Elodie's POV ~

My body felt like it was tearing apart. The sound that gutted me wasn't from the wound. it was from the soft echo of Calhoun's footsteps fading, his tall frame disappearing from sight without even a glance back as he carried Carmela away.

Just like that. He was gone.

I bit down so hard on my lip that I tasted blood, but it still couldn't stop the sob that broke through me. The workers nearby were whispering, their eyes darting at me in pity, but I couldn't bear to look at them. I hated their stares, hated the way they reminded me how low I'd fallen. How stupid I've been all these years. My throat burned, and before I could stop it, tears came in waves.

I wiped at my face with my sleeve, gasping, and staggered to the wall where the broom and mop leaned. My hands shook violently as I grabbed them, the wooden handle digging into my palm. Do something. Move. Just move. If I cleaned, maybe I wouldn't collapse.

I forced myself forward, bent down with the mop in one hand, broom in the other, scrubbing at the mess through blurred eyes. My body was trembling, dizziness clawing at my head until I swore the ground was swaying beneath me. I couldn't feel my legs. I couldn't breathe right.

"Elodie, stop-" a gentle voice broke through.

One coworker put an arm around me, while another picked up the broom.

"Let us help you," one of them said softly, her voice shaking with guilt. She knelt, pushing the mop away and reaching for me.

"This is unfair," one of the women whispered. "I passed by earlier and saw her carrying that broth. The steam was rising off it. If it wasn't boiling hot, it wouldn't have burned her skin like that."

I stiffened, my chest heaving, but I kept moving.

Another voice cut in, angrier. "Carmela is a troublemaker. Even if it wasn't hot, why would she throw it like that? That wasn't an accident. That was. that was almost like a murder attempt! She could've scarred Elodie's face forever or broken her nose."

I flinched. My stomach turned.

Then came another sigh. "What can we say? Alpha Calhoun no longer has a mind of his own. He's a puppet now, dancing to Carmela's tune. She's the real ruler of this place. And we all know it, if any of us so much as step on her feet, we'll pay dearly. Pity poor Elodie. She's the one Carmela always picks on."

Their words sliced through me deeper than the burn ever could.

"Thank you," I whispered.

She gave me a sad smile, eyes soft with sympathy, and nodded. "Come. Let's get you out of here."

She led me past the stares, past the whispers, past the wreckage of my pride.

But as soon as I stepped out of the room, memories hit me.

I remembered the day we'd been at that negotiation table, the neighboring pack trying to tear apart our contract. They accused me, pointed their fingers, tried to humiliate me in front of everyone. My hands had shaken, my words caught in my throat, but before I could crumble, Calhoun had slammed his hand against the table, his eyes blazing.

"Touch her name again, and I'll end this deal," he had growled, his voice like thunder. "You fault her, you fault me. Do you want war? Then keep testing me."

The entire room had gone silent. Even the opposing Alpha had paled. And Calhoun. Calhoun had turned his face toward me, his expression unreadable but his presence wrapping around me like armor.

That day, he stood beside me. Unshaken. Defiant. Protecting me with a ferocity that had made my heart soar.

I had been so stupidly excited, so sure it meant something. That maybe. just maybe. he was beginning to see me. To care.

And now.now I could barely breathe through the ache of knowing how wrong I had been.

How very, very stupid I must have been.

All he did was protect his property, not me. It was never love.

I don't know what hurt more-that Carmela spit out one baseless lie with that venomous tongue of hers, or that Calhoun didn't even blink before believing her. Not a single question. Not even a flicker of doubt. He just looked at me.looked through me and passed judgment as though I was already guilty.

My heart shattered right there.

Didn't I deserve a little trust? Just once? Even half of what he gave Carmela so freely?

Or was right and wrong meaningless in his world, as long as it pleased her?

By the time my kind coworker slipped an arm around me and led me out of the building, I was nothing more than a hollow shell. I didn't even remember walking out the doors, it was like my body moved while my soul stayed behind.

She hailed an Uber for me, her voice soft, her touch careful as if I would crumble if she held me too tightly. When the car arrived, she paid the fare herself and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Take good care of yourself, Elodie," she whispered, her eyes heavy with sympathy I couldn't bear to accept.

I gave her a weak nod, my throat too raw to form words, and slipped into the backseat.

