Chapter 3 Chapter 3

That evening, Ruby Dawson-a big shot in the pack's social scene-invited me to a private spring club tucked away in the hills.

I was reluctant, but with plans to strike out on my own after breaking the bond and leaving, I needed allies in the pack's inner circle.

So, I went.

The moment I stepped inside, the faint scent of cedar and ozone-favored by high-ranking wolves-wrapped around me.

Ruby was waiting by the marble reception desk.

"Ruby, I could've found my way to the lounge. You didn't have to come down," I said, adjusting the strap of my clutch.

Ruby linked arms with me, steering me toward the staircase.

"Didn't want you wandering into the wrong wing. The alpha's private suite is on this floor, and trust me, you don't wanna meet anyone there right now."

Her tone held a knowing edge.

I'd never set foot in this part of the club, reserved for the pack's elite.

Ruby led me to a spacious private lounge, divided by a floor-to-ceiling silk tapestry embroidered with howling wolves.

As we entered, I noticed the murmur of voices on the other side of the tapestry but didn't pay much mind.

Ruby guided me to a quiet corner where a lone she-wolf sat-Lila, the mate of Gareth, one of Adrian's top enforcers.

Lila recognized me too; her expression flickered with unease, though she managed a polite smile that didn't reach her eyes.

I slipped off my cashmere coat and settled into a plush armchair.

Ruby stepped out to "grab more drinks," and as I sipped the elderflower gin handed to me, the chatter from the other side of the tapestry drifted over.

The voices grew louder, cruder, until they landed on a topic that made my blood freeze in my veins.

"Yo, Adrian doesn't even let Vivian sit at his table during council mixers anymore," one voice drawled-it was Jax, that burly wolf with a penchant for trouble, who'd once laughed too hard at Adrian's jokes about "training" me to be a proper alpha's mate.

"Duh, Vanessa's got that fresh spark. He brings her to every territory meeting now, lets her wear that cuff he used to keep locked in his safe? Treated like she's already his chosen mate," another chimed in.

"nine years of mating bonds, and he's finally upgrading. Can't blame him-Vivian's all sharp edges and alpha glares. Vanessa? She bats her eyes and he's putty. Wolves like Adrian need someone to submit," someone else added.

"Vivian's hot, sure, but nine years of the same scent? Even the strongest bonds fade."

"She's so damn oblivious. Followed him, sat through his boring speeches, and for what? Just a placeholder until someone younger came along. If Adrian's done, maybe I'll make a move. Seen the way she moves during the full moon runs? Those hips? Been craving a taste since we were cubs."

My fingers tightened around my glass. I

recognized every voice-Adrian's so-called "brothers in arms."

The she-wolf sitting beside me looked mortified, her eyes darting to the floor, clearly expecting me to storm off.

Instead, I set my glass down with a soft clink.

I grabbed the hem of my silk dress, smoothing it out with deliberate calm, then sauntered toward the wooden trellis covered in ivy that divided the pool deck.

Leaning against one of the posts, I cut into their conversation.

"Y'all, let's not get it twisted. When Adrian and I sealed the bond, he was still wet behind the ears-freshly crowned alpha. You really think I didn't get my fill of breaking him in for nine years?"

The pool deck fell dead silent.

Even the water in the infinity pool seemed to stop rippling.

Every wolf on the lounge chairs gaped at me, their faces draining of color.

As I spoke, the sliding glass doors from the main house hissed open.

Two figures stepped out, and the crowd's eyes darted from me to the pair behind me-their expressions curdling into pure dread.

Alpha Adrian loomed behind me, his frame rigid.

I caught the crowd's terror and glanced back.

There he was.

I turned forward again, my gaze locking onto Vanessa, the short-haired she-wolf draped over a sunbed in the corner.

Moments ago, Vanessa had been preening, twirling a strand of hair while showing off the ankle chain Adrian had gifted her-engraved with the pack's founding date, a token usually reserved for a mated pair.

It was clear this wasn't their first public appearance as a "couple."

The way Vanessa's hand kept drifting toward Adrian's arm, the way the pack members had been laughing along with their inside jokes-they were flaunting their bond, trampling on the nine years I'd spent standing by his side.

Alpha Adrian stepped forward.

"Vivian, we were just messing around-drunk talk, you know how it is," Jax stammered, his voice cracking as he shot a terrified glance at Adrian.

"Vivian, Adrian and Vanessa are just... allies. For the pack's good,"

Kai added, his hands trembling-he knew full well that questioning an alpha's choices in public was a one-way ticket to being exiled to the outer territories.

"Please, don't let this reach the elders!" another begged, his shoulders hunched.

Alpha Adrian grabbed my wrist, his fingers digging into my skin.

"We're leaving. Now."

I spun, flinging the remainder of my citrus mocktail across his face.

The tangy liquid dripped down his jaw, soaking the collar of his linen shirt-where Vanessa's perfume still lingered, cloying and sweet.

The pool deck went dead silent, even the crickets pausing their chirps.

Every wolf stared, their breaths held-no one dared challenge an alpha like this, not even a former mate.

Then, with a smile as sweet as poisoned honey, I purred,

"Go enjoy your little alliance, Adrian. I wouldn't dream of crashing your precious pack politics."

I bent down, prying at his fingers with a strength.

"Let. Go."