Chapter 3

Today was the anniversary of my mother’s death.

I stood alone before the stone monument on our family’s sacred ground, dressed in a long black dress.

My mother's name was carved into the tombstone: Marian Moonstone.

It had been five years since she passed, but I could still hear her last words.

"Elara, you must remember, you are the future of the Moonstone pack. Liam will always protect you."

White gardenias, her favorite flower, swayed in the morning breeze, their faint scent filling the air.

I waited for two full hours, but Liam never came.

My father sent a memorial wreath.

But Liam? Where was he?

I took out my phone and dialed his number.

The first time, no answer.

The second time, no answer.

The third time, still nothing.

My hand started to shake, and rage burned in my chest.

The fourth time I called, someone finally picked up.

But it wasn't Liam's voice.

"Liam is with me," Dahlia’s voice was thick with sleep. "He's helping with my new puppy. The poor thing is sick, and we're just so worried..."

In that second, my blood ran cold.

Today was the anniversary of my mother’s death.

And my brother, the one who swore he would always protect me, was with another woman, taking her pet to the vet?

I didn’t say a word. I just hung up.

Then I blocked Liam's number and shut off his mind-link.

I never wanted to hear another one of his excuses.

Tears streamed down my face the entire drive home.

Mother, if your spirit can see this, what would you think? The devotion you asked of Liam… he’s given it all to an outsider. And on the day we’re meant to honor you, he chose to be with someone else.

When I got back to the estate, I heard laughter and cheerful voices from the living room.

I pushed the door open and saw a scene that shattered my heart.

Kael and Liam were gathered around Dahlia, their faces beaming with pride.

A gleaming gold trophy sat on the coffee table.

"Our little genius has brought honor to the pack again!" Liam said, raising a glass of champagne. "The 'Strategist of the Year' award from the annual Wolf Summit! This is the highest honor!"

Kael picked up the award-winning business proposal and waved it triumphantly.

"You should learn from Dahlia, Elara," he sneered, finally noticing me. "She has nothing but pure talent and drive. Unlike some people who just coast on their family name."

My eyes fell on the proposal, and I froze.

The title on the cover, the framework of the core idea, the way the data models were built…

It was my proposal. The one I had poured my sleepless nights into. My blood, sweat, and tears—stolen and claimed as hers.

"That's my proposal!"

I trembled with rage and lunged for the papers.

"Dahlia, you stole my work!"

Before my hand could even touch it, a crushing wave of Alpha power slammed into me.

Kael had unleashed his full strength, and the force hit me like a tidal wave.

I couldn’t withstand it and crumpled to the floor.

The cold marble was unforgiving, and a sharp pain shot through my elbow as I hit the ground.

Kael shielded Dahlia behind him, his eyes filled with rage and disgust.

"Elara, you say she stole your proposal? Where's your proof?" he asked, his voice like a shard of ice. "Without proof, it's just slander. Have you really sunk this low?"

I looked desperately at Liam, hoping he would say something.

He knew. He knew I had been working on this.

But Liam flinched away, avoiding my gaze.

He stared at the floor, unable to look at me.

"Liam!" I choked out. "Tell them. You know it’s mine."

"You know I worked on this for months!"

Liam’s face was pale. His lips moved, but no words came out.

"I… I don't know…" he stammered. "Maybe it's a coincidence…"

"A coincidence?" I stared at him, my heart breaking. "With this many similarities, you call it a coincidence?"

Protected by Kael, Dahlia started to cry.

"I didn't steal anything… I just used my own ideas… Why does the Luna always have to target me like this?"

Her tears fell like perfect pearls, making her look all the more pitiful.

Kael’s heart went out to her, and he rubbed her back soothingly.

"Don't cry, Dahlia. I believe you."

He turned back to me, all the love he once had for me now curdled into anger and disappointment. "Elara, you have disappointed me beyond words."

"First, you make a scene at the party. Now you’re slandering a pack member. How much lower can you sink, Elara?"

I knelt on the cold floor, looking at the three of them.

My destined mate, my brother by blood, and the Omega who had stolen everything.

They stood together like a complete family.

And I was the outsider. The one who didn't belong.

Just then, my eyes caught something on Dahlia's wrist.

A bracelet, woven from silver thread and wolf fangs.

The intricate craftsmanship, the unique pattern, the tiny, heart-shaped charm…

My heart stopped.

It was the only thing my mother had left me. The bracelet that symbolized the eternal bond between a mother and daughter.

My voice was a raw whisper. "Liam… how could you give her the bracelet Mom left for me?!"