When we pulled up to my apartment, I stumbled out, clutching my bag like it was the only thing tethering me. I left it by the door the second I got inside, too drained to care, and headed straight to the shower.

Water hit my skin, but it wasn't soothing. It was sharp, too sharp, stinging the burns and bruises Carmela had left me with.

By the time I stepped out, I was trembling, my bathrobe clinging to my damp skin. I didn't care that my hair was dripping, that my bed would get soaked-I just wanted to collapse, to sink into the sheets and disappear.

But just as I was about to crawl into bed, my phone started ringing.

My heart sank straight into my stomach when I saw the caller ID.

Calhoun.

For a second, my trembling fingers hovered above the screen, ready to swipe and answer, desperate to hear his voice even if it was dismissive. But before I could, the call ended.

A hollow silence followed, and then a vibration. My chest tightened when I saw the message pop up on my screen: "Bring me ibuprofen and warm milk with honey. Be fast."

Disappointment curled in my belly so sharp it made me nauseous. But without thinking, like the trained fool I had become, I slipped into another wear, tied my hair up with trembling hands, and left my apartment. My feet carried me on autopilot, dragging me toward the errand as if my own body refused to rebel against him.

When I finally reached Calhoun's penthouse, I wasn't prepared. A wave of nausea slammed into me the moment I stepped inside before shock could even register.

Everything was different.

The cold, black interior that had once mirrored him, his taste, his darkness-gone. The little bonsai tree I had planted with his grandfather before the old man passed. gone. In its place stood a sunflower, its bright yellow petals mocking me. Carmela. Of course.

I froze like a fool in the doorway, my eyes stinging as I took in the rest. Expensive handbags and shoes scattered at every corner, perfumes lining the glass tables, soft feminine colors layered over what used to be his.

My heart dropped so violently.

The sound of the door unlocking startled me. Calhoun appeared. He didn't even spare me a greeting. Without a word, he plucked the bag from my hand, rummaging through it. Only when he had confirmed everything was there did he finally bother to lift his gaze to my face.

"Shit," he muttered, his brow furrowing. "Your injuries look terrible. Have you had them treated?"

I swallowed hard. Slowly, I shook my head.

He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Elodie. Carmela's been having her mood swings, like she always does. It wasn't because she wanted to hurt you, alright? She's just. she's just having a rough day. Make sure you get those wounds taken care of. If you need a few days off, I'll sign the form."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. "That won't be necessary, Alpha Calhoun. By the end of the month-"

"Listen to me," he cut in sharply. "I'm only concerned because you need to be strong. You'll be putting together Carmela's welcome back party, and I want it perfect."

His words lodged in my throat. I almost choked on them. My lips parted, but no sound came out. My knees felt weak. I took a step back, needing air.

He noticed. His eyes narrowed as if he was about to speak again, but then a soft, feigned whimper broke the silence.

"Cal."

Carmela stood leaning against the bedroom door, her piercing gaze locked on me. In that instant, her face twisted-pure venom flashing in her eyes. But the second Calhoun turned toward her, she shifted. Her expression melted into one of fragility, as if she'd break apart at the smallest touch.

"Has she brought the stuff?" she asked. "I'm feeling pain all over my body, Cal. I just. I want cuddles. And massages."

My stomach lurched.

His face softened instantly. He nodded, his voice dropping gentle. "Don't hurt your feet. Go lay on the bed. I'll get the maids to heat the milk, then I'll come join you. Okay?"

"Okay," she whispered, smiling sweetly.

I stood there, silent. My chest burned. My eyes stung so badly I thought they'd burst. Watching the way his entire being softened for her-while all I ever got was indifference. I remembered the night I almost broke a tooth from clenching down against the stress, the days I tripped in his presence and he hadn't even looked twice. And when I fainted from exhaustion, rushed into the ER-how had he reacted?

He signed my leave form. That was all.

No visit. No call. No concern.

But Carmela? A whimper was all it took to melt him.

When he left with her, I felt my throat swell. A single tear slipped free before I could stop it. I turned and walked out, my legs carrying me like they didn't belong to me anymore. A bitter ache rose in my chest. By the time I stepped outside, I tilted my head back to the sky.

And just one tear fell.

It had been days since that last ugly scene. I kept myself busy.

