Lina's POV
I stepped into the Lockwood estate's grand ballroom, pulse racing. Tonight was Alpha Victor's birthday celebration—the entire manor ablaze with lights, packed with guests. But I barely registered the lavish decorations or the buzz of conversation swirling around me.
Then champagne splashed across my chest.
The cold, sticky liquid ran down my hair and dress. Susanna Laurent's amber wolf-eyes gleamed with malice as she offered a sweet apology, then added just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear:
"Though honestly, you shouldn't be here anyway."
The room froze for a single heartbeat.
Then came the laughter.
"A packless orphan at the victory celebration? Bold move."
"If the Lockwoods hadn't taken her in, she'd probably be dead in a ditch somewhere."
"She can't actually think she belongs here, can she?"
Their voices crashed over me like waves, each one poisonous.
I said nothing.
I just stared down at the spreading stain on my dress—the dress I'd worked two weeks to afford—and slowly curled my hands into fists until my nails bit into my palms. The pain kept me grounded.
But it still hurt less than their words.
I should have been used to it by now—from the day the Lockwood pack took me in, these whispers had never stopped. The girl whose parents were slaughtered by silver-blade hunters. The girl without a wolf.
These labels had defined me whether they spoke them aloud or not.
None of it should matter. I still had Jasper. I needed to find him. I needed to escape this suffocating atmosphere.
Tonight, Jasper promised to make us public.
Jasper is Alpha Victor's only son and heir to the Lockwood Pack. He's handsome, powerful, and gentle—the dream man of most she-wolves in the pack, but he has a secret.
He's been secretly dating me. Lila Ward, just a wolfless orphan.
Ever since Luna Elena adopted me, he's always been gentle and caring, telling me not to feel inferior because of my bloodline.
Three months ago, he accepted my confession and promised he would make our relationship public when the time was right.
For ninety days, we'd been sneaking around—stolen kisses in empty hallways, messages sent only when no one was watching. He told me we needed to wait for the perfect moment, that our bond required protection, that he didn't want me facing the pack's judgment. I believed him. I'd always believed him.
Tonight, that moment had finally arrived.
The ballroom had several exits. I slipped through one gratefully, searching the corridors. Maybe he was waiting in his room?
After a few minutes, I heard his familiar voice coming from behind a half-open door.
Then I heard it clearly.
Laughter. Moaning.
My world stopped spinning. No. This couldn't be happening...
My feet moved on their own, carrying me toward that room. Each step felt like walking to my execution.
"Oh god, Jasper... yes, just like that... harder..."
The door hung half-open, like a cruel invitation to witness my own destruction.
I saw them. Jasper's cock buried inside Sophie's pussy. Sophie moaning, drowning in pleasure.
No. No, no, no, no.
"Your cunt's dripping wet, Sophie," Jasper grunted.
Sophie Laurent. Heir to the Stoneheart Pack.
Sophie laughed. "Better than your pathetic little sister, I bet. Poor Lina probably doesn't even know how to satisfy a real man."
The air was ripped from my lungs. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think—only feel the agony tearing through my chest.
"Don't mention her," Jasper's voice rasped. "Not while we're doing this."
"Why not?" Sophie's fingers traced possessive circles down his spine, her tone lazy. "Soon enough she'll understand her place. An Omega like her could never satisfy you anyway."
Each word landed like a hammer blow. I stumbled backward, gasping. My shoulder hit the wall with a sound like a gunshot.
"What was that?" Sophie hissed.
My foot caught the door and it slammed against the wall with a bang.
"What the hell?"
They saw me,jerked apart. Jasper nearly tumbled off the couch, scrambling for his shirt. Sophie merely sat up, not even bothering to cover herself.
"Lina!" Jasper went pale. "I can explain—"
"Explain?" My voice shook. "Explain why you're fucking Sophie?"
"This isn't what it looks like—"
"This is exactly what it looks like!" Tears streamed down my face. "You lying, cheating bastard!"
