The evening air was cool as I slipped on my coat, ready to leave for my part-time job at the pack’s gathering hall. Just as I reached the door, Kenzo appeared, his tall frame casting a shadow in the dim light. He held a roast beef sandwich in one hand, his grin wide as he handed it to me.

“Thought you might need this,” he said, his voice warm but tinged with exhaustion.

I stepped aside to let him into the house, the faint scent of pine and earth clinging to him—a reminder of his patrols as a Delta. Gabrielle looked up from her toys, her bright eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Kenzo greeted her, crouching down to her level. “How about your mom makes you sandwiches tomorrow?”

Gabrielle accepted the sandwich with a smile, her voice clear and cheerful. “Thanks, Uncle Kenzo!”

Afterward, I followed Kenzo out to his car, the engine purring softly as I slid into the back seat. “Let’s get going,” I said, adjusting my coat. “I need to be at the hall soon.”

“Alright,” he replied, his voice steady but distant.

He leaned over me, his movements practiced but lacking their usual energy. His hands pulled down my jeans with ease, and the rhythm that followed was mechanical, almost detached. It was over in less than ten minutes, and as I straightened my clothes, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“You seem distracted today,” I said, studying his face. “What’s going on?”

Kenzo rolled down the window and lit a cigarette, the smoke curling into the night air. “Nothing major,” he said, exhaling slowly. “Just that the Gamma reassigned me to manage a different hall. It’s clear he’s trying to push me out.”

An idea sparked in my mind, and I leaned forward. “Could you get me a job as a server there?”

He shook his head immediately, his jaw tightening. “That place is a jungle, and you’re too…” He hesitated, glancing at me. “You’re too noticeable. If anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself, especially after what happened to Alpha Walker.”

Walker had been the former Alpha of our pack, a man who had always looked out for me. Before his death, he had entrusted me to Kenzo’s care. Kenzo’s income was unpredictable, but he did his best to support me and Gabrielle. I knew he had feelings for me, but we had an understanding—just physical, no emotions. I didn’t want to owe anyone more than I already did.

“Gabrielle’s growing up,” I said softly, my voice firm. “She’s about to start pack school. I need to save up for her education.”

Kenzo looked at me, his dark eyes searching mine. After a long moment, he sighed. “I’ll do my best to keep you safe,” he said finally. “And I’ll be there too.”

The following evening, I headed straight to the new gathering hall. Kenzo had arranged for someone to show me around, and I started working that very night.

But I wasn’t prepared for my first client to be Alpha Marlon Parker.

Inside the private room, a chorus of voices teased, “Come on, Alpha, give her a kiss!”

I tried to open the door with minimal fuss, but my eyes locked with Marlon’s for a split second. My heart sank, and I quickly looked away.

In the next moment, someone flicked on the main light, and I instinctively glanced up. Marlon’s gaze was cold, filled with scorn as he pulled the woman straddling his lap into a deep kiss.

Their lips locked in a passionate embrace, his long fingers slipping under her skirt, drawing soft sighs from her. I was frozen, caught in the moment, until the sudden silence in the room snapped me back to reality. The eerie quiet swallowed all noise, and I felt the weight of every pair of eyes on me.

“Adeline Hughes?”

The silence was broken, and soon I was greeted by a chorus of voices recognizing me.

"Adeline Hughes, am I seeing this right? You were quite the looker back in high school. How come you've got so many crow's feet now?"

"I can't believe it. Back then, I couldn't help but admire your pictures online. And now, what happened to your figure?"

Yes, once, my youthful body was full of life. But now, it’s like a balloon long deflated.

"You’ve become an internet sensation for all the wrong reasons. Mind if I interview you? I’m curious where you get the nerve to still make public appearances."

It seemed everyone in this private room was a high school classmate of mine and Marlon Parker’s. Even the woman perched on Marlon’s lap. She was Lisa Smith, who once threatened to take her own life after Marlon turned her down back in school.

At that moment, I wished the earth would open up and swallow me whole. I turned to make my exit, but Marlon blocked my path.

"What? You’re not even going to say hello to some old friends?"

A classmate took the chance to grab my hand and tug me back.

"Since you’re here, why not have a drink with us? It’s been years. Fill us in on your struggles these past years. We could use a good laugh."

Tears welled up in my eyes, yet I fought to keep them from falling.

I bowed my head and murmured, “I’ll ask the manager to send another server.”

But someone from behind encircled me with their arms, preventing my retreat.

"Stay, I want you to serve me."

The unexpected move startled me, and my hand jerked, sending the drinks on the tray crashing to the floor, shattering.

The man stepped back with a sneer. "So touchy! Aren’t you usually game for anything? You certainly put on a show in those online videos."

I bent down, apologizing again and again, "I’m sorry, I’ll get you another round."

Lisa sashayed over, brandishing a bottle of whiskey.

"Is that your idea of an apology? That’s pretty weak. Now drink this."

I bowed lower. "Ms. Smith, I—I can’t drink alcohol."

Marlon picked up a glass and hurled it to the ground at my feet, shards nicking my leg.

"Adeline Hughes! When my Luna gives you an order, you listen. Are you deaf?"

The words "my Luna" hit me hard, and the tears I had held back finally spilled over.

In high school, he’d once draped an arm around my shoulder, imitating a mafia boss in front of our classmates, declaring with pride, "Adeline Hughes is my mate. None of you better even think about her."

Then, I was just a gullible kid, nestled in his arms, eyes full of admiration.

But now, those words were no longer meant for me.