The party Carmela demanded had to be flawless, and that became my excuse for everything. If I didn't think, I couldn't feel. If I didn't feel, I wouldn't fall apart.

But the pressure came at me like a storm. The staff followed me around with endless questions, decorators called me at odd hours about colors and flowers, the planners wanted confirmation on things I didn't even remember agreeing to. My head never stopped pounding.

And Calhoun.when he did call.it wasn't to check on me. No. It was only to remind me of what Carmela wanted. How spectacular she expected her event to be.

By the time the four days bled into each other, I couldn't even remember what I ate or if I slept. All I knew was the migraine drilling into my skull as I dragged myself into the venue. My legs felt like sandbags, my chest tight, but I forced myself to keep moving. The party was set for 8pm sharp, and if nothing else, it had to be perfect.

This is my final duty as Calhoun's Gamma. When all is said and done, I'll walk away with a clean conscience.

The lights dazzled, chandeliers dripping like golden waterfalls, music humming softly to welcome the elites that began to fill the hall. And then, as though she'd been waiting for the perfect moment, Carmela arrived.

I don't think I'd ever seen a dress like that before. Midnight blue silk that clung to her figure as though it had been poured on her body, crystals embroidered along the bodice, catching every shard of light in the hall. The gown pooled at her feet in a sweeping train, the kind only seen on red carpets. Her hair was slicked back, diamonds dripping from her ears, her chin tilted with that practiced arrogance. She didn't just walk in-she sashayed-her heels clicking like an anthem meant to remind the world she was the center of it. And, of course, the guests swarmed her with their praises.

"She looks breathtaking," someone whispered nearby.

"That gown alone must have cost tens of thousands," another added.

"Well, Carmela is Calhoun's weakness, isn't she? Look at this.look at what should have been a simple welcome party, yet here we are at what feels like a gala."

"I remember in college," a man chuckled, "Calhoun wouldn't let any guy look at her twice. He beat one to a pulp just for holding her hand in a group assignment."

"Oh, yes! And the gifts-don't get me started. Carmela was showered with things that made the entire school jealous."

"She was born lucky," someone sighed. "And she still is."

Their words sank into me like knives. I stood at the far end of the hall, trying to disappear into the shadows, clutching a flute of champagne so tightly I thought the glass might shatter in my palm. My eyes stung, but I refused to let tears fall. I couldn't. Not here.

And then. tranquility slipped right out of reach.

I saw the way Carmela paused mid-laugh, as though she caught a scent in the air. Her sharp eyes darted across the hall until they landed on me. And the glint that flashed through them made my stomach twist. A glint that promised cruelty. She had found her prey.

Her heels carried her straight toward me, and with every step she took, my body stiffened. My chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. I wanted to move, to slip away, but my legs betrayed me, rooted to the floor.

"Elodie." Her voice dripped with mock sweetness as she finally stopped before me. Her lips curved, but it wasn't a smile-it was a sneer. "The decorations are decent, I suppose. The guests seem entertained. But me?" She tilted her head, her diamond earring catching the light. "I'm not pleased in the slightest."

She leaned closer, her perfume overwhelming. "And look at you, standing here like some ornament. But tell me, how fitting is it, Elodie, that you.someone so beneath this world, are dressed so plainly? Your shoes, especially. Lower, dull. Not fit for such an occasion. So here's what you'll do." Her eyes sparkled with malice. "You'll bend down-right here, right now and fix my heel straps. They're loose. Do it immediately."

The world stilled. I swear it did. Conversations cut short, music dimmed into the background of my pounding pulse, and suddenly every gaze in the hall was on us. On me. Heat rushed to my cheeks, blood boiling, shame crawling under my skin. My chest burned as Carmela's lips curled, challenging me to defy her.

I forced air into my lungs. My voice was calm when it came out, though my insides trembled. "I'm sorry, Carmela. I can't bend. My waist still aches and I'm healing slowly." My fingers tightened on the champagne flute until I thought it would shatter. "But if those shoes hurt badly, I can get your costumiers to bring you another pair. What I cannot do is bend."

The silence after that was deafening.

For a moment, Carmela just stared at me. Her face froze in disbelief, like she couldn't quite process what I'd said. It was as though the world had just tilted off its axis, and someone- me, had dared to ruin her perfect balance. I watched her eyes widen, lips parting in shock, and for a heartbeat, she looked like a spoiled child who had never been told no before.

