Alpha’s Regret After He Proposed to a Fake Heiress

I'd been with Alpha Adrian Grant for eight years, but he never once allowed me to go public with our relationship. On the eve of my birthday, I learned he'd bid on a priceless moonstone ring at auction. I could barely contain my excitement—I thought he was finally going to claim me openly. But on my birthday, I saw the photos on the news. Adrian, kissing another she-wolf. And on Vivian's hand—the one wrapped around his neck—was the very moonstone ring I'd been dreaming about. It hit me like a bolt of lightning. I drove toward Moonlight Forest, but halfway there, a pack of rogues ambushed me. Desperate, I reached through the mate bond, trying to connect with Adrian. Every single time, he shut me out. Just when I'd given up hope, a passerby drove the rogues off and rushed me to the hospital. My pup was gone—lost in the attack. I called Adrian through my tears, over and over. On the twenty-fifth try, the call finally connected. But the voice I heard wasn't his. "Ugh, so annoying. You promised you'd spend today with me—just me. Why are you taking calls from other she-wolves?" Adrian immediately set me aside, his tone turning honey-sweet as he soothed the woman in his arms. "I know, I know. I'll ignore her. She's just some orphan with no family—how could she possibly compare to you?" Their smug laughter pierced through the phone like a knife to the chest. But what they didn't know was this: I was the true daughter of the Oceanridge Pack Alpha—his only heir. Vivian Blake was nothing more than a girl my family had taken in out of pity. I opened the mind-link to my father. "Dad, I'm coming home. And that arranged mating you mentioned—I agree. But I have two conditions. First, remove Vivian from the pack. Second, cut all ties with Crescent Moon Pack and pull every cent of funding we've ever given them." Chapter 1 Ten years ago, my family tried to arrange a mating alliance for me. Furious, I ran away and didn't contact them for over a decade. My father used every resource the pack had to track me down, and when he found me, he let me be—afraid I was still angry, he humored me and let me stay where I was. He even funded Adrian's pack behind the scenes, worried I might struggle in a small pack. Half the projects in Crescent Moon Pack ran on my family's money. So when my father finally received my message, he barely had time to feel happy before the anger set in. His voice was sharp with fury. "Consider it done. I'll handle this personally." "If it weren't for you being in that pack, I wouldn't give that small pack a second thought. I can't believe that Adrian had the nerve to treat you like this. Don't worry—I'll make sure he pays." "As for Vivian—I only took her in because I felt sorry for her. Turns out a stray dog would've been more loyal." Hearing my father's voice after all these years broke something inside me, and the tears came pouring out. He felt my anguish through our bond and softened immediately. "Don't cry, sweetheart. If you don't want the arranged mating, your mother and I will respect that. We'll take care of you for the rest of your life if that's what you need." I wiped my eyes and choked out the words. "No, Dad. I've made up my mind. This isn't some impulse—I've thought it through." He was quiet for a moment. "If you're sure, then we won't push you. The pack celebration is in a few days. I'll throw a banquet in your honor and let the whole world know who my real daughter is." I nodded and closed the link. The pain from the miscarriage still twisted through my body, but it was nothing compared to the agony of being betrayed by the man I loved and losing our child. That was when I overheard the healers whispering outside my door. "Who's in that room? She had a miscarriage and hemorrhaged, and her mate hasn't even shown up." "I heard someone caught a glimpse of her phone. The man on her lock screen looks like the Alpha." "Don't go spreading that around. The Alpha's mate is Vivian—I just saw her announcement on social media. They look perfect together." I opened my phone and saw the post. Vivian in a silk negligee, draped against Adrian's shoulder, her neck and chest covered in marks that left nothing to the imagination. Her caption read: One promise. You waited eight years for me, and today I finally get to be with you. The post was timestamped to the exact moment the rogues attacked me. My heart clenched. Breathing hurt. Then a text arrived from an unknown number: Not dead yet? Lucky you. But if you keep throwing yourself at Adrian, next time you won't be so fortunate. So the rogue attack was no accident. Vivian had planned the whole thing. She'd killed my pup—a baby that hadn't even fully formed yet. My nails dug deep into my palms. Grief turned to fury. My eyes went cold. I screenshotted Vivian's message and sent it to my father, asking him to track down those rogues. After checking out of the hospital, I buried