Chapter 10

Evelyn’s POV

Scarlett recovered from the shattered glass quickly, her shock twisting into a venomous smile as the hall's attention settled on us.

"Well," she said, voice loud enough to carry, "look who decided to play dress-up. Still clinging to delusions of grandeur, Evelyn?"

I didn't flinch. "And you're still clinging to things that were never yours, Scarlett."

Her eyes narrowed. "Careful. The entire Shadowfang Pack knows what you did. They all know you cheated—ran off with some mysterious man because you couldn't handle being replaced. Pathetic, really, for someone who spent seven years playing Luna."

The crowd murmured, sensing trouble.

I laughed.

"Oh, Scarlett. If that's the story you're telling yourself to sleep at night, keep it. The truth is far less flattering for you. But go on, spread your little rumors. It must sting that even after all your efforts, the pack still whispers about the 'weak omega' who walked away without looking back."

Scarlett's face flushed crimson. "You insolent—Guards!" She snapped her fingers toward the nearest Lycan sentinels in silver armor. "Remove this omega. She's disturbing the peace."

No one moved. No one dared to. 

The guards stood like statues, eyes forward, utterly unresponsive.

I tilted my head, sneering. "It seems no one's listening to you tonight."

Scarlett's composure cracked. As the daughter of an Alpha, she wasn't used to being ignored—especially not by what she still believed was a lowly omega.

With a frustrated growl, she lunged at me, claws extending.

I sidestepped effortlessly, my foot brushing hers just enough.

Scarlett stumbled, arms windmilling, and crashed to the marble floor in a tangle of crimson silk.

Gasps echoed through the hall.

She scrambled up, face twisted in fury. "You—!"

At that moment, Alexander appeared, pushing through the circle of onlookers.

His eyes locked on me—widening in genuine shock at my appearance.

"Evelyn?" he breathed. "What are you doing here?"

Scarlett seized the opportunity, tears instantly welling as she threw herself toward him.

How pathetic.

"Alexander! She attacked me! I only asked her to leave quietly—for her own good, so she wouldn't embarrass herself with those stolen jewels and that... that man she ran off with. But she bullied me! She tripped me on purpose!"

I arched a brow. "Weak even in lies, Scarlett. An Alpha's daughter who can't stay on her feet? How... disappointing."

Scarlett shrieked in rage.

Alexander's expression darkened. He grabbed my wrist firmly. "Enough of this. You're coming with me. Now."

His fingers brushed the moon necklace, pausing. "Wait. Where did you get all this? These aren't yours."

Scarlett jumped in triumphantly. "Exactly! Everything she's wearing is stolen. Especially that necklace—I saw the designer post that it's a one-of-a-kind piece, not for sale. She couldn't possibly own it."

Alexander's grip tightened, voice stern. "Evelyn, this isn't like you. We'll go to the Lycan King and Princess right now. You'll apologize, return what's not yours, and we'll sort this out."

Sort this out? Oh so now he wants to “sort” things out. After treating me like little girl, after locking me up in a place meant for criminals. After acting like Scarlett is the only thing in his world. He now wants to settle things, but it’s too late. 

I yanked my arm back with deliberate force, hard enough that his grip broke and he staggered half a step.

I met his eyes coldly. "I refuse."

The hall’s murmurs hushed further.

Disgust coiled in my stomach. For years, I had endured this—, the way he’d grab, pull, order, and expect obedience from me in front of anyone who watched. He’d done it because he believed I was weak, because he thought I belonged to him, because he’d convinced himself an omega should be grateful for whatever scraps of attention he offered.

But that girl was gone.

And I was done.

My skin crawled where his fingers had been. I felt the weight of every time he’d dismissed me, belittled me, chosen someone else while still expecting me to stay quietly at his side.

No more.

“Don’t,” I said, voice low and lethal, “ever touch me again.”

He expressed shock, still reaching for me. “Evelyn, baby…” 

Rage surged through me, hot and primal. Veyra rose in an instant, silver power flooding my veins.

I shoved him—hard.

Alexander flew back several steps, staggering as if struck by an Alpha twice his size.

The hall went deathly silent.

His face paled, then flushed with anger. "How dare you do that to me…?"

Before he could finish, a figure stepped between us.

Tall, ice-blonde hair braided with silver chains, clad in a sleek gown of her own design.

Liora Valtresse.

She placed herself squarely in front of me, shielding me with her body.

"Touch her again," Liora said, voice like tempered steel, "and you'll lose the hand."

I stared, stunned. "Liora...?"

Scarlett screeched. "Who do you think you are? Get out of the way!"

Liora turned slowly, gold eyes blazing. "I am the designer of that necklace. And every other piece she's wearing. Custom-made for the woman who has more right to them than anyone in this room."

Scarlett laughed incredulously. "Liar! Either she stole the necklace, or she’s some con artist Evelyn fell for—poor, gullible thing."

Alexander raised a hand to silence Scarlett, but Liora was already done.

She lifted one hand. Lycan guards materialized instantly.

"Escort these two out," Liora ordered coolly. "They’ve caused enough disturbance."

Scarlett spluttered as guards moved toward her.

Alexander stepped forward. "Wait—this is a misunderstanding—"

A deep, commanding voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough."

The crowd parted instantly.

Cassian Voss strode into the circle, his presence alone demanding obedience. Every Lycan guard straightened. Nobles bowed their heads.

Scarlett and Alexander froze.

Cassian stopped beside Liora and me, his silver eyes sweeping over the scene with calm.

"Prince Cassian," the guards murmured in unison, fists over hearts.

Alexander's face drained of color as the scene unfolded before him.

Cassian looked at Scarlett, then at Alexander, voice low and dangerous.

"You have exactly one minute to remove yourselves from these premises."

He turned to me, expression softening for the briefest moment before turning back to them.

"Before I do it for you."