I clenched my fists to stop my hands from trembling. “Amber, you don’t understand… My mom gave that to me before she died! Please… just give it back!”

Her laughter was sharp and heartless. “Your mom must’ve been as pitiful as you if this trash is all she left behind!”

Her words sliced through me like a knife. My mom wasn’t just a memory—she was the strongest person I’d ever known.

She had fought a brutal battle against cancer when I was barely a teenager, pouring every ounce of her strength into making sure I wouldn’t feel alone after she was gone. The bracelet was her final gift to me. I could still hear her soft, tired voice: “Elliana, this is for you. Whenever you feel lost, wear this and know I’m always with you.”

I hadn’t taken it off since the day she died. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was her love, her strength, and my anchor when the world felt too heavy.

“Amber,” my voice shaking with restrained anger, “hate me all you want, but leave her out of this. Give me the bracelet!”

Her smirk turned wicked. “Or what? Huh?” Before I could answer, she tossed it to the ground. The delicate chain hit the pavement with a sharp clink.

“Noooo!!!” I dropped to my knees, scrambling to pick it up.

The clasp was broken, the fragile links snapped. My hands trembled as I gathered the pieces, tears threatening to spill over.

Amber loomed over me, her shadow blocking out the sunlight. “Look at you…” she sneered. “Crying over some broken junk? Maybe you should’ve thought about your poor mom before you decided to ruin someone else’s relationship!”

I shot to my feet, my anger finally boiling over. “You don’t know anything about me or my mom!”

Her smug expression flickered for just a moment before she recovered. “Oh, I know enough. And here’s what I think of your precious bracelet.”

Before I could stop her, she slammed her heel down on the fragile chain, crushing it into the ground.

“Amber!” I screamed, and without thinking, I slapped her. The sound echoed in the air, cutting through the stunned silence.

Amber’s head snapped to the side, and for a moment, she looked truly shocked. Then her eyes blazed with fury. “You little—”

The crowd, who had been silent up to that point, suddenly came alive.

“Did you see that? She hit Amber!”

“Elliana deserves it, though, doesn’t she? Pretending to be better than us!”

Amber’s confidence surged again, bolstered by their voices. She laughed and turned to face them. “Let’s have some fun!” she announced. “Whoever puts her in her place first gets a reward!”

Before I could react, hands grabbed at me, shoving me to the ground. Dirt was kicked in my face, and insults flew like daggers.

“Look at her now! Not so high and mighty anymore!”

“Bet all of this is just an act to get Darren’s money!”

Amber stood back, arms crossed, watching with smug satisfaction. “You wanted to make me regret this?” she taunted, pressing her heel against my cheek. “Go on, Elliana. Show me how tough you really are.”

The pull of the shift clawed at me, my wolf pacing beneath the surface. The Alpha blood in my veins burned, begging to be unleashed. My muscles coiled with the need to protect myself, to end this.

But the cool pendant around my neck kept me grounded. I bit back the urge, knowing I couldn’t shift here. Not in front of so many humans.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself, when a sudden roar of engines shattered the chaos. The crowd froze as sleek black SUVs pulled up, their presence commanding attention.

Just then, a line of sleek, high-end cars rolled up, halting right in front of the gathering.

Darren stepped out of one of the cars, his usual smug expression plastered across his face.

As soon as Darren appeared, the noisy crowd fell silent, as if someone had pressed the mute button.

Everyone's attention shifted toward him. His presence was magnetic, drawing all eyes.

The people who had been surrounding me instantly backed away, straightening up, their gazes locked on Darren.

Amber, who had been standing near me, quickly stepped aside, her posture suddenly all grace and poise.

Darren was dressed in a sharp suit that hugged his lean frame, exuding an air of confidence. His entrance was as grand as any CEO's.

Pff.

"Is that really Mr. Herault from the International Group of Companies?"

"Yeah, that's him! Check out the cars! This guy really knows how to make an entrance."

"He’s the one who got that promotion last year, right? Guess that's what being successful looks like."

"And he's not just powerful, he's good-looking too! Honestly, who wouldn’t want a guy like him?"

"Amber is so lucky! I mean, look at her—she’s marrying into power!"