my unborn pup on a hillside with a beautiful view. The grief was constant, relentless. Standing before the little mound I'd built with my own hands, I made a silent vow. Vivian had killed my child. I would make her pay. That night, Adrian still hadn't come home. But Vivian's social media was updating in real time—a video of friends laughing and celebrating together. "Adrian, congrats! Eight years of waiting and you finally got your girl." "Didn't I tell you not to throw away that moonstone ring? You wouldn't listen. Had to buy it back at auction for a fortune." "That moonstone—Adrian spent three days and nights searching Moonlight Forest to find it for Vivian's proposal. When she left, he tossed it in a fit of rage. Finding it again at auction eight years later? That's fate." After that, I couldn't hear them anymore. Couldn't see. Tears blurred my vision, and the only sound was my own sobbing. Eight years together, and he'd never once introduced me to his friends. In public, he always kept his distance. Whenever I questioned him, it was always the same excuse. "I'm the Alpha. Everything I do becomes tabloid fodder. I know you hate being in the spotlight—I'm protecting you." I'd actually believed him. I was touched, even grateful. But now I saw the truth: he simply didn't love me. Late that night, I was already asleep when I felt a large hand pulling at my nightgown. Chapter 2 I jolted awake to find Adrian pinning me down, reeking of alcohol, his lips smearing sloppily across my face. The stench of perfume clung to him, and there was a lipstick stain on his collar he hadn't bothered to wipe away—constant reminders that he'd been with someone else. The thought of that mouth on another she-wolf made my stomach turn. Before I could stop myself, I slapped him across the face. The slap sobered him halfway. He stared at me, bewildered. "Serena, it's me!" Then, like a magician, he produced a bouquet of crystal roses from behind his back. "I'm sorry—the project meeting ran late. That's why I'm home so late. Here, these are for you. And cake." A dainty little cake appeared before me. Once upon a time, I might have cried with gratitude. Now all I wanted to ask was, Was your meeting in a bedroom? But I held back, keeping my voice neutral. "Then stay out for the night. Don’t bother coming home just for me." He pushed the cake toward me, his tone gentle. "I can't do that. I heard you were hurt and I was worried sick. Thank goodness it wasn't serious, or I'd never forgive myself." "I need you to understand—as the Alpha, the pack has to come first." He made himself sound so selfless, as if I were the petty one. But he didn't know I'd heard everything. His phone hadn't disconnected—every word he'd whispered to Vivian had come through crystal clear. I just hadn't seen the point in confronting him. His affair with Vivian was all over the internet; there was no way I didn't know. He saw my expression and assumed I was upset about the tabloids, so he pulled me into his arms with a laugh. "The media will say anything for clicks. It's nothing like what they're reporting. I'm only using her family's connections to close a major deal." "You're my only mate. Vivian's pack is hosting a celebration next week—all the major Alphas will be there. This is my one shot at turning our pack into a real power. I can't pass it up." When I stayed silent, he played the Luna card. "You're about to become Luna. You need to think about what's best for the pack. Once I close this deal, I'll cut things off with her immediately. Can you just wait a little longer?" Every time we argued, he pulled out the Luna lecture. I used to think he was doing it because he truly saw me as his Luna. But now? Whoever wanted that title could have it. "Fine," I said. "I understand." Adrian smiled and lit the candles on the cake. "Come on, make a wish." The evening breeze slipped through an open window, making the candle flames dance and flicker across my face. This was the eighth birthday he'd spent with me. Every year, I'd wished for the same thing—a grand mating ceremony with Adrian, followed by forever. Now the very thought disgusted me. I closed my eyes and pressed my palms together: I wish that from now on, Serena Blake will have the courage to live for herself and never be anyone's puppet again. I opened my eyes and blew out the candles, then looked up to find Adrian glued to his phone, typing furiously, brow furrowed like something urgent had come up. Suddenly he leaped to his feet and started throwing on clothes. "Serena, I'm sorry—I can't stay for the cake. Something's come up with a project. I have to go." He was out the door before I could respond. Some project. I'd seen the message—it was from Vivian, saying she was attacked by rogues in an alley and needed him immediately. Same scenario—rogues—and his reaction couldn't have been more different. Who he truly loved was painfully obvious. I looked at the wilting crystal