Chapter 5 5

ELODIE'S POV-

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.

Calhoun wrapped a possessive hand around her waist, ready to guide her away, but she dug her heels stubbornly into the floor and whined, "Wait. I have something else, Calhoun. A collar I designed. I want Elodie to try it on for everyone."

My blood turned to ice. Calhoun stiffened, a flicker of shock flashing across his face before a deep frown settled there.

"Carmela-" he started, but she stroked his arm gently, her voice saccharine.

"It's not bad at all, Calhoun. Don't look so grim. I just want to showcase my new products, that's all." She fluttered her eyelashes at him, trying to be sweet.

I felt every blood drain from my face. My shoulders slumped, my heart pounded violently in my chest as I silently begged, prayed, for him to say no. The entire hall held its breath. My whole body trembled, waiting, hoping.

And then I saw his jaw tick. His shoulders sank. "Alright. Let her wear it," he said flatly.

The fragile thread of faith I had left in my prayers snapped. My vision blurred with fresh tears.

Carmela's face lit up instantly, her hands clapping together with childlike delight. A waiter appeared, carrying a black leather collar on a silver tray. Carmela's eyes sparkled as she turned to me, still crouched on the floor in disbelief.

"Elodie, darling," she called sweetly, "stand up, please. Don't look so alarmed. I'm not degrading you.I just want to show the world my new creation."

My entire body shook as I tried to rise, my legs weak, my vision swimming. My eyes were bloodshot, and hatred burned through me even as despair weighed me down. My lips trembled as I muttered, voice breaking, "I'm sorry, Carmela. But I'm not going to wear a slave identification on my neck. I can't and I won't."

Her face fell instantly, the smile vanishing as shock carved into her features.

But Calhoun? He sighed. That heavy, tired sound that made my chest tighten as if the air had been sucked out of the room. Calhoun rubbed his temples slowly, and when his eyes found mine, his voice was low, almost gentle, but it hurt worse than any shout.

"Wear it, Elodie. If you refuse, they'll think you defy me. And I won't have that."

My heart cracked, splintering into pieces I couldn't hold together anymore. I shook my head, lips parting with the start of another protest. "I can't-"

But his hand lifted sharply, silencing me. His jaw hardened, his voice dropping into that dangerous growl that made everyone fall quiet.

"Do it. Now."

The room held its breath. And then, as though the world had been waiting for my shame, several guests raised their phones, screens glowing, recording. Recording me. My throat went dry as Carmela's heels clicked closer. She stopped right in front of me, her smile sharp enough to draw blood.

"Bend your neck," she whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let's be fast, shall we?"

I clenched my jaw until it ached. My whole body screamed to resist, but I bowed. My head dropped low, shame burning through me.

Carmela slipped the collar down over my head, tightening it until my breath caught, until I wheezed, choking on the pressure. My vision blurred with spots until Calhoun frowned. Only then did she ease the clasp, her fingers brushing my throat like she owned me.

She stepped back, her lips curving with wicked satisfaction as she turned to the crowd.

"Behold," she said loudly, theatrically, "my new creation. Perfectly fit for a slave. People below our class shouldn't dare raise their heads at us, they belong bowing. Thank you, everyone."

Laughter rippled, cruel and sharp. Their gazes pierced me, stripping me bare, reminding me of what I was. A Gamma-born, a nothing. My wolf whimpered inside me. My body shook violently. The second Carmela's fingers unclasped the collar, I bolted. I shoved past her, past the stares, and 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. Wailing. Broken. I didn't even know why the tears came anymore. Was it the humiliation, or the simple truth that the man I loved was destroying me piece by piece?

Time blurred. I crashed, then pulled myself back up. I washed my face, trying to erase the red in my eyes, and stepped out. 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."

And just like that, they walked away while I stayed shattered, bleeding inside, wondering how much more of me there was left to break.