Raelyn's POV: Everything was set. The engagement ceremony was happening tomorrow. That night, I wandered the garden outside the Goldberg family’s villa, trying to clear my mind. I was on the phone with Tammy, giving her a quick update on the schedule. Just as I was about to go to bed, I noticed someone scaling the fence. I quickly ducked behind a rock sculpture and watched the figure. Something about the way he moved felt… familiar. Then I saw the faint blue glint from his wristwatch in the dim light. I knew immediately. I didn’t scream. Instead, I crept up behind him. Without warning, I clamped my hand over his mouth and smirked. “Aiden, what the hell are you doing here?” He didn’t answer. He just grabbed my wrist, yanked me forward—and suddenly, I was in his arms. He held me like he never wanted to let go. Like he could pull me into his very bones. “Don’t go through with the engagement,” he whispered. I drew in a breath. “Why should I listen to you?” “Because I love you.” I scoffed. “Coming from you, that sounds incredibly fake. I don’t even know how to talk to you anymore, Aiden.” His eyes were full of pain and longing. “I had my reasons for what I did…” “Oh, you mean because your mother was kidnapped, and you had to stay quiet and push me to break up with you? That reason?” That stopped him in his tracks. “You… you know?” “Of course I know. Mr. Greg told me everything the day I got back.” I let out a dry laugh. “But you—you didn’t tell me a thing. Like Mr. Greg said, you didn’t even have the courage to stay by my side. Why should you deserve me?”“I just didn’t want to drag you into this mess,” Aiden said, panicked for once. “If Mr. Greg could do it once, he could do it again. He could threaten me a thousand times in a thousand new ways. I thought… you’d be better off.” “Better off?” I laughed bitterly. “You think I’d be better off with Randall? Aiden, I’ve been through hell with you. I never once said I didn’t want to stick it out. But you forced me out.” “Well, I’m not willing to go along with it anymore.” Aiden turned pale. “I’m sorry,” he said hoarsely. “I was a coward.” His arms slowly loosened. Looking at him—this usually proud, put-together man sneaking in like some desperate fool—my heart twisted in a way I hadn’t expected. Before tonight, I’d been so sure I wouldn’t forgive him. But now that he was standing in front of me, I couldn’t help but waver. “Aiden.” He flinched. “Yeah?” “When I found out about your mom, I looked into the location where she was being held. Everything’s already been taken care of. We can go pick her up whenever you’re ready.” “I only have one thing to say to you tonight.” His breath hitched. “Say it.” I looked into his eyes, glowing under the moonlight. “I’m giving you a chance. Take me and run.” For the first time in a long while, Aiden smiled. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll take you with me.” My disappearance made it impossible to proceed with the engagement ceremony. The entire Imperial and Storme Packs became a laughingstock overnight—both in Capital City and across the werewolf territories of Arkadia. Mr. Greg, furious beyond belief, activated both packs to issue a full-blown manhunt. But instead of facing him head-on, Aiden and I slipped away to the last place Mr. Greg would ever think to check—Flexora Club. Gilbert’s eyes widened when he saw us. “You’re staying here?” he asked, scratching his head. “Technically, you’re my boss now, aren’t you? You wouldn’t just kick me to the curb, right?” I batted my lashes like a poor lost lamb. “Man… if Grandpa finds out, he’s gonna kill me. Sure, I don’t go home, but he’s still the Alpha. You know how it is.” I patted his arm. “Relax. I won’t rat you out.” At the moment, this club was the safest place we could hide. If we could ride out the worst of the search, everything else could be dealt with later. Wingstorm and the other gaming teammates were excited to see me. “Raelyn, you better not leave this time,” Wingstorm grinned. “Stay in the team—we’ll make you famous, seriously.” Radix nodded and pulled out his phone. “Goddess! While you were gone, my livestream revenue went up over $13,000! I swear I’m close to breaking the million-follower mark!” I laughed. “Streaming, huh?” “Yeah! You get to hang with fans—and make money!” Suzie smacked him lightly. “Don’t listen to him. He barely makes anything.” Just as we were laughing and chatting, my phone rang. It was Jackson. His voice was urgent. “Raelyn, something’s wrong—something happened to the company!”