"Rhys, dear, this is Dr. Lena Vance and her daughter, Elara. I've been looking forward to formally introducing you."
Time seemed to freeze around us. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Rhys stood in the doorway, his expression carefully controlled, but a muscle in his jaw twitched. The rejection mark on my chest burned as if someone had pressed a hot iron against it.
My mother rose gracefully, extending her hand. "It's wonderful to meet you, Rhys. I've heard so much about you."
I winced internally. What exactly had she heard? That he was the future Alpha? Or that he had publicly humiliated and rejected her daughter?
Rhys stepped forward, taking my mother's hand. "Dr. Vance, it's a pleasure to meet you as well." His voice was polite, formal—nothing like the cruel tone he'd used with me at school.
Luna Cassandra beamed. "And this is Elara, Lena's daughter."