Sophie stretched lazily before reaching for her clothes. "Oh, sweetheart. You didn't actually think he'd choose you, did you?" She tilted her head with mocking pity. "How adorable."
"Sophie, stop," Jasper warned. But his voice was weak.
"Stop what? Telling her the truth?" Sophie rose slowly. "That we're already engaged? That you were just playing with her?"
The world tilted. "You're lying."
"Am I?" Sophie moved to the window, arranging her hair. "Why don't you ask Jasper? I'm sure he'll tell you. Maybe even mention our engagement announcement next week."
"Lina, listen—" Jasper had finally gotten his shirt on. "This doesn't change anything between us. We can still—"
"Still what?" I lunged at him. He caught my wrist.
"You need to calm down," he said. His grip was tight, bruises already forming. "Think about your position. You don't want to make this worse."
I stared into his eyes—eyes that had whispered promises days ago, now cold and calculating.
"Let go," I said quietly.
"Lina—"
"Let go of me!"
I wrenched free and ran.
I moved soundlessly back to the ballroom, my steps mechanical. That's when I saw them—Luna Elena and Alpha Victor standing near the grand staircase.
"Lina?" Luna Elena's expression shifted to concern as she approached. "Dear, you look upset. Have you been crying?"
"It's nothing," I managed, though my voice cracked. "I'm fine."
Luna Elena's brow furrowed. She reached into her evening clutch and pulled out an elegant card—gold-embossed with delicate filigree around the edges.
"I've been meaning to give you this," she said, extending the invitation toward me. "Jasper and Sophie's engagement party next week. We'd like you to attend, as Jasper's sister. It's an important occasion for the family."
I stared at the card like it was a weapon aimed at my heart.
"You knew," I said. Not a question. A statement. "You've always known about Jasper and Sophie."
Luna Elena and Alpha Victor exchanged a glance. That look told me everything.
"Yes," Alpha Victor said finally, his voice measured. "We knew. This is an alliance between two packs, Lina. It's crucial for Lockwood Pack's future."
My hands hung at my sides, nails digging crescents into my palms. "And what do you expect from me? My blessing?"
"Of course," Luna Elena said, her tone gentle but firm. "You're part of this family, Lina. We hope you'll understand this is for the greater good—"
"Sorry, Luna Elena. I'm not feeling well."
I fled from there in embarrassment, running blindly as tears blurred my vision.
I don't know how long I ran. Ten minutes? An hour? When I finally stopped, I found myself in the town center.
Few people were out—just scattered pedestrians and occasional passing cars. I leaned against a wall, hands on my knees, gasping for air.
"Lina!" A familiar voice snapped me back to reality.
I turned to see Chloe running toward me, hair streaming behind her.
"I saw you bolt from the ballroom," she said breathlessly, stopping before me. "God, your face... what happened?"
"Worse than you can imagine," I said, my voice raw. My knees weakened and I nearly collapsed into her arms.
Chloe steadied me, her grip strong and sure. "Tell me," she said, concern flooding her voice. "What the hell happened?"
I took a shaky breath and everything poured out. I told her about the scene I'd witnessed—Jasper and Sophie tangled together, their cruel words. I told her about the engagement, about Luna Elena's comments, about my foolishness and heartbreak.
The words came in broken sobs, but I got it all out.
When I finally finished, Chloe held me tight.
"That bastard," she growled, fury in her voice. "How dare he do this to you?"
She pulled back, hands on my shoulders, looking directly into my eyes.
"Listen, Lina. You know what you need? Someone who actually appreciates you. Not these fake assholes, not people who just use you."
"I don't need anyone," I said quietly.
"No?" Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you still crying over him?"
I opened my mouth but couldn't speak.
Chloe sighed, then a mysterious smile crossed her face."You need a new Mate." she said. "Someone who truly respects you and cherishes you."
"Chloe—"
"Tomorrow night. 9 PM. Le Bernardin bar. I want to see the sexiest Lina in the world!"
I looked at Chloe's determined eyes, remembering all the humiliation I'd endured today, and felt an unprecedented surge of courage. "Fine. Let all those awful guys go to hell!"
