"I do care," I murmured. "It slipped my mind and I'm sorry about that. Next time I'll—"
Duncan raised his voice. "Next time? You think there's gonna be a next time?"
I winced. People were staring at us now. They were seeing me in my awful outfit, covered in sweat, late to dinner and being deservedly yelled at by my date. I'd never been so embarrassed in my life.
"I'm really sorry, Duncan," I said honestly. "I know I messed up. You have every right to be upset."
"You're damn right I do. Do you even give a shit about me? You know what, don't answer that." Duncan stood and threw down his menu. "I'm out of here."
He stormed out of the patio section and disappeared down the street. People were still staring at me—some with looks of sympathy, most in morbid curiosity. A few raised brows at my outfit, and worse yet, a couple people even looked like they agreed with Duncan.
I slumped in my chair and wished the ground would swallow me whole. I shut my eyes, wishing I'd disappear. When I opened them again, nothing had changed. People were still staring. My cheeks burned with shame. I had to get out of here.
I trudged out of the patio section feeling like sludge. At least home wasn't very far. That was a silver lining, right?
I sighed and began the walk of shame back home. I felt like a zombie, just shuffling blindly and not paying attention to my surroundings.
The cold intensified. I shuddered, rubbing myself but not finding enough warmth. I ran out the door so fast I'd left my jacket and phone behind. And for what? Duncan didn't care that I'd done my best to arrive on time. He was right, though. I was the one who messed up, not him.
Maybe I didn't deserve an alpha partner. I had no deep love for Duncan, or any other alpha I met. Not in a romantic way.
Not since...
No. Don't think about him.
I shook my head, trying to physically derail that train of thought. There was no point thinking about him. He left my life ten years ago and he was never coming back. I shouldn't depress myself fantasizing about his return. We were just teenagers, for fuck's sake.
He probably doesn't even remember me. Get over it, Nikolas.
Well, whatever. I didn't need an alpha anyway. I'd just tell my coworkers I wasn't interested in dating, which was the truth. Mostly.
They didn't need to know that if I couldn't havehim, I didn't want anyone.
God, I hadn't wallowed in this much self-pity for a long time. Could this night get any worse?
A loud grating screech cut the air. I jerked to attention.
A car was coming right at me—and despite braking hard, it wasn't able to stop.
2
Jian
As usual,the library was silent except for the warm crackle of the fire and the delicate sound of a turning page. Though dim, the room was cozy and comfortable. There was a distinct magical feeling about reading a book by the fireplace on a cold autumn evening.
I raised my eyes from my book. The fire would need another log soon. But not yet. I had time to indulge in a few more pages. I couldn't yet tear my attention away. Not when the romance that had been budding between the main characters for the past two hundred pages was finally blossoming.
Time flew, characters touched and kissed, and soon the library was plunged into darkness. When I could no longer read the words, I clicked my tongue. Had the fire run out so soon?
I placed the book down and strode to the fireplace. The candles on the mantle still flickered but the fire in the hearth had died down to a dark smolder. I added another log to the pit and stoked it. When it slowly crackled to life, I returned to my comfortable armchair and picked up my book, eager to delve back into it.
The phone rang.
I sighed. Why was I always being bothered during the best part of the book?
Grudgingly putting my book aside again, I picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Jian, good evening." It was my mother. She spoke in our native tongue of Mandarin. "What are you doing right now?"
