Chapter 5

I felt my stomach twist like it couldn’t handle what I’d just heard. Bile rose in my throat, and a bitter taste filled my mouth.

Did I just hear that right?

Brayden Throne??

The name hit me like a slap.

My ex-mate.

The same man who once stood in front of the entire pack and chose to let me die.

I could barely breathe.

What kind of cruel game was this?

There he was—standing tall, impossibly handsome in a tailored black suit that did nothing to mask the danger that clung to him like a second skin.

His face looking more pretty than the last time I saw him.

His sharp jawline looked like it was carved by the best artisans. His icy gray eyes, and lips set in a line of disinterest.

My blood boiled just looking at him.

I let my eyes scan him quickly before turning away, but not before noticing the way he looked at me—with boredom. Cold. Like he didn’t even recognize me.

Like I was some sort of stranger.

And then, as if he could hear my thoughts, he started.

“We were both obviously forced into this mess,” he said with zero emotion. “Because the moon goddess knows I’d rather be anywhere else but here. Especially with someone like…”

He paused, then gave me a quick, disgusted glance.

“…you.”

The air was knocked out of my lungs.

This bastard.

I clenched my fists. I wanted to scream.

How could he stand there and act like I was the problem? After everything he had done? After he watched me nearly die and walked away?

Does he know who I am?

“I should’ve known,” he said again, voice rising.

“Who else could you be? You’re just the spoiled, worthless, good-for-nothing daughter whose pack didn’t even want her. Reasons they couldn’t wait to dump you on me like trash.”

I blinked.

Wait.

Did I say something out loud?

When the words he said sank in, before I could stop myself, I snapped.

I stepped forward, raised my fist, and punched him hard, straight across the face.

The impact made his head turn sharply. For a second, I felt my diamond heirloom ring slice his skin—and I saw blood drip from the affected area.

But of course, with Alpha blood, he healed almost instantly.

He turned back to me, eyes glowing red, breathing hard. He looked like he was close to shifting.

I didn’t flinch.

“I don’t care if you’re an Alpha or the moon goddess herself,” I said through clenched teeth. “You will respect me. I’m not the weak girl you left behind, Brayden. Not anymore.”

For a second, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes—like confusion,surprise.

But it was gone as quickly as it came.

We stood there in silence, staring each other down.

His anger, my pain. It hung between us like smoke.

He had no idea what he’d just started.

He had no idea I was already burning with revenge.

He and his pack had framed me, nearly killed me, and stolen half of my soul—my child.

And now, he looked at me like I was nothing?

He’d made a big mistake.

I will make him pay. All of them.

I turned sharply and stormed out of the room.

I needed answers. And I knew exactly where to get them.

The walk to my father’s wing of the estate felt longer than usual. Ornate chandeliers hung like silent witnesses as I stormed down the corridor, the soft thud of my boots echoing through the marble hallway.

I reached the heavy mahogany door and knocked, harder than necessary.

I had one destination in mind:

My father’s wing.

The man who had saved me from death, who gave me a life when I had none…

And the man who knew exactly who my betrothed was.

I knocked hard on his door.

“Come in,” his deep, familiar voice said from inside.

I opened the door and stepped in, trying so hard not to slam the door behind me.

The room was warm and calm. Books lined the walls. A soft fire crackled in the fireplace. My stepmother, Luna Gina, sat near the window in a navy dress, sipping tea.

She looked up and smiled.

My father was behind his desk, looking serious—like he already knew why I was here.

“Child,” he said softly. “Sit.”

I didn’t move.

I nodded once at Gina. “Luna Gina.”

“Hello, dear,” she said, her smile kind and gentle.

She wasn’t part of this. She didn’t deserve my anger.

Still, my heart was pounding.

She opened her arms, I sighed and crossed the room to hug her. Her arms wrapped around me, and for a brief second, all I felt was Warmth.

Comfort. The kind I hadn’t felt in years.

She rubbed my back softly and whispered into my ear, “Don’t be too mad at your father. Maybe… he didn’t know.”

I slowly pulled away and looked into her eyes, clearly shocked.

“You knew?” I asked in doubt.

Her silence said it all.

My chest tightened.

“You both knew,” I said, turning to my father. “You knew exactly who my supposed fiancé was. And yet you said nothing.”

My stepmom started, “Freya, it’s not…”

“Not what?” I snapped, voice rising.

“Freya!” my father’s voice boomed.

I froze.

I’d pushed it too far—but I didn’t care. Not really.

I swallowed my pride, calmed my voice.

“You owe me an explanation,” I said firmly. “And your one and only chance is now!”