Only the beginning

Chapter 6

CLARA

The car ride home felt endless. Damien kept glancing at me with those loving eyes, his hand resting on my thigh like he had every right to touch me. Each gentle squeeze made my skin crawl and burn at the same time.

“You were perfect today,” he said softly. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

I forced a smile. “Thank you.”

As we pulled up to the packhouse, my stomach dropped. More cars lined the driveway. More people gathered on the lawn. Lights blazed from every window, and I could hear laughter and music spilling out into the night.

“Surprise!” Damien grinned. “The pack wanted to throw us a proper reception.”

Of course they did. Because one celebration wasn’t enough torture for one day.

My training with Silas kicked in as we walked toward the house. Pretty hurts, he had taught me. Beauty is a weapon, but it cuts both ways. Every smile, every graceful step, every perfect gesture was armor and sword combined.

The moment I stepped through the door, the crowd turned toward me. These faces—I knew them all. Mrs. Patterson, who used to move her children away when I walked past. Elder Morrison, who had voted for my banishment. The baker who wouldn’t sell me bread even when I had money.

“Oh my goodness, she’s stunning!”

“I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful!”

“Damien, you lucky, where did you find her?”

They swarmed around me like moths to flame. The same people who had called me fat, worthless, cursed. Now they showered me with compliments, their eyes wide with admiration and envy.

“You’re absolutely glowing, dear,” Mrs. Patterson gushed, the same woman who once told her daughter not to play with “that disgusting Wren girl.”

“Thank you,” I said sweetly, my voice like honey over broken glass.

“I swear you look familiar,” Elder Morrison squinted at me. “Have we met before?”

My heart skipped, but my smile never wavered. “I don’t think so. I would have remembered meeting someone so distinguished.”

He preened under the compliment, completely fooled.

I moved through the crowd like a ghost visiting her own funeral. Every person who had ever hurt Clara Wren now worshipped at Liora Rivers’ feet. The irony was so perfect it almost made me laugh.

Then I saw her.

Sage stood near the refreshment table, her brown hair perfectly styled, her blue dress clinging to her model-thin frame. She was still beautiful, still the golden girl everyone adored. But when her eyes met mine, I saw something flicker there. Something dark and threatened.

She walked toward me with that fake smile plastered on her face, the one I remembered from years of torment.

“Liora, isn’t it?” Her voice was sugar with poison underneath. “I’m Sage. Damien’s… close friend.”

“How nice to meet you,” I replied, matching her false sweetness.

“I have to ask—where exactly are you from? Your story seems to change every time someone tells it.”

Before I could answer, I let my body sway slightly, my hand flying to my forehead. “Oh…”

Damien was beside me instantly, his strong arms catching me before I could fall. “Liora! What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, leaning into his chest. “I think I’m just overwhelmed. All these people, all this attention…” I let my eyes drift meaningfully to Sage. “Some people can be so intense.”

“Of course.” Damien’s arms tightened around me protectively. “You’ve had a long day.”

I could feel Sage’s fury radiating off her like heat from a fire. Her jaw clenched as Damien completely ignored her, all his attention focused on me.

“I think I need some air,” I said softly. “Maybe we could go somewhere quieter? Away from all the… energy.”

“Anything you need.” Damien didn’t even glance at Sage as he led me toward the door.

As we walked away, I caught Sage’s reflection in the hallway mirror. Her beautiful face was twisted with rage and something else. Fear, maybe. Good. She should be afraid.

Outside on the porch, Damien held me close. “Better?”

“Much.” I tilted my face up to his, letting moonlight catch my features. “I’m just not used to so many people wanting to talk to me. Back home, I kept to myself mostly.”

“Well, you’ll have to get used to it.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “Everyone’s going to want to be around you. You’re magnetic, Liora. People can’t help but be drawn to you.”

If only he knew how right he was. And how wrong.

“Take me somewhere private,” I whispered against his ear. “Just us. I want to start our life together properly.”

His eyes darkened with desire. “Are you sure? We don’t have to rush anything.”

“I’m sure.” I pressed closer to him, feeling his heartbeat speed up. “I want to be alone with my husband.”

The word husband felt like broken glass on my tongue, but Damien’s reaction made it worth the pain. He looked at me like I’d just given him the world.

“Let’s go,” he said, his voice rough with want.

As he led me to his car, I glanced back at the packhouse. Sage stood in the window, watching us leave, her hands pressed against the glass like she was trapped inside.

Perfect.

Let her watch. Let her wonder. Let her realize that everything she thought she controlled was slipping through her fingers.

This was only the beginning.