Chanel’s POV
The next morning, I found myself standing outside the packhouse with my parents. I hadn’t wanted to come, not after what I had learned about Daniel and Miranda, but they insisted.
"We must always be present so the pack remains united," my mother had said. The irony of her words stung as I knew that the unity she spoke of was long broken.
As we entered the dining hall, Luna smiled warmly at my mother and kissed her cheek. "Your daughter is truly beautiful," she praised, her gaze briefly flickering toward me.
At the long wooden table, Daniel and Miranda were already seated. The Alpha greeted us with a nod, but Daniel barely acknowledged me, only nodding at my father before looking away.
Miranda, on the other hand, was lost in her own little world with Daniel, touching his arm, giggling, pressing close as if to stake her claim in front of everyone.
The Luna, oblivious to the tension, asked, "Chanel, have you found your mate yet?"
I stiffened. Daniel’s jaw clenched. I could feel his tension even as he kept his gaze firmly on his plate.
I forced a smile. "Not yet, but I trust the Moon Goddess is busy pairing me with the kindest man for me."
My parents nodded in approval, and I saw Daniel’s fingers tighten around his fork.
After breakfast, our parents gathered on the patio, laughing and talking about pack matters. Their carefree expressions made my stomach twist. Did they not see what was happening? Did they not see how cruel their future Alpha was?
Needing space, I slipped out to the garden, but as I turned a corner, I froze. Daniel and Miranda were talking in hushed voices.
Miranda’s irritated tone cut through the air. "Why do you seem affected that your mother asked about Chanel’s future mate?"
Daniel chuckled. "I was just worried she’d expose our secret relationship."
Miranda narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure that’s all? Maybe you already have feelings for her?"
Daniel scoffed. "No. She was just a practice partner, remember? What do you want me to do to prove you’re my only love?"
Miranda smirked, handing him her phone. "Show these at our wedding."
Thanks to my heightened werewolf sight, I caught a glimpse of the phone screen even from a distance. My breath hitched, seeing myself exposed in ways I had never posed for.
How? I had never taken such photos, let alone shared them. My wolf was seething as I fought the urge to storm out and demand answers. But I stayed rooted in place. What else had they planned for me?
"Is this really Chanel? Would she post something like this?" Daniel’s voice wavered slightly.
"They’re photoshopped," Miranda said smoothly. "On our wedding day, we’ll insert them into the slideshow. Everyone will think she ruined our celebration."
Daniel hesitated. "This will be a huge scandal. Her family will get embarrassed."
"They’ll never know it was us. Wait, do you actually care about her?"
"Care about her?” Daniel chuckled drily, shaking his head. “Does she deserve my care? She's just my bed toy. When I marry you, I will ruin her reputation. She once competed for your glory, now it's time for her to pay the price!"
“Then what’s the plan?” Miranda asked, crossing her arms. She gasped when Daniel suddenly caged her inside his arms.
“The plan?” Daniel whispered seductively in her mouth. "In ten days, I will propose to Chanel, and on that same day, I will play the slideshow to permanently damage her reputation. How’s that sound?”
“Will you really do that for me?” Miranda raised a brow.
“Anything for you.” Daniel, on the other hand, grinned devilishly. “So be patient, love. Please wait until the engagement party, and I’m all yours.”
I covered my mouth, muffling the sob that threatened to escape. My wolf was restless, growling in anger and urging me to lash out and demand justice. But what good would that do?
No, I needed to be smart.
Those photos had to be erased before Miranda had the chance to use them. I would find out where they came from, track down the source, and make sure they never surfaced.
---
That night, the rain was relentless, soaking through my cloak as I stumbled through the woods near the pack border. I was not sure why I had ventured out there. Perhaps I needed to drown out the ache in my chest and to feel something apart from betrayal.
By the time I collapsed outside the packhouse, my body burned with fever. My limbs felt heavy, and my head pounded with exhaustion. As a she-wolf, I should not have been this weak. Werewolves had enhanced healing and endurance, yet my body had given in.
Before darkness enveloped my mind, strong arms lifted me, and the scent of earth and smoke filled my senses.
When my eyes fluttered open, I was in the pack healer’s den, and Daniel was sitting at my side.
“You scared the hell out of me,” he muttered, his voice hoarse, as if he had been holding back his emotions for too long.
I was too weak to respond immediately, but I forced myself to speak. "W-why?"
His grip on my hand tightened as he exhaled sharply. "Because I care about you, damn it!" he shouted, his frustration spilling over as his fist slammed against the bedside table. "You think I wanted to see you like this? Do you have any idea what it felt like to find you collapsed, burning up with fever?”
My heart clenched painfully at the rawness in his voice. For a moment, it felt real. It seemed as though he genuinely cared about me, like I was more than just an afterthought. But had I not spent years believing the same lies? Had I not convinced myself before that he loved me, only to find out I was nothing but a placeholder?
A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed past it. "Then why, Daniel? Why do you have to—" I bit my lower lip to stop myself from exposing those words. He shouldn’t know that I was aware of his twisted plans.
His breath hitched, and his gaze softened with regret. "Chanel, I—"
But before he could say anything more, his body tensed. His fingers twitched around mine, his gaze going unfocused. I knew that look. Someone was mindlinking him.
I barely had time to process it before his lips parted, his voice so quiet I almost wished I hadn’t heard it.
"Miranda."
The moment he spoke it, everything else ceased to exist for him, including me. And just like that, he was gone.
Daniel's lips barely formed the name before I heard it.
'Daniel, come help me with these bags. They’re too heavy, and I can’t carry them all by myself.'
Miranda’s voice echoed in my mind, as if she had meant for me to hear. My body stiffened, and my wolf bristled at the blatant intrusion. She was taunting me. There was no other explanation for that!
Daniel’s grip on my hand loosened, and he inhaled sharply before responding. "I’m coming, baby. Just wait for me."
Even as weak as I was, the words sent a cold blade through my chest. I knew what he would do. He wouldn’t think twice. He had just told me he cared, yet the moment Miranda called, he was already hers again.
He turned back to me, forcing a smile. "I’ll be back soon, Chanel. I’ll help you with the discharge process. Just get some rest."
I let out a breathless laugh. Of course he wouldn’t come back. He would go to Miranda, cater to her every whim, and forget I ever existed.
As he left the healer’s cottage, I let my head fall back against the pillow, my body trembling, not from fever but from anger.
A soft chime interrupted the silence. My phone buzzed on the nightstand. With sluggish fingers, I reached for it, my heart pounding as I read the message flashing across the screen.
Did you enjoy our little conversation? It must hurt, knowing you’ll always be second to me. Don’t get too comfortable in that bed. He won’t be back for you.
My vision blurred with rage. My wolf growled, clawing at the edges of my control, demanding I do something to put Miranda in her place.
