Elena patted the chair across from her. “Caelan, you still have a chance to win her back, don’t you?”
I sat down heavily and let out a long breath. “It’s too late.”
“What do you mean?” Elena asked.
“I just talked to Sable. She’s decided to let go completely,” I said. “She was very mature about it-wished us happiness together. Said she’s accepted our breakup and that I’ve moved on with my life.”
Elena’s expression turned serious instantly. “She said that?”
“Yes.” My voice cracked. “She even said true love means wanting the other person to be happy, even if it’s not with you. Sounds very mature and rational, right?”
Elena stared at me for a moment, then shook her head. “You idiot.”
“Do you know what it means when a woman says things like that?” Elena’s voice carried a hint of exasperation. “It means she’s been hurt so deeply that she’s completely given up hope. She’s using this fake maturity to protect whatever dignity she has left.”
I looked at her blankly as Elena continued.
“If she’d really moved on, she would have said something casual like ‘I’m doing great, thanks for asking. She wouldn’t need all that self-convincing rhetoric about love and letting go.”
Elena stood and walked over to face me directly. “Now I need to ask you something, Caelan. Do you still want her or not?”
“Of course I do,” I answered without hesitation. “But-“
“But what?”
‘I don’t know when the danger around me will end.” I turned to stare out the window. “Lucian is still out there, ready to threaten her at any moment. I can’t keep dragging her into this nightmare,”
Elena sighed deeply. “Caelan, do you realize what you’re doing? You’re using protection’ as an excuse to run away from responsibility,”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I looked up at her.
“Real love isn’t about running away when things get dangerous. It’s about standing together and fighting.” Elena’s voice grew stern. “Sable doesn’t need you to protect her by pushing her away. She needs your trust and commitment. She needs to know that no matter what happens, you’ll face it together.”
Elena leaned forward. “If you truly love her, you should tell her the truth honestly, then work together to solve the problems. Instead of doing what you’re doing now-bearing all the pain alone while making her think she wasn’t good enough. Don’t you see how much more this hurts her?”
She had a good point. I’d never looked at it from this angle before.
Elena’s tone softened slightly. “Caelan, Sable is stronger than you think. She can handle danger, but she can’t handle your betrayal and abandonment.”
Elena gathered her things and prepared to leave. Before walking away, she patted my shoulder lightly.
“Think about what I said. If you really want her, stop hesitating. Some opportunities don’t come twice. She paused, grinning. Of course, I realize you have zero experience with relationships-you’re basically a romantic moron. Feel free to consult me, your resident love expert, about your relationship troubles. Just remember there’s a consultation fee. Oh, and don’t forget to pay me for today’s acting performance.”
I sat alone in the coffee shop, drinking coffee while staring out the window.
Just as I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed with a message.
A text from an unknown number:
“I know where Lucian is hiding. In a cemetery. You should know which one.”
Every emotion immediately shut down as this message cut through my thoughts. I dialed Edward’s number instantly.
“Edward, trace this number immediately.” I rattled off the unknown digits.
Minutes later, Edward called back. “Your Majesty, the number shows no information. It’s either temporary or specially encrypted.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “Can you track the sending location?”
“We’re trying, but they likely used signal blocking technology. No results so far.”
After hanging up, I fell into deep thought. This message was too sudden, too convenient. It could be Lucian’s trap, or it could be a real lead.
But we’d been searching for so long without any trace of him. Any clue was worth investigating.
“Cemetery…” I repeated the word under my breath.
Suddenly, I remembered something. Lucian only truly cared about one person in this world-his mother. And she was dead.
If Lucian was really hiding in a cemetery, the most likely place would be near his mother’s grave. That location would have special meaning for him and provide relatively safe cover.
With this realization, I immediately called Edward again.
“Edward, find the address of Lucian’s mother’s burial site immediately.” My voice carried new urgency.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Do you suspect-“
I suspect he might be hiding there. I stood quickly. Also prepare the private jet. Once we have the address, we leave immediately.”
Sable’s POV
I walked out of the hospital and saw her unexpectedly.
Scarlett leaned against her red sports car, flashing that mischievous grin I knew meant trouble.
“Hey, beautiful. Done with work?” She strutted toward me.
“What are you doing here? I eyed her suspiciously. “Something wrong?”
Scarlett winked mysteriously. “Of course there’s something! Something important! Get in, I’m taking you somewhere.”
“Where? I’m dead tired. I just want to go home, shower, and sleep.”
“Trust me, you’re going to love this.” She was already pulling my arm toward the car. “This is about your future happiness!”
Future happiness? What kind of scheme is this girl cooking up now?
The upscale shopping center gleamed under the evening lights. Scarlett dragged me straight to the most expensive boutique in the district.
“What are we doing here?” I stared at the ridiculously priced clothes. It had been ages since I’d gone shopping. Sure, I could afford these pieces easily enough – I just never saw the point. Working at the hospital didn’t require fancy clothes, and comfort had always been my priority.
“Picking out some gorgeous dresses for you.” Scarlett was already weaving between the racks. “How about this one? And this!”
She held up a black bodycon dress with a plunging neckline and a skirt so short I was pretty sure my entire ass would be hanging out.
“Too revealing! I’m not wearing that.”
“Sable, you need to trust my judgment.” Scarlett remained persistent. “You’ve got an amazing body – why hide it?”
After some back-and-forth, I eventually let her convince me to try on a few dresses. When I emerged from the fitting room wearing a rose-colored wrap dress, even the sales associate couldn’t help but gasp.
“Holy shit, Sable, you look absolutely stunning!” Scarlett clapped her hands together. “That’s the one!”
Next stop: the most prestigious hair salon in town. Scarlett had booked me with “Tony,” supposedly their best stylist.
“Just a trim, please,” I said nervously, staring at my reflection.
‘Relax, I already talked to Tony. He’s the best in the business.”
Two hours later, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. My simple ponytail had been transformed into an elegant updo with loose curls framing my face. The makeup was polished but not overdone.
“Wow!” Scarlett gasped behind me. “Babe, you’re going to kill me. I wish I was a guy so I could claim you right now!”
I pinched Scarlett’s waist playfully. “You could be my wife instead. I wouldn’t mind going lesbian for you.”
We teased each other as we headed out.
When Scarlett’s car pulled up to the hotel entrance, I finally lost my patience.
‘Scarlett, where exactly are you taking me?”
She smiled mysteriously. “The annual Cupid’s Ball.”
“Ball?!” I nearly jumped out of my seat. “Are you insane? I don’t know how to dance!”
‘Don’t panic, it’s not some formal ballroom thing.” Scarlett pulled me toward the lobby. “It’s just a mixer for young single alphas and unmarried women from different packs.”
A mixer? I stopped dead in my tracks. “Wait, this sounds like-
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