Chapter 3

Although they had been mated for three years, they didn't share a bed every night.

Kaelen said he didn't like having someone beside him when he slept at night.

I knew he simply wasn't used to having me around.

Kaelen knew I had always minded Seraphina's presence. He had prepared a whole speech to convince me, but unexpectedly, I agreed immediately.

"Alright, I have many things in there anyway. I'll move them all out together."

I would have to move sooner or later anyway.

Hearing that I wanted to move all my belongings out, he instinctively wanted to say it wasn't necessary.

But Seraphina spoke first: "Thank you so much, sister."

I didn't respond. My slender figure carried boxes as I prepared to go downstairs.

The box was quite heavy. I happened to step on the broken pieces on the floor. My foot slipped, and my knees hit the ground hard. The sharp fragments pierced into my flesh.

The pain made cold sweat break out on my back. I bit my lip.

But Kaelen had already been pulled away by Seraphina and didn't see what happened at all.

I was in excruciating pain. Tears dropped onto the floor one by one.

In the past at the Vance family home, Kaelen wouldn't even let Seraphina carry a small bag.

He used to say: "Our Seraphina is a little princess. Princesses deserve to be treated like princesses."

When I was the omega servant's daughter, I did all the dirty and tiring work. When I got hurt, no one cared.

Now, even as the wealthy daughter and Kaelen's mate, it was still the same.

No matter when, the people around me would unconditionally side with Seraphina.

I was used to it by now.

It took me the entire afternoon to pack up all my belongings.

I even called a truck to haul away a batch of items.

Kaelen said: "Seraphina is only staying here temporarily. When she leaves, you'll move back. Why throw away so many things?"

Kaelen felt that I had been acting too strangely these past two days.

I replied calmly: "These things were too old, so I threw them away."

"Elara, you're not a wasteful person."

Indeed, I had never lived well for many days. I never learned the ways of those wealthy young ladies.

I usually kept my belongings for a long time.

I smiled in response: "It's been too long, so I wanted a change. Out with the old, in with the new."

Just like with people.

My reason was reasonable. Pressing further would make him seem petty.

Kaelen didn't ask more questions. He said: "There's an auction tonight. The organizers invited me. You and Seraphina should come together."

I wanted to refuse, but Kaelen cut off my next words: "You're my chief aide. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to attend such events without bringing my aide."

I stared at him, wanting to ask: Then is it appropriate to bring Seraphina?

But I knew there would be no answer if I asked. I just nodded in agreement.

Consider it my last duty as chief aide before resigning.

......

That night, the auction hall was lit up like daylight.

The attendees were all from high-ranking pack society circles. Each one was shrewd and calculating.

The Crimson River Pack's influence had grown bigger over the past two years. The organizers immediately came forward to greet us.

"Alpha Croft, we've reserved your seats. You can be seated now."

The organizers had prepared two seats for Kaelen. "Alpha Croft, I heard you have a mate? The other seat is reserved for your Luna."

All three of us stiffened simultaneously.

The news of Kaelen's secret mating had been well hidden. We didn't know how word had leaked out.

I couldn't help but look at Kaelen, waiting for his answer.

Three people, two seats. How would he choose?

The answer wasn't surprising. Kaelen denied it.

"I don't have a mate. I don't know where such rumors came from."

"Then these two ladies beside you?" Alpha Gideon Hayes looked at the two women behind him.

Kaelen first pulled Seraphina forward to introduce her: "This is the Vance family's daughter, Seraphina."

"So it's Miss Vance."

Then, with some awkwardness on his face, Kaelen introduced me: "The one beside her is my chief aide."

Although I had already known the outcome, when the harsh reality was displayed before my eyes, I still couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

I suppressed the pain in my heart and maintained my last bit of dignity.

In the end, Kaelen sat down with Seraphina, while I stood behind them.

Perhaps it was because the cold air in the auction hall was too strong. I felt sharp pains in my lower abdomen.

I clutched my stomach and fled to the restroom.