"Everyone, the one standing beside me is my true intended mate. Don't make the mistake of confusing her with anyone else."
"As for this female? She's nothing but a filthy gold-digger and a den-thief."
"Sentries, seize her."
In an instant, pack guards rushed forward and pinned me in place, their grips like iron shackles. I couldn't move an inch, and fury tightened my brow.
Kael Hartwell released Lily Hartwell's hand and lunged toward me, snatching the pouch from my grasp. He dug through it and pulled out a moonstone ring, its gem as large as a dove's egg.
That ring—he had asked me to bring it tonight. He said it was for the bonding ceremony.
I never imagined I had walked straight into his trap. Now he was accusing me of stealing his own ring.
"See? I haven't wronged you at all."
"You even dared to steal the ring I prepared for my intended mate's bonding."
Lily Hartwell's face twisted into a cunning smile as she approached. Her palm cracked across my cheek.
"Serena Nightveil, you're the shameless gold-digger and thief here. How dare you accuse me of stealing your worthless jade charm back then?"
Another slap landed on my other cheek.
The humiliating whispers from the gathered pack members buzzed in my ears, mixing with Lily's blows. I must have looked utterly wretched.
"Ha! Serena, however you shamed me that day, I'll repay you a hundred times over tonight."
"Did you enjoy receiving those gifts recently?"
"Kael set that trap just for you. There's more hidden in your ceremonial gown, you know."
Lily raised her hand and patted my face mockingly, her laughter sharp and cruel.
Kael stood with his arms crossed, sneering at me. "Why are you looking at me like that? We haven't falsely accused you of anything."
"You've been caught with the evidence right on you."
"You've also damaged my timepiece relic and cracked the bonding ring. Have you figured out how you'll pay for that?"
Lily grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked hard. "Pay? What could she possibly offer?"
"The only skill she has worth mentioning is what she does in the mating den!"
I glared at this scheming, treacherous she-wolf. I wanted nothing more than to break free from the sentries and tear into her.
But I never expected Kael to go even further to cement my reputation as a thief. He began searching through my ceremonial gown.
He ripped the fabric apart, exposing my bare legs.
Every male in the hall let out low whistles and growls. From the torn cloth, he pulled out an emerald ring and a limited-edition necklace worth tens of millions in tribute value.
I had no idea when those items had been planted on me.
Only Kael had been close enough to touch me, close enough for me to lower my guard and trust him.
"Whose necklace is this? And this ring?"
The moment he spoke, two older males shoved their way through the crowd.
"The necklace belongs to me."
"The emerald ring was meant as a gift for my mate."
"Filthy gold-digger! You dared to steal from me? You're asking for death!"
One of the elder wolves rushed forward, snatched up the ring, and examined it. His face contorted when he found a crack running through the stone.
"This is my prized emerald! You disgusting little thief, you've damaged it!"
"And my necklace—it's broken!"
I opened my mouth to explain. I had never even seen these items before, let alone damaged them.
But before I could utter a single word, both elder wolves struck me across the face, one after the other.
Burning pain flared across my cheeks, and my heart plummeted into an abyss.
In all my years, I had never suffered such humiliation. No one had ever dared treat me this way.
Yet here I was, in this unfamiliar territory, betrayed by the male I loved most, drowning in shame and injustice.
