"Clara? What are you doing here?" My voice trembled slightly.

She managed a weak smile. "Aurora, I'm Elena's daughter. I was sick and getting treatment overseas in the past. I'm finally home."

What?

I stared at my stepmother, Elena. She looked unsettled, her gaze shaky.

Fate really had a twisted sense of humor. Damian's so-called ex-girlfriend turned out to be my stepmother's daughter.

"Aurora, Clara isn't well. She needs a quiet place to recover." My father stood up, his tone allowing no argument. "Give her your design studio."

That studio was my favorite place in the east wing of the estate. It had the best views with perfect lighting.

"Give it to her?" I let out a cold laugh. "And why should I?"

"Because she needs to be cared for," my father said sternly. "You're her older sister. You should know better and be more mature."

I looked at Clara's face and thought of what I'd seen at the park. Anger flared in my chest.

"Sorry, but I'm not obligated to take care of the homewrecker's daughter." My voice was ice-cold.

Elena's face changed. "Aurora! How can you say that?"

"Say what?" I shot a mocking look at the two of them. "I haven't even left yet, and you're already so eager to help your daughter take my place?"

My father roared furiously, "Aurora! That's enough!"

I ignored him and went upstairs to pack.

While I was at it, I booked a ticket to the Risingdawn Pack's territory, leaving in two weeks. Fifteen minutes later, I dragged my suitcase downstairs.

"Aurora, where are you going?" Elena asked, her concern clearly faked.

"I don't want to spend another second in this disgusting place," I said without looking back.

"Stop!" my father yelled. "What are you doing now? Don't forget what you promised!"

I stopped and slowly turned, giving him a mocking smile. "Don't worry. I'll become mates with the Alpha of Risingdawn Pack, no question."

I left that suffocating place I called home without another word.

That night, I anonymously leaked my father's business scandals to the media—illegal mining, tax evasion, and threatening pack members. By the next day, his company's stock price had plunged thirty percent.

That was my way of getting back at him. Afterward, I checked into a luxury hotel.

My father was livid, calling just to roar at me.

"Aurora! Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to get me removed as Alpha?" His voice became hoarse from the yelling.

"Not enough," I replied coolly, sipping champagne by the window. "After all, you're planning to trade me for a whole pack's loyalty and resources. A little scandal is the least you deserve."

Outwardly, I was calm, but inside, I was plotting for more. I wanted the Risingdawn Pack to invest their resources in me personally and make sure that my father's company could never receive a single cent.

The alliance he wanted? He could keep dreaming.

"Come back now!" he shouted, practically shaking with anger.

"And live where? The basement?" I sneered. "Or are you planning to kick out your precious Clara for me?"

I hung up.

Three days later, my father used every connection he had to freeze my accounts and got me blacklisted by nearly every design supplier in the industry.

He didn't waste any time.

At an industry gala the next week, a vindictive rival humiliated me in front of everyone.

"Well, if it isn't Aurora! I heard your own father cut you off," he sneered. "You used to be so high and mighty, but look at you now. The so-called design prodigy was just backed by her own family's influence."

Snickers rippled around the room.

"The so-called prodigy can't even afford materials for her project, right?"

"I heard she's blacklisted from the entire industry's supply chain. Hahaha…!"

I wanted to retort, but nearly everyone there had a grudge against me. There was no way I could win.

Just as I was backed to the corner, a powerful and suffocating Alpha's presence swept over the room.

The rival Alpha fell silent, his face going pale.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. That familiar cedarwood scent, mixed with the scent of something primal and dangerous.

"Out."

It was one cold and commanding word, and the werewolves immediately scattered.

Before I could react, strong arms pulled me out of the banquet hall.

I still didn't look at him. I didn't want him to see me like this.

"Let go of me!" I struggled, but my strength was nothing compared to his.

Damian gripped my wrist.

"What are you up to again?" His voice was low and tight with anger. "Why didn't you come to me after you've been blacklisted by the whole industry?"

Damian's words brought back all my memories from the past three years.

Every time I fought with my father, Damian would always be there like some silent guardian, shielding me from everything.

