Birthday's Over

(Third-person's POV)

The Chase Pack House glittered with lights as Silvercrest City's elite gathered for Victoria Chase's thirtieth birthday celebration. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the grand ballroom where werewolves from prominent packs mingled, their expensive clothing and jewelry signaling their status.

Victoria, the adopted daughter of Harrison and Melanie Chase, stood at the center of attention. Her emerald green dress hugged her curves perfectly, and her practiced smile never wavered as she greeted each guest.

"She's certainly blossomed into a fine she-wolf," remarked an older Alpha to his mate. "Harrison and Melanie raised her well, considering she's not blood."

His mate nodded. "I hear they're hoping to find her a suitable mate tonight. Thirty is getting rather late for an unmated she-wolf of her standing."

Across the room, another group of younger wolves gossiped behind crystal glasses of moonlight wine.

"Can you believe Victoria's still unmated while Amber landed Ethan Blackwood?" a young beta whispered. "Though I heard that engagement's on shaky ground."

Her companion smirked. "Well, Victoria's always been Harrison's favorite anyway. Did you notice how he barely acknowledged Amber when she arrived?"

The music swelled as Harrison Chase approached the center of the room, raising his glass for a toast. His amber eyes—so like his daughter Amber's—swept across the gathering.

"To my beautiful Victoria," he announced, his deep voice carrying effortlessly. "Thirty years of grace, intelligence, and dedication to our pack."

The crowd applauded politely, though many eyes drifted to the entrance where Amber Chase had just arrived with Ethan Blackwood.

(Amber's POV)

I plastered on my most convincing smile as I entered my childhood home, Ethan's hand resting lightly on the small of my back. The weight of it felt wrong now—too casual, too possessive for someone who no longer wanted me.

Cora whined restlessly beneath my skin, sensing Noah's indifference despite our physical proximity. The silver poisoning hadn't fully healed, making her presence more painful than usual.

"Smile wider," Ethan murmured. "Everyone's watching."

"I'm aware," I replied through gritted teeth. "I've been performing this particular circus act my whole life."

Mother spotted us immediately, her amber eyes—so like mine—narrowing with calculation. She glided over, her silver-streaked hair styled perfectly, her designer dress probably costing more than most wolves earned in a month.

"You're late," she hissed while maintaining her social smile. "And what happened to your hands?"

I resisted the urge to hide the still-healing blisters from the silver poisoning. "Hospital. Remember? The thing you called 'dramatic'?"

Before she could respond, Victoria appeared, her arms outstretched in a display of sisterly affection that made my stomach turn.

"Amber! You came!" She embraced me, her perfume overwhelming my sensitive nose. "I was so worried when Mother said you were ill."

I returned her hug with mechanical precision, aware of the many eyes watching our performance. "I wouldn't miss my sister's birthday," I replied, emphasizing the word in a way only she would catch.

Victoria's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "How thoughtful. Ethan, don't you look handsome tonight?"

Ethan nodded politely. "Happy birthday, Victoria. The party seems to be a success."

"Of course it is," Mother interjected. "Victoria has impeccable taste in everything."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "If you'll excuse me, I need to freshen up."

I slipped away from the suffocating circle, making my way toward the restroom. The seven-figure addition to my dowry was the only thing keeping me from walking straight out the front door.

The hallway was quieter, the sounds of the party muffled by thick walls. I took a deep breath, trying to calm Cora, when someone rounded the corner quickly and collided with me.

"Oh!" A soft voice exclaimed as a small purse went flying, its contents scattering across the marble floor.

I steadied myself against the wall, looking down at the petite she-wolf scrambling to gather her belongings. Lipstick, compact powder, and other items were strewn about—including a pair of familiar emerald moon earrings that caught the light.

My breath caught as I recognized her. Melissa James—Ethan's secretary and the woman he'd fallen for while still engaged to me.

She quickly scooped up the earrings and stuffed everything back into her bag, her cheeks flushing as she realized who I was.

"Ms. Chase! I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," she stammered, her eyes wide with what seemed like genuine fear.

I studied her face, noting her delicate features that made her appear perpetually helpless. "What are you doing here, Melissa? I doubt Ethan would risk bringing you to an event where I'm present."

She straightened, clutching her bag tightly. "Actually, Victoria invited me. We've become... friends recently."

Of course they had. Victoria never missed an opportunity to twist the knife.

"How convenient," I replied coolly. "Enjoy the party."

I continued to the restroom, my mind racing. Victoria inviting Melissa was a calculated move designed to humiliate me publicly. And those earrings—they looked exactly like my grandmother's heirlooms.

