DAHLIA’S POV
"You almost died, Dahlia. Are you sure you’re up for this already?." My best friend Naya asked me in concern the moment I stepped down from her car.
I forced a smile, trying to reassure her. "I'm healed already. The hospital was getting too boring anyway. Besides, I need to be present at my own party, right?."
Tomorrow was my engagement party with the only man I had ever loved, Tristan Reed, the next Alpha of the Stormbringer pack.
Naya raised an eyebrow but didn't push the issue. "Okay, but promise me you'll take it easy and rest."
I nodded with a smile and slammed the door shut with my free hand.
My other hand held the box containing chocolate cake for Tristan from his favorite bakery.
I thought about gifting him and seeing how he was faring.
I couldn’t wait to see how his face was going to light up at my little surprise.
“Drive safely!” I called after my best friend as she pulled out of the parking lot.
It had been two long, agonizing days since the attack by some rogue wolves, and I was still recovering.
The injuries I had sustained were severe, and I was lucky to even be alive.
When the rogues had ambushed us that night, Tristan had been heavily intoxicated after a party with his work friends.
He had been unconscious in the backseat as we drove home, completely vulnerable.
Without hesitation, I jumped in front of him to shield his body, taking the brunt of the attack myself.
The rogues had savagely clawed and bitten me, their sole intent on killing Tristan.
But I managed to fend them off and get us both to safety.
Tristan wasn’t hurt at all, thank God. I had woken up in the hospital, battered and bruised but alive.
The doctors marveled at my rapid recovery, amazed that I had survived such a brutal assault.
But I knew it was because of the rare healing gifts bestowed upon me by the moon goddess.
Clutching Tristan's cake in my hands, I made my way to the door of his mansion.
All I wanted right now was to see him, and be wrapped in his loving embrace.
But as I approached the door, my steps slowed and my ears perked up instantly.
I could hear the faint sounds of laughter and clinking glasses from inside.
Of course I was already curious, so I slipped inside to a corner but no one noticed me.
There, gathered in the living room, were Tristan and a group of his work friends.
And to my utter dismay, sitting among them was my arch-nemesis, Kaylee—my very own stepsister.
They seemed to be celebrating some sort of milestone, and I couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"Kaylee, these pastries are simply divine," one of Tristan's colleagues gushed. "I don't know how you do it, but they're even better than the ones you brought last time."
Tristan chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "I know, right? Kaylee's baking skills are unmatched. No one comes close to her talent. She’s a natural."
My heart squeezed tight as I heard those words.
Tristan had always loved my baking, and to hear him praising Kaylee's skills over mine hurt like a knife to the chest.
But the pain only intensified as I listened to the next part of their conversation.
"So, Tristan," Kaylee said, sounding a bit worried, "you and Dahlia are finally going to tie the knot tomorrow for real?"
Tristan’s response made my mouth hang open.
"You know why I'm doing it, Kaylee. The moon goddess gave an ordinary omega like Dahlia with healing abilities she didn't even deserve. And I need those abilities for the pack."
Did someone punch me in the stomach hard? Because it sure felt like it.
All this time, I thought Tristan loved me for who I was.
But in an actual sense, he only wanted me for my healing abilities?
Kaylee nodded, a smug smile spreading across her face. "But it hurts to know she is going to be getting married to you instead of me. You’re going to be an Alpha of the pack soon, and she is just a useless omega. She is beneath you."
"I agree." One of the co-workers chimed in. "An Alpha like you needs a strong she-wolf like Kaylee. And you two look perfect for each other."
Tristan's expression grew serious, and he set his glass down on the coffee table.
"You guys, it’s only temporary. Kaylee, you know you’re that special woman in my heart, and I’d marry you in a heartbeat.
But right now we just have to sacrifice for the sake of the pack.
Once we can find the reasons behind the mysterious poisonings and we no longer need Dahlia, we would discard her."
"Are you sure about that?" Kaylee pouted, tracing patterns on his forearm lovingly.
He brought his lips to the back of her hand and kissed it tenderly.
"Yes, honey. My marriage to Dahlia would just be on paper and in front of the elders. You’re the one that my heart belongs to, and nothing is going to change between us."
By now hot tears were gathering at my eyes, stinging me.
I suddenly felt like I needed more oxygen because my chest felt tight and closed up.
How stupid I was this whole time to have not noticed all the red flags!
Even while I was stuck in the hospital for the past two days because of him, he didn’t visit me.
He didn’t even reach out to me, but I made up excuses for him, thinking he must have been busy with planning our wedding.
I didn’t know when the cake slipped from my fingers, falling to the floor with a soft thud.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to me.
Tristan’s face was marked with worry as we locked eyes.
"Dahlia! How long have you been standing there?"
