Skipping the Childhood Sweetheart Rivalry

Seeing Bella Lohart at the masquerade didn't surprise me at all. In the three years Apollo Cadwell and I had been together, she lingered in every moment that was supposed to belong to just us.

I went from dissatisfaction and arguments to quiet acceptance. That change took three long years.

Apollo would always tell me, "Bella's like a sister to me. I've taken care of her for 18 years. It's almost second nature to me now. Don't overthink it. She'll get married someday, while you remain my destined mate."

At that moment, Bella walked toward me in a white gauze dress I recognized instantly. She looked smug. "Nora, Apollo told me you personally invited me to the masquerade. Thank you so much!"

She tugged lightly at the hem, her eyes filled with open provocation. "And thank you for the dress. I love it so much."

I stared at that painfully familiar wedding gown. No matter how calm I tried to stay, ripples still spread through my heart.

That dress had taken a full year to complete. It was hand-stitched by master artisans, inlaid with 999 moonstone chips—a one-of-a-kind piece in the entire pack.

It was the gown I had planned to wear for my mating ceremony. Now, Bella would wear it to the masquerade.

I stared at Apollo, my eyes wide with disbelief. He lowered his head, avoiding my gaze, and explained, "There wasn't enough time, and we couldn't find a suitable dress… Besides, Bella is attending a ball for the first time. She's got to look presentable."

Bella looped her arm through his and stuck out her tongue in a playful, innocent way. "I've always heard from Apollo how generous and thoughtful you are. You wouldn't get upset over something as trivial as this, right?"

I looked straight into his eyes, hoping to see even a trace of guilt. He knew how precious that wedding gown was to me and how much I had looked forward to wearing it at our mating ceremony.

However, his eyes were calm, as if giving my wedding gown to Bella was nothing out of the ordinary.

I lowered my head and took a deep breath. The last thread of reluctance inside me finally disappeared. "It's fine. It's just a wedding dress. Keep it if you want."

Bella clearly wanted to say more to provoke me, but my easy agreement left her frozen in place. Apollo also looked over, surprised.

I looked away, hiding the bitterness in my chest, then smiled at him. "Since it's Bella's first time, you should take her to dance the opening number."

He studied me for a long moment before nodding hesitantly. "Alright. I'll come to you right after the first dance. It's the full moon, and the Moon Goddess will bless couples who dance together. You must wait for me."

I nodded and obediently stepped back into a corner of the ballroom. Bella pulled Apollo toward the center of the dance floor. Before leaving, she even shot me a smug look.

I opened my social feed and saw her latest post from just moments ago. She was wearing my wedding gown, holding onto my mate, and had uploaded a total of nine photos.

Many flooded the comments.

"Bella, is this your mate? Your body is smoking hot!"

"Gosh. Is that Apollo Cadwell, the top warrior of the Silverfang pack? You two look perfect together!"

Bella neither admitted nor denied it, replying vaguely instead, "I'm so lucky to have him!"

In this lively masquerade, I was the only one standing alone in the shadows. The glances the guests kept throwing my way, subtle yet curious, made my skin prickle. I felt like I was sitting on needles.

Still, I forced myself to stay. I wanted to see whether Apollo would keep his word and return to be my dance partner.