Chapter 3

Everyone’s eyes were on me, waiting for my answer.

I parted my lips, ready to announce that my chosen mate was Ryan. However, Alpha Amos’s words echoed in my mind.

“If you’ve chosen Ryan, I’ll respect that, but don’t reveal it just yet. The matter of who inherits the Alpha’s position must be handled with extreme care.”

I understood the deeper meaning behind his warning. My choice wasn’t just about picking a mate for myself; it was about appointing the next leader of the pack. This decision carried immense weight. Every word I spoke could plunge the pack into division and chaos.

Alpha Amos was on his way here, so I forced myself to hold back and stay silent.

Whispers broke out around me.

“Why isn’t she saying anything? She can’t even answer, huh? Truth is, she just wants to cling to Glen.”

“I thought maybe she’d finally have the guts to reject him, but nope. Never trust someone whose brain’s fried by love.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Fawn cut in with false concern. “Iris is just trying to provoke Glen into marking her early. She’s desperate, that’s all, and it’s understandable.”

Laughter erupted around us, but Fawn wasn’t finished. She leaned close and whispered in my ear, “You can’t win against me. See this? From my brooch to my heels, every piece was a gift from Glen. I heard you once begged him for just a jacket, but he called you a freak instead… Am I remembering that right?”

She wasn’t lying. That memory was deeply ingrained in my mind.

Back then, I was obsessed with Glen’s scent, so obsessed it bordered on madness. One winter, he casually tossed me a cloak for warmth, and I couldn’t resist burying my face in it to breathe him in until he caught me. His eyes went wide with disgust, and he yanked the cloak away, throwing it straight into the trash.

“Freak!”

That word had crushed me, leaving me frozen as tears welled up but never fell. I could only stammer “sorry” over and over again.

However, that was in my past life. I’d died once already. This time, I refused to harbor any illusions about Glen.

“I never planned on competing with you,” I muttered, frowning impatiently as I tried to step past her.

The next second, the sharp sound of tearing fabric pierced the air, and gasps filled the room.

Fawn’s dress had split at the neckline, baring a swath of pale skin. She collapsed to the ground, covering herself as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Iris… I know you don’t like me, but how could you rip my clothes in front of everyone?”

Every gaze turned on me, filled with suspicion and contempt.

“Iris, what the hell did you do?”

Glen’s glare cut through me like a blade. “To humiliate Fawn in front of everyone… You’re beyond cruel!”

I met his burning eyes and said calmly, “I didn’t do it.”

Fawn trembled as she threw herself into his arms, sobbing. “I know Iris’s always disliked me, but I never thought she’d stoop this low…”

He held her protectively, comforting her openly, while his coldness toward me left the cruelest contrast for all to see.

I looked at them, my lips twisting into a hoarse laugh. “I never thought you’d resort to something this dirty just to frame me.”

“Smack!”

The slap came without warning, my cheek burning instantly.

Glen’s hand was still raised, his voice sharp with fury. “Don’t you dare talk about Fawn like that! Apologize to her!”