Chapter 5

Three days after I made that call, Alexander stormed into my office, furious.

He slammed the door so hard the walls shook.

"Emily, did you go to Sophia's parents?"

"Her mother called her last night and yelled at her for an hour, calling her ungrateful and saying she betrayed you. Sophia cried until she almost fainted. Are you happy now?"

I let out a soft chuckle.

"If you two were brave enough to do it, why are you scared of people finding out?"

Yet, my heart twinged with a bitter ache.

I had always remembered how kind Mrs. Evans and her family were to me. Over the years, as I started earning money, I had repaid them tenfold.

Mrs. Evans had apologized to me on the phone, sounding incredibly guilty.

But the person who actually needed to apologize hadn't said a word.

Alexander took a deep breath, suddenly calming down.

"Emily, I'll give you one last chance. Go apologize to Sophia right now, and I can pretend none of this happened."

I looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

"Apologize? I'm not the one who needs to apologize here."

His face darkened.

"As of today, you are stripped of your title as Pack Beta."

"I'll give you three days to think about it. Emily, you've always been smart. Don't make a stupid mistake now."

I watched him walk away, the last ounce of affection in my heart evaporating.

When Alexander was good to you, he would give you the entire Pack's resources.

But once he turned on you, he was utterly heartless.

He kept his word. My territory duties were reassigned, my security clearance was frozen, and even my house was reclaimed by the pack.

But I didn't beg for mercy.

Ten years ago, I was just a wolf-less girl whom everyone called useless, but I fought my way up with my own grit.

Ten years later, I could easily do it again.

A month later, I received a text from Sophia.

[Emily, Alexander and I are holding our formal mate ceremony next month. You are the most important person in my life. I hope to have your blessings. I know I wronged you, but please, just this last time, okay?]

I glanced at the screen, put my phone down, and continued packing my bags. I didn't reply.

On the day of the ceremony, I showed up on time.

Sophia stood beside Alexander, looking radiant and happy.

But when they saw me, both of their faces went pale.

The crowded hall fell dead silent.

My relationship with Alexander had never been a secret.

In just half a year, the future Luna had been replaced.

Alexander instinctively stepped in front of Sophia, his eyes guarded.

Sophia looked at me, tears welling in her eyes.

"Emily... I..."

I looked at them and smiled softly.

"Don't be nervous. I promised I wouldn't miss the most important moment of your lives."

"So today, I brought a gift."

Behind them, the giant screen displaying their sweet pre-wedding video suddenly went black.