The sharp click of heels cut through my thoughts. Vivian swept in wearing a red bodycon dress, her waves bouncing as she marched up to the clerk. Before anyone could ask what she needed, she scanned the office with open disdain.

"This place is so drab. Get me the pack's top interior designer—I want it completely redone."

The clerk swallowed her irritation and explained patiently, "I'm sorry, this is the pack administration office. You don't work here, so the décor really isn't your concern."

Vivian lifted her chin with an air of superiority. She pulled a document from her bag and slapped it on the desk. "Who says I don't work here? From now on, I'm in charge. When I say renovate, you renovate."

It was an appointment letter, clear as day—the Beta position was being transferred to Vivian. Adrian's signature in the bottom corner was sharp and unmistakable.

I'd told myself I was past caring. I'd already decided to leave. But seeing it in writing still felt like a fist closing around my heart.

Vivian spotted me and feigned surprise. "Oh! Serena, you're here too? I didn't even see you."

"I'm so sorry about taking your position. I honestly didn't expect the Alpha to trust me with something so important. I'm a little overwhelmed, to be honest."

Her words said one thing; the smirk on her face said another.

Familiar footsteps sounded behind me. Adrian appeared, looking slightly taken aback to see me. "What are you doing here?"

Perfect timing. I held out my pack separation form. "I need you to sign—"

But he didn't even glance at me. He brushed past, heading straight for Vivian. Instantly, her whole demeanor shifted—the arrogance vanished, replaced by a warm, soft smile. Adrian put his arm around her in front of everyone and announced:

"Serena was injured recently. To give her time to recover, Vivian will take over as acting Beta."

As if he was doing me a favor. Everyone in the room could see through it.

He was only looking for an excuse to remove me from my position.

Vivian tucked a loose strand of hair behind her forehead and bowed deeply to the crowd.

"Thank you all for your support. "

The once arrogant Vivian was now humble and polite, her attitude doing a complete one-eighty.

Vivian clung to his arm. "I'm new here and still finding my way around. Could you show me the place?"

Adrian's eyes went so tender they could have melted ice. "Of course. Let's go."

As they passed me, he casually took my separation form, signed it without reading a single word, and handed it back. "From now on, all documents will be signed by Vivian. Her will is my will."

Then he walked away without looking back. As if we were nothing more than coworkers.

Vivian paused in front of the portrait wall, lingering before the blank space. Adrian came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist—right there in front of everyone—and murmured in her ear, just loud enough for the room to hear:

"You like it? I'll have the pack's best artist paint our portrait."

The meaning was clear: Vivian would be Luna.

The sycophants circled immediately. "Vivian and the Alpha are a match made in heaven—no one in the whole pack is more perfect together."

"Is that a moonstone on her hand? Those are incredibly rare. Money can't even buy them."

"Forget the ring—if Vivian wanted the stars, the Alpha would pull them from the sky."

Every word was a needle in my chest. But there were a few voices of dissent:

"Serena's been Beta for years. The pack wouldn't be where it is without her. How can they just strip her title like that? It's not right."

"Keep it down. Do you know who Vivian's father is? His pack is one of the most powerful in the whole wolf world. If the Alpha mates with her, we'd have a permanent alliance. Serena's contributions are nothing compared to that."

I clutched the signed form in my hand and walked out without looking back, their laughter fading behind me.

True to his word, Adrian commissioned the pack's finest artist to paint their portrait, right there in the pack shrine, with a crowd of media covering the event.

"Vivian is stunning—no wonder the Alpha chose her."

"She's the daughter of the Oceanridge Pack Alpha, you know. A real heiress. She and Adrian are a perfect match."

Camera flashes lit up Vivian's face as she basked in the attention. Adrian had one arm around her waist, his expression radiating pure joy—a look I'd never seen in eight years together. Genuine, unguarded happiness. And that blank space on the wall had finally found its owner.

Later, while Vivian was admiring the finished portrait, she noticed me collecting my things.

"Serena, come help me—does this painting look a little crooked?"

She beckoned me like a servant. I ignored her and kept walking.

Undeterred, she raised her voice so everyone could hear. "Serena, I'm sorry—I don't know what I did to offend you. Why are you being so cold? Is it because I stole your Alpha?"

The media swarmed, cameras swinging toward me like silver blades.

Vivian let the tears flow, the picture of wounded innocence. "Adrian loves me. Please stop throwing yourself at him."

My head buzzed. My voice trembled. "If you're going to make accusations, bring proof. Who's throwing herself at anyone?"

But no one was going to believe an orphan over an heiress. No matter what I said, the rumors crashed over me like a flood.

"So Serena and the Alpha had something going on?"

"She's just an orphan. As if she'd catch the Alpha's eye. She's obviously delusional—chasing after him like some stalker."

"Quick, get this on camera! This'll be front-page news tomorrow."

