Chapter 4 4

It had been days since that last ugly scene. I kept myself busy.

The party Carmela demanded had to be flawless, and that became my excuse for everything. If I didn't think, I couldn't feel. If I didn't feel, I wouldn't fall apart.

But the pressure came at me like a storm. The staff followed me around with endless questions, decorators called me at odd hours about colors and flowers, the planners wanted confirmation on things I didn't even remember agreeing to. My head never stopped pounding.

And Calhoun.when he did call.it wasn't to check on me. No. It was only to remind me of what Carmela wanted. How spectacular she expected her event to be.

By the time the four days bled into each other, I couldn't even remember what I ate or if I slept. All I knew was the migraine drilling into my skull as I dragged myself into the venue. My legs felt like sandbags, my chest tight, but I forced myself to keep moving. The party was set for 8pm sharp, and if nothing else, it had to be perfect.

This is my final duty as Calhoun's Gamma. When all is said and done, I'll walk away with a clean conscience.

The lights dazzled, chandeliers dripping like golden waterfalls, music humming softly to welcome the elites that began to fill the hall. And then, as though she'd been waiting for the perfect moment, Carmela arrived.

I don't think I'd ever seen a dress like that before. Midnight blue silk that clung to her figure as though it had been poured on her body, crystals embroidered along the bodice, catching every shard of light in the hall. The gown pooled at her feet in a sweeping train, the kind only seen on red carpets. Her hair was slicked back, diamonds dripping from her ears, her chin tilted with that practiced arrogance. She didn't just walk in-she sashayed-her heels clicking like an anthem meant to remind the world she was the center of it. And, of course, the guests swarmed her with their praises.

"She looks breathtaking," someone whispered nearby.

"That gown alone must have cost tens of thousands," another added.

"Well, Carmela is Calhoun's weakness, isn't she? Look at this.look at what should have been a simple welcome party, yet here we are at what feels like a gala."

"I remember in college," a man chuckled, "Calhoun wouldn't let any guy look at her twice. He beat one to a pulp just for holding her hand in a group assignment."

"Oh, yes! And the gifts-don't get me started. Carmela was showered with things that made the entire school jealous."

"She was born lucky," someone sighed. "And she still is."

Their words sank into me like knives. I stood at the far end of the hall, trying to disappear into the shadows, clutching a flute of champagne so tightly I thought the glass might shatter in my palm. My eyes stung, but I refused to let tears fall. I couldn't. Not here.

And then. tranquility slipped right out of reach.

I saw the way Carmela paused mid-laugh, as though she caught a scent in the air. Her sharp eyes darted across the hall until they landed on me. And the glint that flashed through them made my stomach twist. A glint that promised cruelty. She had found her prey.

Her heels carried her straight toward me, and with every step she took, my body stiffened. My chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. I wanted to move, to slip away, but my legs betrayed me, rooted to the floor.

"Elodie." Her voice dripped with mock sweetness as she finally stopped before me. Her lips curved, but it wasn't a smile-it was a sneer. "The decorations are decent, I suppose. The guests seem entertained. But me?" She tilted her head, her diamond earring catching the light. "I'm not pleased in the slightest."

She leaned closer, her perfume overwhelming. "And look at you, standing here like some ornament. But tell me, how fitting is it, Elodie, that you.someone so beneath this world, are dressed so plainly? Your shoes, especially. Lower, dull. Not fit for such an occasion. So here's what you'll do." Her eyes sparkled with malice. "You'll bend down-right here, right now and fix my heel straps. They're loose. Do it immediately."

The world stilled. I swear it did. Conversations cut short, music dimmed into the background of my pounding pulse, and suddenly every gaze in the hall was on us. On me. Heat rushed to my cheeks, blood boiling, shame crawling under my skin. My chest burned as Carmela's lips curled, challenging me to defy her.

I forced air into my lungs. My voice was calm when it came out, though my insides trembled. "I'm sorry, Carmela. I can't bend. My waist still aches and I'm healing slowly." My fingers tightened on the champagne flute until I thought it would shatter. "But if those shoes hurt badly, I can get your costumiers to bring you another pair. What I cannot do is bend."

The silence after that was deafening.

