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.

My senses were slowly disappearing as I lay in a pool of blood and pain.

Memories of Damian and me flashed through my mind like scenes from a movie.

The first time we met, I charged at him like an angry little pup, and he easily subdued me. The first time I was overwhelmed by his Alpha scent, I was lost in him completely.

The shy morning after we first spent the night together. The gentle way he held me during stormy nights. The nights he stayed up taking care of me when I was sick. How I secretly prepared for the bonding ceremony, filled with hope and excitement…

Every memory was so clear, every detail carved deep into my memory.

But in the end, all those beautiful moments were shattered by reality.

My last memory froze on that final scene. He shielded Clara without hesitation, while I was left pinned beneath the falling rack.

So that was how things were. When it truly mattered, his instincts would always drive him to protect her, not me.

Through the haze, I heard the wail of an ambulance, Clara's sobbing, and Damian's panicked shouting.

But none of it seemed to matter anymore.

Then, everything faded to black.

When I woke, it was already noon the next day. The hospital ward was quiet except for the steady beeping of machines.

"You're finally awake!" The nurse let out a sigh of relief. "You took a blow to the head, but luckily, your life isn't in danger."

I tried to sit up, but pain shot through my whole body. My left shoulder was especially painful. Slowly, everything came back. It felt like last night's events had just happened.

Then, I heard familiar voices through a thin curtain.

"It's all my fault. If only I'd reacted faster..." Clara's voice was thick with tears and guilt as she sobbed.

"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself," Damian said, his voice gentler than I had ever heard. "You've always had a weak constitution. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still save you first."

That sentence was like a blade, cutting deep into my heart.

Even if he had to choose again, he would still choose her.

He was so clear about it. So certain. No hesitation.

"But Aurora got hurt..." Clara sounded even more upset.

"She'll be fine. The doctor said it's just some external injuries," Damian reassured her. "But you're different. You can't afford any accidents."

I bit down hard on my lip, trying to stay silent.

Tears slid down my cheeks, soaking the pillow.

So this was my place in his heart. I could be sacrificed, because I would be "fine."

"It's okay. Don't cry anymore," Damian continued softly. "Go rest, don't wear yourself out."

Footsteps came closer, and the curtain slid open. Damian appeared at my bedside, still looking worried, but the moment he saw I was awake, that worry turned into something more complicated.

"You're awake?" He sat beside the bed, reaching out to check my forehead. "How do you feel?"

I avoided his hand, meeting his eyes calmly. "Thank you for saving me. I'll pay you back for the hospital bill in two weeks."

Damian's hand froze midair, and he frowned. "What are you talking about?"

He seemed thrown off by my strange calm, a flicker of confusion and concern in his eyes. Why did I keep saying "two weeks"?

"Aurora, you…"

He looked completely at a loss, unsettled by how I was acting.

In the past, I would have cried, demanded answers, and become hysterical. Now, I didn't want to do anything at all.

Loving someone...was really exhausting.

"I'll stay here and look after you," he said, sitting down.

But just then, his phone rang.

"Alpha, Clara's foundation website is under attack. Sensitive data could be leaked," his personal assistant said anxiously through the receiver.

Damian's expression changed instantly as he stood up at once.

"I have an urgent matter to take care of," he said, glancing at me. "I'll come see you later."

He left quickly, not even looking back.

Clara again.

It was always Clara.

I stared at the closed door, my heart a mess of complicated emotions.

I shut my eyes and let the tears fall.