Chapter Four

Diana

“You don’t seem capable of anything,” Lilian sneered as she poured a jug of water over my head. The cold liquid soaked my hair and clothes, chilling me to the bone, but I didn’t flinch. Her laughter was sharp, slicing through the heavy air.

I stared down at my drenched clothes, down to my feet, biting my tongue to keep from snapping back. There was no point. No one cared. Not Dante, not Annsverita, no one in this cursed mansion.

Annsverita? From the instance we met on the door when I got here, I knew it would be hell.

“You can’t even defend yourself,” she added with a smirk, tossing the empty jug onto the floor. “Pathetic.”

Annsverita appeared almost immediately, her sharp eyes scanning the puddle beneath me. “Clean that up, now. The Alpha has guests coming.”

It had been like this for an entire week—endless humiliation. From the moment I was dragged here, everyone treated me like I didn’t belong. Like I was nothing.

“Did you hear me, Jane?” Annsverita snapped, emphasizing the fake name they believed was mine.

Jane? Would they have actually treated her this way if she hadn't escaped here?

What would she have done? Return home or fight them.

Well, I knew what's at stake, returning to crescent will only cause my mother harm.

“Yes, I heard you,” I muttered, grabbing the nearest towel, forcing myself not to revolt.

Every moment here felt like a punishment. Cleaning, cooking, running errands for Dante’s mistress—Lilian ensured that I knew my place. And Dante? He didn’t care. He wouldn’t even glance my way unless it was to bark orders. He had no intention of treating me as his bride.

He had made that clear. Crystal clear.

I finished cleaning the floor and shuffled back to my room, exhaustion pressing down on my shoulders. My body ached from the endless work, but tonight, I thought, would be my one reprieve. Tonight was the Mate Ball, an event organized by the Alpha himself.

I hadn’t seen him much this past week. He stayed away, cold and distant, leaving me to navigate this house of wolves alone. The Mate Ball was meant to be a grand occasion, but I felt no excitement.

The fact that I felt out of place everywhere I went was becoming overwhelming.

Just as I sank into the small bed, the door swung open, and Dante strode in.

“Get ready,” he ordered, his voice as sharp as a blade.

I sat up quickly, startled. “Get ready for what?”

“You know, don't question. Don’t be late,” he said without sparing me a glance, almost pushing himself out of my room that looked small to accommodate him.

“I have nothing to wear,” I replied softly, staring at my worn-out dress.

He paused, his eyes narrowing as if annoyed by my very existence. “They’ll attend to you.” Then he turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him.

They? The same people that hated me to death?

True to his word, Annsverita arrived moments later with a group of maids carrying an elegant gown. For the first time since I was born, I felt the touch of fine silk against my skin as they dressed me.

The gown was beautiful—a deep emerald green that shimmered in the light. Yet, as the maids stepped back, Annsverita leaned close, her lips curling into a sneer.

“Don’t go parading yourself as the master’s bride,” she hissed. “He already has one.”

Her words stung, but I refused to show it. I kept my face blank, which only seemed to infuriate her further.

She stormed out, leaving me alone with my reflection. I stared at the woman in the mirror, someone I barely recognized. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I could belong here.

But no. I was just playing my part. No one would notice me. No one would know who I truly am.

---

The Mate Ball was grander than I imagined. The hall glittered with chandeliers, and the room buzzed with laughter and music. Wolves from various packs mingled, but I felt like an outsider.

Dante was there, of course. He sat on a throne-like chair at the center of the room, cold and untouchable. Lilian stood beside him, her hand resting possessively on his arm.

I was left alone, standing at the edge of the room, feeling more like a shadow than a guest.

Then Dave found me.

“Jane,” he called loudly, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. “What a lovely name. Shall we introduce you properly?”

I froze as all eyes turned to me. Dante didn’t even look up. He remained seated, indifferent, while I stood awkwardly, exposed.

I already met this Dave at the wedding between me and Dante, and I don't like him. I feel sick around him.

“No nee…”

Before I could let out my protest, his voice eluded, attracting everyone to us. “Here everyone. Meets Jane Russell, the bride of …”

“Excuse me..” I pull my hand away from his hold. “I need to use the bath.”

I managed a stiff smile, but the humiliation burned in my chest. I excused myself, needing to escape the stifling atmosphere.

As I slipped into the hallway, someone blocked my path. I have no idea who he was.

“You don’t look like you belong here,” he said, his tone light but probing.

“I don’t,” I admitted, without thinking. He smiled and I quickly felt uneasy speaking with him.

I quickly attempted to walk past him, but his words stopped me on my track.

“Do you see anything about Dante that you’d like to share?” he asked, leaning closer. His words carried a dangerous edge, I was shocked.

“Sorry?” I asked, my eyes alert.

He smiled again. “I'm Eric. We haven't met. But mast… I mean, Beta Russell sent me here.”

“Ohh..” I blurted, staring above him to be sure no one was listening. “I thought the carriage Rider…” I had forgotten his name.

“No. I'm here instead.” He replied, now impatiently. “So, do you have any reasonable information on him?”

I shook my head negatively. “No.”

He furrowed. “What, no?”

“No,” I replied firmly. “I have nothing to say.”

I turned to leave, feeling no need to wait anymore. “I'll be taking my Leave.”

I tried to return to the party. But before I could, Lilian intercepted me.

“Watch where you’re going,” she said sharply as she stumbled into me, spilling wine all over my dress.

She didn’t apologize. Instead, she sneered, “You’re clumsy, aren’t you? Perhaps you should be thrown out.”

I didn’t bother arguing. I was too tired. Too defeated. I turned and left the ball, returning to the mansion in silence.

---

The house was quiet when I arrived, but I was desperate. I had been holding it in all night, and I needed to find a restroom. I would have if Eric hadn't stop me on my way to relieve myself.

The first door I opened led to a large, luxurious room. Without thinking, I slipped inside and found my way into the bathroom.

After getting my clothes wiped too, I walked out into the large bedroom that I hadn't noticed before going in.

But as I stepped out fully, I froze.

Dante was there, sitting on the edge of the bed. His shirt was unbuttoned, and his eyes were glassy.

“Alpha Prince...” I stammered, panic rising. “I didn’t know this was your room. I’m so sorry—”

But something was wrong. His gaze was unfocused, his movements sluggish. He wasn’t himself.

His wheelchair was beside him, he must have ridden himself to the room.

“They’ve done something to you,” I realized, my heart racing. It was obvious they wanted him dead.

I rushed to the kitchen, grabbing herbs I knew would counteract most poisons. When I returned, he resisted, refusing to take the remedy.

“Drink this,” I demanded. “Please.”

After some coaxing, he finally relented. I watched closely as his breathing steadied, relief flooding through me.

I started to leave, but his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. He pulled me close, his strength surprising despite his condition.

“Don’t go,” he murmured, his voice raw.

“Dante, you’re not yourself,” I whispered, calling him by his name for the first time, trying to pull away.

But he held me tighter, his lips brushing mine before I could react. The kiss was electric, sending shocks through my entire body. I tasted the remnants of the drug on his lips, and it made me weak.

“Mate,” he whispered against my lips, the word jolting something deep inside me.

My wolf surged forward, answering his call, and before I could stop myself, I surrendered to the second kiss. This time, I didn’t resist.