But the shock didn't last long. It twisted, darkened, and within seconds her pretty face was flushed with rage. Her chest rose sharply as she leaned closer, her teeth gritting.

"Did you just say no to me?" she snarled, her voice slicing through the hush of the hall.

Every gaze drilled into me. My heart thundered, but I forced myself not to shrink. My nails bit into the champagne flute as I whispered, steady but trembling inside, "I said I'm sorry, Carmela. I cannot bend. I told you I'm healing. My waist. it still hurts."

And just when I thought the humiliation couldn't cut deeper, fate proved me wrong.

The doors swung open and Calhoun stepped in.

My chest tightened instantly. His commanding presence filled the hall. His sharp eyes scanned the room, narrowing the second he noticed the tension. In three long strides he was near, his entire focus locked on Carmela's face.

The moment she saw him, Carmela's fury melted like ice under the sun. To my shock, her eyes brimmed with tears. tears she summoned faster than I could blink. Before I could even process, she stumbled forward, collapsing into his arms, sobbing as though I'd struck her.

"Calhoun," she cried, her voice cracking beautifully, theatrically. "Please. look at how cold-hearted she has become. All I asked-" she hiccuped against his chest, her diamonds catching the light as her body trembled- "was for her to help me fix the strap of my shoes, so I wouldn't trip and embarrass you in front of all these guests. Elodie was always so perfect in small details like these. But tonight. tonight she refused me. She looked me in the eye and told me she wouldn't bend."

My throat dried. My heart dropped, sinking somewhere to the pit of my stomach.

Calhoun's eyes snapped to me, and the glare that burned from him nearly turned my blood cold. Rage. pure and murderous darkened his gaze as he pulled Carmela tighter against his side, shielding her like a treasure.

"Why would you be so cruel, Elodie?" His voice thundered, rattling me from the inside out. "Carmela is still healing, for goodness' sake. She should not be stressed in the slightest. What's so difficult about helping her with a strap? What?" His jaw flexed, fury lacing every syllable. "As far as you are my Gamma, you will do whatever Carmela asks of you. Whatever it is. If she wants her shoes tied, you bend down and tie them. Immediately. Do it now."

The final snap of his words shattered what little pride I had left.

Around us, murmurs began to swell like poison.

"She's just a Gamma. What right does she have to refuse an Alpha's daughter?"

"Ungrateful thing, standing there as if she belongs in their class."

"How dare she make Carmela lower herself to ask twice?"

"She's nothing compared to Carmela. And yet she acts up?"

"No wonder Alpha Calhoun looks furious, imagine embarrassing him like this in public!"

Every word stung. Each whisper of theirs sliced deeper than the last, tearing at what little strength I clung to. My chest burned, my eyes reddened as I blinked back tears that wouldn't stop stinging.

And then I saw Carmela peeking from the safety of Calhoun's arms, her lips curling into a wicked, satisfied smirk. She wanted this. She had planned it. And she was winning.

Calhoun's growl rumbled, silencing even the whispers. His gaze cut back to me. "I don't want to repeat myself, Elodie."

The final nail drove into me. My shoulders sagged, every muscle of mine screaming in shame, in defeat. My lips trembled as I forced myself to speak. "Yes, Alpha."

The words tasted like blood in my mouth.

Slowly, painfully, I crouched. My waist seared in protest, sending sparks of agony through my body.

My hands shook so badly I could barely find the tiny buckle on Carmela's heel strap. I tried to steady them, tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it was useless. Two hot tears slipped down my cheeks, falling to the ground.

And just as I reached forward, pain shot through me.

I screamed. Carmela had stomped her stiletto heel onto my fingers, pinning them down. Gasps tore through the hall. My cry echoed against the high ceiling as agony spread like fire through my hand. I whimpered, curling in on myself, clutching my throbbing fingers to my chest.

"Elodie!" Calhoun's voice snapped, alarm flashing across his face. He moved instinctively, but before he could reach me, Carmela collapsed into his arms, her fake tears pouring like a performance she had rehearsed her whole life.

"Oh, Calhoun!" she sobbed, pressing her face into his chest. "I didn't mean to.honestly, it was an accident. My heel slipped. If Elodie feels wronged, I can always go down on my knees and beg for her forgiveness."

