Summer’s POV
The next day.
As the elevator doors opened to the ninth floor of the luxury mall, my heart skipped a beat. The entire level was dedicated to high–end bridal boutiques, each window disy more breathtaking than thest.
These weren’t just wedding dresses–they were masterpieces, meticulously crafted works of art with price tags that would make most people faint.
Elena led Aria and me confidently through the corridor, her familiar presence in this world of luxury a stark reminder of our different backgrounds.
We entered an exclusive boutique where the manager immediately approached, her professional smile never wavering.
<b>“</b>Miss Elena, your gown arrived by special air freight this morning. We’ve prepared everything for you…” She gestured elegantly with a bow. “Right this way, please…”
Elena turned to me with a yful wink. “Why don’t <b>you </b>two browse around while I try on my dress? I’ll need your honest opinion when Ie out.”
“Our Elena will be the most beautiful bride in the world,” I said sincerely, meaning every word.
As she disappeared with the manager into a private fitting room, Aria snuggled closer to me, her wide
eyes taking in the magnificent dresses surrounding us.
“Aria,” I whispered softly, “when you grow up, Mommy will bring you here to choose your own wedding
dress. Would you like that?”
She smiled sweetly, as if truly understanding the promise.
I gazed around at the stunning gowns, each one more breathtaking than thest–luxurious, intricate, perfect. The sight unexpectedly triggered memories of my bond ceremony with Alexander.
I could almost visualize him standing at the altar, his eyes filled with tenderness as I walked toward him, our souls recognizing each other as destined mates, exchanging vows and marks… But reality had
shredded that dream to pieces.
<b>“</b>Mommy, what’s wrong?” Aria looked up, her little face full of concern. <b>“</b><b>You </b>look sad.”
I quicklyposed myself, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing, sweetheart. Mommy was just lost in thought <b>for </b>
a moment.”
“Are you thinking about Daddy?” she asked innocently.
“No. Why would you ask that, sweetie?”
Her small finger pointed to the wedding gowns in the disy window, her tone remarkably serious for someone so young. “Because… when I see wedding dresses, I think about weddings. And weddings are for mommies and daddies together, right? You had that look on your face… you must be thinking about Daddy.”
My throat tightened painfully, as if physically wounded. Even breathing became difficult.
“Do you miss Daddy?”
“No, mommy. Having you is more than enough for me.“she continued, her eyes searching mine.
The raw honesty in her innocent words broke something inside me. I pulled her close, inhaling her sweet <fnc2fe> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel</fnc2fe>
scent, takingfort in our bond.
As I held her, my gaze inadvertently caught a tall figure moving through the crowd at the far end of the
corridor–broad shoulders, confident stride, dark hair.
My heart lurched violently against my ribcage.
“Aria, stay right here for a minute. Mommy needs to check something. I’ll be right back, I promise.”
Before she could protest, I was already moving, driven by desperate hope. I raced toward the retreating figure, ignoring the pain as my heels chafed against my skin.
“Alexander!” <b>I </b>called out, my voice cracking with emotion.
The man turned, and for that split second, my heart leaped into my throat.
Then crashed back down with devastating force.
It wasn’t him. Not even close. This stranger’s ordinary features couldn’tpare to the breathtakingly handsome face that haunted my dreams.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, a bitter smile twisting my lips. “I mistook you for someone else.”
I turned to leave, feeling hollow and foolish.
“Hey<b>, </b>don’t go!”
A strong hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me back forcefully.
I stumbled,ing face to face with the stranger whose smile had transformed into something predatory, his eyes gleaming with interest that made my skin crawl.
“Even if you got the wrong person, we could still be friends,my name is Greg Strong.” he suggested, his thumb stroking my wrist. “What do you say, beautiful?”
I felt a surge of primal anger rise within me. How could I have possibly mistaken this man for Alexander?
The resemnce was superficial at best–just a simr build and hair color from behind. Comparing them felt like an insult to my mate.
“Let go of me,” I demanded coldly.
The man–who introduced himself as Greg Strong–clearly wasn’t used to rejection. His grip tightened as his eyes raked over me hungrily.
“Come have a drink with me. Get to know me a little,” he coaxed, licking his lips. “I’m very wealthy, you know. Having me as a friend could be… beneficial for you. I could help with any… problems you might have.”
My patience evaporated. “Someone like you? Not interested. I said, let. Go.”
Greg’s expression darkened with wounded pride. “You ungrateful bitch! I’m not giving <b>you </b>a choice anymore. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be begging-”
I drove my heel down hard onto his instep, following with a precise knee to his groin.
“Argh!” He doubled over, howling in pain.
I turned away, satisfied, only to hear him growl, “You’re not going anywhere!”
Despite his injury, he lunged after me. I quickened my pace toward the boutique, but his next words made
me freeze.
“Grab her!” he ordered, and I spotted two burly men in dark suits moving toward me from different
directions.
I tensed, preparing for confrontation. I wouldn’t be easy prey, but fighting in a public ce with Aria nearby was thest thing I wanted.
Then a small, defiant voice cut through the tension: “Who dares to grab my mommy<b>?</b><b>” </b>
A small figure darted in front of me.
My heart stopped when I realized it wasn’t Aria–it was another little girl with reddish–brown hair, positioning herself protectively between me and the approaching men.
<b>“</b><b>If </b>you try to hurt my mommy,” she dered with surprising fierceness, <b>“</b>you’ll be very, very sorry!”
By now<b>, </b>several shoppers had stopped to watch the confrontation unfolding. The bodyguards hesitated, exchanging uncertain nces.
“Sir? Should we still…<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Greg, humiliated at being challenged by a child, snarled, “Where did this little brate from? You dare
speak to me like that?
The little girl fitted her head, hey voice deceptively owest Laffle iza, who we you sug
“The little beast scolded you
“Mean uncle, you just admitted your te a brad yourself. At least you te not omyvadly st
Laughter erupted from the growing crowd of onlookers,
Greg, realizing he’d been outwitted by a child, flushed crimson “Don’t just stand there be backed at his men. “Grab them both
1 quickly pulled the little girl behind me, ready to fight. “Stop right thene 1mates, Chanding every ounce of authority 1 possessed
I knew there were security cameras everywhere. Surely they wouldn’t dare assault us in public 1 cold already see mall security approaching, and someone in the crowd was calling the police.
But the little girl peeked around my legs, her expression surprisingly calm as she asked, “Do you know who my uncle is? You really shouldn’t try to grab me.”
“I don’t give a damn who your uncle is, kid, Greg sneered
“My uncle is Alpha Alexander ckwood, Alpha of the ckwood Pack, she announced proudly. The most powerful Alpha in North America,”
My entire world had frozen at the mention of Alexander’s name. All sound faded away.
My mate’s niece? Could she possibly be Thea?
The thought sent electricity through my veins and made my heart hammer against my ribs.