Chapter 3

Holding my stinging, burning cheek, I stared in shock.

Bianca rolled her wrist, the sweet, innocent facade instantly peeling away. "You heard him. Julian already Marked me. Why are you still clinging to him like a leech? Don't you have any shame?"

"If you love being a side-piece so much, go work in a brothel."

"Though, a ten-year-old hand-me-down like you is probably only fit for the trash wolves in the slums."

My ears rang violently. All I could see were her sneering, venomous lips moving up and down.

I let out a cold, furious laugh. But before I could raise my hand, Bianca let out a piercing shriek.

She ripped the bodice of her gown open and threw herself backward onto the floor.

"Emily Miller!"

A thunderous roar shook the hallway behind me.

Julian bolted forward, scooping Bianca into his protective embrace.

She sobbed hysterically, her tears flowing on cue. "Julian, I'm the homewrecker... It's all my fault for ruining things between you and Miss Miller. I shouldn't exist! I'm a horrible person!"

With that, she violently slapped herself twice across the face.

Julian caught her hands, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Who told you that?"

Bianca bit her lip, clutching his suit jacket. "Please, don't ask."

Yet her terrified eyes flicked toward me, shaking her head frantically.

"Someone like me can't afford to cross a high-and-mighty Luna like her. Julian, I'm not worthy of you. Please, just let me go! I don't want to end up dead in a ditch tomorrow!"

Julian's brow furrowed tightly, his predatory glare locking onto me.

"Explain yourself!"

I lowered my hand, revealing my swollen, red cheek.

"You should ask her what she just said to me."

"Miss Miller!" Bianca shrieked at the top of her lungs, her voice shrill. "I only slapped you because you threatened my parents' lives! They're just ordinary, defenseless wolves! If you're angry, slap me back! Please, just don't hurt my family!"

My vision turned red with rage. "You lying bitch! You were the one who—"

"Enough!" Julian barked coldly, looking at me with utter disgust. "Emily Miller, I've spoiled you rotten."

"Did you think that just because you have no Pack to fall back on, I wouldn't dare punish you?"

Perhaps I had seen it coming. Perhaps my heart was already ash.

I gave a hollow, broken laugh, my eyes burning. "So, how do you plan to avenge your new Mate?"

He stepped slowly toward me and casually slipped off the ring from my finger—the Moon Goddess signet ring he had forged with his own hands the day he became Alpha.

Turning around, he commanded his Beta, Marcus.

"Summon the Pack enforcers. My Mate's jewelry has been stolen. Caught red-handed."

I froze, my mind going numb.

Julian had clawed his way to the Alpha throne through blood, fangs, and sheer brutality. He was ruthless to everyone.

I was his only soft spot.

Right or wrong, he had always stood by me unconditionally.

In the entire city, not a single wolf had ever dared lay a finger on me because of his protection.

And now, he was the one driving the dagger into my chest.

Julian turned the silver ring between his fingers, his cold features blurring through my unshed tears until he looked like a complete stranger.

"Emily, you've been misbehaving. Spend a few days in the detention cell and reflect on your actions."

"Don't worry, it won't be long. Once you learn your lesson, I'll slip this ring back on your finger myself."

A bitter smirk touched my lips.

As the Pack guards entered and snapped heavy silver cuffs around my wrists, I coldly pulled my hand from his grip without a word.

The sudden emptiness in his palm made Julian frown with unease. He stared at my retreating back, suddenly struck by the chilling premonition that he was losing me forever.

He took a step forward, but Bianca quickly clung to his arm.