What Kael Hartwell didn't know was this—if tonight's pre-bond ceremony had proceeded smoothly, he would have gained wealth and power beyond anything his pack had ever known.
So the one truly suffering loss wasn't me. It was him. Because I was never some scheming fortune-hunter trying to claw my way into a powerful bloodline.
If not for him, I would never have lingered in this territory for three long years.
The disappointment and crimson fury burning in my eyes meant nothing to Kael. He dismissed them with a curl of his lip.
"Why the tears? If you knew this day would come, why steal in the first place? Of all things you could have done, you chose to be a thief."
"You've damaged everyone's relics tonight. Have you figured out how you're going to pay for them?"
"I didn't steal those things. You gave them to me."
I ground my teeth and glared at Kael, but no one believed me.
"Ha! Do you even know who Kael Hartwell is? And who are you?"
"Why would he ever gift a timepiece relic worth millions to someone like you?"
"As if you're worthy?"
I wrenched myself free from the wolves holding me and stalked forward, grabbing Kael's wrist with a fierce grip.
"Tell me. Why are you doing this to me? Why set this trap?"
Kael's expression darkened instantly. "What do you think you are? You're not even worth the effort of trapping."
"You thought being with me for a few years gave you the right to act however you pleased? You knew I cared for Lily. You knew how much I treasured her. Yet you deliberately sent her away to be humiliated."
I said nothing. I just stared at him coldly, my gaze catching on the bite mark hidden beneath his collar—a mating mark, fresh and deliberate.
We hadn't shared heat in a long time. So where had that mark come from?
My eyes drifted to Lily. She smiled back at me, bold and shameless.
The truth hit me then. Kael's heart had already shifted.
He was no longer worthy of my love.
I released his wrist and stepped back, a cold laugh escaping my throat.
"You've bedded her, haven't you?"
Kael stood there with that distant coldness, not answering directly. But the heated glances he exchanged with Lily told me everything.
My hands clenched into fists. I slowly closed my eyes.
No wonder Grandfather had warned me not to rush bringing Kael home. He'd insisted I court him for three years first—a test of his true loyalty.
I never expected to discover his betrayal right as that three-year trial ended.
"Hey! Gold-digger!"
"You broke our things. You owe us tribute!"
"Stop standing there feeling sorry for yourself."
"Exactly. If you can't pay what you owe, you're finished."
Hearing those words, I turned to face the gathered wolves with ice in my veins.
These so-called precious relics? I could easily afford to replace them all. But the items weren't stolen by me—they'd been planted on me deliberately.
I had no way to prove my innocence. No one would believe me.
Was I supposed to accept being branded a thief? I pulled out my Moonstone Comms Sigil, preparing to summon the pack authorities.
I would let proper investigation clear my name.
But before I could activate the connection, Lily kicked the sigil from my hands.
"You want to call for help?"
"Let me tell you something—even if enforcers come, they can't save you. Everyone here knows who holds power in this den. They know exactly whose side to take."
"If anyone's making a report, it'll be us. Because you're the thief. When they arrive, you'll be the first one seized."
The moment she finished speaking, everyone regarded me with contempt and disdain, as though I were some ignorant pup who didn't understand how the world worked.
But their scorn couldn't touch me.
Because my precious comms sigil—priceless beyond measure—had just been shattered by Lily.
"What a worthless device. It's barely breaking. Someone bring me a hammer to smash it properly."
I tried to stop her, but it was too late. The sigil was destroyed.
That wasn't an ordinary communication device. The enchantments and moon-crystals embedded within it—the pack artificers had poured years of effort into crafting them.
