Chapter 36: Engagement cancelled

On the day Samantha was meant to present herself to the North, she took her sweet time dolling herself up.

Over the past few days, Dorian hadn’t called or texted her. All her messages were left completely unanswered, but she didn’t let the silence bother her. He was probably still brooding over the loss of that little brat.

She hadn’t heard a single gossip concerning Alyssa’s death either. Maybe Arrow got rid of the body properly. Good riddance.

A smug smile twitched around her lips as excitement bubbled deep within her chest. She couldn’t wait to become the Luna Queen of the North.

Smoothing down the front of the red gown she wore, she took a step back to admire her reflection in the mirror. The soft fabric hugged every single curve, held up by tiny straps and a glaring, dangerously low neckline.

The entire back of the dress was exposed, proudly revealing the rattlesnake tattoo drawn at the base of her spine.

Her short hair framed her face; and the smoky eyeshadow and deep red lipstick gave her the unmistakable impression of a dominatrix.

Perfect! Dorian wouldn’t be able to resist a beauty like this.

A soft knock suddenly sounded on the door. "Mistress Samantha? Alpha Reynold and Master Seth are ready," Cali called from the other side.

"I’ll be out in a minute," Samantha replied. She grabbed her phone and her purse, gave her reflection one last approving look before stepping out of her bedroom.

Reynold and Seth were already waiting out in the driveway, dressed in matching grey tuxedos. Reynold was on a call, snapping at whoever was on the other end, while Seth stood to the side, discretely throwing leering glances at some of the passing housemaids.

The moment Samantha stepped out the front door, she froze, glaring down in absolute horror at the beat-up Mustang parked in the driveway.

"I don’t understand," she yelled, her heels clicking sharply as she marched out. "What the hell is this? Where is the Bentley?"

"What do you think happened to it?" Seth laughed, leaning against the rusty frame. "I told you we were broke. Father had to sell it."

Reynold abruptly ended his call and turned around. He noticed the furious look on Samantha’s face but chose to ignore it.

"The car shouldn’t be your problem right now, Samantha," he snapped, sliding into the back seat. "Once you are married to Alpha Dorian and we get our hands on his wealth, all of this will be in the past."

Seth slid behind the wheel and cranked the engine. Muttering curses under her breath, Samantha took her place in the passenger’s seat. She truly could not wait to become Dorian’s wife so she wouldn’t have to travel like some poor pauper ever again.

The drive to Dorian’s mansion took a full hour. By the time they arrived at the borders, Jake, Alec, and a dozen armed guards were already waiting to receive them.

​Samantha smiled smugly to herself. She hadn’t even married Dorian yet, and she was already being treated like royalty.

Seth pulled to a stop at the side of the road and stepped out. Samantha stepped out too, wanting to fully revel in the moment.

Jake then stepped forward, nodding respectfully at Seth, then at Reynold. "The Alpha King sends his regards," he said evenly. "We are here to officially escort you to the mansion."

While Jake and Reynold exchanged formal pack pleasantries, Samantha shifted her gaze toward Alec. The gamma was already glaring directly at her, his eyes shooting daggers through the air.

She glared right back at him, a look of utter contempt filling her eyes. She couldn’t wait to become Luna and make him her personal guard. That would be the perfect opportunity to rub her status right in his arrogant face.

After the pleasantries were finished, Seth got back into the Mustang. He waited for Jake and the royal convoy to drive off before following closely behind them.

Samantha could barely sit still from sheer excitement. The moment she had been anticipating for the past five years was finally here.

As Seth drove into the enormous, cobblestone driveway in front of the mansion, she didn’t wait for the car to come to a complete stop before throwing her door open and stepping out.

She hurried up the entrance steps, her heels clicking loudly against the tiles, an excited, triumphant smile plastered on her face. She pushed the doors open, expecting to see Dorian waiting for her in the outer receiving room, but it was empty.

Brows furrowing, she walked further in and entered the main living room. It was empty too. Suddenly annoyed, she whirled around on her heel, snapping at Alec who had just stepped inside behind her.

"Where is Dorian?" she demanded.

"You’re not stupid, are you?" Alec retorted. "The Alpha will see you when he’s ready."

The direct insult stung her pride. "Just you wait," she seethed, stepping into his space. "Once I am Luna, I will make you suffer for this insolence."

Alec let out a deep, mocking laughter as he brushed right past her shoulder. "We’ll see about that," he said over his shoulder, disappearing through a side door.

Jake came in next, followed closely by Reynold and Seth.

"The maids will lead you to the Conclave," Jake said flatly, his tone completely professional. "The Alpha King will join you shortly. Be patient."

He walked off without another word, leaving the three of them standing awkwardly in the living room. A few seconds later, two housemaids stepped out from the shadow of the hallway.

"Welcome, Alpha Reynold, Master Seth, Mistress Samantha," they bowed, speaking in an eerie synchronization. "Please come with us."

They led the way down the hallway, pushing open the door to the Conclave. Another maid stepped in behind them, holding a silver tray filled with dark coffee for the men and sweet tea for Samantha.

Afterward, the three maids silently exited the room. Samantha completely ignored her tea, waiting impatiently for Dorian to arrive. Fortunately, she didn’t have to wait long.

The doors swung open, and Dorian stepped in. He looked breathlessly debonair in tailored black trousers and a black leather jacket. Strands of his silky hair fell over his eyes, and he flicked them back with a smooth, effortless movement of his head.

Samantha’s heart skipped a beat at the mere sight of him. Looking at him right now made her remember exactly why she had fallen for him in the first place, long before her desperate hunger for power overrode her genuine feelings.

"Dorian!" she exclaimed, shooting up from the leather couch with her arms wide open to embrace him.

However, Dorian completely ignored her. He bypassed her without a glance, settling smoothly into the leather chair behind his desk, his handsome face blank and expressionless.

A second later, Jake and Alec entered the Conclave, standing firmly to the side with their hands clasped behind their backs.

"I’ll get straight to the point," Dorian began, his deep voice devoid of warmth. "My engagement with Samantha is cancelled."

Samantha’s triumphant smile dropped so fast that her features warped from ecstatic to horrified in a split second. She shot back to her feet, her chest heaving under the red silk.

"What?" she shrieked, her voice cracking. "If this is a joke, Dorian, stop it right now!"

"Do I look like I’m joking?" Dorian’s cold voice instantly silenced her.

Samantha’s mouth opened and closed several times, unable to utter a single word.

Alpha Reynold, who had remained quiet all this time, finally sat upright, his brow furrowed. "Alpha Dorian, I do not understand why a formal, five-year engagement has been so abruptly cancelled."

"Because I am marrying someone else," Dorian replied smoothly. He glanced at Jake and gave a brief nod.

Jake nodded back, walked deliberately toward the door, and pulled it wide open.

The moment Alyssa stepped into the Conclave, Samantha went deathly pale, the blood draining from her face entirely.

Alyssa walked gracefully around the desk, reaching out to take Dorian’s outstretched hand. He pulled her down to sit on his lap, then lifted his head, his fiery eyes locking directly onto Samantha’s trembling form.

"What’s the matter, Samantha?" he asked, his voice dripping with an icy, terrifying amusement. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."