After splashing cold water on my face, I made my way up to my old bedroom instead of returning to the party. The room remained unchanged—a time capsule of my teenage years that Mother had preserved while simultaneously pushing me out of the pack's inner circle.

I flopped onto the bed and pulled out my phone, opening a game to distract myself. Cora was still agitated, pacing beneath my skin in response to the confrontation with Melissa.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. One of the pack servants stood in the doorway, her expression apologetic.

"Miss Amber, I'm sorry to disturb you, but there's a situation downstairs. The Emerald Moon Earrings are missing."

I sat up straight. "What earrings?"

"The pack heirlooms, miss. The ones your grandmother Eleanor left specifically for you, though..." She trailed off, uncomfortable.

"Though my mother gave them to Victoria instead," I finished for her. "When did they go missing?"

"Just now. They were a birthday gift, presented earlier this evening."

I remembered the glint of green in Melissa's scattered belongings. Those weren't just any emerald earrings—they were my inheritance, stolen and given to Victoria, and now somehow in Melissa's possession.

"Thank you for letting me know," I said, rising from the bed. "I'll be down shortly."

When I reached the main floor, I could hear Victoria's distressed voice carrying from the ballroom. The music had stopped, and a crowd had gathered around her.

"They were just here!" Victoria cried, her composure cracking as she gestured to the gift table. "They're irreplaceable family heirlooms!"

Mother hovered at her side, patting her back soothingly. "We'll find them, dear. Perhaps someone moved them for safekeeping."

Victoria spotted me approaching and her eyes narrowed slightly before filling with tears again. "Amber! The emerald earrings are gone!"

Mother turned to me, her amber eyes flashing with immediate accusation. "Amber, do you know anything about this?"

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to me. I could feel Cora's anger rising at the implied accusation, but I kept my expression neutral as I scanned the crowd until I found Melissa standing near Ethan, her face a mask of innocence.

"Actually," I said clearly, "I might have an idea where they are."

I walked directly toward Melissa, who shrank back slightly. "Half an hour ago, you bumped into me in the restroom hallway. Your bag spilled, and among your things were a pair of emerald earrings."

Her eyes widened. "What? No! I don't have any emerald earrings!"

"Do you want to take them out yourself, or should I help you?" I challenged, Cora's anger lending an edge to my voice.

Melissa's bottom lip trembled as she clutched her purse tighter. "This is ridiculous! I would never steal anything!"

With dramatic flair, she opened her bag and began emptying its contents onto a nearby table. Lipstick, tissues, compact powder—but no emerald earrings.

"See?" she said, her voice quavering. "Nothing! Why are you doing this to me? Is it because of Ethan?"

She turned to the crowd, tears streaming down her face. "I know I'm not from a wealthy bloodline like Amber. I know I don't have her pack status or connections. But I would never steal!"

"What? Do you want to keep searching? " she called out as she shrugged off the shawl of her gown as she tried to remove it.

Ethan stepped forward then, his wolf Noah stirring visibly beneath his skin as he positioned himself protectively between Melissa and me.

"That's enough, Amber," he growled, his eyes flashing with anger. "Just because we're having problems doesn't mean you can falsely accuse Melissa."

I maintained my composure, even as Cora howled in pain at Noah's protective stance toward another she-wolf. "I know what I saw, Ethan. The security cameras in the hallway will confirm it."

Victoria stepped forward, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Actually, the cameras in that section are down for maintenance. Pack security updated me this morning."

How convenient. I couldn't help the bitter smile that curved my lips.

"Amber," Victoria continued, her voice softening in a way that made my skin crawl, "if you wanted the earrings so badly, you could have just said so. I know Grandmother intended them for you originally."

She was playing the magnanimous sister now, offering to let me have what was rightfully mine while simultaneously portraying me as jealous and vindictive.

Mother placed a supportive hand on Victoria's shoulder. "That's very generous of you, Victoria. Amber, you owe both your sister and Melissa an apology."

My eyes looked around at the disapproving glances all around me, Ethan's biased, protective stance, and Melissa looking soft and pathetic as she hid behind him, tears glistening in her eyes.

Mother stood with Victoria, her face a look of disapproval.

It's always been that way. It's true that the child who cries gets candy, but I never learned that growing up.

I reached for a glass of moonshine from a passing waiter's tray and splashed it directly at Victoria. The crimson liquid splashed onto her expensive emerald-colored gown, drawing gasps from the guests.

"Fine," I declared, dropping the empty glass onto the marble floor where it shattered. "Birthday's over."