Chapter 50

Silver’s POV

“Luna Crown, did the Alpha leave?” The waiter asked as he returned with the champagne. I stared at his empty spot across the table feeling nothing but numb. He asked me out on this romantic date, and then he abandoned me for Shirley.

I understood that Shirley was hurt and needed him, but he didn’t even seem remorseful about leaving me here by myself. He was all but eager to leave and see Shirley. The waiter set the glass in front of me and poured me some champagne.

“He had a work emergency,” I finally managed to get out. “You know how it is… he’s the Alpha. He can never rest.” I tried to appear nonchalant about the ordeal, but I knew that the waiter could see right through me.

He nodded thoughtfully.

“The fried calamari will be out soon. Would you like to put in some more food?” He asked, getting his notepad and pen ready.

I hadn’t eaten much today, and I knew I probably should have a decent meal, but I wasn’t very hungry right now. I grabbed the champagne and took a long and steady sip, hoping the alcohol would help numb the pain that’s wedged itself deep into my chest.

“Would it be possible to take the calamari to go?” I asked him, still trying to mask the hurt. “And maybe add an order of deviled eggs?”

“Of course,” the waiter said, writing it on his notepad. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded and took another sip of the champagne. I continued to stare at the spot where Elliot once sat, and I felt sick to my stomach. I knew I wasn’t going to be hungry later, but I figured I would order extra food just in case.

I lowered my gaze, feeling tears burning the back of my eyes. I refused to let them spill here though. I wasn’t going to let anyone from this pack see my weakness. I wrapped my arms around my body as if I was trying to hold myself together, which was exactly what I was trying to do.

I’m not sure how long I sat there or when the waiter returned with my food, but I hadn’t realized the to-go boxes were sitting in front of me on the table until Erik got there and broke me out of my trance.

“Luna, are you okay?” He asked, narrowing his eyes and studying my face with a concerned expression.

I blinked a few times and then nodded, still feeling uneasy.

“Yeah,” I lied. “I suppose you are here to bring me home?”

He nodded a bit sheepishly.

“Per orders of the Alpha,” he explained.

I nodded and grabbed my to-go food. Sliding out of my seat I looked up at Erik. He was tall and buff, which wasn’t surprising considering he was a gamma warrior and typically they were built strong.

“Erik, do you ever tire of being the personal driver?” I asked as we headed toward the door. “I mean, you are trained for much more. Isn’t it insulting that you are used as the driver?”

He gave me a side glance and a smirk appeared on his lips.

“Every gamma job, no matter how small, is essential for this pack. We all work together to ensure safety; that’s the number one goal. I don’t see myself as a personal driver; I see myself as a bodyguard. I’m not just driving you home, Luna. I’m protecting you from any harm that may come to you during your travels. When I’m not driving, I’m patrolling and doing other work around the palace that continues to ensure your safety.”

“Are you saying you have been assigned to keep me safe?” I asked him, raising my brows. “Like my own personal bodyguard.”

He nodded, almost looking amused.

“Yes, exactly,” he remarked. “I’m also a really good driver.”

My chest warmed at the thought of Elliot caring enough about me that he would assign a personal bodyguard to protect me. But remembering how he ditched me in the middle of our date because Shirley called him, made that warmth turn frigid and I suddenly couldn’t get myself warm enough.

He opened the back door of his car and motioned for me to get inside. I did as he requested and waited for Erik to slide into the driver’s seat before he took off.

The ride back to the palace was silent but it wasn’t awkward. There was nothing for either of us to say and I needed to gather my thoughts.

I grabbed my phone and checked it multiple times, expecting to hear from Elliot at least once. But he didn’t bother reaching out to me and that hurt more than anything. I feel as if he cared so little for me and now, he was stepping on me like I was nothing more than a small ant.

I pulled out my message thread with Rebecca and decided to send her a text.

Me: Date night was a bust.

Rebecca: Did he not like your dress?

Me: He loved the dress. But his girlfriend called, and he left.

Rebecca: Are you talking about Shirley? Did he ditch you for her?

Me: Apparently there was another attack and he got hurt. She’s at the pack hospital.”

Rebecca: Strange; I didn’t hear anything about another attack.

I sighed and messaged her again.

Me: That’s the story she’s going with. I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m so tired and I’m sick of fighting.

Her: Then don’t fight anymore. Get some rest. We will catch up soon.

With that, I shoved my phone into my pocket.

By the time I got home, it was late. Erik said he was going to do a quick sweep of the perimeter before he turned in for the night. He also wanted to call Elliot and update him on some stuff. I didn’t bother asking him to elaborate because right now, I didn’t care.

Leaving Erik outside, I first went into the kitchen to put my leftovers away. The kitchen was empty because most of the staff had gone home for the night. I was relieved about that because I wasn’t in the mood to speak to anybody, including Mariah.

I found room in the fridge and put my boxes on one of the shelves before retreating to the bathroom for a quick shower. The hot water helped burn the memories of Elliot from my head, but not enough to stop the pain from consuming my chest.

Once I was done in the shower, I changed into my pajamas and walked out of the bathroom. I chose to stay in the parlor and read a little before bed. I was too wound up to settle down and I was honestly a little worried about Elliot considering there was yet another rogue attack in his pack.

Just as I opened the door ot the parlor, a shadow swiped across the room, making me whip around and gasp from fear. Most of the palace staff should have been gone by now and I didn’t think anybody else was in the palace. The gammas on duty were outside patrolling the area. Yet, I saw a shadow clear as day in the corner of my eyes.

Then it happened again, making me whip around in the other direction.

“Who’s there?” I shouted into the void of the parlor.

There was obviously no answer, which made me even more nervous. If it was someone who worked here, they would have told me for sure who they were and what they were doing here. But this person was silent, and it gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my belly.

“Reveal yourself,” I ordered, proud that my voice came out firm and unafraid.

Another shadow.

“Please, whoever you are… just—”

My voice was cut short when I felt a pair of strong hands grabbing my wrist so hard that it hurt. I whipped around again to face the intruder and my breath got caught in my throat. I was faced with piercing yellow eyes and the elongated canines of a wolf.

He was a rogue wolf!

I struggled against him, trying to get him to release me, but he pulled me into him, sinking his teeth deep into my flesh making me cry out in agony. His other hand went around my mouth to keep me silent. I attempted to bite him, but it did nothing but piss him off. He threw me to the ground like I was nothing more than a rag doll.

I kicked and attempted with all my strength to break free, but he was too strong. I felt a blow to my head as I made contact with the corner of the glass table, shattering it on the spot. I felt the warm pool of blood from my head and down my cheeks.

My vision became blurry as he slammed my head against the marble floor. I had no fight left in me.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was the gleaming smile of the rogue wolf.