roses and laughed coldly, then tossed them in the trash along with the cake. The next morning, I went to the pack administration office to file for separation from the pack. The first thing I saw when I walked in was a wall of oil portraits—every Alpha and Luna in the pack's history. Three years ago, when Adrian took over as Alpha, he'd brought me here and pointed to a blank spot on the wall. "Someday our portrait will hang right there. I'll have your name written in the pack's history books so you'll be remembered forever." But I'd never wanted to be remembered. I'd only ever wanted to spend my life with the man I loved. That promised spot on the wall—I'd given up waiting. The clerk at the desk looked startled when she saw my application. "Serena, you're the pack's Beta. You handle practically everything around here. If you leave, who's going to manage all of this?" I smiled. "There are plenty of capable people in the pack. They'll do fine without me. Besides—I'm going home for my mating ceremony." She studied the form, sighed, and finally relented. "I'll submit this to the Alpha. But I have to say—you're the best Beta I've ever seen. The Alpha values you deeply. Are you really giving up your career like this?" Values me? Maybe. He felt nothing for me, yet went to such lengths to act deeply devoted in front of me—all just so I would help him run the pack, I suppose. In his eyes, that was probably all I was worth. Chapter 3 The sharp click of heels cut through my thoughts. Vivian swept in wearing a red bodycon dress, her waves bouncing as she marched up to the clerk. Before anyone could ask what she needed, she scanned the office with open disdain. "This place is so drab. Get me the pack's top interior designer—I want it completely redone." The clerk swallowed her irritation and explained patiently, "I'm sorry, this is the pack administration office. You don't work here, so the décor really isn't your concern." Vivian lifted her chin with an air of superiority. She pulled a document from her bag and slapped it on the desk. "Who says I don't work here? From now on, I'm in charge. When I say renovate, you renovate." It was an appointment letter, clear as day—the Beta position was being transferred to Vivian. Adrian's signature in the bottom corner was sharp and unmistakable. I'd told myself I was past caring. I'd already decided to leave. But seeing it in writing still felt like a fist closing around my heart. Vivian spotted me and feigned surprise. "Oh! Serena, you're here too? I didn't even see you." "I'm so sorry about taking your position. I honestly didn't expect the Alpha to trust me with something so important. I'm a little overwhelmed, to be honest." Her words said one thing; the smirk on her face said another. Familiar footsteps sounded behind me. Adrian appeared, looking slightly taken aback to see me. "What are you doing here?" Perfect timing. I held out my pack separation form. "I need you to sign—" But he didn't even glance at me. He brushed past, heading straight for Vivian. Instantly, her whole demeanor shifted—the arrogance vanished, replaced by a warm, soft smile. Adrian put his arm around her in front of everyone and announced: "Serena was injured recently. To give her time to recover, Vivian will take over as acting Beta." As if he was doing me a favor. Everyone in the room could see through it. He was only looking for an excuse to remove me from my position. Vivian tucked a loose strand of hair behind her forehead and bowed deeply to the crowd. "Thank you all for your support. " The once arrogant Vivian was now humble and polite, her attitude doing a complete one-eighty. Vivian clung to his arm. "I'm new here and still finding my way around. Could you show me the place?" Adrian's eyes went so tender they could have melted ice. "Of course. Let's go." As they passed me, he casually took my separation form, signed it without reading a single word, and handed it back. "From now on, all documents will be signed by Vivian. Her will is my will." Then he walked away without looking back. As if we were nothing more than coworkers. Vivian paused in front of the portrait wall, lingering before the blank space. Adrian came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist—right there in front of everyone—and murmured in her ear, just loud enough for the room to hear: "You like it? I'll have the pack's best artist paint our portrait." The meaning was clear: Vivian would be Luna. The sycophants circled immediately. "Vivian and the Alpha are a match made in heaven—no one in the whole pack is more perfect together." "Is that a moonstone on her hand? Those are incredibly rare. Money can't even buy them." "Forget the ring—if Vivian wanted the stars, the Alpha would pull them from the sky." Every word was a needle in my chest. But there were a few voices of dissent: "Serena's been Beta for years. The pack wouldn't be where it is without her. How can they just strip