Alice's POV
The magnificent glass reflected a tall figure. Robert, just as charismatic as he had been three years ago, approached.
"Alice."
Kay and I simultaneously looked up.
"Alpha Robert, hello," Kay stood up in surprise, adjusted her dress, and gave him a slight curtsy.
Robert's expression was as cold as a winter's snow. He nodded in response to Kay's greeting.
"Alice, I'm back."
I rose and gave Robert a polite curtsy, my gaze fixed on him. His deep eyes held indiscernible emotions.
"Uncle, weren't you supposed to return next month to help the Starfall pack fend off the rogues?"
Robert's gaze focused on me, carrying an enigmatic scrutiny. It seemed he wasn't used to being called "Uncle" by me. After a pause, he nodded.
"Well, the New Moon pack's most beautiful princess is getting married. How could I stay away?"
Is that really the reason?
"Alice, have you picked your wedding dress?"
Robert affectionately patted my head, just like he had two years ago, as if the time when he had sent me to the sanctuary two years ago had never occurred
I dodged his hand as he tried to touch my head.
"Yes, I have. Kay and I have looked at them, and this one suits me best. Besides, trying on wedding dresses is exhausting; this one is perfect."
"Alice, didn't you say you'd choose the most splendid custom-made wedding dress for your wedding, rather than this mass-produced and conservative one? Life only happens once, you shouldn't settle."
"Alice, the wedding dress is crucial; you can't afford to be careless."
I pretended not to understand his implications. "So, am I not beautiful in this one?"
"Beautiful, you're the most beautiful, Alice."
Robert indulgently patted my head, just like he did when I sought praise as a child.
Kay had always been scared of Robert, who maintained a stern demeanor. She always tried to escape whenever he was around.
"Alice, I suddenly remembered there are some matters I need to attend to within the pack. I may have to return earlier."
As I exited the bridal shop, I noticed that Robert's car was parked by the side of the road, waiting for me.
"Alice, you must be tired after shopping all day. Give me your bags."
I evaded his outstretched hand.
"I'm not tired. Thanks, uncle."
I looked at Robert and expressed my gratitude politely.
"It's hot outside. Get in the car."
He courteously opened the front passenger door and handed me a bottle of raspberry tea.
In the past, I loved sitting in the front passenger seat of Robert's car, drinking raspberry tea. Robert spoiled me, and he always bought me a bottle every time he picked me up.
When I was younger, I took his kindness for granted. When I was five years old, my father, the Beta of the New Moon pack, was tortured to death by rogues in an attempt to save Robert. I became an orphan without parents.
On the day of my father's funeral, the sky was overcast, and it drizzled. I cried uncontrollably in front of his tombstone. Robert appeared and held my frail self.
"From now on, I'm your family. I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. Come home with me."
He asked me to call him "uncle," and he said my father was a hero of the New Moon pack, and he would take care of my life.
He was always kind to me and never let me suffer. As I grew older, I developed a peculiar affection for him.
I fell in love with my non-blood-related uncle, deeply and irrevocably. I couldn't imagine marrying anyone else.
But those around me constantly emphasized that Robert was my uncle by relation, and I couldn't be in love with him. Whenever this happened, I would stubbornly push back.
"He's not really my uncle since there's no blood relation."
Later, they resorted to taunting me. Robert was the Alpha of the New Moon pack, while I was just a wolfless orphan living in his house. Sooner or later, I'd be cast out.
This rumor even reached the ears of Robert's mother, Lady Scarlett. She was furious and refused to let her son become a mate to a wolfless orphan.
During a heated argument with Selena, I was so angry that I pushed her down a flight of stairs. Due to the significant height of the stairs, Selena was diagnosed with severe leg fractures and fell into a coma.
Selena was the only daughter of Alpha Ollado from the Starfall pack. When Ollado found out, he was furious and wanted to kill me in revenge for his daughter.
In the end, Robert cited my supposed mental instability to have me sent to the sanctuary. During the two years there, I endured torment and learned how to be a proper princess. It was only after Lady Scarlett had me released from the sanctuary to marry Jesse, the son of the Solar Crown pack's Alpha , that I had left that place.
Robert had gone to the far north, to the Starfall pack, to help them combat and eliminate rogues. It had been three years.
"The front passenger seat is the Luna's spot. I should sit in the back."
"Also, I don't like raspberry tea anymore."
After reminding Robert, I obediently took my place in the back.
I knew that there were many things we could never return to.
"Alice, Selena and I haven't gotten married yet, and you..."
Robert seemed to have a lot he wanted to say to me but was struggling to find the words.
I felt as if the air in the car had been sucked out.
Robert suddenly stepped on the gas, racing ahead.
There had rarely been such silence between us during our interactions.
In the past, I had clung to him, finding ways to make him happy every day.
Half an hour later, I returned to the Alpha's villa of the New Moon pack.
To celebrate Robert's return, Lady Whitman had prepared a sumptuous dinner.
"Alpha Robert, we missed you greatly during your four years away."
Robert allowed me to enter first, as he had always done. He was a true gentleman, considerate, and well-mannered, always putting me first.
In the past, I had grown accustomed to his gentlemanly behavior, but due to the training in the sanctuary, I had almost developed a reflex to stand aside.
"Uncle enters first, and you are an elder and our Alpha, so we should defer to our elders."
"You..."
Robert looked at my caution , sighed lightly, and entered the room.
Once the Alpha had entered, I dared to follow suit. Mrs. Whitman immediately instructed the maids to start serving.
Soon, the dining table was filled with dishes that Robert loved. Just like before, Robert asked me to sit beside him to have dinner.
"That's the Luna's seat."
After reminding Robert, I sat timidly in the corner, keeping a distance from him.
I had barely sat down when Mrs. Whitman brought the final dish, a rich shrimp bisque, from the kitchen.
"Robert, you used to love this. Give it a try."
I stood up cautiously, ready to ladle soup for Robert. But he refused.
"I'll serve myself."
I trembled in fear and handed the ladle to Robert with trembling hands.
"I'm sorry, uncle. It was my fault for making you unhappy."
Robert looked at me, with a slightly puzzled expression.
"Alice, why do you seem so different since I returned this time?"
Different? I pondered absently. How could I not be different? Because if I weren't, I would have been living a nightmare.
What exactly is that sanctuary? Only those who have been locked inside can truly understand. I had long since forgotten my previous self.
Having not received a response, he impatiently knocked on the table with his knuckles. I recalled the warning from the director when I left the sanctuary and suppressed all my emotions, replying in a calm tone, "Nothing, I'm just tired."