Chapter 343
Casaio stopped in front of a luxurious jewelry boutique, its grand windows glittering with diamonds and gold under the soft evening lights.
“Your Highness,” the store manager greeted warmly as she approached him with a graceful bow. “We have just received a new collection of diamond rings and necklaces. Would you care to take a look p>
“Not the necklaces,” Casaio replied. “Show me the rings p>
The manager personally guided him to a velvet-lined display, unveiling rows of exquisite designs. Casaio’s fingers trailed lightly over the sparkling pieces, one after another, until his gaze caught on an oval-shaped diamond ring. The brilliance of the stone seemed to hold his attention in an unspoken way. He lifted it carefully, examining it under the soft lights.
“Your Highness has remarkable taste,” the manager said with admiration. “This particular diamond is rare, available only in a select few boutiques worldwide. However, we will require the size of the ring finger p>
“There’s no need,” Casaio said. “This size will fit my mate p>
The manager inclined her head, understanding better than to question further. She accepted the ring from him and passed it to a waiting attendant, who quickly prepared the elegant packaging with the utmost care.
Casaio completed the payment and took the elegant bag. As he stepped out of the store, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He brought it to his ear without breaking stride.
“Hey, Gabriel,” he greeted casually, sliding into the driver’s seat of his car and opening the door.
“Did you find anything on the Beta Hunters?” Gabriel’s sudden question flustered Casaio.
“We checked the sites listed in the report,” Casaio replied, settling into the seat and switching the call to speaker. “You don’t need to worry. Nick and I will handle it p>
There was a tense pause, then Gabriel’s growl cut through the line. “Then why did a Beta die in my territory? And it’s done by a hunter. What are you two even doing p>
“Wait! A Beta died in San Ravendale!? Calm down, Gabriel, and tell me everything,” Casaio said, his brows knitting together in concern.
“I am calm, Cas,” Gabriel shot back. “That’s why I’m not there, arguing with you face-to-face. I get it that Nick’s wedding is coming up, but you, at least, should’ve found the hunters by now. We’ve lost not just one Beta… but many. And the worst part? The hunters are challenging us openly p>
“You need to step up your game, elder brother. Don’t forget that you’re the next Alpha King p>
With that, the line went dead.
Casaio let out a deep breath. He then called Zilia.
Casaio exhaled deeply and immediately dialed Zilia’s number.
“Cas, where are you? Dinner’s ready,” Zilia’s voice came through, tinged with mild annoyance.
“Eat without me. I’ve got some important work to finish,” Casaio replied.
“What? At this hour?” Zilia glanced at the clock, disbelief in her tone.
“It’s about the Beta Hunters. Another Beta has died because of them. I need to find out what’s really going on,” Casaio explained briefly.
“I can help you investigate,” Zilia offered, concern softening her words.
“No,” he refused. “Just stay at the house. Have dinner, rest well, and don’t worry about this.” He ended the call.
“Sage, tell me… have you ever had a crush on someone?” Katelyn asked, setting her wine glass down.
“Why do you ask?” Sage raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
“I just… wanted to know more about you,” Katelyn replied softly. “It’s okay if you don’t want to answer p>
“I’ve never developed a crush on anyone,” Sage said calmly.
“You’re lying,” Katelyn said with a smirk, clearly unconvinced.
“Why do you say that?” Sage mused, tilting his head slightly.
“Just… well, everyone has a crush,” Katelyn replied, dabbing her mouth with a napkin before setting it carefully beside her plate.
“Then who’s your crush?” Sage asked as if reading more than her words.
Katelyn’s cheeks flushed instantly. Sage noticed the subtle shift, the way her hands trembled slightly and her gaze darted away. Clearly, someone had captured her heart… yet something kept her from admitting it.
“I won’t tell anyone,” Sage added, leaning back slightly, persuing her to tell him. “You can trust me.” He gestured to the waiter for the bills.
“I won’t tell you,” Katelyn murmured, a faint smirk tugging at her lips despite the flush of wine coloring her words. “Who knows… you’d probably keep pestering me once you find out who I like p>
“Well, that’s true. I’m not going to let you go to that person,” Sage stated with confidence.
The waiter arrived, quickly clearing the table before placing the bill pad in front of them. Sage pulled out his wallet and tucked the bills inside. The waiter gave a polite bow and walked away.
“I’m not going to get involved with a married man,” Katelyn blurted out, more than she intended. “I’m a princess… an alpha by blood. It’s impossible for me to marry a Beta. Besides, he rejected me, saying I’m not his type. He doesn’t see me as his woman. At first, I thought he was scared of my mother, but that wasn’t the truth.” Her voice softened, and her eyes shimmered with the lingering ache of rejection from Karmen.
Sage’s expression shifted, he hadn’t expected such an honest confession. ’She likes a Beta… but who?’ he wondered silently.
“Do you think I’m naive? That I don’t understand things well? Maybe that’s why I was never his type,” Katelyn murmured, more to herself than to him.
“You’ll only be hurt if I tell you the truth,” Sage said carefully. “Come on. Let’s go back to the hotel p>
“No, I don’t want to go back. First, tell me something. I thought beauty was the first thing a person sees. We do feel attracted towards the other because of their good looks, no? And I’m beautiful. I know this,” Katelyn stated.
“That’s not entirely true. Every person has different tastes. You can’t blame your beauty not able to attract this beta. It’s simply he couldn’t find anything attractive in you, not even beauty,” Sage affirmed.
“What about you? How do you see me?” Katelyn held his gaze, anticipating his response.