her title like that? It's not right." "Keep it down. Do you know who Vivian's father is? His pack is one of the most powerful in the whole wolf world. If the Alpha mates with her, we'd have a permanent alliance. Serena's contributions are nothing compared to that." I clutched the signed form in my hand and walked out without looking back, their laughter fading behind me. Chapter 4 True to his word, Adrian commissioned the pack's finest artist to paint their portrait, right there in the pack shrine, with a crowd of media covering the event. "Vivian is stunning—no wonder the Alpha chose her." "She's the daughter of the Oceanridge Pack Alpha, you know. A real heiress. She and Adrian are a perfect match." Camera flashes lit up Vivian's face as she basked in the attention. Adrian had one arm around her waist, his expression radiating pure joy—a look I'd never seen in eight years together. Genuine, unguarded happiness. And that blank space on the wall had finally found its owner. Later, while Vivian was admiring the finished portrait, she noticed me collecting my things. "Serena, come help me—does this painting look a little crooked?" She beckoned me like a servant. I ignored her and kept walking. Undeterred, she raised her voice so everyone could hear. "Serena, I'm sorry—I don't know what I did to offend you. Why are you being so cold? Is it because I stole your Alpha?" The media swarmed, cameras swinging toward me like silver blades. Vivian let the tears flow, the picture of wounded innocence. "Adrian loves me. Please stop throwing yourself at him." My head buzzed. My voice trembled. "If you're going to make accusations, bring proof. Who's throwing herself at anyone?" But no one was going to believe an orphan over an heiress. No matter what I said, the rumors crashed over me like a flood. "So Serena and the Alpha had something going on?" "She's just an orphan. As if she'd catch the Alpha's eye. She's obviously delusional—chasing after him like some stalker." "Quick, get this on camera! This'll be front-page news tomorrow." Flashes exploded in my face. I shielded my eyes and tried to run, but Vivian grabbed my arm. She leaned in, her voice a whisper meant only for me. "How does it feel? Having everything taken from you? Remember this—this is what happens when you try to compete with me." Then she spun me around, blocking the cameras, and shoved her wine glass into my hand. "Serena! What are you doing? Why are you grabbing my wine?" She seized my wrist and flung it toward the wall. Red wine splashed across the portrait—right over Vivian's face. She fell to the ground for good measure. The room erupted. Everyone stared at the ruined painting. Vivian's eyes glistened. "That painting—it was a precious memento between Adrian and me. Why would you destroy it? I know you still want him, but he chose me. Can't you just let us be?" I kept my voice steady. "Vivian, why don't we check the security footage and see what really happened?" She stamped her heel. "Everyone here saw it with their own eyes! Are you saying they're all lying? I had no idea your jealousy ran this deep—destroying our portrait like this." The crowd murmured and whispered. "We all saw it. Serena pushed her and threw the wine." Not because they'd actually seen it. But between an heiress and an orphan, they'd always believe the heiress. When power and money were on the line, truth didn't matter. The commotion drew Adrian. He pushed through the crowd, saw Vivian on the floor, and his face went dark. He rushed to her, shoving me aside to gather her in his arms. The force of his push slammed me against the staircase railing. My lower back hit hard enough to make me gasp. The bracelet on my wrist shattered on the floor. Adrian heard my cry and glanced back. He saw the broken pieces. That bracelet—he'd gotten it for me at the Moon Tree in Moonlight Forest when we first started dating, a charm for protection. He'd knelt before me that day, placed it on my wrist, and looked up with eyes full of devotion. "Serena, your safety matters more to me than my own life. If anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to step over my dead body first." Eight years later, his oath still echoed in my ears. The man who'd sworn to protect me was now the one cutting deepest. Something shifted behind his eyes when he saw the bracelet—old memories surfacing. But after a moment of visible struggle, he chose Vivian. He wiped her tears with heartbreaking tenderness. "Vivian. Don't cry. I'll have a better one painted for you tomorrow." Then he turned to me, his gaze ice-cold. "Apologize to Vivian." My throat burned. I forced the words out. "Adrian... it wasn't me." He looked at me with disappointment. "Everyone saw you do it. What's the point of denying it? Just admit you were wrong and apologize. Vivian's generous—she'll forgive you." Chapter 5 The crowd grew. Reporters shoved microphones in my face. "Serena, is your relationship with