Those gentle hugs in the middle of the night, the quiet words during thunderstorms, the way he took care of me when I was sick…

After I joined his company, my design projects had his backing. My reputation in the industry only grew.

At parties in the past, I was known as a prodigious designer. Everyone seemed to shower me with praise.

But now, looking back, how much of that protection was ever genuine?

All this time, I was just his secret lover, while his room was covered in photos of Clara.

"Why should I come to you?" I laughed coldly, forcing my voice to sound like I didn't care.

Damian's grip on my wrist tightened slightly. I could feel the shift in his mood.

"Aurora." His voice was soft, tinged with the helplessness I knew too well.

"Don't call my name." Anger and hurt exploded out of me as I stomped hard on his foot.

"Aurora!" Damian grunted, but he didn't loosen his grip around my wrist. "Are you done?"

He looked at me, his eyes full of emotions I couldn't read. I turned my head, refusing to let him see the tears in my eyes.

Half an hour later, the familiar estate came into view.

When I first arrived here three years ago, I had naively thought this would be my home. That this aloof man would become my whole world.

Now, I saw it for what it really was. It was just a temporary shelter.

"I'm only staying for another half a month," I said, trying to sound calm. "I'll pay rent. I'll reference the hotel rates."

Damian frowned. "You can stay as long as you want. You don't need to pay."

I cut him off, flashing a mocking smile. "Don't worry. I won't be a bother after that."

His face darkened, jaw set tight.

"Clara's family once gave up everything to save me. I owe her," he said softly, like he was trying to explain something.

"Aurora, don't target Clara because of Elena," he finally said, his tone threatening. "She's not well. She needs to be looked after. The past is more complicated than you think, and I doubt you'll understand."

Needs to be looked after.

Those words cut into me repeatedly.

And what about me? Didn't I deserve it too? Was my pain, my heartbreak, my tears really so worthless in his eyes?

"Fine." I kept my tone flat, forcing myself to look unconcerned. "I won't bother her. After all, I'm just an outsider here."

The next few days passed quietly, and we didn't step on each other's toes.

Damian was busy handling business while I wandered around the estate alone, just like when I first arrived three years ago.

But this time, everything felt different.

Three nights later, Damian suddenly asked if I wanted to go to a party.

"Why do you want to take me so suddenly?" I asked.

"You've been cooped up in here for too long. You should get out for a bit." His explanation sounded reasonable enough.

I changed into a black silk dress, added some simple jewelry, and followed him to the most luxurious hotel downtown.

The moment I stepped into the ballroom, a giant banner caught my eye.

"Congratulations to Miss Clara on Her Recovery and the Launch of the Art Foundation."

I froze, feeling like the whole world was laughing at me.

So this party was meant for Clara?

Then, why did he bring me here? Was I supposed to stand by and watch him show everyone how important she was to him?

The ballroom was bright with light as every important figure in the pack was there, all with flattering smiles on their faces.

And me? I felt like an outsider who never should have come.

I turned, ready to leave this suffocating place.

"Aurora! I'm so glad you made it!" Clara rushed over and blocked my way, her face lighting up with excitement.

"We have nothing to do with each other," I snapped, yanking my hand away when she tried to hold my arm. "Drop the act."

I shook her off and walked straight to the dessert table.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Clara's eyes fill with tears as she went to find Damian. He gently stroked her hair and said something to her.

Clara wiped away her tears as Damian comforted her and shyly leaned against his arm.

And I stood there, nothing but an extra, a spectator with no place here.

Pain stabbed through my chest. I looked down and knocked back a shot of whiskey, letting the burning alcohol numb my throat.

The party was in full swing as I sat alone in a corner.

Damian moved effortlessly through the crowd, blocking drinks for Clara while bringing her food. He was so considerate that it made me burn with jealousy.

I had never enjoyed that kind of consideration and tenderness from him.

I raised my glass and drank it all in one gulp, letting the alcohol sear my nerves.

Suddenly, someone suggested a traditional Werewolf game.

"Let's play Fate's Choice!" The host waved an ancient crystal ball overhead. "Let the crystal show us the way!"

