Chapter 2 He Gave My Designs to His Lover

Eleanor' POV:

"What design?" Carl frowned, clearly annoyed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He genuinely looked confused-and for a second, I let out a shaky breath, cautiously adding, "The one I left in my room... the one I showed you."

His eyes narrowed before realization hit him. With a dismissive wave, he said, "Oh, that? Yeah, I gave it to Katherine. She was whining to me about hitting a creative block and wanted some ideas. But your childish sketch wasn't even helpful."

"You..." My hand fell from his arm as if it weighed a ton. I stared at him in sheer disbelief. "It really was you."

My entire body was trembling, legs so weak I felt like collapsing.

After a few seconds, the anger boiled over. I snapped, choking on my own voice, "Carl Reynolds! That was my competition piece-you stole my dream!

"How could you be so heartless, even mocking my design like that?!

"I get it-you don't love me. You might even hate me. But did you really have to sink this low?"

I felt like I was disintegrating from the inside. The one truth I didn't want to face was suddenly right in front of me.

Carl and I had known each other for over ten years. I'd been hopelessly in love with him for seven. I followed him like a loyal shadow, did whatever he asked of me-no matter how humiliating or ridiculous-even when everyone else laughed at me.

"Are you insane?" Carl glared at me like I was causing a scene. "Eleanor, cut it out."

"Katherine used my design, submitted it early, and destroyed everything I've worked for!" Tears ran down my cheeks. I completely lost it. "Yeah, maybe I am crazy! But Carl, why the hell would you hurt me like this?!"

He had finally broken me. I'd endured years of ridicule, putting up with everything quietly. But at that moment, I snapped, grabbing a fistful of Carl's shirt with all my strength.

"Let go of him, you psycho! What do you think you're doing?!" Jessica screamed, pulling at my shoulders, trying to yank me away.

But rage was running through my veins. I turned and slapped her-with everything I had.

"You don't get to talk to me like that!" I shouted at her, eyes burning.

Jessica clutched her face, staring at me in disbelief. Her glare turned venomous in seconds, and she charged at me, furious. "You bitch! You dare hit me? I swear I'm gonna rip you to shreds!"

She howled and lunged at me. In the blink of an eye, we had both shifted into our wolves, our fangs bared as we clawed and bit at each other across the floor.

"Enough!" Carl's voice thundered, his Alpha presence crashing down around us like a storm.

We froze for a beat, then shifted back into our human forms, ragged breaths filling the tense silence.

He shot me a cold, cutting look. "I'll have the pack send you home. We'll talk later."

"That's it?" My breathing hitched, my chest tightening.

Just as I was trying to collect myself, Jessica smacked me across the face-twice. "You worthless piece of trash."

"Jessica!" Carl snapped, throwing her a sharp look.

She muttered something under her breath, eyes full of contempt as they dragged across my frame. "She hit me first."

I held my swollen cheek, too drained to say anything. Shutting my eyes, I took a deep breath to steady myself. The fury fizzled out-all that was left was a pit of despair.

"Carl," I said softly, my voice empty, "Let's end the mate bond."

It was over-the love I held for seven years, crushed by my own foolishness.

"What?" He looked completely thrown off.

"I don't want to be your mate anymore." I stood up straight and walked out.

My final words were barely louder than a whisper. "Let's pretend I've just been a complete fool these past seven years."

Carl's heart never belonged to me. It was always Katherine. I used to believe that with enough effort, he'd notice me. That he'd recognize my love, my worth.

But the truth hit me hard-just to please Katherine, he left me in ruins... and never even blinked. Design meant everything to me. I never wanted to be just a pretty face next to Carl. But to him, it was always a joke.

"What the hell is wrong with you today?!" Carl shouted from behind.

"Carl," Jessica cooed, her voice syrupy sweet, "You have no idea how upset I am right now..."

I shuffled down the road, my mind numb to their voices.

Out of nowhere, a sleek black car screeched to a halt inches in front of me. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the headlights, frozen in place.

"Alpha Ethan, there's a lunatic in the road," one of the werewolves in the car huffed. "Nearly hit her. Good thing I hit the brakes in time."

"Zane, you better watch yourself around Stormfang territory," the other muttered, voice cool and low.

"You guys..." I didn't even finish. Everything went black as I collapsed. The cold rain and my burning rage finally swallowed me whole.

*****

By the time I opened my eyes again, night had completely fallen.

The buzzing of my phone brought me back. I looked around and realized I was in a bedroom, dressed in clean pajamas.

But the rain had done its damage-I was still dizzy and sluggish.

I poorly grasped for my phone, and the messages started flooding in one after another-disappointed tones, angry demands.

My mentor had sent a final message: they would never teach me design again.

More messages followed from others at the Design Academy. Full of scorn.

[Didn't think you'd stoop this low, Eleanor. You disgust me.]

Even the news had picked up the story, painting me as a shameless cheat.

My fingers trembled as I scrolled through all of it, every word a slap in the face. Grief crushed me. Once, they saw so much potential in me. Now they all saw nothing but a plagiarist.

Tears streamed down my face, soaking into my pillow. No one knew just how shattered I was inside.

I just wanted out-out of this twisted bond with Carl, out of the Stormfang Pack, far away from everything. This place had brought me nothing but pain.

When I leave, I'll stop being the fool. I owe nothing to Carl. And I owe nothing to this cruel pack.

"Eleanor!" The door slammed open. Karen and Rosa stormed inside, faces tight with anger.

I frowned. "What do you two want?"

"You brought disgrace to the Stormfang Pack!" Karen snapped, her voice like a whip. "Luna Anna wants you gone."

Rosa yanked me off the bed, her grip bruising. "Look at what you've done, Eleanor!"

Their combined strength was overwhelming as they dragged me outside, no mercy in their movements.

"Let go of me! I'm your Luna!" I yelled, struggling hard.

"Luna? Please," Rosa sneered, shoving me. "Someone like you who smeared our pack's name doesn't deserve the title."

She slapped me, hard. My cheek swelled, lip split, but all they did was stare coldly.

Everyone knew Carl couldn't stand me. Even after we formed the mate bond, he never bothered to hide his disgust. He made sure the whole pack saw it. He hated me-wanted me to suffer.

So it wasn't a surprise that the rest of the pack followed his lead, throwing their scorn freely. The only one who showed me any kindness was the ailing old Alpha, Remy.

The rest only sought to crush me, push me out. My place here wasn't even as good as the lowest omega.

Karen and Rosa were former Luna Anna's omega housekeepers-people who never respected me, not for a second.

To them, I was nothing but an easy target. The lowest of the low.

And that made my life here unbearable.