Adrian really what Vivian described?" "Did you destroy the painting out of jealousy?" "Is it true you've been stalking the Alpha?" Camera flashes blinded me. I stumbled backward. "It wasn't me! Vivian threw the wine herself!" Adrian's expression darkened further. He moved close and dropped his voice so only I could hear. "I know you're upset, but didn't we agree? Once the deal goes through, I'll cut things off with her. Can't you even wait that long?" "Everyone's watching. Stop embarrassing yourself and just apologize." My fists clenched. Red-eyed, I stared up at him and ground out every syllable. "I. Didn't. Do it. Check the cameras if you don't believe me." I was done with Adrian. I didn't care which she-wolf he ran around with or who he made Luna. But he didn't get to smear my name. He didn't get to crush my dignity. He scoffed. "You're saying an heiress would frame you? Or that everyone here is blind?" His voice dropped again, coaxing. "Serena, just admit it was a mistake. We won't hold it against you. I'll make the reporters delete everything—your reputation stays intact." Something died in my eyes. I shook my head slowly. "You're right. I was wrong." But not about this. I was wrong eight years ago, the day I chose him. Wrong to misjudge someone so completely. Wrong to hold on for so long. But I was awake now. Looking at the man before me, I realized how ordinary he was. My love had been the only thing that made him shine. Adrian misunderstood. He thought I was confessing. He helped Vivian to her feet, took her hand, and addressed the room. "My Luna is Vivian—and only Vivian. Serena was my former Beta. Beyond that, we have no connection whatsoever." Silence. He turned back to me, casual and dismissive. "If you're upset about losing your position to Vivian, I can arrange another role for you in administration." Like charity. Like pity. "No thanks." I reached up and unclasped the necklace I always wore—a wolf fang pendant. Years ago, Adrian had lost it fighting off rogues to protect me. I'd treasured it, had it set into a necklace, and wore it every day. Among wolves, exchanging fangs was sacred—it meant giving the most important part of yourself to the one you loved. A bond for life. None of that mattered anymore. I dropped the necklace into the nearest trash can without hesitation. "The job. Us. It's all over." I turned and walked away. Behind me, something flickered in Adrian's eyes—panic, maybe. He took a step after me, then stopped. Too many cameras. Too many witnesses. He pulled his foot back. Chapter 6 Four days until the celebration. After wrapping up the handover, I went home and packed everything that was mine into a suitcase. Every gift he'd ever given me, every photo we'd taken together—I threw it all into the yard and set it on fire. The flames roared skyward. Every memory of us turned to ash, dissolving into nothing. Just like what we'd had. In the end, there was nothing left. The house felt empty. I looked around the bare rooms and felt something in me go quiet. Late that night, Adrian slipped into my room carrying his usual cloud of perfume. The mattress dipped beside me, and his low voice came from above. "Serena, I know you're awake. I know you're angry, but will you please just hear me out?" I kept my eyes shut and said nothing. He had the nerve to sound hurt. "You know everything I've done has been for the pack. There's a huge project about to break ground but we don't have the funding. As Alpha, the pressure is crushing me. This was my only option." "On one hand, my pack. On the other, the woman I love. I had to sacrifice personal happiness for the greater good. I didn't have a choice." He went on and on about how hard things were for him, then pivoted to how deeply he loved me. It was quite the performance. Would've been convincing too, if not for the fresh marks Vivian had left on his neck. When I still didn't respond, he sighed, left something on the nightstand, and walked out. Once his footsteps faded, I sat up. A small box—inside, an expensive necklace. This was his pattern. Throw money at everything and assume it would fix things. He never understood that I'd never wanted his money. All I'd ever wanted was his heart. I tossed the necklace in the trash. The next morning, he came downstairs to find breakfast already on the table—my plate empty, his untouched. His brow furrowed. I'd always waited for him before eating. He chalked it up to yesterday's fight, laughed it off, and came up behind me for an embrace. I tilted away. His arms hung in the air, then dropped. Unease crept into his eyes. He recovered quickly, flashing a grin. "Still upset? I explained everything last night, didn't I?" "I'm only getting close to her for business. Please don't be angry." "Okay," I said flatly, without looking up. My calm unnerved him. He'd expected tears, a fight, drama. Not this. Not indifference. It should have been a good thing, so why did his heart feel so