Chapter 3

"Ayla Laurel!"

Corbin's voice exploded across the ballroom, and every head turned our way.

He strode toward me with his followers, his face a thunderous mask.

Why are you following me? I’ve made it perfectly clear — the only person I love is Faye.”

"Even if your Laurel Pack is in decline, you should still have some basic dignity. Is this how your parents raised you?"

"Following you? Corbin? Are you out of your mind?""

I set down my champagne glass, my gaze level.

"I was invited to a charity gala."

Corbin's face darkened even more at her words.

“Cut the act!" ! Let me tell you — I have already marked Faye. No matter how you cling to me, I will never marry you!"

Corbin roared, pointing at me. "Besides, you get rejected three days ago, and now you just 'happen' to show up here? Do you think I'm an idiot?"

The crowd of onlookers grew, their whispers getting louder.

"She really is here to harass Corbin."

"The Laurel Pack has fallen so far. They're resorting to cheap tricks like this."

"She's just trying to latch onto the Black Moon Pack's wealth and status."

Faye clung to Corbin’s arm, tears in her eyes. "Corbin, I'm scared... What if she tries to hurt us?"

"Don't worry," Corbin said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder while his glare cut into me like a knife. "She wouldn't dare."

His Beta, Liam, stepped forward, a malicious glint in his eye. "Miss Ayla, since you miss our Alpha so much, why don't you have a few drinks with me tonight? Maybe I can put in a good word for you with Corbin."

He reached out to touch my face.

I shot to my feet.

The sudden movement startled Liam so badly that he stumbled back, nearly falling over.

"Don't touch me," my voice was ice. "You are not worthy of breathing the same air as me."

A hush fell over the people nearby.

"Is that the legendary power of the Laurel Pack?" someone whispered.

"No wonder the Black Moon elders value her so much."

Corbin's face darkened. He hadn't expected me to have that in me.

"A little flash of power?" he sneered. "You think that pathetic display will make me want you? Ayla, all I feel for you is disgust. That will never change."

"Good." I said, sinking back into my chair. "because the feeling is mutual.”

At his words, a flicker of doubt crossed Corbin’s eyes.

A calculating smile tugged at Faye’s lips.

Faye suddenly put on a sweet smile.

"In that case, why don't we all have a drink together?" She took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter's tray. "A toast. To our future freedom."

She offered one glass to me and held the other herself.

"Come on, Ayla. Let's forget the past and start over."

I frowned, wanting to ignore her, but she just stood there, holding the glass out.

To get them to leave, I finally reached for the glass.

But before my fingers could touch it, Faye's hand "slipped," and the entire glass of champagne spilled down the front of her dress.

She let out a piercing scream. An angry red rash instantly bloomed across her chest, a horrifying sight.

"It burns! It burns!" she shrieked in pain.

Corbin exploded.

"You venomous bitch!" he roared, his eyes bloodshot as he lunged toward me. "Don't you know Faye is allergic to alcohol? How could you?!"

I frowned and said, “How was I supposed to know what she’s allergic to? Besides,She spilled the drink on herself."

Faye wept pitifully: “Corbin, it’s not Ayla’s fault. I was just being careless…”

At her words, Corbin’s face turned even colder.

“Ayla is a naturally jealous woman. She did this on purpose to humiliate you in front of everyone.”

The accusation came out of nowhere, and I was just about to refute it.

But Faye's skin was getting worse, the rash swelling and turning a deeper red.

"Faye, don’t be afraid. I’ll take you to the hospital right now!"

Corbin yelled, scooping Faye into his arms.

His eyes burned with hatred. "But before that—"

He turned to Liam and a few of his men. "Hold her down!"

"What do you think you're doing?" I took a step back.

"Let's give you a taste of your own medicine." Corbin snatched a bottle of vodka from a passing servant.

From his inner jacket pocket, he produced a small, silver flask and emptied its shimmering, silver contents into the vodka.

He swirled the bottle, holding it up to the light with a wild, cruel glint in his eyes. "I always keep a few toys on hand for disobedient mutts. You almost destroyed Faye. This is the price."

The color drained from my face.

"Corbin, you're insane! In front of all these people, you wouldn't dare—"

"Wouldn't I?" His eyes were wild and cruel. "You almost ruined Faye. This is the price!"

My heart hammered in my chest. For a werewolf, silver is a potent poison. Even a small amount feels like being set on fire from the inside.

I tried to back away, but Liam grabbed my arms, pinning me to the sofa.

They pried my jaw open, forcing the cold, searing liquid down my throat.

I choked and coughed violently.

The expensive liquor, laced with silver's venom, dribbled from my lips, soaking my gown.

Corbin stared down at me, his eyes like chips of ice. But for a split second, I saw it. A flicker of something in his eyes. Hesitation? Regret? Then it was gone.