As the eting wrapped up, Sage and Katelyn walked their client to the car. Once it pulled away and disappeared from view, Katelyn turned sharply to him.
"I’m not coming to your place for dinner."
Her abrupt refusal didn’t faze Sage; he’d half expected it.
"Did His Majesty give you permission to say that?" he asked evenly.
"I didn’t bother my father over sothing so petty," Katelyn replied with cool finality.
"Who’s the guy you like?" Sage pressed. "I asked you before, and you dodged the question. Work’s over now, so let’s talk about our personal lives." He folded his arms. "You see, I’m interested in you. You’re not interested in . So logically, the one who should step back from this arrangent is you. Don’t you think?"
Katelyn turned tight-lipped as she knew she couldn’t win this argunt.
"There’s no one," she said at last.
She knew asking Karn for help would be useless; he’d reject her request without a second thought. And that man had already made it clear she would never be his mate, not in this lifeti.
"So you were lying," Sage concluded.
"I just wanted to hear your opinion," Katelyn said. "Don’t you think it’s awkward? You know I don’t like you. There’s no point in forcing this."
"I told you my father wants this to happen, and I can’t refuse him. Your father wants the sa," Sage said, his voice firm. "Besides, I want to win you."
Her eyes narrowed. "Am I a ga to you?"
"No."
"Then why can’t you see how much I despise Alpha males?" she shot back, her voice rising. "All of you act like your opinions are law!"
"You also carry an Alpha’s blood. What’s your opinion on that? And I don’t know why you generalize all the alphas like that," Sage confusedly peered into her eyes.
"When you talked to for the first ti, you practically forced your decision on . You said you would make it happen. Then, the next ti too, we debated on it. You were quite angry that I wasn’t choosing you. The man with whom won don’t hesitate to sleep, I asked him not to be even near . That hurt your ego. Do I need more reasons to tell you why I don’t like Alphas like you?" Katelyn questioned.
"Well, you’re going with ," Sage said. "If not, you can explain yourself to my parents, not ." He checked his watch. "Dinner’s in an hour. Make your decision quickly."
"Tell them I’m sick," Kate replied. "Or better yet, call your father. I’ll tell him myself."
Sage hesitated, then reluctantly pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed. After a few rings, the call connected.
"Good evening, Dad," Sage greeted.
"Good evening. We’ve prepared everything. I trust the princess is with you?"
"Katelyn wants to speak to you," Sage said, passing her the phone.
Katelyn lifted it to her ear. "Good evening, Sir. I heard from Sage about the dinner invitation, but I won’t be able to attend. I’m not feeling well. I hope you understand."
"Of course, Princess Katelyn. Shall I arrange for a doctor to visit?"
"No, Sir, thank you. I’ve already been checked. I just need rest," she said politely. "I’m sorry for not being able to make it."
She handed the phone back to Sage.
"I’ll talk to you later, Dad," he said into the receiver before ending the call. His gaze shifted to Katelyn.
"You’re good at lying," he remarked.
"It was necessary," she replied firmly. "And I’ll find a way to end this arrangent between us." With a final, determined look, she turned and walked away.
Sage pulled into the parking lot and drove to his ho. But the mont he stepped into his apartnt, he froze.
His father was waiting.
"Dad, what are you—"
The sentence never finished. A sharp sound of a slap echoed through the room as William’s palm struck his cheek. Sage’s head snapped to the side, his jaw tightening as his fists curled at his sides. He t his father’s glare with one of his own.
"Why did Princess Katelyn refuse to join us for dinner?" William barked in fury.
"Didn’t she tell you on the phone?" Sage shot back, his brows knitting together.
"She did. But you think I’m a fool?" William stepped closer, his voice rising. "It must be your fault she refused. Don’t tell she’s discovered the truth about what kind of womanizer you are. Sleeping with anyone is in your blood! Your mother was the sa—"
"Dad!" Sage roared, his eyes igniting a deep shade of red. "Don’t say a single word against my mother."
"Why? Didn’t your mother cheat on and leave you behind? Say it!" William’s voice thundered, refusing to drop an inch. "You’re only the pack’s leader because you’re the sole son of the Nightshade family. But don’t forget where you truly co from. Your filthy mother is still alive, and the mont I find her, I’ll kill her, right in front of your eyes."
"My mother wasn’t filthy," Sage retorted. "You must have driven her away, tortured her until she had no choice but to run."
The mont the words left his mouth, he knew he had crossed a line, but it was too late to take them back.
William’s eyes darkened. "Sage, don’t push . I can beat you until you lose consciousness. Be a good son and repay for raising you in a lavish household. You’re bringing Katelyn tomorrow at any cost. Fail , and you’ll be punished. Severely."
With that, William turned and strode out.
Sage dragged a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh.
He walked to the couch and slumped on it. His eyes burning, but no tears ca out. He didn’t even rember when was the last he cried.
"Why did you have to leave behind, Mother?" He murmured, feeling tired. All these years, he acted like a man with pride in front of the others, refusing to show how vulnerable he was from inside.
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