uneasy? After a long silence, he seemed to wrestle with something, then spoke. "There's an important reception at the pack shrine tomorrow. Come with me." My pulse jumped. It was the first time he'd ever invited me to appear in public. I started to speak, but he cut me off. "Everyone thinks Vivian is my mate now, so when you get there, could you maybe... keep your distance? So no one figures out—" He trailed off, but the meaning was clear. I agreed anyway. Not for him. Because I'd left something at that shrine—something I needed to get back. Adrian and I had once buried a prayer charm beneath the tree there, promising to dig it up on the day of our mating ceremony. That day was never coming. He smiled and kissed my forehead. That night, he didn't come home—"pack business," he said. But Vivian's feed updated again. Adrian with his head pressed to her belly, her hand holding a medical report. No caption needed. The message was loud and clear. My grip on the phone turned my knuckles white. They were having a baby. And mine? My baby hadn't even had the chance to form, to see the world—and had died in agony. I'd buried that child with my own hands. I couldn't even put a name on the headstone. And the father was out celebrating a new baby with another woman. The grief swallowed me whole. I sank to the floor, covered my face, and wept—not just for the child I'd lost, but for eight wasted years. When the tears stopped, I dried my face. Eight years to see someone for who they really were. At least I saw it. After today, I would never cry for anyone again. I went to the shrine, but the guards stopped me at the entrance. Chapter 7 "Sorry, Serena. You'll need an invitation. We can't let you in without one." I froze. Adrian had never mentioned any invitation. From inside came the tinkling sound of laughter. Vivian stood among the guests in a Luna's formal gown, the center of everyone's attention. "Adrian, you're so lucky to have such a beautiful mate. Don't forget to invite us when you have the mating ceremony!" Adrian's smile was so warm it made me doubt my own memories. "Absolutely. Being with Vivian is the greatest blessing of my life. I'll always take care of her." Their laughter cut like glass. The guard shifted awkwardly. "If you don't have an invitation, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave." I fixed him with a stare that shut him up instantly. "I don't have an invitation. Will this do?" I produced a gold insignia. The guard's eyes went wide. It was the crest of the Oceanridge Pack Alpha's direct bloodline—only immediate family carried the gold. Regular members received silver. Offending a direct heir of the most powerful pack in the wolf world was unthinkable. His demeanor transformed instantly, and he ushered me inside. All eyes were on Adrian and his soon-to-be Luna. No one noticed me. I stood in a corner, watching in silence. Vivian pointed at a towering Moon Tree and laughed. "Adrian, remember? We buried a prayer charm under this tree. We said we'd dig it up on our mating day." Adrian stroked her hair. "Of course I remember. After you left, I came here every year to check on it. Every time, I missed you." She pouted playfully. "Are you blaming me for leaving?" "Never. I'm just glad you came back. Every woman I met while you were gone—I saw your face in all of them." The glass in my hand went still. My whole body locked up. He'd taken me to that tree every year. I'd thought it was our ritual, our special thing. Now I realized he'd been revisiting old memories—pining for the woman he'd actually loved all along. All those times he'd looked at me with what I thought was love—had he been seeing someone else? He probably figured that since I was just an orphan, I should feel honored to serve as Vivian's stand-in. That even if I found out, I'd never leave. He was wrong. No one was irreplaceable. I walked out without looking back. I booked a flight home that same day and boarded the plane with my suitcase. Three days until the celebration. Three days, and everyone who'd hurt me would pay. The reception made headlines across the wolf world—what was supposed to be a business event had turned into an engagement party. Meanwhile, "Oceanridge Pack Celebration" quietly climbed the trending topics. On the day of the celebration, my parents hosted a grand banquet at the pack shrine, inviting Alphas from every major pack and a full press corps for live coverage. Everyone assumed my father would announce Vivian as his heir. No one knew she was just a refugee whose family had been destroyed by rogues. My father had found her during a campaign. Missing me after I'd run away, he'd brought her home to raise as a daughter. Vivian arrived in a lavender designer gown on Adrian's arm, all smiles as she worked the room. But Adrian looked distracted—restless since the moment he'd walked in. He hadn't heard from me in weeks. Calls unanswered. Texts ignored. I'd vanished. He'd assumed