Chapter 3

"Alexander gave me this moonstone necklace. You don't mind, do you, Elena?"

Isabella deliberately swept her long hair to the side, showing off a delicate moonstone necklace around her neck.

I had just thrown the food containers into the trash. When I turned around and saw the necklace, my blood ran cold, then boiled.

That was my late mother's heirloom.

I kept it locked in the bedroom safe, too precious to even wear.

"Take it off."

I walked up to Isabella, my voice freezing the air.

"Elena, why are you being so mean?" Isabella whimpered, shrinking behind Alexander. "Alexander said it was just gathering dust in the safe, and that it would look much prettier on me."

Alexander shielded Isabella, glaring at me.

"Elena Smith, that’s enough! You're just jealous of Bella. You’re seriously going to fight over a cheap necklace?"

"I'll buy you ten of them tomorrow. Take your pick."

Looking at his self-righteous face, the last seven years felt like a sick joke.

"Alexander, that is my mother's heirloom."

"What right do you have to break into my safe?"

Alexander's eyes flickered with a brief moment of guilt, but he quickly recovered his arrogant stance.

"What's yours is mine. Why are you drawing lines between us?"

"Besides, Bella is accompanying me to the Hunt Festival’s bonfire gala tonight. She needs a proper piece of jewelry."

"A wolf-less human like you wearing something like this is just a waste anyway."

*“How dare he!”* my wolf roared in fury. *“Elena, reject him! Reject him now!”*

"I’m going to say this one last time. Take it off."

I stepped forward, reaching out to unclamp the necklace.

Alexander shoved me back with enough force to send me crashing against the edge of the dining table.

A sharp pain shot through my lower back.

But it was nothing compared to the agony in my chest.

My fated mate had laid his hands on me to protect another woman.

I had been completely, utterly betrayed.

"Elena Smith, don't walk all over my patience." Alexander looked down at me with pure disgust. "Bella is doing you a favor by wearing your trash."

"If you keep acting like a lunatic, even I won't want you anymore."

Isabella smirked from behind his shoulder, her eyes full of triumph.

"It’s okay, Alexander. Elena clearly cares about it too much. I'll just give it back." She pretended to unbuckle it.

Alexander grabbed her hand.

"Keep it on. Let’s see who dares to touch you tonight."

He glared at me.

"Elena, I don't have time for your drama tonight. Stay here and think about what you did. When you're ready to apologize, call me."

With that, he took Isabella’s hand and walked out the door.

The door slammed shut.

I gripped the edge of the table and slowly stood up, the pain in my back making my head incredibly clear.

I didn't cry. I didn't break anything.

I walked into the bedroom and looked at the forced safe.

Inside, besides the necklace, was a debt contract belonging to the Iron Ridge Pack.

I didn't sleep a wink that night.

At dawn, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in seven years.

"Benjamin, I need you to do something for me."

Benjamin was the Beta of my father’s Silver Creek Pack, and my childhood friend.

Seven years ago, for the sake of "true love," I had fought with my family and left the pack.

Benjamin had spent seven years looking for me. He had waited for me the entire time.

"My lady... you’re finally calling me. Your father has missed you so much..." Benjamin’s voice, usually deep and stoic, was actually trembling.

"We can catch up later," I interrupted him coldly.

"Do something for me."

"Cut off all funding to the Iron Ridge Pack. Immediately."

There was a second of silence on the other end, followed by a low, pleased chuckle from Benjamin.

"As you wish, my lady."

"I’ll fly over tomorrow with my team. I promise Alexander will be on his knees before you within forty-eight hours."

I hung up and looked at the mirror. The girl who had spent seven years begging for scraps of love was gone.

*Alexander, you brought this on yourself.*

My wolf didn't speak, but I could feel her satisfaction. She had been waiting for this call for a very long time.

***