Unveiling Shadows

 Just as I was done with my preparations, Roman sent his a*sistant, Mason, to pick me up.

 Sitting in that Maybach, I thought Mason would drive me to Roman's place, but I was taken to a mall.

 Stylists and makeup artists surrounded me, curling up my waist-length hair and applying exquisite makeup to my face.

 I was dressed in an expensive evening gown, tailored to fit me perfectly.

 A diamond necklace that was worth millions was placed on my neck.

 I looked at myself in the mirror.

 Noble, elegant, and refined. But I didn't feel like myself. I looked more like Tara.

 If Griffon had seen me like this, he might have thought I was trying to mimic her.

 I smiled bitterly.

 Finally, I was all dressed up, and Mason took me to Nightshade.

 It was the largest nightclub in Arcadia. The people who came

 here were either rich or powerful, both human and shifters alike. Species didn't matter…only money and power.

 The place could guarantee these people their privacy. There were virtually no security cameras around here. And even if there were, it would be difficult to obtain any footage.

 The rich loved to do their nasty things at Nightshade.

 Roman probably also chose to bring me here for the same

 reasons.

 Thinking about what I was about to go through, I felt like my heart was going to explode.

 I followed Mason out of the elevator when it got to the top floor. He led me to the door of a private room.

 Mason swiped a card, and the luxurious door opened slowly.

 Dim light and soothing music spilled out from inside, and the decor was elegant and refined.

 I was a bit surprised. I'd thought Roman would have a more vulgar taste than this.

 Just then, a strong arm suddenly wrapped around my waist.

 Roman pulled me close and leaned down to kiss me.

 "You look stunning today, babe."

 I fought back the urge to throw up. I turned to avoid Roman's touch, but then I saw the man sitting on the sofa.

 He wore a wh ite shirt, slightly open at the collar, revealing part of his chest, and his sleeves were rolled-up. He held a winegla*s that looked small in his large, strong hand.

 The wine was shining like blood under the dim lighting, as intimidating as the gaze he was casting upon me.

 I hadn't expected Griffon to be here.

 I'd never thought he would be in the same circle as Roman.

 The Knight Pack controlled the economic lifeline of not just the Midwest Packs, but the entire northern hemisphere, while the Starke Pack was only influential in Arcadia.

 I didn't ever think they would have a reason to see each other privately.

 Suddenly, I was glad that I didn't make that call to Griffon the other day.

 Otherwise…not only would I lose my dignity, I would have been outright rejected.

 After all, how could I expect Griffon to displease his friend for

 me?

 But…why was he looking at me like that?

 Was he angry because he saw someone else kiss me?

 Yet Griffon had already withdrawn his gaze, as if he didn't know

 me.

 My heart skipped a beat.

 Of course. He wouldn't care who kissed me. His wolf felt no protective instincts for me, not an inkling of possession for the woman he'd practically owned for five years.

 I looked away and turned to Roman, "Beta Starke, why did you bring me here?"

 Roman caressed my face affectionately. "So you can meet some of my friends! Then we can make things more exciting."

 A chill ran through me. I had to get away, as soon as possible.

 But just then, Roman dragged me over to Griffon.

 Alpha Knight, let me introduce you to my new girlfriend, Taya Palmer."

 Roman introduced me as his girlfriend without hesitation, which shocked me for a second.

 I hadn't expected the creep would introduce me in the way that I'd hoped I would hear falling from someone else's lips…

 And that someone was playing with his winegla*s and wouldn't even glance at me.

 As if everything happening here had nothing to do with him. He looked cold and heartless, every inch the uncaring Alpha.

 Seeing that Griffon was not interested in Taya, Roman quickly made Taya raise her chin.

 "Alpha Knight, don't you think she looks a lot like Tara?"

 When he'd gone to the Midwest Packs Corporation today, he met Tara, who looked similar to Taya.

 After some research, he found out that Tara, who had just returned to the country, was Griffon's she-wolf.

 He'd hurriedly gone to the Knight Pack and convinced Griffon to attend the gathering by emphasizing the resemblance between Taya and Tara, hoping to secure the project he had been eyeing.

 Hearing what Roman said, Griffon slowly raised his cold eyes.

 He looked at Taya up and down.

 Despite his hazel eyes appearing to be veiled with mist, no emotion could be discerned from them. After a few moments of

 silence and gazing at her, he spoke in a nonchalant tone, "She's nothing compared to Tara."

 His words stabbed through me, and I was sure I was going to bleed out right there.

 "Of course, she can't compare with Ms. Thorin."

 Roman grabbed my chin, looking down at me with contempt, and said, "She's an orphan with no power or background, without even a wolf. Ms. Thorin is the only daughter of Elder Thorin, with a superior education and intelligence. How can Taya possibly compare to her?"

 Yes, how could I compare to Tara?

 I pursed my lips tightly and didn't say a word, but pain still washed over me in waves.

 Roman's belittling words toward me were simply an attempt to

 flatter Griffon, but Griffon didn't seem to notice him at all. He didn't even give Roman a glance and instead kept playing with his winegla*s, keeping his head down.