I was just throwing a tantrum and would come crawling back. Instead, he'd received notice that I'd formally left his pack. Before he could make sense of it, Vivian had dragged him here. He couldn't afford to upset her, so he shelved his worries. But his mind was elsewhere. His friend noticed. "Still worried about that little mistress of yours?" Vivian's brow twitched. Adrian glanced at her and forced a shrug. "No chance. She was just a fling. Not worth worrying about." "Good. You've got Vivian now. Time to settle down. She's the one you'll spend your life with." His friends had always known Adrian kept an orphan on the side—they just didn't know who. In their eyes, only someone like Vivian was worthy of an Alpha. Vivian's lips curved in satisfaction. Then a figure crossed her line of sight, and her eyes went wide. Chapter 8 "How? What is she doing here? That woman is like a curse that won't die." Vivian muttered under her breath. She'd planned to use the celebration to introduce Adrian to her parents and lock down the alliance. If her father found out Adrian had a mistress, the deal would fall apart. She couldn't let that happen. She took a sip of wine, then suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed. "Adrian... I—I don't feel well." Adrian rushed to her side. "Vivian! What's wrong?" She lay in his arms, her voice faint. "I don't know. I felt sick right after drinking that wine." Every eye went to the glass. One of Vivian's friends—a healer—caught the signal. She rushed forward, inspected the wine, and gasped. "Wolfsbane! Someone poisoned it! Who would want to hurt Vivian?" Vivian bit her lip, tears glistening. "This is supposed to be the most important day for my pack, and someone's trying to kill me." Adrian took charge. "Don't panic. The dose doesn't seem lethal—I'll get you medicine. Lock down all exits. The poisoner is still here." Everyone nodded and helped Vivian to a chair. That's when her gaze locked onto something—someone—heading upstairs with a bag slung over her shoulder. "Serena? What are you doing here? I don't recall sending you an invitation." Her friend jumped in. "I saw her lurking near Vivian's glass earlier! She's probably the one who did it!" All heads turned to me. Guards dragged me in front of Vivian. She put on her best wounded-innocent act and waved the guards off. "Serena, I've already forgiven you for chasing Adrian. But why won't you leave me alone? Why would you try to poison me?" Whispers rippled through the crowd. "Isn't she the one from the news? The she-wolf stalking Adrian?" "First she destroyed the portrait out of jealousy. Now she's trying to murder Vivian." "Jealousy is a terrifying thing." I looked down at the crowd, unflinching. "You're saying I did it. Where's the proof?" "Proof? Let's search her bag—I bet the bottle's still in there." They lunged for my bag. I held on tight. "On what grounds?" "On the grounds that you're a murderer! An orphan nobody wanted. Your parents probably weren't much to speak of either." "She’s probably some illegitimate daughter who can’t show her face in public—no wonder her own parents abandoned her." They could insult me all they wanted. But my parents were off-limits. I nearly screamed. "Do you have any idea who my parents—" A figure stepped between us, cutting me off. Adrian. His cold gaze swept over me, his voice low. "What are you doing here?" He kept glancing around nervously, terrified someone might realize we had a history. Vivian pressed in, tears flowing. "Adrian, I think the one who poisoned me is Serena. But she won't admit it." Adrian's face expression turned thunderous. Without even verifying, he turned on me. "You put wolfsbane in Vivian's drink?" I met his gaze head-on. "I didn't." He hesitated, then looked away. "First the portrait, now poison. I let the painting slide, but you've gone too far. How could you become so vicious?" Once, words like that would've broken me. Now I just wanted my name cleared. "I'll say it one more time. It wasn't me. Check the cameras. If you find proof I did it, you can do whatever you want to me." Vivian's friend laughed. "Why bother with cameras? Just search her bag." Guards grabbed me and yanked at my bag. I held on. The strap snapped. Momentum slammed me into the wall hard enough to rattle my bones. My bag hit the floor, its contents scattering everywhere. A small green bottle rolled across the tiles and stopped at Adrian's foot. He picked it up, sniffed it, and his expression hardened. "Caught red-handed, Serena. What's your excuse now?" The crowd closed in around me like a wall. "Attempted murder of a pack member is a capital offense! Banish her to the Wastes!" "Exile her!" The shouts crashed over me in waves. Then a voice cut through the noise like a blade: "And what exactly do you think you're doing to my daughter?" The room went silent. Every head turned toward the upper balcony. And the moment I saw my father, tears filled my eyes.