Elara Wynn

I froze when I heard one of the servers say in a low tone, “Alpha… you’ve arrived.”

Instinctively, I turned toward the end of the brightly lit hallway. There, beneath the cold glow of the neon lights, stood a towering figure that could not be mistaken—someone radiating a lethal and frigid aura.

His steps were calm and steady, almost soundless, yet every movement of his body exuded undeniable power. He stood nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a solid posture that made everyone around him instinctively back away. Beneath an open black leather jacket, his dark shirt was partly unbuttoned, revealing firm muscles and pale skin covered in scars.

But it wasn’t his body that froze my blood—it was his gaze.

Those blue eyes held no anger or desire, only calm observation… like an alpha wolf assessing its prey.

I could clearly hear the guards greeting him with deference and fear. Their voices lowered, trembling ever so slightly. Somehow, I felt a chill crawl up my spine. It seemed I had misjudged everything.

“Alpha Draven, please have a seat!” said the hooded man who had previously lounged arrogantly on the sofa, tossing stacks of tip money at the servers. Now, he behaved like a lowly servant.

It was clear now—the hooded man was not the alpha. The real alpha was the stranger who had just arrived: Kael Draven.

Two beta guards followed Kael. One was well-groomed and wore an expensive watch, the other had dark skin, was covered in tattoos, and wore a long black coat soaked in snow. I heard whispers of admiration from the guards—those two were Erik and Atei, Kael’s constant shadows.

My blood ran cold.

I recognized them.

They were the ones… who chased me that night.

The night of the first snowfall, the night the first blood spilled. The night I saw who Kael Draven truly was.

A killer.

I quickly lowered my head, clutching the tray to my chest, and slipped behind a wall like a quail caught in a hunter’s sights. He must not see me!

“Please come in, Alpha Draven,” the hooded man said with reverence.

I started to leave, but the hooded man grabbed my arm and hissed, “Serve the Alpha!”

My body tensed. I bowed even lower. Damn it! Why did he have to come while I was still here?

Inside the VIP room, Kael sat lazily on the sofa. He watched the pole dancer with disinterest, not even reaching for the wine offered by his men.

The atmosphere grew awkward. The hooded man, who had acted like an alpha earlier, now barely spoke above a whisper in Kael’s presence.

“I did just as you asked,” he said nervously, trying to speak over the booming music. “I haven’t found the woman you’re looking for.”

Kael didn’t respond. He simply leaned back on the sofa. The aura around him turned the room stifling. Erik and Atei stood tall behind him, like twin shadows of death.

The hooded man chuckled nervously. “We’ll try harder, Alpha. We will find her.”

Kael leaned further into the sofa, his voice lazy but razor-sharp. “You’re still loud. And for a task this small, you’re no better than a stray dog.”

The hooded man tried to act unfazed, but it didn’t work. “Black Hollow runs deep, bro. Besides Bloodfang, there are plenty of other clans around here. That woman could be from anywhere. But I won’t slack off—I’ll take your task seriously!”

Wait! I screamed inside my mind.

Who are they talking about? A woman?

Are they looking for… me?

So all those servers were gathered here and asked to show their shoulders… to find me?

A wave of dread coursed through my body. My heart pounded wildly. Even the fever-induced headache I had earlier was nothing compared to this fear.

What if they recognize me?

I was the living witness to what happened that night. I saw them dump someone’s body.

And if they committed crimes here and wanted no witnesses… then I… I’d be next.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Sasha’s movement. She whispered sharply, “Why didn’t anyone say that was the Alpha? God, he’s so handsome!”

She immediately sauntered forward, swaying her hips, wine bottle in hand.

“Alpha Draven…” she cooed. “Let me pour you a drink…”

But Kael’s gaze stopped her cold. His blue eyes were like the winter moon. Sasha backed away, frightened.

“Everyone out,” Kael ordered.

The music stopped instantly. The dancer froze, clutching the pole, her eyes wide with fear.

His voice was cold, sending a chill through the room.

The hooded man raised his hands and smiled nervously. “We’ve provided all this for you, Alpha. Is there anything else you need? We can add—”

Kael cut him off, voice flat, “I don’t want them. Get rid of them. You know what I came for, don’t you?”

Kael’s sharp gaze pinned the hooded man in place. Trembling, the man signaled the women to leave. Even the two guards stationed at the door were told to secure the area.

As Sasha walked past me stiffly, she shot me a glare—as if to pin all her failures on me. I prepared to follow her.

“Where do you think you’re going? Don’t you dare run off! Get in there and serve them!” she hissed.

“Why me? They told everyone to leave!” I nearly protested, but a sharp shout stopped me.

“Hey! You! Ugly girl!” the hooded man barked.

All heads turned to me.

I stared at him, hesitant, pointing to myself. “M-me?”

“Yes, you! The ugly one! Go bring a fresh plate of fruit, now!”

“O-of course, sir…”

Laughter erupted across the room. They were mocking me. I knew it.

“Ugly girl! Hahaha…”

“Looks like a peacock, still ugly. Couldn’t even sell wine!”

“Who says ugly girls don’t sell? Might live a good life too! Hahaha…”

I bowed my head low, cheeks burning, but still walked to get the fruit.

I knew nobody liked me. They mocked me all the time. Even this heavy, ugly makeup I had to wear every day—they thought it was a punishment, but to me, it was protection. They didn’t know what I’d been through.

But someone in the corner wasn’t laughing. I could feel it. Kael Draven was silently watching me.

And in his eyes… there was no mockery. Only a question. And… interest?