Chapter 3

I watched Jasper's thrilled expression and how he hovered around Victoria with open flattery. A deep chill ran through me.

This was the werewolf who once swore eternal devotion to me.

When it came to his own interests, he couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore.

"I'm not causing a scene," I said coldly. "The mate bond is already broken. There's nothing between us anymore, and it's perfectly reasonable that I'm refusing your arrangement."

Jasper finally turned to face me with a gloomy expression. "Elena, are you jealous or something? You can't stand seeing anyone else doing better than you, can you?"

"Jealousy?" I couldn't help laughing with mockery. "Jealous of what? Your fake affection, or the way you all use each other?"

The guests immediately began whispering and casting looks my way again.

"What did you just say?" Serena snapped. "Elena, don't push it too far!"

"Too far?" I scanned the room, taking in the well-dressed wolves surrounding me. "I'm just telling the truth."

"You're calling us fake?" Jasper strode toward me, his eyes dark with warning. "Elena, your behavior tonight is deeply disappointing. You're just jealous that I found someone who suits me and that my life is better than yours!"

I looked at him, at the person who once held me beneath the full moon and swore lifelong devotion.

He was the person who once promised he'd protect me for life, who claimed I was the only one he'd ever love.

And now he stood there, threatening me for another she-wolf.

"Jasper's totally right," Victoria said with a sneer as she approached. "Elena, you're just jealous that Serena's more polished, has a strong family background, and can actually be useful to Jasper."

"And you?" she continued, looking down at me with disdain. "What can you bring to the table besides playing around with perfume? What can an orphaned wolf like you do for the Silvermoon pack? You're nobody here, and you think you can compare yourself to an Alpha's daughter?"

Soft laughter spread through the crowd. Several people nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. She should know her place."

"An orphaned wolf should act like it."

"Being taken in at all is already a huge mercy."

Anger flared in my chest, but it was tinged with exhaustion.

These were the same people who'd been polite to me when Jasper and I were together. And now, they were finally showing their true colors.

I answered in an icy and mocking voice, "Who here has ever shown me any respect? You stole my work, dragged my dignity through the dirt, and now expect me to be grateful?"

"You're just an orphaned wolf!" Victoria shrieked, malice blazing in her eyes. "What right do you have to demand respect? Who do you think you are?"

"Exactly," Serena chimed in. "Know your place, Elena. You're in no position to be asking for anything."

The laughter grew louder, and someone even started clapping.

As I looked around at the twisted, ugly expressions, the very last trace of feelings I had left for Jasper vanished completely.

Jasper stepped in front of me, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Elena, your behavior today is unacceptable. As a member of the Silvermoon pack, you should be celebrating the pack's glory instead of making a scene like this."

He paused, his eyes turning cold. "Apologize to Serena now."

I lifted my head and met his gaze.

At that moment, I finally saw him for who he really was.

And I finally understood where I stood.