Alina POV:
Dr. Darwin, the hired Rogue specialist, stitched my arm. He smelled of clean, sharp mint.
"The wolfsbane concentration was high," he murmured. "It will scar. Your healing factor is zero right now."
"Does it matter?"
Jaxon walked in, checking his watch. "Krystal is upset. Those were her prize hounds. You should have been more careful."
I laughed, a dry, cracking sound. "She ordered them to attack me."
"Don't start with your delusions. Tomorrow is your birthday. I booked a table at Le Lune. Just us. To clear the air."
A stupid spark of hope ignited. The Mate Bond was a curse.
"Okay," I whispered.
The restaurant was romantic. For a moment, it felt like the old days.
"I have a gift," Jaxon said, opening a velvet box. A jade bracelet with protection runes.
"It's beautiful."
As I lifted it, I smelled it. Synthetic roses. Sweat. Skin.
Krystal had worn this. I'd seen it in a magazine.
"You're giving me her leftovers?"
Jaxon frowned. "It's a powerful artifact. Krystal didn't need it anymore-"
"You thought the Omega would be happy with scraps?" I slammed the box shut.
The doors banged open. Krystal marched in, wearing black, carrying a limp terrier.
"Murderer!" she shrieked.
"What is going on?" Jaxon stood up.
Krystal threw an orange bottle onto our table. "I found this in her room! And then I found Coco... stiff as a board! She poisoned him!"
It was my "vitamins."
"That's not poison," I said. "Those are the pills you make me take."
"Liar! The lab found Silver Nitrate in the dog's food! Everyone knows you keep silver to threaten me!"
"I'm a wolf. Why would I carry silver?"
Jaxon picked up the bottle. "The Gomez Pack is furious. If they think my pack member killed their Alpha's daughter's pet with silver... it's war."
"I didn't do it! Jaxon, look at me!"
"You are a liability!" Jaxon slammed his hand on the table. He grabbed my injured arm. "Apologize."
"What?"
"Kneel," Jaxon commanded. "Kneel and apologize to the future Luna."
My knees buckled. I hit the floor. The humiliation burned hotter than the wolfsbane.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, spirit breaking.
Krystal smirked. "Make sure she pays, Jaxon. A life for a life."
