Chapter 2

I chuckled. The sound was harsh in the dead-silent room.

"I have nothing to explain." I leaned back in my chair, meeting his gaze without backing down.

After all, he had already convicted me in his heart.

Caleb stayed silent for a moment before announcing his verdict. "Aurora, the pack needs strict discipline. Your actions have caused public outrage. I must punish you."

"Punish me?" I raised a brow. "Are you going to exile me?"

"I'm not that heartless," Caleb sighed hypocritically. "But from this moment on, you are officially suspended from all your duties in the pack. You have no right to contact any business allies, use company accounts, or access any project files."

He turned to the woman who was secretly gloating.

"Sienna, you will take over. You are in charge of recovering the stolen assets. Audit all the accounts."

"Yes, my Alpha," Sienna purred, lifting her dress and giving a mocking curtsy.

I understood instantly.

This wasn't a sudden outburst; it was a premeditated coup. Caleb was unhappy that I took back my own money, and even more jealous of my growing prestige in the pack. He wanted to destroy me.

And Sienna was just the attack dog he used to tear me down.

"Of course, Aurora," Caleb's tone softened, as if granting me a favor. "Once you make up for the deficit, I'll restore your position as Head Beta. Now, for the future of the pack, hand over the invitation to the Alpha King's gala."

The fox finally showed its tail.

He couldn't wait to take the most important resource in my hands—the invitation to the Alpha King's gala I had just secured.

I didn't argue. I didn't get angry.

I calmly pulled a gold-stamped card from my clutch and tossed it onto the obsidian table. It slid over to Caleb, and a flash of naked greed appeared in his eyes.

I stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles in my dress, and offered him a slight smile.

"I hope you catch the Alpha King's eye at the gala."

With that, I turned around and walked out of the meeting room without looking back.

Thirty minutes later.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in my office, watching the gloomy sky.

Ding.

An internal email was sent to every pack member's phone, hanging over the building like a dark cloud. It was a top-level pack alert.

I didn't need to guess what it said. "Head Beta embezzled funds," "Abused power to steal," "Suspended immediately as a warning."

I could already hear the werewolves whispering. Mocking my "greed," laughing at my "fall."

Footsteps echoed outside.

Bang!

My office door was kicked open. Sienna strutted in with two huge werewolf guards. She walked straight to my desk and sat in my chair.

"How does it feel, Aurora?" Sienna toyed with her glossy red nails, a victor's smirk plastered on her face. "Doesn't feel good to be spat on by the whole pack, does it?"

I looked at her coldly. "Who let you in? Get out."

"Do you think you're still the high-and-mighty Head Beta?" Sienna shot up, raising her voice. "You're just a criminal waiting to be punished!"

She walked up to me, lowering her voice, venom in her eyes.

"The Alpha is merciful," she cooed with fake sympathy. "For old times' sake, he won't kick you out to be a pathetic rogue. But on top of returning the five million, you have to pay another five million as a fine!" She stared at me, hiding none of her greed. "To make up for your crimes."

A five million dollar fine. Their greed was exactly as I expected.

"And if I don't?" I asked coldly.

Sienna pointed at the glaring guards behind her. "Then we'll expose your crimes to every pack and make sure you can never survive in the werewolf world!"

She took a step back, tilting her chin up arrogantly. "So you better be smart. You have three days to hand over the money."