Those words knocked my breath from me. I sobbed quietly, clutching my bleeding fingers. Pain twisted every nerve, coldness creeping into my body as though my soul were draining out of me. My knees shook.

But instead of defending me, Calhoun exhaled heavily, his face hardening as he stroked Carmela's hair. "Never mind, Carmela. It was a mistake. I'm sure Elodie understands."

His words hollowed me out. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. It felt like something inside me had shattered beyond repair. Was this what breaking truly felt like? I wondered if I would ever be whole again after what he had done to me. Tears blurred my vision as Carmela peeked out from his chest, her lips curling into a wicked smirk only I could see.

I stumbled into the restroom.

The door slammed behind me, and I slid down the cold tiles, clutching my chest as the sob tore out of me.

My phone buzzed in my palm. A message from Calhoun.

"Where are you? Come over here immediately."

For a second, I wanted to type back: I went home. I feel unwell. But fear coiled around my throat tighter than the collar had. What if he cut my wages? What if I lost everything? I swallowed the scream lodged in my chest and turned toward the hall.

When I stepped in, all eyes shifted to me. A chill swept down my spine. The crowd parted, and there was Carmela on her feet, mascara streaking her face, sobbing dramatically. Her finger jabbed at me.

"Where is my golden bracelet cuff?!" she screamed. "My dead grandmother gave it to me! It's worth millions, it's an heirloom!"

Shock froze me in place. Then anger stirred, trembling through my veins. My voice came careful, shaking. "I didn't take anything."

"Liar!" she shrieked. "It fell when you bent to tie my straps! Gammas like you are thieves!"

Something inside me snapped. My vision went red, humiliation and rage crashing together, but before I could speak, Calhoun finally stepped in. His voice was calm.

"Carmela. Stop it. It must have fallen. I'll have the guards search for it."

Carmela's head whipped toward him, eyes blazing. "Calhoun, what are you saying? That I'm lying? If you won't search her, then we are done! You're prioritizing her over me, your true mate! I won't have it!"

My breath hitched. She turned to storm off, but his hand caught her arm, pulling her back gently. His gaze slid past me, cold, detached, and he signaled to the guards.

"Search Miss Elodie."

The floor tilted beneath me. "What?" The word cracked out of me as I stumbled back, but three guards closed in, massive hands gripping my arms, forcing me to my knees.

"Please!" I screamed, thrashing. "Alpha Calhoun, I swear.I didn't take anything! I'm not a thief! I'm not-" My cries tore into the air, sharp with pain as they yanked my arms behind me.

He looked away. He couldn't even watch. And Carmela.her lips curled with triumph.

My dress ripped under their hands. Rough fingers groped, searching, dragging me. When they found nothing, they shoved me down. I collapsed on the floor, clutching the torn fabric to my chest, sobbing as my bra peeked through the ruined cloth.

One guard muttered, "We found nothing."

Carmela sneered. "Maybe she hid it in her underwear. She's a thief!"

My blood iced. A guard's hand reached for my waist, ready to strip me bare-

"Enough!" Calhoun's voice rang out, panic flashing across his features. But before his order fully landed, another voice pierced the air.

"Found it!"

Everyone turned. A woman stood near a table, holding the golden bracelet high. "It was under here! A few tables away!"

Gasps swept the hall. My sobs filled the silence. The guards released me, stepping back. Carmela's eyes widened, then quickly softened as she ran to Calhoun, burying her face against his chest.

"Oh my goodness," she whimpered. "I.I made a mistake. Elodie. she didn't deserve that. Can I apologize?"

But I didn't lift my head. I stayed on the ground, clutching my torn dress, my shoulders shaking with every broken cry.

Calhoun's hand closed around Carmela's as he began to lead her out. His voice was flat, final.

"No need. That little humiliation won't end her life. She's fine."

ELODIE'S POV~

"That little humiliation won't end her life. She's okay."

Those words wouldn't leave my head. Calhoun's voice.so calm, so certain kept ringing ceaselessly in my ears. Not Carmela's cruel laughter.

Not the gasps or the whispers of the guests. Just him. Over and over, like a knife twisting in my chest.

My tears wouldn't stop, falling freely down my cheeks as I clutched the shredded remains of my dress to my chest, trying in vain to cover what had been ripped away from me.

