Chapter 3

Rage bubbled within me, uncontained.

The thought of him giving her the same necklace hours before he came here to meet me. While I was all alone spiralling in my thoughts, he was there with her.

A hickey on her neck. The exact diamond necklace. The reused words.

Why?

In an instant, my hands found their way to the necklace on my neck, ripping it off and tossing it as far as I could. Where it landed? I couldn't care less.

All I wanted was to wash it all off. The residue of her scent on me, the feel of his hands against my skin.

I stormed into the shower. The warm water hit my skin as I scrubbed every part of my body. Every bit of his touch and her smell.

I wanted it all gone.

"Aurelia, are you in there?"

Axel knocked on my bathroom door, once then twice.

"You've been in the shower for over thirty minutes now."

I hadn't even realised. I looked down to see my fingers shriveled from being underwater for too long.

With a sigh, I dried off and wore my robe before walking back into my room. Axel was standing right outside the door.

A huge grin spread across his face as his gaze hungrily lingered across my body.

Just as I walked towards my bed, his hands snaked across my waist, pulling me flush against him.

He leaned, whispering. "You smell so fucking good, I can’t wait to fuck you right here. "

A wave of unease rushed down my spine. Something worse than disgust.

I jerked, pushing myself away but his grip only grew tighter. He buried his head in my neck. Tongue trailing, lips sucking, teeth biting.

"Axel, stop!"

"I know you love this, baby."

His hand slipped into my robe, grabbing a fistful of my butt. Squeezing till it hurt.

"Fucking let go of me!"

I pushed with everything I had. Axel stumbled back. Eyes widened, confused.

"I'm exhausted." I spoke.

"Yeah." His breath steadied. "You've had a long day. I'm sorry baby."

He caressed my cheeks. "You've been gone for a while and I guess I missed you badly."

Missed me? While fucking his sister?

How could he say those words with the most genuine eyes yet do something completely opposite behind my back?

"Get some rest. We'll go to the banquet together tomorrow." He placed a soft kiss on my head before walking out.

****

Sleep never came. I lay awake all night, staring. My thumb scrolling through her page over and over until dawn came.

I had to prepare for his grandfather's banquet… Eric Davenport. Not just because of Axel but because Eric had always been the one who supported our union the most and had always thought of me as family.

Hours later, a knock landed on my door. "Are you ready?"

He walked into my room, eyes bright, lip between teeth as his gaze devoured my entire frame but just then… a wrinkle formed on his brow.

"You're not wearing the necklace?"

Over my dead body would I humiliate myself in such a way.

"We'll be late, let's go." I replied, avoiding the question as I walked out of the room with his footsteps following behind.

Axel rambled about business, pack duties and things I couldn't care less about. Eventually, silence engulfed us until we arrived at Eric's grand estate.

But just then, his hands tightened on the wheel. Jaw clenching.

"What the hell is he doing here?" He spat.

I followed his gaze. A sleek black car parked ahead of us, in the spot designated for Axel.

"That fuck of an Uncle."

Uncle?

My gaze shot up.

Embarrassment clawed at my insides as memories of our last encounter rushed through my head. Images that I had struggled to bury all this while.

He'd been gone for over five years. Expected to never return to the pack, why the hell was he here now?

I'd been head over heels for Axel back then. I visited their mansion, hoping to catch him by surprise, but accidentally barged into Dane's room instead.

He wore nothing but a black towel slung low around his waist, water dripping down his chest as he brushed his wet hair back, a smirk tugging at his lips when he caught the horror on my face.

Rather than apologizing, I'd done the only thing my mortified brain could think of. I sprinted off.

I'm all grown now, but that's still the most embarrassing thing I've ever done. How do I even face him today?

"He should've just stayed in California!" Axel fumed as he stepped out. Too consumed by rage to notice that I needed help getting out of the car.

Oh yes—Uncle Dane was supposed to be in California, where he’d effortlessly expanded the pack’s business empire through a series of mergers and acquisitions. Just last month, he became the new Alpha King.

That alone was enough to make him a near-legend within the whole werewolf empire—and the man Axel cursed most under his breath.

I rolled my eyes internally but said nothing.

As I stepped onto the gravel, my heel caught on a stone. I stumbled forward, bracing for impact—

But it never came.

Strong hands caught my waist. Steadying me.

I looked up.

Grey eyes. Sharp. Piercing. Like they could see straight through me.

Dane Davenport stood tall before me, his hands still on my waist. Broad shoulders that swallowed my entire frame. A face carved from stone, all sharp angles and quiet authority.

Then his scent hit me. Rich. Woodsy. Intoxicating.

My breath caught.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then Axel's hand clamped down on my arm, yanking me away.

"Uncle." His voice was ice. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Alpha King Dane's gaze lingered on me for a second longer before shifting to Axel. His expression remained unreadable.

"It's my father's banquet, isn't it?" He spoke, unbothered.

Axel's grip on my arm tightened as he pulled me toward the entrance, leaning close. "I don't like you getting too close to other men."

Other men?

I scoffed internally.

He'd been the one having a forbidden rendezvous with his foster sister, yet he says that?

My fists balled by my sides but I said nothing as we both walked in.

The banquet hall was filled with people of wealth and status from all over the country.

Eric stood surrounded by admirers. The moment he spotted us, he walked past Axel and pulled me into a hug.

"He doesn't even care about his grandson." Flora, Axel's mother, laughed as the rest of the family joined in.

Just then, Dane walked up to the gathering and Eric greeted him in the same way. His eyes fell on mine but I lowered my gaze. Trying all I could not to look at him.

"When are you going to find yourself a mate as well?" Eric spoke, his focus on Dane. "You're not getting any younger."

I lifted my gaze. His grey eyes found mine. I looked away.

But I could still feel him watching.

Why was he staring at me?

"Soon."

"Soon?" Eric scoffed. "Look at Axel! He's already with a beautiful partner…" He gestured toward me. "You should follow his example."

Axel puffed up beside me. Proud.

I wanted to vomit. But Dane's grey eyes never left me.

"Indeed." Dane’s voice was quiet. "She is beautiful."