CHAPTER 320: OUR LAST MEETING

Katelyn settled gracefully onto the chair Sage had pulled out for her, offering him a polite nod of thanks as he took the seat beside her.

Across the table, his two younger sisters could hardly contain their excitement, their bright eyes fixed on the Alpha Princess as if her very presence turned the evening into a celebration.

"Your Highness, we prepared everything to your taste. I truly hope you’ll enjoy the meal," Blythe, Sage’s stepmother, said warmly, her tone carrying both respect and a hint of pride.

Katelyn returned her smile. "Of course. Thank you." She reached for her spoon just as the maids glided forward, setting fragrant dishes before each guest. The room soon filled with the soft clinking of silverware and low chatter, yet Katelyn’s mind wandered elsewhere, back to thoughts of Karmen, pulling her away from the present moment.

Sage, ever watchful, noticed her silence, and the untouched food on her plate. Leaning in, his voice dropped to a low murmur meant for her alone. "Why aren’t you eating? At this pace, your dinner will grow cold."

Before she could answer, William spoke from farther down the table, his brows furrowed in concern. "Your Highness, does the meal not suit your taste?"

Startled from her reverie, Katelyn gave a small shake of her head. "It does, Sir. I simply prefer to eat slowly." Her tone was calm but carried a finality that discouraged further questioning.

Catching Sage’s glance, she quickly turned her attention back to the plate and ate with deliberate speed until her portion was finished. When the maid approached to refill her dish, Katelyn lifted a hand to decline.

"That will be all. I’m finished," she said softly. With a measured grace, she dabbed her lips with the napkin before placing it neatly beside her plate.

"Sage, why don’t you show the princess around?" William suggested, his tone light but carrying an unmistakable edge of expectation.

"Dad, it’s late already," Sage interjected. "Kate needs her rest. I’ll take her back to her apartment." Without waiting for further debate, he rose smoothly from his chair, his gaze finding Katelyn’s. She responded instantly, slipping from her seat with the poise of one accustomed to being observed.

Katelyn offered a polite smile, though weariness softened her features. "Yes. I’m a bit tired, Sir. I think I’ll just return home. Please, continue with your meal. There’s no need for Sage to trouble himself. I can manage with a cab."

William’s brows lifted, and he cast a firm look toward his son before returning his gaze to Katelyn. "Princess, my son will see you home. I would rather not risk the Alpha King’s displeasure for neglecting his daughter’s comfort." His voice was humble.

"Even we are finished with dinner," Blythe added gently, her eyes sweeping across the table at the emptied plates, confirming her words.

Chairs scraped softly as the rest of the family stood to accompany them to the door and see them off properly.

Outside, the night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of pine from the surrounding woods. Sage stepped ahead and opened the car door. Katelyn inclined her head in acknowledgment before settling into the passenger seat.

As Sage moved to join her, Blythe approached. She leaned close, pressing a small gift bag into his hand. Her voice dropped to a whisper meant only for him. "Give this to the princess."

Sage hummed low in assent, a flicker of acknowledgment passing in his eyes. When he straightened, his father was watching, pride and satisfaction etched across his expression.

Without another word, Sage slipped into the driver’s seat. The engine purred to life, and with one last look at his family gathered beneath the porch light, he steered the car ahead, carrying Katelyn away.

The entire ride passed in silence. Katelyn sat with her thoughts still tangled.

"We’ve arrived," Sage said at last.

Katelyn blinked out of her reverie. "Thank you." Her hand reached for the door handle, but Sage’s quiet interruption halted her.

"Wait." He leaned back, retrieving a small gift bag from behind his seat and setting it gently on her lap. "Mom asked me to give this to you."

Katelyn glanced down at the bag, then back at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I don’t need it," she said firmly, making no move to take it.

"Then throw it away," Sage replied, his eyes meeting hers without wavering. "Just... take it."

Her glare lingered on him, but she didn’t argue further. With a small exhale of irritation, she lifted the bag and stepped out of the car.

Sage followed, shutting his door with deliberate quietness before speaking, his voice low but edged with restrained frustration. "You were distant the entire evening. Care to tell me what’s going on?"

Katelyn froze mid-step. Slowly, she turned to face him. "You once asked me if there was someone I liked. The answer is yes. That’s why I cannot, will not, accept being mated with you. Now that I’ve told you the truth, you must step back as well. Tomorrow, I’ll tell my parents myself. Consider this... our last meeting outside of work."

She didn’t give him time to respond, pivoting sharply to leave.

But his voice cut through the night, quiet yet piercing. "Is it Karmen?"

Katelyn’s breath caught, her body locking in place. Her eyes widened as her heart hammered, her thoughts scattering in disbelief. ’How could he know?’

Sage’s expression was unreadable, but his words carried certainty. Earlier in the parking lot, he had seen Karmen. At that time, Sage simply ignored it. But throughout the evening, Katelyn’s absent gaze and distracted silence cleared everything for him.

"Karmen is a beta. I hope you succeed in having him, Kate," Sage said and stepped back into the car. He drove out of her sight, leaving Katelyn there.

She marched towards the nearest bin and threw the gift bag without even checking what was inside it. Storming inside the residential complex, she took the elevator to reach her apartment.

As soon as she walked in, she threw her heels away and lie down on the couch. "Karmen rejected me and there’s no way I can pursue him. How am I supposed to tell my parents tomorrow?"