Chapter 3

Diya's POV

I was about to answer Hugh when a shadow fell over us.

It was Ryan.

With a grim expression, he pulled me aside and said, "Didn't I tell you not to bring Hugh here? Why won't you listen?"

I forcefully shook off his hand and retorted sarcastically, "Nancy invited us. If we hadn't come, I wouldn't have known you had given the outfit Hugh picked out to someone else to wear."

Ryan avoided my gaze and cleared his throat. "I don't know how Kian found it. I had clearly hidden it away."

He reached out and gently squeezed my fingers. "I didn't do it on purpose. How about we go pick out another outfit next time? I'll even buy ten sets if that's what you want."

"When is this 'next time'? You promised Hugh yesterday that you'd build blocks with him, but it's almost dark, and you still haven't come." I shot back.

Ryan furrowed his brows. "I'll go in a little while. I just can't get away right now. You know that."

"You're always telling us to wait. I've had enough of that!" I snarled.

Back when a rival pack attacked me, Ryan saved me and stayed with me at the foot of a cliff for three days and three nights.

After that, I decided to be with him, even though he wasn't my fated mate.

But Dad looked down on Ryan's small pack. He said that if I chose to be with Ryan, I would have to leave and could never call myself a member of the Frostfang pack again.

To be with Ryan, I left my pack and became a Rogue in their eyes. I waited for him year after year.

A pup's shrill scream broke my thoughts, and I turned around.

Kian Crowley pointed at Hugh and shouted, "He's a thief! He stole the necklace Dad gave me!"

Hugh stood still, his lips pale with fear. He held both hands tightly against his chest. "I didn't!"

I held Hugh close and comforted him gently. "I believe you, Hugh. You would never do something like that. Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

Odile raised her eyebrows and chimed in, "Of course a Rogue's pup would stoop to stealing. How disgraceful."

Ryan stepped in front of us and snapped, "That's enough. Don't say things like that to a pup."

At Ryan's voice, Hugh immediately looked up and held out the necklace to show him. "This is mine. There's a chip here. Last time, I—"

"Give it back to Kian first," Ryan said, cutting him off.

Hugh drew his hands back. "But I didn't take his necklace."

Ryan held out his hand. "Stop kicking up a fuss. Kian is waiting. Give it to him for now, and I'll buy you another one later."

Hugh clutched the necklace to his chest and burst into tears. "You'll know if you just look at it. Uncle Ryan, please take a look!"

Ryan pried Hugh's fingers open, trying to take the necklace. "Just apologize to Kian, and this will all be over."

I grabbed Ryan's hand. "Didn't you hear Hugh say he didn't take it?"

Ryan ignored me and pushed me aside. Then he took the necklace from Hugh's hands.

Hugh lunged forward, but he only managed to grab Ryan's sleeve before the necklace was handed to Kian.

"That's mine!" Hugh clutched Ryan's sleeve, sobbing so hard he could barely breathe. "Uncle Ryan, that's my necklace. There's a chipped spot on it!"