Flashes exploded in my face. I shielded my eyes and tried to run, but Vivian grabbed my arm. She leaned in, her voice a whisper meant only for me.

"How does it feel? Having everything taken from you? Remember this—this is what happens when you try to compete with me."

Then she spun me around, blocking the cameras, and shoved her wine glass into my hand. "Serena! What are you doing? Why are you grabbing my wine?"

She seized my wrist and flung it toward the wall. Red wine splashed across the portrait—right over Vivian's face. She fell to the ground for good measure.

The room erupted. Everyone stared at the ruined painting.

Vivian's eyes glistened. "That painting—it was a precious memento between Adrian and me. Why would you destroy it? I know you still want him, but he chose me. Can't you just let us be?"

I kept my voice steady. "Vivian, why don't we check the security footage and see what really happened?"

She stamped her heel. "Everyone here saw it with their own eyes! Are you saying they're all lying? I had no idea your jealousy ran this deep—destroying our portrait like this."

The crowd murmured and whispered. "We all saw it. Serena pushed her and threw the wine."

Not because they'd actually seen it. But between an heiress and an orphan, they'd always believe the heiress. When power and money were on the line, truth didn't matter.

The commotion drew Adrian. He pushed through the crowd, saw Vivian on the floor, and his face went dark. He rushed to her, shoving me aside to gather her in his arms.

The force of his push slammed me against the staircase railing. My lower back hit hard enough to make me gasp. The bracelet on my wrist shattered on the floor.

Adrian heard my cry and glanced back. He saw the broken pieces. That bracelet—he'd gotten it for me at the Moon Tree in Moonlight Forest when we first started dating, a charm for protection. He'd knelt before me that day, placed it on my wrist, and looked up with eyes full of devotion.

"Serena, your safety matters more to me than my own life. If anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to step over my dead body first."

Eight years later, his oath still echoed in my ears. The man who'd sworn to protect me was now the one cutting deepest.

Something shifted behind his eyes when he saw the bracelet—old memories surfacing. But after a moment of visible struggle, he chose Vivian. He wiped her tears with heartbreaking tenderness.

"Vivian. Don't cry. I'll have a better one painted for you tomorrow."

Then he turned to me, his gaze ice-cold. "Apologize to Vivian."

My throat burned. I forced the words out. "Adrian... it wasn't me."

He looked at me with disappointment. "Everyone saw you do it. What's the point of denying it? Just admit you were wrong and apologize. Vivian's generous—she'll forgive you."

The crowd grew. Reporters shoved microphones in my face.

"Serena, is your relationship with Adrian really what Vivian described?"

"Did you destroy the painting out of jealousy?"

"Is it true you've been stalking the Alpha?"

Camera flashes blinded me. I stumbled backward. "It wasn't me! Vivian threw the wine herself!"

Adrian's expression darkened further. He moved close and dropped his voice so only I could hear. "I know you're upset, but didn't we agree? Once the deal goes through, I'll cut things off with her. Can't you even wait that long?"

"Everyone's watching. Stop embarrassing yourself and just apologize."

My fists clenched. Red-eyed, I stared up at him and ground out every syllable. "I. Didn't. Do it. Check the cameras if you don't believe me."

I was done with Adrian. I didn't care which she-wolf he ran around with or who he made Luna. But he didn't get to smear my name. He didn't get to crush my dignity.

He scoffed. "You're saying an heiress would frame you? Or that everyone here is blind?"

His voice dropped again, coaxing. "Serena, just admit it was a mistake. We won't hold it against you. I'll make the reporters delete everything—your reputation stays intact."

Something died in my eyes. I shook my head slowly. "You're right. I was wrong."

But not about this. I was wrong eight years ago, the day I chose him. Wrong to misjudge someone so completely. Wrong to hold on for so long.

But I was awake now. Looking at the man before me, I realized how ordinary he was. My love had been the only thing that made him shine.

Adrian misunderstood. He thought I was confessing. He helped Vivian to her feet, took her hand, and addressed the room.

"My Luna is Vivian—and only Vivian. Serena was my former Beta. Beyond that, we have no connection whatsoever."

Silence.

He turned back to me, casual and dismissive. "If you're upset about losing your position to Vivian, I can arrange another role for you in administration."

Like charity. Like pity.

"No thanks."

I reached up and unclasped the necklace I always wore—a wolf fang pendant. Years ago, Adrian had lost it fighting off rogues to protect me. I'd treasured it, had it set into a necklace, and wore it every day. Among wolves, exchanging fangs was sacred—it meant giving the most important part of yourself to the one you loved. A bond for life.

None of that mattered anymore. I dropped the necklace into the nearest trash can without hesitation.

"The job. Us. It's all over."

I turned and walked away.

Behind me, something flickered in Adrian's eyes—panic, maybe. He took a step after me, then stopped. Too many cameras. Too many witnesses. He pulled his foot back.