Ashes of the Northern Pack

This is the last time I’ll ever bring up the engagement between Kyle Hanson and me.

The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant. Kyle gave a look of pure disdain, and the room burst into laughter.

"Come on, what is this, the Middle Ages? That childhood engagement was a joke. You seriously think it still counts?"

"Grace Collins, always so high and mighty… Feeling insecure now, are we?"

I stayed silent, staring at Kyle, who looked casually indifferent. There was still a smudge of pink lipstick on his shirt collar.

A sharp pain twisted in my chest.

"We were young and stupid back then. Of course, I said yes." Kyle gave me a mocking glance. "We’re adults now. No need to dig up something that ridiculous and make everyone uncomfortable."

I froze, just about to speak when the door to the private room swung open.

Wearing a waitress's uniform, Rose walked in, pushing a food cart to the table. She looked startled to see me.

"Gracie—oh, I mean... Miss Grace." Then, she turned to Kyle with a pitiful look. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt."

Her hands trembled as she set the desserts on the table and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Kyle stood up and flipped the table over in a rage.

I gasped as a broken plate sliced my arm. The wound refused to close; there was clearly wolfsbane on that dish.

I winced in pain.

Kyle didn’t even glance my way. He marched straight to Rose and yanked off the apron printed with the hotel’s logo.

"Rose, how many times have I told you? Stop running around doing these degrading jobs."

Rose nodded, her eyes wide and her voice soft. "I… I didn’t want to cause trouble for you. You and Jones have done so much for me. I can take care of myself... even just working small jobs…"

Kyle grabbed her hand and said in an earnest tone, "You don’t understand how much it hurts us to see you lowering yourself like this. Come back with me now. No more jobs. Ever. If anyone tries to make you a servant again, I’ll destroy this place myself."

Then he suddenly turned to glare at me. "And if anyone else dares treat you badly, they’ll deal with me."

I pressed my bleeding arm, locking eyes with him coldly.

This hotel? It belonged to my family.

Kyle thought I was bullying Rose, forcing her to do chores, but this was just another one of Rose’s pathetic ploys.

She was being spoiled to the bone by Kyle and my brother, Jones. Her bank card had more money than she could ever spend. Did she really need to work?

However, it wouldn’t matter even if I brought the hotel manager in to explain. Kyle only ever believed Rose. In his eyes, I was the villain, the cruel, powerful heiress using her family’s influence to crush poor, delicate little Rose.

Kyle wrapped his arms protectively around Rose.

"Grace, you were born to stand beside an Alpha. I’m not worthy of you. That damn engagement? We’re done with it."

Rose stood pale and trembling in his embrace.

The rest of the group looked at me like I was a threat.

I let out a bitter laugh.

Ever since Rose’s mother wrecked my parents’ marriage and Rose herself stepped into what was once mine with Kyle, I’d cried, I’d fought, and I’d begged.

The love that was once mine alone shifted completely to Rose and her mother.

I’d never been humiliated like this in my life. However, the harder I fought to keep what was mine, the more everyone drifted to her side.

Now, I felt nothing but numb.

"Fine. I agree with you." I nodded expressionlessly and took a few slow steps forward.

Kyle instinctively pulled Rose behind him. "Grace, whatever you’re angry about, take it out on me."

I let go of my arm. My palm was soaked in blood.

Not a single person in that room cared why my wound wasn’t healing. They only ever cared about Rose.