Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate

Elodie’s Pov~

I heard it in the way Liora’s voice went soft, that particular lilt she used when she was thinking about someone she adored.

She was thinking about Sienna.

Liora had done exactly what Dante told her to do. Stayed put at the Miller’s estate like a good little girl, didn’t wander off. But her body might’ve been here, tucked into these walls, while her mind? Her mind was somewhere else entirely. With someone else.

I’d seen her checking her phone all day. Her thumb scrolling. Waiting. She’d sent message after message to "Auntie Sienna," but Sienna, busy as always, important as always, had barely replied.

By late afternoon, we’d all made our way to the hotel. The staff moved quietly, efficiently, setting up for Nonna’s birthday banquet. Everything was pristine. Everything was perfect. By six, the guests started trickling in.

I watched from the side as Uncle Jason greeted them at the entrance, accepting gifts with that easy charm he wore like a second skin, directing people to their seats. But I noticed something off in the way some of them shifted on their feet. The tight smiles. The hurried words.

"Apologies, Jason. I have another engagement tonight. I’ll just pay my respects and be on my way."

Jason nodded graciously. Professionally. I didn’t say anything either. People were busy. It happened.

Except it kept happening.

Half an hour later, I realized it wasn’t just one or two people. It was a pattern now. Business partners, people who’d worked with the Miller Family for years, were dropping off gifts and disappearing before the appetizers even hit the table. Some didn’t bother showing up at all. They sent assistants. Secretaries. People with rehearsed apologies and expensive wine they didn’t even hand over themselves.

We’d reserved over twenty tables.