Alanna's POV:
The day before I was set to leave, an unexpected event disrupted my plans. Elenore Gay sent "gifts."
Her personal maid, Rose, a woman with the same smug eyes as every bully I'd ever known, arrived at my door with several servants carrying large chests.
The estate's housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, followed close behind. She had always been a staunch supporter of Elenore, and her face was alight with malicious glee.
"Miss Cruz," Rose said, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she gave a mocking curtsy. "Our Lady Elenore sends these. She says thank you for your 'generous' sacrifice of the Alpha's love. This is a small token of her appreciation."
The servants opened the chests. Inside were all the personal items I had made for Brannon over the years.
A combat tunic with the Pack emblem I had spent nights embroidering. A pair of wolf-shaped cufflinks I had saved for months to buy. Even the calming balm I had personally blended to soothe his Alpha temper.
Every single item was a monument to my past life's foolish devotion. Now, Elenore was returning them to me like garbage.
It was the ultimate humiliation. She was telling me that everything I had cherished was worthless to Brannon.
Livia trembled with rage, ready to lunge forward, but I stopped her with a look.
I stared at the items, my heart a frozen lake. The old me would have shattered. The new me found it laughable.
I walked to the chests and picked up the combat tunic, my fingers tracing the emblem I had stitched with so much love.
Rose and Mrs. Gable exchanged a smirk, thinking I was lost in sentimental memories.
I looked up at Rose and smiled faintly. "Please thank Lady Elenore for me."
"However," I continued, my smile vanishing as my eyes turned to ice, "it seems she has made a mistake."
I turned to Mrs. Gable. She was slightly taller than me and always looked down on me.
"Mrs. Gable," I began, my voice quiet but carrying an authority that silenced the corridor. "Please tell me, according to Pack law, what is my official status until the rejection ceremony is complete?"
Mrs. Gable froze, clearly not expecting this question. "You... you are still the Alpha's mate, Miss Cruz," she stammered.
"Good." I nodded, my gaze sweeping over the assembled servants. "Which means I am still the future lady of this estate. The future Luna of the Hoffman Pack. Is that correct?"
No one dared to answer, but their silence was an affirmation.
"Then, what is the punishment for an outsider who disposes of the future Luna's personal property, and has it delivered by a servant's servant as an insult?" My voice rose, sharp and commanding.
Mrs. Gable's face turned white. She finally realized her grave error.
I ignored her and turned to the stunned Rose. "And you, a mistress's maid, dare to be insolent to the future Luna. Who gave you the audacity?"
I raised my hand and, without a flicker of hesitation, slapped her hard across the face.
The sharp crack echoed down the hall. Everyone, including Livia, stared in shock. They had never seen me like this.
Rose clutched her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You... you hit me?"
"Hit you? Mrs. Gable, tell her. According to the rules, what is the punishment for insubordination?" I asked coldly, my eyes fixed on the trembling housekeeper.
Mrs. Gable's lips quivered. "Twenty... twenty lashes, and banishment from the estate."
"Did you hear that?" I said to Rose, who had crumpled to the floor in fear. "I'm in a good mood today, so I will spare you the whip. Now get out. Go back and tell your mistress that I have received her 'gratitude.' And remind her that as long as I am Brannon Hoffman's mate, she has no right to throw her weight around in this house!"
I turned to Livia. "Take everything in these chests and burn it. Leave nothing." These things were my foolish past. I needed to be rid of them completely.
The servants scrambled to haul the chests away, and Rose was dragged off. Mrs. Gable stood frozen, her face ashen, unable to meet my eyes.
This little drama only strengthened my resolve. I wasn't just going to leave. I was going to a place where I could gain enough power to protect myself and my family.
The capital city. Princess Theodora's palace. It was my only choice.
