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?