As the whispers and murmurs spread, Amber walked confidently over to Darren, looping her arm through his.

"Finally, you’re here! I was starting to think I’d have to do everything on my own," Amber said, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

Darren pulled her closer, his voice dripping with charm. "You know I can’t leave you hanging."

Seeing the attention Darren was getting, my former classmates rushed to him, eager to impress.

"Mr. Herault, I’ve got a small business. If International Group of Companies ever needs a new brand, I’d love a shot! Here's my card," one of them said, almost shoving the business card in Darren's face.

"Mr. Herault, we just launched a new product line. Would love for you to try it. It’s all yours—free!" another chimed in.

"Mr. Herault, you remember me, right? We were in the same class back in high school. Any chance you’re hiring? I’ll take whatever job you’ve got!"

The crowd was a sea of flattery, everyone trying to get a piece of Darren’s attention. Amber, of course, ate it up, smiling widely as the crowd swarmed Darren. She basked in the praise, clearly enjoying her moment as the center of attention.

Darren, clearly enjoying the attention, looked around, a smirk playing on his lips. "What's all the commotion about?" he asked, his voice carrying an air of casual confidence.

"Oh, they’re all just dying to get your attention, Darren," she said with a sweet, almost saccharine tone. "But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. By the way, did you know that there's a bitch who tried to ruin the wedding? Can you believe that? A nobody, really. It’s pathetic!"

I reached up and absentmindedly touched the necklace around my neck, the one my father had given me before everything went wrong. It wasn’t just jewelry. The necklace masked my scent, hiding my true identity. Even Darren couldn’t smell my wolf’s essence, couldn’t feel the bond that once tied us together. My gaze shifted to the broken bracelet on my wrist, and the memories came rushing in.

I remembered that fateful night in the forest when I found Darren. He had been bleeding and unconscious, left for dead by rogue wolves. My heart had stopped when I saw him, barely breathing, his body battered and broken. I couldn’t let him die. I had rushed to his side, my hands trembling as I pulled him onto his feet, my wolf instincts kicking in.

Once I brought him back to the pack, my father had allowed him to stay, seeing potential in his strength. But Darren wasn’t like us—he came from the slave rank of another pack, a background that made others look down on him. Despite that, my father offered him a job at our company, starting as a janitor. Darren worked tirelessly, pouring everything he had into every task, no matter how small.

Months passed, and I began to notice him more. His dedication, his quiet determination—it all drew me in. One day, while I was shadowing my father at the company, Darren caught my attention when I saw him cleaning the lobby late at night. He looked up at me, startled, and I smiled at him. That was the beginning.

My father saw Darren’s hard work and decided to give him a chance. Slowly but surely, Darren climbed the ranks. I supported him quietly, watching as he grew into a man I admired. When he was finally promoted to a management position, his joy was contagious.

It wasn’t long before Darren and I grew closer. He wasn’t just hardworking—he had a warmth to him that made me feel at ease. We spent late nights talking about everything and nothing, sneaking away from the world to just be ourselves. It felt simple, effortless, and perfect.

One night, while walking home after a company event, I was cornered by a group of drunk men. Before I could even cry for help, Darren appeared, throwing himself into the fray to protect me. He got hurt, badly, but he didn’t let them lay a hand on me. That moment changed everything.

While taking care of him in the days after, I realized just how much he meant to me. I confessed my feelings, and to my relief, he felt the same. Our love story started like a fairy tale. He became my husband, my partner, my everything. I trusted him with my heart, my life, and even the family company.

But now, standing here, watching him bask in attention with Amber by his side, it all felt like a cruel joke. The man I had once saved and loved was unrecognizable.

"Woman" he called out, his voice laced with a tone I couldn’t quite place. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. "Get me the assistant," he snapped into the receiver.

A few moments later, a young man appeared at Darren’s side, holding a large suitcase. Darren took it from him, turning back to me with that same smile that never reached his eyes.

"Here," he said nonchalantly, pushing the suitcase toward me. "This should cover whatever needs you have. I’ve got more money than I know what to do with, so take it. Consider it... compensation."

I laughed. Compensation?

What did he say?