## KAYLA'S POV

If frustration had a face, it would be mine. Who would have thought an Alpha princess would end up in a mess like this?

Morning came, but there was nothing good about it. I had spent the night shivering in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town, my mind spiraling out of control. What if someone attacked me out here? I was defenseless, completely alone, and desperate.

*Elena, what am I supposed to do now?* I asked my wolf.

Silence.

"For how long are you going to keep ignoring me?" I muttered into the cold air, burying my face in my hands. "I'm so damn tired. Say something. Please."

She stayed quiet. I hadn't been able to feel her presence or hear her voice in months. I had heard stories about wolves going dormant after intense trauma, but right now, when I was at my absolute lowest, I needed her more than ever.

With nowhere else to go, I dragged myself out of the complex and started walking along the main road. No destination. No friends to call. Kate had made sure I was isolated after my father died, forcing me to cut ties with everyone who might have helped me.

As I shuffled along the pavement, a motorcade of sleek black cars sped past. The back window of the middle vehicle was rolled down. For a split second, my eyes locked with the man sitting inside.

My chest went tight. I knew that face.

My blood ran cold as the memory hit me. It was him. The man from the hotel. The one who had taken my virginity—and the owner of the bracelet currently tucked inside my pocket.

"What the...?"

Before I could finish the thought, screeching tires echoed down the road. The cars were pulling over. He had seen me.

Panic seized my limbs, and I bolted, running as fast as my legs could carry me down a side street.

---

Minutes later, winded and trembling, I found myself heading toward the Shadow Valley pack house. It was stupid, but in that moment of blind panic, my instincts drove me straight toward Diego.

I knew what he had done with Adire. I knew how he had treated me at the choosing ceremony. But my own family had thrown me into the street. Surely Diego would have enough pity to give me shelter. We had shared years together. He couldn't be completely heartless.

Memories of his rejection tried to stop me, but I forced my feet to keep moving. I was desperate.

When I reached the front gates, two heavy-set guards blocked my path, crossing their spears to hold me back. They knew who I was, but they looked right through me.

"Let me in," I demanded, trying to push past.

Through the iron bars of the gate, I caught sight of Diego standing in the courtyard, his arms wrapped around another female as he kissed her open-mouthed against the wall.

My stomach churned. "Diego!"

He pulled away from the woman, looking over at the gate with a lazy, arrogant smirk. He motioned for the guards to step aside.

I rushed into the courtyard, stopping right in front of him. "Diego, how could you?"

He didn't answer. He just stood there, grinning at me like I was a joke.

The disrespect snapped something inside me. Without thinking, my hand flew up and slapped him hard across the jaw.

The smile left his face instantly. Before I could pull my hand back, his fingers clamped around my throat, cutting off my air. He squeezed, lifting me onto my toes.

"If not for our past, I would kill you where you stand, you miserable fool," he growled, his voice laced with venom.

He threw me backward. I hit the stone pavers hard, scraping my hands as I fell.

I stared up at him, breathless and shaking. "It... it wasn't a mistake, was it? Leaving me for Adire... rejecting me..."

Diego threw his head back and laughed, a cruel, harsh sound that echoed off the stone walls. Then he squatted down in front of me, grabbing my chin.

"You tell me, bitch," he whispered. "It was never a mistake. Why would I want you? I never loved you, Kayla. You were just a pathetic princess who needed someone to hold her hand. And look at you now—still pathetic, crawling back to the man who threw you away."

His words tore through me, but the sheer fear of being homeless and abandoned overwhelmed my pride.

"Diego," I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks as I pushed myself up. "We can fix this. I don't care about what happened with Adire. We can start over. I won't ask questions. Just let me stay. I'm begging you."

He stared at me, his eyes dead and cold.

"I don't care if you stay with Adire," I sobbed, lowering my voice. "I don't care if you sleep with a hundred other women. Just don't throw me out. I can handle anything else, but not this from you. Please."

Diego let out a soft scoff, standing up and brushing off his jacket.

"Take a few minutes to cry it out," he said casually, turning his back on me. "Then get your miserable ass off my territory before you ruin the scenery."

He paused, glancing over his shoulder with a nasty grin.

"And by the way... all this time you acted like some innocent virgin, and you were out dancing half-naked in a bar for money?"

"No, I can explain—"

"Save it, whore," he spat. "You wouldn't sleep with me, but you'll spread your legs for strangers in a pub. You disgust me."

He walked away, leaving me collapsed on the cold ground.

I sat there in silence as the tears slowly stopped. Diego was the reason I had gotten drunk. He was the reason I had ended up on that stage. And now he was using it to destroy whatever dignity I had left.

Screw him. Screw all of them.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand and stood up. If the whole world already thought I was a stripper, then maybe that was the only choice I had left.

I turned and walked out of the gates, heading straight back toward the city center.