Don't Mark Me

Not long after, another message from Kaia popped up on my phone. It was a picture of the steak I sent to Chris.

"Chris made me this steak. It's so juicy!"

I let out a mocking laugh. So that's why he wanted me to cook—it was for Kaia. I hope she enjoyed every bite of that overly salty, rock-hard steak.

Just picturing Kaia forcing herself to chew through that tough steak, pretending it was delicious to please Chris, made me laugh out loud.

"What's so funny?" Lucian walked over, eyeing me curiously. "Looks like I was worried for nothing. I thought you'd still be upset over last night."

I lifted my chin. "I'm the sister of Darkwood Pack's Alpha. Why would I waste my time feeling sad over a man?"

Lucian grinned and ruffled my hair. "That's my sister. Dress up nicely tonight—I'm taking you to a banquet."

That evening, I arrived at the banquet in full glamour. As Lucian escorted me into the banquet hall, I could feel countless envious gazes falling upon us.

Not long after, Chris arrived, and trailing behind him was Kaia.

He walked up to us and addressed Lucian. "Apologies, Alpha Lucian. I'm late."

As Lucian's Beta, Chris was expected to be by his side at all formal gatherings.

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me," Lucian said coldly. "You should be apologizing to Fiora."

Before Chris could say a word, Kaia stepped forward with a pitiful expression. "Fiora, I'm so sorry. It was all because of me. Please don't blame Chris."

Ah, there it was again—that helpless little damsel act.

I glanced down at her leg and sneered. "Oh? You're walking just fine now. Guess your injury wasn't that bad after all."

Kaia gave a sweet smile. "That's all thanks to Chris. He took such good care of me."

Lucian turned to her, his expression darkening. "I don't recall inviting you to this banquet, Kaia."

"Kaia was shaken up from last night," Chris interjected. "I thought bringing her here might help."

Lucian's anger flared. He leaned in toward Chris and warned, "Chris, you are my sister's mate. You—"

"It's fine," I cut Lucian off, then turned to Kaia with a gentle smile. "Why don't you sit with us?"

My unexpected generosity left everyone stunned.

Halfway through the banquet, a group of Alphas approached Lucian to chat.

"This beautiful lady here—who is she?" A young, handsome Alpha gestured toward me.

"My sister, Fiora," Lucian replied.

The Alpha extended his hand toward me with a charming smile. "Drake Bennett. Fiora, may I have the honor of a dance?"

"Of course." I stood up and placed my hand in his. Just as we were about to step onto the dance floor, Chris called out from behind me, "Fiora!"

I ignored him and continued walking with Drake.

"Who was that man calling your name just now? Your mate?" Drake asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

I smiled faintly. "He's just my brother's Beta."

For the next few days, I didn't reach out to Chris, and he didn't contact me either. Instead, it was Kaia who took the initiative to invite me out for coffee. I wasn't interested in meeting her, but she actually showed up at my house.

"Just say what you came here for," I said flatly.

​​Kaia fidgeted, looking hesitant. "Fiora, I've been an orphan since I was a child. Chris is the only family and friend I have. You have noble blood, an Alpha brother, and a wealthy life—"

I had no patience for her nonsense and cut her off. "Get to the point."

She hesitated for a moment, then finally blurted out, "Can you… reject Chris and let me have him?"