The crowd that had gathered to witness my humiliation began to disperse slowly. I tried to stand, my knees wobbling, my body weak and trembling.

And then a jacket landed squarely on my face. Blinking through my tears, I looked up to see the waiter who had carried Carmela's silver tray toss it toward me and walk away without a word.

No apology. No acknowledgment. Nothing. Just another reminder that no one cared, that I was invisible, unworthy of even the smallest kindness.

I wrapped the jacket around me, but it did nothing to stop the tremors coursing through my body. Shock. Pain. Fear. Humiliation. They clung to me like a second skin, seeping into my bones.

The world outside was gray, heavy with rain pouring, and as I stumbled into it, the heavens themselves seemed to join in my punishment. Rain pounded down, soaking the jacket, drenching the scraps of fabric that still clung to my skin. My tears mixed with it, but I had no strength left to cry. My mind had gone numb. My body moved on autopilot, dragging itself across the nearly empty streets, soaked and exhausted, my vision blurring.

I was approaching a dark alley, a shortcut home when a car honked beside me. I froze, my heart thudding painfully in my chest. Slowly, I turned. There was Calhoun. Clutching the steering wheel, his gaze locked onto me with that piercing intensity I had once craved, and he waved for me to get in.

Fresh pain, hatred, heartbreak, it all surged through me at once. My chest felt like it had been torn open. I wanted to scream at him. Fuck you. Go to hell with your ride. But the words caught in my throat. Did they even matter anymore? My vision was already swimming with black dots. My body felt like it was disintegrating, piece by piece, under the weight of everything.

So I ignored him. My feet dragged through the puddles. Rain pelted my head and my soaked jacket, but I barely noticed. I was already broken. Already numb. My heart hardened a little more with every step, my soul turning colder and colder.

The honking didn't stop. My head throbbed as I tried to ignore it, my soaked jacket clinging to me like a second skin, heavy with the rain and then his voice cut through the storm.

"Elodie! Get into the car now!"

I froze. Every nerve in my body screamed. Hot, furious anger surged through me, burning brighter than the cold rain pelting my skin. In the past, I would have panicked. I would have rushed to him, eager to please, desperate not to upset him. But not now. Not after today.

I turned on my heels slowly, letting the rain wash over my face as I faced him, giving him the coldest, deadest look I could muster.

"What for?" I spat, my voice trembling with fury and heartbreak. "What's the need for me to enter your car right now? Don't waste your time, Alpha Calhoun. Don't forget, I'm just a Gamma. I have no reason to be in the same car as you."

The words hung in the air, and I turned away, trudging slowly forward, letting each step pull me farther from him, from everything I had once believed in. I didn't care to see his expression. I didn't care if he followed.

But then I heard a car door slamming, footsteps rushing toward me. My heart thudded in panic, but I didn't look. I shouldn't have to. And just as I took another step, a hand clamped hard around my wrist and yanked me backward. Pain shot through me, and I gasped, stumbling.

His glare was fire, furious and unyielding.

"Didn't you hear me when I asked you to get in?" His voice was harsh. "Why are you so pissed? I get it, today's been bad. Misunderstandings everywhere. But I did what I had to! I didn't want to lose Carmela again. I've lost her once; I will never let that happen again. I'll make it up to you somehow, don't worry! You can't just mess everything up over this little misunderstanding!"

His words slapped me harder than any hand could. They burned, and I yanked my wrist from his grip, ignoring the sharp pain. I laughed, but it was empty, hollow, and bitter.

"Have you seen yourself?" I whispered, stepping back, my voice breaking with rage and grief. "Felt no shame? Left your mate to chase after a mistress? Why? Don't worry, Alpha Calhoun. I know my place now. I am a Gamma. Just his assistant. I would never hope for more. Happy now? Can I go?"

Something in his eyes snapped. Murderous. Furious. He stepped forward, pointing at me, shouting, his voice trembling with emotion I couldn't decipher.

"You know that's not what I meant! I never looked down on you! I did what I had to out there to calm Carmela, or there would have been chaos more than I could ever handle! And-"

The next words didn't reach me. My world tilted, the rain spinning, the street fading. The last thing I heard before everything went black was him calling my name. And then pain. Then cold, wet asphalt against my body, every inch of me aching.

The morning sunlight burned my eyes as it streamed through the window. I winced, trying to open them, only to be startled by a beeping sound. My eyes snapped open fully, and I gasped.

