Chapter 1 Branded a Thief, Treated Like Dirt

Eleanor' POV:

"I want to report this-Eleanor's designs are stolen!"

The she-wolf standing next to me shouted at the top of her lungs, her eyes drilling into me and the sketches in my hand.

Caught under the spotlight, I was completely frozen, staring at her in disbelief.

Today was the final round of the Starluxe Competition, the biggest design event in the country. This stage meant exposure for everyone, no matter the result. But I wasn't here for attention-I wanted that trophy. I'd poured at least six months of my life into these pieces.

But now, this mess hit me out of nowhere. My hands tightened around the papers. "These were all designed by me!"

"I've seen that exact design somewhere else," she snapped, jabbing a finger toward my work. "I can even pull up the original images. Judges, please-I'm accusing Eleanor Reynolds of plagiarism!"

From the judges' table, a werewolf's face turned cold. His stare cut right through me as he barked, "Miss Reynolds, care to explain yourself?"

"I didn't copy anyone!" My voice trembled as I tried to hold myself together. "I spent half a year crafting every single detail. I swear, I built the entire concept myself-it's all original!"

"Yeah, right," the she-wolf scoffed and unlocked her phone. "Here. That same design won a different competition just yesterday."

"Unreal! How did a cheater even get this far?" The audience murmured in disgust, their voices like piercing needles.

My hands started shaking as dizziness washed over me-I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

The judge looked at me with obvious disappointment. "You can leave now, Miss Reynolds."

With my teeth digging into my lip, I stumbled off the stage clutching my designs, everyone's contempt following me like a shadow.

Tears blurred my eyes. Everywhere I passed, people were whispering behind my back, judging me with the same phrase: "Look, there she is-the plagiarist who dared to join Starluxe."

I covered my face and bolted.

Becoming a designer had always been the dream. I worked my way into design school and never stopped pushing myself.

So how could something I spent months creating already be someone else's entry?

Shaking, I ducked into a corner and pulled out my phone. I had to see who submitted that design.

And then, I saw it-the name that chilled me to the bone.

Katherine Snow. Daughter of the Crystal Pack's alpha.

And more than that-she was Carl Reynolds' first love. My mate's first love.

For over a decade, her presence loomed over my life like a curse.

"Carl?" I whispered, stunned. "He's the only one who ever saw my designs..."

The reality hit like a punch to the gut. Tears flowed freely as I ran out into the street and flagged down a taxi.

"Take me to Stormfang Pack!" I could barely get the words out through chattering teeth.

Hunched over in the backseat, I rubbed my arms anxiously. "No way... It can't be him. No-it just can't."

Carl and I had been mates for two years. I'd loved him for seven. Even if he was always indifferent toward me... I still believed he wouldn't betray me like this.

He couldn't have handed my designs over to Katherine. Could he?

Luckily, the competition venue wasn't far from Stormfang territory. Within an hour, I was at a place I'd always been too afraid to explore.

From the start of our bond, I knew Carl didn't love me. I stayed away most of the time, hoping not to annoy him.

But now? I had no choice. I needed answers.

At the gate to the alpha's residence stood a delta on guard.

I walked up to him. "I need to see Carl."

"We don't have any word about you coming," the delta sneered. "Alpha Reynolds is busy. Not just any wolf gets an audience. You'll need to make an appointment with a beta first."

I stared at him, stunned. "I'm Carl's mate-Luna Eleanor!"

"I know who you are." The delta gave a lazy shrug. "You're the daughter of a minor delta. The day you bonded with the alpha, it was all over the media. I even saw your official proclamation."

"Then you should know I have the right to see him." My voice rose, angry now.

But he just smirked and shut me down. "Alpha's orders. If you won't leave, we'll have to remove you ourselves. Luna or not, we're under instruction."

I knew Carl had no warmth for me, and that Stormfang Pack shared that sentiment. But the sheer disrespect-even from a gatekeeper? It hit me in the chest like a weight, bitter and sharp.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up.

I glanced over in time to see a stunning she-wolf step out in stilettos. Wavy hair, red lips, designer sunglasses-every bit the fashion queen.

The same rude delta suddenly shifted demeanor, practically sprinting to greet her.

"Miss Bell! Finally, you're here. The alpha's been waiting!" he said with a grin.

Jessica Bell. I'd heard of her.

Watching him trip over himself to please her made my blood boil.

"What's this mongrel doing here?" Jessica took off her sunglasses, shooting me a revolted look. "Does Stormfang just let any trash wander in? No wonder Carl's in a mood."

"Exactly," the delta chuckled, bowing slightly. "I'll get rid of her right now."

Two other guards exchanged a glance, then reached for me.

I tried, but their grips were too strong. They yanked at my arms, dragging me away like nothing.

"Let go of me! I need to see Carl!" I cried out, powerless.

But none of them saw me as Luna. Their faces were blank, irritated, like I was a chore.

One of them shoved me hard-I stumbled, hitting the ground with a thud. Dirt clung to my clothes, my arm scraped and bleeding. But more than the pain, it was the humiliation that burned.

And then the sky darkened-as if the world itself turned against me. A deep thunder growled overhead, lightning followed, and then came the storm. Cold rain soaked me instantly.

I must've looked pathetic. Soaked to the bone, surrounded by nothing but rejection.

Still, I found a sheltered corner and sat there, locking eyes with Carl's residence in the distance.

I wasn't leaving without the truth. I didn't care how Carl felt about me. I didn't care if the entire pack looked down on me.

But I wasn't going to let this destroy my one and only dream.

Three hours passed before I saw them. Carl walked out-with Jessica by his side.

Ignoring every aching part of my body, I rushed forward.

"Carl!" I shouted, almost slipping. "I need to talk to you!"

The deltas flinched, moving to stop me, but I darted around them. Sopping wet and shivering, I stood right in front of Carl, face to face.

He gave me a long look. His voice was low. "Why are you here... and why do you look like hell?"

"It's her again?" Jessica scoffed, rolling her eyes. She pushed at me with a disgusted scowl. "Don't touch him, you're filthy."

"Get out of my way!" I shouted, shoving her arm off, and grabbed Carl's arm tightly.

I stared into his cold, emotionless eyes. "Carl, just tell me the truth. You didn't give my designs to Katherine, did you? Tell me it wasn't you."

Even after everything, even as I stood there shaking, I still wanted to believe in him.

Love or not-I had to believe he wouldn't do this to me.