I Was Dumped by Four Mate Candidates Chapter 04

I Was Dumped by Four Mate Candidates Chapter 04

Elara dragged me out for dress fittings the next morning.

She said Lucian and his family would arrive at the start of next month. The alliance meeting was set for New Moon Hall. Seating. Fragrances. Wine selections. Every detail needed attention.

This was a big one. Two packs sealing an alliance. Nothing could go wrong.

My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.

Lydia sent over a dozen messages.

[Ruby cried after you left last night. Kael took her to the infirmary.]

[Flynn said he’ll brew you another Moonweep next month. Silas says your temper’s gotten worse since you came back. Soren didn’t say anything. But he looked pretty grim.]

I read them all. Flipped the phone facedown on the table.

Elara held up an earring. “Sloane, do you like these dramatic styles?”

I glanced at my reflection. “I was born for bold.”

She laughed. “You’re right.”

Back then I’d taken it for granted. Four mate candidates rotating through, indulging every whim. I thought that was normal.

Then I left the pack. And the only ones who actually had my back when things got hard were family.

She paused. Her voice soft. “Did things not go well at The Howling Terrace last night?”

I didn’t deny it. Mom was always too sharp.

Elara was quiet for two seconds. “If you only see them as friends, there’s no need to punish yourself over their attitude.”

“I know.”

I hugged her.

Flynn called around noon.

He wasn’t usually the hesitant type. He went quiet for a moment, then said, “Why’d you run off so fast last night?”

“Should I have stayed? Waited for you to mix Ruby a second Moonweep?”

He made a sound on the other end. “You’re still hung up on that.”

“It was my invention. Remember?”

A pause. Then his voice dropped. “Sloane. We’re not trying to ignore how you feel. Ruby’s just been really fragile lately. And you’ve got a short fuse. I didn’t want you two fighting.”

“Flynn. Are you forgetting something?”

“What?”

“I’d have to care about you first to fight over you.”

I hung up.

That afternoon I went to Old Fang District. Picking up a custom blade set. A gift for Lucian’s father.

Do you think Lucian’s been practicing common tongue in secret? my wolf said. That video he sent yesterday, his northern accent is gone. And last night he told you, ‘I miss Sloane.’ Very sweet.

I couldn’t help smiling. Probably.

Then another wolf came to Old Fang District.

Silas.

He must’ve just finished council work. Brown robes. And Ruby was with him.

She was carrying an ordinary paper bag. Like she’d just stepped out of the bookstore next door. She froze when she saw me.

Silas looked just as surprised to find me there. “What are you doing here?”

I shrugged. “What, you own this street?”

His gaze dropped to the gift box and the event checklist in my hands. His brow furrowed.

“You’re planning a banquet?”

“None of your business.”

Ruby jumped in fast. Quiet voice. “Silas. Miss Silvermoon is probably just working—”

“Yeah.” I looked at her. “I definitely didn’t come back just to steal your seat.”

Her face went pale. Like I’d scared her again.

Silas’s expression darkened. “Sloane.”

His tone was ice. The kind a judge uses right before the verdict.

“Silas.” My patience was gone. “If you’ve got that much time on your hands, go back to the Wolf Council and process some paperwork. Don’t look at me and go into judge mode.”

His eyes moved from the gift box to my fingers.

I was wearing a thin diamond ring. The anniversary gift Lucian gave me last year.

He stared at it for two seconds. Then he let out a cold laugh. “Your schemes are pathetic.”

“What schemes?”

“The banquet. The gifts. The ring.” Contempt dripped from his voice. “Sloane. If you want to prove you’re doing fine, you really don’t need to go to all this trouble.”

It took me two full seconds to process what he was saying.

I laughed. The pissed-off kind. “Silas. Are you actually insane?”

That look in his eyes—I knew it too well. Certain. Exasperated.

“I’m just reminding you. Ruby isn’t like you. She’s an Omega. Don’t use your schemes against her.”

He genuinely believed I was throwing a banquet and wearing a ring just to rub it in Ruby’s face.

How absurd.

“Don’t worry.” I had zero patience left. “Right now I only care about the alliance ceremony and my mate-bond rite. None of that has anything to do with you.”

Silas frowned. “You’re just threatening us again. Still as impossible as ever.”