was nothing there.