Chapter 3

Cayden stood there frozen until Rosie tugged on his arm, snapping him out of it.

"Cayden, are you okay?" she asked sweetly.

He quickly pulled himself together, his tone turning gentle again. "I'm fine. Don't take what just happened to heart.

"Tessa's not a bad person. She's just spoiled and a bit headstrong."

Rosie blinked, clearly surprised he would defend me. She nodded obediently, but a glint of cold jealousy flashed deep in her eyes.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pouted, "Once I'm better, can we finally have our bonding ceremony? I can't wait to become your Luna."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she added thoughtfully, "Oh, right. Tessa knows you best and has great taste. Why don't we let her plan our ceremony?"

His expression softened. He patted her head indulgently. "Alright, whatever you say."

The next few days, I was buried in paperwork for the warzone healer program I was joining. I left early and came home late. Even though we were under the same roof, I didn't run into Cayden or Rosie again.

One day, I carried a big box full of portraits I'd drawn of Cayden, ready to throw them into the fireplace and burn them all for good.

Just as I was burning the last one, I heard his cold voice behind me. "What do you think you're doing?"

I didn't turn around. But he stormed up, snatching the half-burned portrait from the flames.

His face turned gloomy as he grabbed my wrist and said in a low and accusatory voice, "Tessa, what kind of game are you playing now? Is this your latest stunt to get my attention?"

I lowered my gaze and pulled my hand back. "That's not what I'm trying to do."

He clearly thought I was making excuses. His eyes grew colder. "Ten days from now, Rosie and I are having our bonding ceremony. You're invited."

I thought I'd be fine hearing those words, but the instant they left his mouth, my chest ached like someone had stabbed me. My face went pale as I forced a smile. "Congratulations."

Ten days from now, I should be well on my way to the warzone.

I turned to leave, but he stopped me again. "Rosie said a bonding ceremony only happens once in a lifetime. She doesn't trust anyone else to plan it."

I frowned, not getting what he was implying. "So?"

"So... I want you to do it. You've always known what I like better than anyone."

I almost laughed at how ridiculous that was. "Cayden, I don't like you anymore. You don't need to humiliate me like this to make me give up."

With that, I turned and walked out of the villa, leaving him standing there, stunned.

I headed to campus to finish some paperwork. But the moment I stepped out of the office, I felt countless strange looks on me, followed by whispers.

"Oh my god, is it true? An Alpha's stepsister pulling something like that…"

"She always seemed so reserved. Who knew she was such a slut in private?"

I stood there confused, until one of my roommates ran over and grabbed me. "Tessa, you need to see today's news!"

I pulled out my phone and saw the headline. "Forbidden Love Between Blood Fang Pack's Alpha and His Stepsister!"

I tapped the video in disbelief.

In the video, I was draped all over Cayden with disheveled clothes and a flushed face, shamelessly throwing myself at him.

My eyes instantly burned red with rage, and my fists clenched tightly at my sides.

"This is fake! That video's doctored!"

"I believe you, Tessa," my roommate said, holding my hand. "It's clearly a setup. You have to find out who's behind this!"

I rushed to the villa in a cab, desperate to explain everything to Cayden. But the second I ran up the stairs, I saw him standing at the stairwell entrance, blocking the way.

He looked down at me coldly, and his eyes were filled with disgust. "So, this is what you meant by 'you don't like me anymore'?

"Tessa, you never fail to surprise me. Did you fake a video like that just to ruin my bonding ceremony with Rosie? Do you have no shame?"

Every word out of his mouth was like a knife, slicing deep into my heart.

I bit my lip hard, too hurt to speak.

He took my silence as guilt. The sneer on his lips deepened.

"If you think public pressure is going to make me mark you, you're dead wrong. I'll never mark anyone but my fated mate."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Rosie stepped out from behind him, looking down at me with pure scorn. "Tessa, a she-wolf should know how to respect herself. You're just degrading yourself with these dirty tricks."

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but before I could react, she suddenly shoved me hard.

There was a long flight of stairs behind me. The moment I lost my balance, I caught a glimpse of Rosie letting out a scream, pretending to twist her ankle as she threw herself backward.

And Cayden grabbed her hand without hesitation.

While I... tumbled down the stairs. Pain exploded through my body as my bones cracked. I curled into a ball, tears silently streaming down my face.

It wasn't until my body finally stopped tumbling that Cayden seemed to realize I was there.

Just before I passed out, I caught a glimpse of him hurrying down the stairs, his face twisted in a panic I'd never seen before, as he reached out to cradle my face.