Chapter 4

The moment Bruce saw the letter, he snapped, “What do you think you’re doing, Isadora?” He slammed the letter on the desk, his voice filled with an Alpha’s authority. “Do you think quitting is a game?”

Seraphina stood beside him, gently rubbing his back. “Bruce, don’t be upset. Maybe Isadora is just going through something.”

She turned to me, a flash of triumph in her eyes, though her expression was kind. “Isadora, are you in some kind of trouble? You can talk to us about it.”

Her words made me sick.

She was standing there playing the part of the perfect mate, as if she were already the true Luna of this pack.

“My decision is final,” I said evenly. “It’s all explained in the letter.”

My response only seemed to make Bruce angrier.

He stood up, towering over me.

“Isadora, I made you Beta out of pity. Don’t forget your place.” His voice was ice. “Without me, where would a wolf who doesn’t even know her own parents be?”

His words stabbed me like a knife.

My hands began to shake, but I forced myself to stay calm.

“That’s exactly why I should leave. So I won’t be a burden to you anymore.”

My coldness seemed to infuriate him. I could practically feel his Alpha aura pressing down on me.

“Fine. If you insist on leaving, I accept your resignation,” he said coldly. “But before you officially leave, you have one last duty to perform.”

My stomach tightened. I knew he wouldn’t let me go that easily.

“Tomorrow, you will accompany us to choose the gown for the Luna ceremony.” Bruce issued the order as my Alpha, his voice leaving no room for argument. “This is your final task.”

I knew he was doing it to humiliate me—to make me witness their happiness and drive one last knife into my heart.

But as his subordinate, I had to obey my Alpha’s command.

“I understand,” I said, lowering my head.

Seraphina watched it all, a flicker of jealous hatred in her eyes.

The next day, I went to the custom gown shop as ordered.

The boutique catered exclusively to werewolf nobility. Every gown was priceless.

Bruce and Seraphina were already there, discussing the ceremony gown with the head designer. When she saw me, Seraphina immediately took Bruce’s arm and walked over.

“Isadora, you’re here!” she chirped. “I’m having such a hard time choosing a gown.”

The designer showed her several gorgeous dresses, each one sparkling with precious gems that shimmered like moonlight.

“What about this one?” Seraphina asked, pointing to a silver-white gown. “I think it’s perfect for the Luna ceremony.”

“Absolutely perfect, miss,” the designer gushed. “This is one of our signature designs, made for a Luna.”

“But I’d like to see how it looks on someone,” Seraphina said, turning to me with a malicious glint in her eyes. “Isadora, could you try it on for me? I want to see the overall effect.”

I froze. The dress was custom-made for her. There was no point in me trying it on.

“I don’t think that’s necessary…” I started to refuse.

“Isadora, that is a request from my Luna,” Bruce’s voice cut in, sharp and cold. “You will cooperate.”

I had no choice but to agree.

A sales assistant led me to the fitting room. I robotically changed into the magnificent gown.

It was made for Seraphina’s measurements, and on me, it was a disaster.

The bust was too tight, the waist too narrow. I looked ridiculous and pathetic.

And a cruel realization hit me.

Bruce had never once considered my measurements.

In his mind, I was never the one who would wear the Luna gown.

When I stepped out of the fitting room, Seraphina watched my humiliation with a satisfied smile.

She stepped closer, her voice a venomous whisper only I could hear.

“See? A gown this beautiful will never be yours. Because you’re not worthy.”

The shame of the past eight years, all the little insults and humiliations, boiled over. I couldn’t take her taunting anymore.

“I don’t want this stupid dress anyway.”

I reached behind me to unzip the gown that felt like a cage, but as I did, a loud ripping sound tore through the air.

A seam in the back, which should have been strong, had split wide open.

Seraphina let out a sharp gasp, her eyes instantly filling with tears.

She looked at me with a wounded, innocent expression.

“Isadora, I just wanted you to try it on… How could you? Did you want to ruin our ceremony that badly?”