For a moment, Carmela just stared at me. Her face froze in disbelief, like she couldn't quite process what I'd said. It was as though the world had just tilted off its axis, and someone- me, had dared to ruin her perfect balance. I watched her eyes widen, lips parting in shock, and for a heartbeat, she looked like a spoiled child who had never been told no before.

But the shock didn't last long. It twisted, darkened, and within seconds her pretty face was flushed with rage. Her chest rose sharply as she leaned closer, her teeth gritting.

"Did you just say no to me?" she snarled, her voice slicing through the hush of the hall.

Every gaze drilled into me. My heart thundered, but I forced myself not to shrink. My nails bit into the champagne flute as I whispered, steady but trembling inside, "I said I'm sorry, Carmela. I cannot bend. I told you I'm healing. My waist. it still hurts."

And just when I thought the humiliation couldn't cut deeper, fate proved me wrong.

The doors swung open and Calhoun stepped in.

My chest tightened instantly. His commanding presence filled the hall. His sharp eyes scanned the room, narrowing the second he noticed the tension. In three long strides he was near, his entire focus locked on Carmela's face.

The moment she saw him, Carmela's fury melted like ice under the sun. To my shock, her eyes brimmed with tears. tears she summoned faster than I could blink. Before I could even process, she stumbled forward, collapsing into his arms, sobbing as though I'd struck her.

"Calhoun," she cried, her voice cracking beautifully, theatrically. "Please. look at how cold-hearted she has become. All I asked-" she hiccuped against his chest, her diamonds catching the light as her body trembled- "was for her to help me fix the strap of my shoes, so I wouldn't trip and embarrass you in front of all these guests. Elodie was always so perfect in small details like these. But tonight. tonight she refused me. She looked me in the eye and told me she wouldn't bend."

My throat dried. My heart dropped, sinking somewhere to the pit of my stomach.

Calhoun's eyes snapped to me, and the glare that burned from him nearly turned my blood cold. Rage. pure and murderous darkened his gaze as he pulled Carmela tighter against his side, shielding her like a treasure.

"Why would you be so cruel, Elodie?" His voice thundered, rattling me from the inside out. "Carmela is still healing, for goodness' sake. She should not be stressed in the slightest. What's so difficult about helping her with a strap? What?" His jaw flexed, fury lacing every syllable. "As far as you are my Gamma, you will do whatever Carmela asks of you. Whatever it is. If she wants her shoes tied, you bend down and tie them. Immediately. Do it now."

The final snap of his words shattered what little pride I had left.

Around us, murmurs began to swell like poison.

"She's just a Gamma. What right does she have to refuse an Alpha's daughter?"

"Ungrateful thing, standing there as if she belongs in their class."

"How dare she make Carmela lower herself to ask twice?"

"She's nothing compared to Carmela. And yet she acts up?"

"No wonder Alpha Calhoun looks furious, imagine embarrassing him like this in public!"

Every word stung. Each whisper of theirs sliced deeper than the last, tearing at what little strength I clung to. My chest burned, my eyes reddened as I blinked back tears that wouldn't stop stinging.

And then I saw Carmela peeking from the safety of Calhoun's arms, her lips curling into a wicked, satisfied smirk. She wanted this. She had planned it. And she was winning.

Calhoun's growl rumbled, silencing even the whispers. His gaze cut back to me. "I don't want to repeat myself, Elodie."

The final nail drove into me. My shoulders sagged, every muscle of mine screaming in shame, in defeat. My lips trembled as I forced myself to speak. "Yes, Alpha."

The words tasted like blood in my mouth.

Slowly, painfully, I crouched. My waist seared in protest, sending sparks of agony through my body.

My hands shook so badly I could barely find the tiny buckle on Carmela's heel strap. I tried to steady them, tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it was useless. Two hot tears slipped down my cheeks, falling to the ground.

And just as I reached forward, pain shot through me.

I screamed. Carmela had stomped her stiletto heel onto my fingers, pinning them down. Gasps tore through the hall. My cry echoed against the high ceiling as agony spread like fire through my hand. I whimpered, curling in on myself, clutching my throbbing fingers to my chest.

