Miranda's point of view.

My heart raced as we approached Vincenzo's mansion. I silently prayed he wouldn't do or say anything that would give us away—I just couldn't stop panicking, even though he'd promised to protect me.

I wanted to admire Vincenzo's mansion when we arrived, but Lorenzo's cold stare prevented me. I mean, he'd been looking at me suspiciously since we left the cell. He's trying to observe if I'm connected to the prison break.

"What are we doing here? Isn't this Beta Vincenzo's home?" I asked, trying to hide my nervousness.

He ignored my question as he went ahead and signaled one of the guards to ring the doorbell. The guard stepped forward and rang the bell on Lorenzo's order. Seconds later, the door flung open, revealing Vincenzo, who had an apron around his neck and white substance on his face, as if he'd been busy in the kitchen.

He looked startled when he saw us—especially the guards. I guess everyone in this game has a secret degree in acting.

"Hey, brother."

Vincenzo didn't respond. He simply turned away and headed back inside. Lorenzo followed closely, and I quickly rushed after them too.

"I see you're busy. Have you heard the news, though?"

"What news?"

"It's about our father. He is missing from his cell," Lorenzo said, studying Vincenzo's expression, a suspicious smile playing on his lips.

"Our father is missing from his cell?" Vincenzo asked, not taking his attention off the dough. "That is not possible. You have guards watching him closely."

"Yeah, I guess the guards were too lazy and couldn't do their jobs well. Maybe I should just have them killed."

It was for a split second, but I saw Vincenzo tighten his lips and clench his jaw.

"Obviously, the guards weren't enough to stop the bastard from breaking our father out of prison," Lorenzo added.

"Hm," Vincenzo hummed. "Shouldn't you be out looking for our father? Why did you come to my house instead?"

"Oh, I'm definitely looking for him." He faced his guards with a serious expression. "Search!" he ordered them.

"Yes, Alpha!" they replied in unison, then they rushed in and began searching.

Vincenzo looked around with a deep frown, then faced Lorenzo. "And what is the meaning of this? Why are you searching my house as if I am a criminal?"

"I'm just being thorough, brother. I'm the Alpha, and in situations like this, I have to search my household before searching elsewhere. I hope you understand me, brother."

Vincenzo narrowed his eyes. I could tell he was refraining from landing a punch on his brother's face.

"Search all you want, but make sure they don't destroy any of my property—or you'll pay," he said lowly.

Lorenzo nodded. "You heard my brother. Search every inch of the house, but don't destroy any property!"

"Yes, Alpha!" the guards answered in unison again as they continued searching.

All the while they were searching, Vincenzo didn't supervise them. He was just busy baking his cake. I heard my stomach growl quietly as I stared at the beautifully made cake. I never knew Vincenzo could cook—he's a walking green flag.

After searching for a while, the guards came back, and one of them stepped forward. He bowed his head as he spoke.

"Alpha, we've searched everywhere. There's no trace of the prisoner," he reported.

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes. He growled angrily and raised his hand to bang on the counter, but Vincenzo caught his hand.

"No, no. Don't destroy my property," he warned.

Snatching his hand away, Lorenzo glared at him.

"Where did you hide him?" he finally asked directly, gathering Vincenzo's apron in his fist.

"Where did I hide him? Didn't your guards just search every inch of my house?" Vincenzo fired back. "I suggest you find the violator now and arrest them before it's too late. Father might still be in the pack, but you're placing your focus in the wrong direction!"

Vincenzo shoved him away and focused back on his cake. Lorenzo suspiciously glared at him but left anyway—Maurice and the guards rushed after him.

"Phew," I breathed in relief. Vincenzo faced me and winked with a proud smile.

"I have to go," I whispered to him, then quickly ran out to catch up with Lorenzo.

> > > > > > > 

It's already 7:40 p.m., and Lorenzo is still not back.

After we left Vincenzo's place, Lorenzo had ordered me to go back home and wait for him. Then he continued the search with the guards. Unfortunately, they weren't able to find his father, and he's now having a meeting with the elders—of course, the meeting only consists of him and the elders who are in favor of him.

I'm currently chilling in the living room, a bowl of popcorn sitting comfortably on my lap as I watch a comedy TV series.

"Luna, should I set the table or will you wait for Alpha before having dinner?" Claire asked.

"Set the table. I'm not waiting for him," I replied.

"Yes, Luna."

I continued eating my popcorn and laughed at something an actor said, not bothering about Lorenzo.

"Ah!" Mia scoffed as she casually strolled in. "Unbelievable! How can you be relaxing here while your mate is worrying about the well-being of the pack? What sort of Luna are you? With this nonchalant behavior of yours, do you think you deserve to be Luna?"

My brows furrowed. "Well-being of the pack? He is obviously doing it for your selfish future together. Why should I share his worries when he would care less if I died today?"

I dropped my popcorn on the table, got up, and faced her fully.

"And as for the Luna position, I never wanted it. It was all the Moon Goddess's decision. If you want to be Luna so bad, I can step down and you can have it."

"You—"

"The table is set, Luna," Claire called, interrupting whatever Mia wanted to say.

"Mia, I'm done putting him first. I'm done playing the good and understanding wife. That role is yours now," I told Mia. With a smile on my face, I gently pushed her out of my way and headed toward the dining area.

"Mark my words, I'll make sure Lorenzo hears every single word you've just said."

I chuckled. "I don't care, honey."

Claire pulled a chair back as I approached the dining table. After I sat down, I could still feel Mia's eyes on me, but I ignored her and began eating.

"I'll make sure you have a shameful decline, Miranda. It's a promise!" she said.

What? Is she openly declaring war against me? I smirked at her arrogance.

"Don't be so full of yourself. I've been through hell and back, and trust me, I will make you go through the same hell—but you will not make it out."

She scoffed as if I've gone insane. "What are you even talking about?"

"You won't understand. Now run along!"

She glared at me for a while, then stormed off. Lorenzo and she matched perfectly—selfish set of people.