The rules were simple. The crystal ball would randomly show someone's image and ask a question. Whoever was chosen had to answer honestly. It was an old tradition among werewolves, and no one could refuse.

In the first round, an image of Damian appeared in the crystal ball. His face was as clear as day.

"Respected Alpha Damian, if you found yourself in danger, who would you want by your side?" the host asked in an expectant tone.

Clara and another girl's image appeared on the crystal's surface.

My heart started to race, my palms sweaty. The whole room went quiet, waiting.

Damian glanced at the crystal, then at the crowd.

"Clara," he said, without hesitation.

The room erupted in cheers and applause. Clara blushed, looking down shyly.

I gripped my glass so tightly my knuckles turned white.

In the second round, the crystal picked Damian again.

"If you could choose one person to spend your life with, who would it be?"

"Clara." Still no hesitation.

In the third round, the question cut even deeper. "If you could only save one person's life, who would you choose?"

This time, it was my photo and Clara's together.

Damian hesitated for a few seconds. I saw his brows draw together, like he was genuinely thinking about the question.

But in the end, he still said, "Clara."

My heart crashed. It felt like the whole world was laughing at my foolishness.

The game continued, and for three more rounds, the crystal picked Damian.

"Who do you trust most?"

"Who do you most want to protect?"

"Who is most important to you?"

Each time, he picked Clara without a hint of doubt.

Each answer was like a slap across my face.

Meanwhile, I was completely ignored like I was invisible. It was as if I didn't even exist to him.

"I need to go to the washroom," I said as I stood up, my voice trembling as I clung to the last shreds of dignity.

The hallway was quiet, only distant music and laughter reaching me. I leaned against the wall, trying to steady myself. I kept telling myself to stay calm.

"Well, well, what's a pretty thing like you doing here alone?"

A few unfamiliar male voices echoed from around the corner.

I looked up to see a group of Betas from a rival Pack. Their eyes were hostile, and they reeked of alcohol.

"Stay away," I warned coldly, my hand instinctively reaching for the silver dagger strapped to my thigh.

"Don't be so ferocious. Aren't you that famous designer? How about you come see my new art collection?" A tall man reached for me.

I backed away quickly and drew my dagger. "Last warning. Back off, or you'll regret it."

At that moment, I glanced toward the entrance, silently wishing for someone to help.

Damian was right at the ballroom doors, turning just in time to see what was happening.

Our eyes met. Mine were full of silent pleading, certain he would come to my rescue, just like before.

He noticed immediately, his body leaning forward as if he was about to come to me.

But then, behind him, Clara's panicked voice rang out. "Damian! My injury hurts again! It really hurts!"

Without a second thought, Damian turned and hurried to Clara, his eyes filled with worry. Before leaving, he turned to his Beta, Marcus, and said, "Don't worry about her. She can handle herself."

At that moment, it felt like my whole world crumbled.

Fury and despair exploded in my chest. I lunged and stabbed the arm of the nearest man with my silver blade.

"Ah!" He howled as the dagger's poison took effect, dropping him to the ground in agony.

The others scattered, and I took the chance to escape.

Afterward, I sat alone on the terrace, drinking in silence. My mood was completely ruined. The wind at night was cold, stinging my face.

"Don't drink so quickly or you'll end up drunk," Clara's voice drifted over as she approached, carrying a glass of fruit juice. "I was out of line just now, Sister. Don't get mad, okay?"

"It's fine," I replied icily.

"Don't. We're family," Clara said, putting on a show of concern as she stepped closer. "Besides, I wanted to tell you something."

I looked at her coldly. "Don't call me sister. I've never been family to you."

She snapped, unable to keep up the act, "Don't think you've won anything! In the end, you're the one who's been abandoned—by Dad and by Damian."

Her words hurt me deep, but I had no energy left to argue. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a sharp crack overhead.

I looked up. One of the heavy metal racks above the terrace was coming loose. It was about to fall!

In that split second, Damian burst out of the ballroom. Without hesitation, he threw himself over Clara, shielding her with his body.

And I was standing directly beneath the rack as it crashed down.

There was a loud bang, and I was pinned right under the edge of the rack.