"Cassian…" Ryan panicked as he checked his watch and the growing traffic leading to the venue. He turned to Cassian, who was sulking in his seat. This time, Ryan could no longer stop himself from shouting,
"How can you leave your phone, of all things?!"
Cassian lowered his head further. "I was just too excited and didn't think I needed it."
"God… Cassian!" Ryan ruffled his hair, massaging his brows as he shot the guy a look. His mouth parted as if to say something, but he ended up just touching the back of his neck instead.
"Why…" Ryan asked himself before glaring at Cassian. "Why do you always test how many lives you've got, huh?! Do you really think you've got nine lives to spare?!"
They were already halfway to the venue when Cassian realized his phone was missing. Ryan told him to just leave it, but Cassian kept nagging that he needed to call Lynsandra. So, taking the risk, they ended up turning back and returning to the hotel.
When Cassian found his phone, Lynsandra had left a couple of missed calls. Hence, they rushed out without wasting a second. But now that the launch was about to begin, more cars had arrived on the road, causing heavy traffic congestion.
"Let's just hope nothing bad is happening now—" Ryan's voice halted as the door suddenly opened.
When he turned, all he saw was Cassian jumping out.
"He—hey!" Ryan scrambled to the side where Cassian had been seated earlier. "Cassian! Where are you going?!"
"I'm running!" Cassian looked back but didn't stop sprinting. "It's faster that way!"
Also, it was because Cassian was worried that too many flies would try to come and seduce his Lynsandra. At events like this, Lynsandra would definitely need a fly swatter.
Little did he know, a fly was not his concern—but rather, mammoths heading straight for the flame.
*****
"Liz?"
Lynsandra raised her chin, staring at Victor, who stood just a few meters away from her.
He looked more mature—his facial features more defined, his aura that of someone who had actually made it in life. Not someone merely trying to appear relevant or prove something to the world.
Compared to the simple shirt and pants, messy-haired Victor she remembered, there he stood now in a tailored suit, hair groomed neatly. His watch alone was worth millions; his shoes shone so brightly they could reflect someone's face.
Then, wrapped around his arm, was the beautiful Katarina—his wife.
"Victor," Lynsandra smiled in amusement, studying the couple before her. "Congratulations on your launch."
Katarina, her hair styled in an updo that highlighted her collarbones and shoulder blades as she donned a delicate strapless dress, clutched his arm tighter. Studying Lynsandra—her large curly hair worn loose, dressed in a simple formal suit paired with understated jewelry—was enough for Katarina to judge that the latter was underdressed.
And yet, somehow, no one felt that Lynsandra was underdressed at all. If anything, one might think everyone else had simply come overdressed.
Bitterness flickered in Katarina's eyes before she looked up at Victor, only to see shock plastered on his face.
Victor just stared at Lynsandra with wide eyes. If one didn't know any better, they might have taken him for someone who had just seen a ghost… or a goddess.
"Victor," she called gently, trying to get his attention.
It took a moment for Victor to snap out of his thoughts.
"Oh." He recomposed himself, clearing his throat as he looked at Lynsandra. With Katarina holding his arm, they approached her and stopped before her. "Lizzie, it's… it's been a while. I mean, it's been like two years. How are you?"
Victor tried to sound natural, and yet, he failed to hide the curiosity in his voice.
Lynsandra smiled. "It has been," she hummed, sliding her gaze to Katarina. "It's a little late, but congratulations on your union."
"Thank you," Katarina said, squeezing herself closer to Victor's side as if guarding her territory. "Lynsandra."
Katarina's voice was quiet, but the name alone made others turn in their direction.
"Lynsandra?" one of the guests whispered, darting her eyes between the Clarks and the woman standing before them. "The Crowned Princess?"
"Is the Crown Princess here already?" another remarked. "Where?"
As whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd, more and more people turned their heads toward Lynsandra. All eyes shone with expectation and excitement, while others wore confusion.
Katarina smirked inwardly as she caught the confusion in their expressions.
"Oh!" she covered her lips as if she had just realized something. "Right. This might cause a misunderstanding."
She turned to the guests with a kind, gentle smile. "Everyone, please do not misunderstand. Lynsandra here is an old friend of my husband, but she's not the royal highness. They just…" She trailed off, eyes glinting as she set them on Lynsandra.
"…share the same name."
Victor frowned as he glanced at his wife while the crowd nodded in understanding.
"So that's why," one of the men said with a nod. "No wonder I didn't feel her wolf or aura."
"Haha. No wonder I don't get a scent from her."
"I heard the Luna actually carries the same aura as the Alpha King. For a second, I thought those were just rumors."
"But someone actually dared to name their child after the Alpha King's daughter? It's not like it's forbidden, but… who would want their daughter to live in this world sharing the same name as the only daughter of the Royal Pack?"
Pleased with the public opinion, Katarina set her practiced, graceful gaze back on Lynsandra.
"Lizzie, it's a surprise that you're here," she said, hearing Victor quietly call her name as a warning.
"Katarina," Victor reached for her hand on his arm. "Enough now."
Katarina glanced at him, then ignored him as she refocused on Lynsandra. "I didn't expect you here tonight, Lizzie. Do you… do you work here?"
"Haha." Lynsandra crossed her arms as she studied the beautiful Katarina, who had not changed one bit in the past two years.
Two years wasn't long, but there should've been some character development—right?
"No, I was invited," she answered. "As my fiancé's plus one."
Hearing that, Victor's brows knitted. "You're getting married?" There was almost disbelief in his voice.
"Well." Lynsandra shrugged. "We'll see."
"Your fiancé?" Katarina tilted her head. "Are you sure about that, Lizzie?"
"Uh huh."
"But that's strange," Katarina frowned. "I remember everyone on the guest list and their plus ones. There's only one Lynsandra on it. And that's… her royal highness."
Victor drew a deep breath, clearly growing frustrated with Katarina. However, she was using the crowd to her advantage. Katarina knew they had a public image to maintain, so she weaponized it.
"Enough," he whispered into her ear, but somehow, that only made her look at him with quiet irritation.
As the crowd grew more confused, unsure why an "old friend" had appeared uninvited, Katarina's next words immediately gave them an answer to fill in the gaps.
"Lizzie," Katarina pouted. "Are you saying you're her royal highness?"
Silence immediately fell over the hall, not because the spectacle was entertaining, but because it was becoming… concerning.
The Royal Pack was one thing. But the heir to the throne? They had heard rumors; others had even seen evidence that the Crowned Princess—also the Luna of the Royal Pack—was far crueler than the Alpha King himself.
Just when everyone thought Lynsandra would deny it, she chuckled and answered,
"And if I say I am?" Her smile curled with amusement. "Would the Clarks take responsibility for this… discourtesy?"