"Elodie!" Calhoun's voice snapped, alarm flashing across his face. He moved instinctively, but before he could reach me, Carmela collapsed into his arms, her fake tears pouring like a performance she had rehearsed her whole life.

"Oh, Calhoun!" she sobbed, pressing her face into his chest. "I didn't mean to.honestly, it was an accident. My heel slipped. If Elodie feels wronged, I can always go down on my knees and beg for her forgiveness."

Those words knocked my breath from me. I sobbed quietly, clutching my bleeding fingers. Pain twisted every nerve, coldness creeping into my body as though my soul were draining out of me. My knees shook.

But instead of defending me, Calhoun exhaled heavily, his face hardening as he stroked Carmela's hair. "Never mind, Carmela. It was a mistake. I'm sure Elodie understands."

His words hollowed me out. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. It felt like something inside me had shattered beyond repair. Was this what breaking truly felt like? I wondered if I would ever be whole again after what he had done to me. Tears blurred my vision as Carmela peeked out from his chest, her lips curling into a wicked smirk only I could see.

I stumbled into the restroom.

The door slammed behind me, and I slid down the cold tiles, clutching my chest as the sob tore out of me.

My phone buzzed in my palm. A message from Calhoun.

"Where are you? Come over here immediately."

For a second, I wanted to type back: I went home. I feel unwell. But fear coiled around my throat tighter than the collar had. What if he cut my wages? What if I lost everything? I swallowed the scream lodged in my chest and turned toward the hall.

When I stepped in, all eyes shifted to me. A chill swept down my spine. The crowd parted, and there was Carmela on her feet, mascara streaking her face, sobbing dramatically. Her finger jabbed at me.

"Where is my golden bracelet cuff?!" she screamed. "My dead grandmother gave it to me! It's worth millions, it's an heirloom!"

Shock froze me in place. Then anger stirred, trembling through my veins. My voice came careful, shaking. "I didn't take anything."

"Liar!" she shrieked. "It fell when you bent to tie my straps! Gammas like you are thieves!"

Something inside me snapped. My vision went red, humiliation and rage crashing together, but before I could speak, Calhoun finally stepped in. His voice was calm.

"Carmela. Stop it. It must have fallen. I'll have the guards search for it."

Carmela's head whipped toward him, eyes blazing. "Calhoun, what are you saying? That I'm lying? If you won't search her, then we are done! You're prioritizing her over me, your true mate! I won't have it!"

My breath hitched. She turned to storm off, but his hand caught her arm, pulling her back gently. His gaze slid past me, cold, detached, and he signaled to the guards.

"Search Miss Elodie."

The floor tilted beneath me. "What?" The word cracked out of me as I stumbled back, but three guards closed in, massive hands gripping my arms, forcing me to my knees.

"Please!" I screamed, thrashing. "Alpha Calhoun, I swear.I didn't take anything! I'm not a thief! I'm not-" My cries tore into the air, sharp with pain as they yanked my arms behind me.

He looked away. He couldn't even watch. And Carmela.her lips curled with triumph.

My dress ripped under their hands. Rough fingers groped, searching, dragging me. When they found nothing, they shoved me down. I collapsed on the floor, clutching the torn fabric to my chest, sobbing as my bra peeked through the ruined cloth.

One guard muttered, "We found nothing."

Carmela sneered. "Maybe she hid it in her underwear. She's a thief!"

My blood iced. A guard's hand reached for my waist, ready to strip me bare-

"Enough!" Calhoun's voice rang out, panic flashing across his features. But before his order fully landed, another voice pierced the air.

"Found it!"

Everyone turned. A woman stood near a table, holding the golden bracelet high. "It was under here! A few tables away!"

Gasps swept the hall. My sobs filled the silence. The guards released me, stepping back. Carmela's eyes widened, then quickly softened as she ran to Calhoun, burying her face against his chest.

"Oh my goodness," she whimpered. "I.I made a mistake. Elodie. she didn't deserve that. Can I apologize?"

But I didn't lift my head. I stayed on the ground, clutching my torn dress, my shoulders shaking with every broken cry.

Calhoun's hand closed around Carmela's as he began to lead her out. His voice was flat, final.

"No need. That little humiliation won't end her life. She's fine."