And there,beside me, was a figure, her shoulders shaking as she cried. My heart skipped.

"Elodie." she whispered, broken, her face crumpling as she lifted her head.

It was Mila.

She jumped to her feet, bursting into tears all over again. "Oh, my darling, look at you," she wept, clutching the bedrail as if her legs might give out. "I thought I had lost you. You've been unconscious for over thirty-six hours!"

I blinked, dazed. Surely I was hallucinating. Surely the fever in my veins was playing tricks. "Mila?" I croaked, my voice raw and unrecognizable. "Mila. is that you?"

Her head bobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she nodded. "Yes. It's me. It's really me."

And that was it. The fragile wall I had built inside me shattered. I burst into tears, sobs tearing through my chest so violently that every rib ached. Pain lanced through my body with each breath, but I couldn't stop. Mila bent over me, wrapping me in the gentlest embrace, her lips pressing against my damp forehead again and again as she rocked me.

"Shh. I've got you," she whispered through her own sobs. "I've got you, my love. You're safe now. You're safe."

"I heard about the thing the moment I landed back in the Pack," she whispered, voice cracking.

"Elodie. Calhoun is being impossible! He lets that phony girl wrap him around her little finger, blind to what's real and what's just cheap trash."

I forced a smile to my lips, though it felt like ripping a wound open.

"I'm fine," I lied, the words bitter as ash on my tongue. My lips trembled. "I. I'll be fine."

My smile cracked, my voice breaking. "I. we." The words wouldn't come, swallowed by the lump in my throat.

"Our relationship is strictly professional now. As for us. there's nothing. We're done. We have nothing to do with each other."

"Oh, Elodie." she whispered.

Then her tone shifted.

"Very good then," she said with a huff. "If you're done with him, then onto the next. Look at you, hurt but still gorgeous. This plump ass of yours? Alphas would drool. All you need to do is show the world you're single, unmated, and boom, watch the magic happen. I'm telling you, Elodie, I'm hooking you up with someone. Don't you worry. Who knows? Your mate might be right around here."

A small, unwilling smile tugged at the corner of my lips at her silliness, just for a second, but the sound of the ward door slamming open ripped it away.

Calhoun stormed in, his eyes murderous, his presence swallowing the air whole. My breath caught, but I kept my expression neutral, even as his gaze locked on Mila with enough venom to burn her. She didn't flinch. She just glared right back.

His voice was low, but thunderous. "What's the meaning of what you just said? You will not hook her up with anyone. Those men aren't worthy to breathe near her. They just want to fuck her and then dump her for their real mates. Elodie is mine to protect, and I won't have her thrown to wolves who'll use and discard her."

Mila scoffed, leaning back like his fury was nothing. "Dude, please. Relax. There are still good men out there. All she needs is to go out, meet people, and maybe.just maybe.she'll find her mate. Fate works in mysterious ways. And besides. why do you care? Why does it matter who she's with? Not everyone is like you, Calhoun. Not everyone plays with two women's emotions at once. Blind as a bat, with no real taste in partners."

A vein ticked at his temple, his jaw clenching so tightly it looked painful. His voice snapped. "Don't you dare. Don't you ever try to force her into some meaningless feelings for these men. If you do, Mila.you'll answer to me."

Before Mila could retort, I broke in. "Alpha Calhoun, do you need something? Don't mind Mila. she's only joking."

"I'm not joking," Mila muttered stubbornly beside me.

But he ignored her completely. His eyes shifted back to me, unreadable. He opened his mouth, then stopped, swallowing whatever he'd wanted to say. When he finally spoke, his tone was clipped. "I came to make sure Mila gets home safely to her family. And. to check on you."

I forced a bitter smile and nodded faintly. "Thank you."

Mila moved quickly, almost shielding me. She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him gently but firmly toward the door. "Alright, time for you to go. Elodie needs rest, not more drama."

He resisted at first, reluctant, his gaze still fixed on me like he was trying to memorize every detail. But finally, he let himself be ushered out. Mila slammed the door behind him with more force than necessary, leaving the silence to thicken again.

When she came back to me, she sighed, her eyes softening. "Don't mind him, El. I know he seems cold, even cruel sometimes, but deep down? That man genuinely cares for you. More than he wants to admit."