Chapter 12
Tori's POV:
I stared at my phone, Hannah's threat weighing on my mind while my fingers clenched the device.
"It's nothing," I told Morgan, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Just family matters."
But Morgan's concerned expression didn't fade. "Are you sure? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I took a deep breath and stood up. "I need to make a call. I'll be right back."
Stepping outside the café, I dialed Hannah's number.
"Finally decided to acknowledge my existence?" Hannah's voice dripped with disdain.
"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral despite the fury building inside me.
"Tomorrow night. Fiona's mating ceremony at Moonlight Restaurant." Her words were clipped, each syllable laced with impatience. "You should be there."
It wasn't a request. I know I have no right to refuse at all.
"What time?"
"Seven sharp. And for goddess' sake, don't show up looking like... that." I could practically hear her wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"I've arranged for a proper dress to be delivered to your dormitory tomorrow. Get yourself to Crescent Moon Salon by four for hair and makeup. I won't have you embarrassing us looking like some destitute Omega."
Tracy snarled at the insult, but I kept my voice steady. "Fine."
"And Tori?" Hannah's voice hardened. "Try to act civilized. That is an important night for this family."
"Understood," I replied coldly before hanging up.
When I returned to the table, Morgan was pretending to study her notes, but her eyes immediately darted to my face.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"Just my mother," I said, sliding back into my seat. "I have to attend my stepsister's mating ceremony at Moonlight Restaurant tomorrow night."
Morgan's eyes widened. "Wait, tomorrow night? Moonlight Restaurant? You're not talking about Fiona and Ethan Grayson's mating ceremony, are you?"
I stared at her, surprised by her immediate recognition. "How did you know?"
"Don't forget, I live on the Grayson estate," Morgan said, leaning forward excitedly. "Sure, we're in the more remote section, but everyone knows when there's big drama happening at the main house."
She couldn't contain herself and launched into gossip mode. "Oh goddess! And here I thought you were from a struggling family, which is why you're working while studying!"
"I am indeed poor," I said quietly. "I can only rely on myself."
Morgan's expression shifted as understanding dawned on her face.
"Wait, so your own biological mother treats you like this?" Morgan's indignation flared. "That's messed up! Isn't it usually stepmothers who are cruel to their stepchildren in the stories? How can your actual mother be so heartless toward her own daughter?"
I remained silent, not wanting to delve into the pain.
Noticing my dampened mood, Morgan quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, did you know Ethan has an ex-girlfriend he can't get over? He got himself completely drunk last week when the engagement was announced."
I jerked my head up in surprise, unable to hide my reaction."What?"
Morgan leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Four years ago, when Ethan was a senior, he dated this brilliant girl from Crescent Moon High—total academic star, from what I heard. But then everything fell apart."
Morgan rested her chin on her palm, lowering her voice. "Unfortunately, the girl apparently got involved with some rich playboy behind Ethan's back."
My hands clenched beneath the table, knuckles turning white as I listened to Morgan unknowingly recounting a twisted version of my own past.
"The worst part," Morgan continued, oblivious to my discomfort, "was that the girl ended up in serious trouble. Story goes that the other guy tried to force a mating bond on her when they were alone, and she fought back—hit him with a liquor bottle or something. He died."
I stared at my cooling coffee, watching ripples form from my trembling hand on the table.
"Ethan begged his parents and even Alpha Lucas to help her, but they refused. The girl got four years." Morgan shook her head.
"So now he's engaged to Fiona, but everyone knows his heart's still with his ex." Morgan sighed dramatically.
"Tori? Are you okay? You look really pale."
I forced myself to take a slow, measured breath, willing the color back into my face.
"I'm fine," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Just a little tired from work."
Before Morgan could press further, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and groaned.
"It's my mom. I need to head home." She gathered her books hastily.
Looking at the clock on the wall, I realized it was closing time for the café. "I need to close up anyway," I said, beginning to stack our cups and clear the table.
After locking up the café and turning off the lights, Morgan and I stepped out into the cool night air.
A sleek dark sedan idled at the curb, headlights cutting through the mist.
"Jason!" Morgan called out excitedly, waving at the car. A tall young man with curly hair similar to Morgan's leaned out of the driver's window and nodded to us.
"It must be Mom who asked him to pick me up."Morgan turned to me. "It's too late, we'll drop you off."
"I don't want to impose—" I started, but Morgan was already pulling me toward the car.
"Nonsense! It's on our way," she insisted.
She pulled me toward the car door, and I stumbled, my steps faltering. Through the window, I caught sight of a familiar silhouette in the back seat—broad shoulders, commanding presence, the unmistakable aura of an Alpha.
Lucas Grayson.
Morgan opened the car door and froze momentarily when she saw Lucas sitting there.
Her brother leaned over from the driver's seat.
"Morgan, sit up front with me," he called out.
"Alpha Lucas was having drinks nearby and couldn't drive. I came to pick him up, and Mom mentioned you were in the area too, so I thought I'd get you both in one trip."
Morgan hesitated for only a fraction of a second before practically diving for the front passenger door.
"We should drop Tori off first," she said, settling into the front seat and buckling her seatbelt. "She's staying at the dorms—it's super close, just a few blocks away."
Left with no alternative, I reluctantly slid into the back seat beside the most powerful Alpha in Moonhaven, careful to press myself against the door to maintain as much distance as possible.
"Afraid of me?" came Lucas's deep voice.