On the night of our third anniversary as mates, I sat in the grand hall of the Adams Pack territory, surrounded by the elite of the werewolf world. The air was thick with the mingling scents of power and ambition, the kind that only Alphas and their inner circles could exude. Rowan, my mate and Beta of the Adams Pack, had told me he was away on pack business. Yet there he was, standing at the center of the room, his arm draped around Blair Bell, his old flame and the pack’s most conniving Omega. His dark eyes gleamed with a satisfaction that made my stomach churn, and his broad shoulders, once a source of comfort, now seemed to radiate arrogance.

Before I could confront him, I overheard a group of Deltas nearby, their voices dripping with mockery. “Now that Blair’s back, when are you going to drop your substitute Luna?” one of them asked, nudging Rowan with a smirk. Rowan chuckled, his deep voice cutting through the noise of the gathering. “Anytime,” he replied, his tone casual, as though he were discussing the weather. My heart shattered into pieces, the bond between us screaming in protest.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. I was Hayden Adams, Alpha of the Adams Pack, and I would not let them see me break. But just as I was about to make my move, I noticed the peculiar looks from the pack members around me. I followed their gazes to the large screen at the front of the hall, where my private photos—images I had never shared with anyone—were being displayed for all to see. Blair was curled up next to Rowan, her golden hair gleaming under the lights, her expression one of pure contentment. Rowan, meanwhile, stood tall and unbothered, as though this were all part of some grand plan.

I trembled with rage, my wolf snarling in the back of my mind. “Rowan,” I said, my voice low but commanding, the authority of an Alpha ringing through my words. “Explain this.”

He turned to me, his dark eyes cold and unfeeling. “You’ve benefited from my position for so long,” he said, his voice smooth and patronizing. “Take it as an honor that you’re now amusing Blair.”

At that moment, I realized that, to him, I was nothing more than a placeholder—a pawn in his game of power and manipulation.

“Alpha Adams,” Felix Jones, the pack’s auctioneer, called out, his voice devoid of the usual respect. “Are you sure you want to continue with your bid?” He held the gavel in his hand, his tone almost mocking.

I tore my gaze away from Rowan’s smug face and focused on the screen. “Remove those photos immediately,” I said, my voice echoing through the hall with the force of an Alpha’s command. But the room remained silent, the pack members either too afraid or too amused to act.

Someone snickered first—Kameron Henderson, one of Rowan’s old friends—and soon the hall was filled with mocking voices.

“How uncultured,” one of the Omegas sneered. “Does she think auction items can just be retracted like that? What a bumpkin!”

“Our Luna truly lives up to her reputation,” an elderly Omega said, his lecherous gaze making my skin crawl. “Her figure is criminally enticing. Just looking at these photos, I’m about to—!”

“Looking isn’t enough,” another chimed in. “I wonder if Beta Scott would be open to sharing. I’d gladly trade my Lake District territory for just one night with Alpha Adams.”

Blair’s voice cut through the noise, sweet and cruel. “Rowan, didn’t you say Alpha Adams’ stomach looked like a dead centipede too? Great minds think alike!”

I turned to Rowan, stunned. A year ago, he had told me those stretch marks were my badge of honor, a gift from our pup before they entered this world. Even after I lost them, he had gently reassured me, “It’s okay, we’ll have more pups.” But now, he was smiling, ruffling Blair’s hair as though she were the center of his universe.

The room was filled with powerful Alphas and their Betas, all of whom now looked at me like predators eyeing their next meal. My hands clenched tightly, my wolf growling in frustration. I was about to speak in my defense when Rowan flashed a charming smile and said, “Well... since everyone’s so interested, why not auction a night with Alpha Adams? Highest bidder wins!”

“You bastard, Rowan!” I lunged at him, my Alpha strength behind my fist, but Rowan caught my wrist, his grip crushing. His dominance, usually reserved for pack disputes, now turned against me.

Blair smiled sweetly at my distress. “I told you, didn’t I? Preparing for an anniversary dinner is no fun at all. This auction, though, it’s where the real entertainment is.”

“But then again, Alpha Adams,” she continued, her voice dripping with false sympathy, “you should be grateful for hearing everyone’s compliments on your figure firsthand. How will you express your thanks?”

Suddenly, it all made sense. The anonymous message I’d received earlier, promising a surprise. I’d thought Rowan had arranged something romantic, had even gone out of my way to dress up for it. Turned out Blair had set this entire trap for me.

Seeing my tears fall, Rowan shook my hand off in disgust. “Why are you crying? Don’t you love making bold moves? Go ahead, make three bids to capture all of this. Problem solved, right?”

Blair stifled a giggle, pointing at the rose brooch on my chest. “Rowan, you’re being too harsh. She cherishes that brooch you gave her, which I discarded without a second thought.”

“How could you let her mortgage the Adams territory to make those bids?”

Her words left me dumbfounded. I looked at Rowan in disbelief. He raised an eyebrow and said casually, “Oh, I forgot to mention, your Adams Pack is on the brink of collapse, thanks to me.”

The room erupted in laughter, the sound cutting deeper than any blade. I stood there, my Alpha aura flickering under the weight of their mockery, but I refused to let them see me break. I was Hayden Adams, Alpha of the Adams Pack, and I would rise from this—stronger, fiercer, and untouchable.

"Rowan, how could you do this?" I shouted, tearing the brooch from my dress. It was the only gift Rowan had given me after our mating ceremony, and I had never felt right wearing it. Now, its jagged rose edges pressed painfully against my chest.

"You know the Adams Pack is the only legacy my parents left me. Why do you hurt me like this?" I demanded, meeting Rowan's cold gaze. His indifference cut deeper than a knife.

Blair Bell stood gracefully, took the brooch from my hand, and stroked the petal engraved with her initials. "Why do you think? You stole my place and my happiness. You're getting exactly what you deserve," she said, tucking loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

Seeing the scar on her wrist, my mind went blank. I grabbed her wrist, asking, "What happened to this scar?"

"Ouch, you're hurting me! Let go!" Blair's eyes filled with tears immediately. Rowan pushed me aside and wrapped Blair protectively in his arms. "Alpha Hayden," he said, using my title with a mocking edge, "touch Blair again, and I'll make sure the Adams Pack is nothing but a memory."

I stumbled backward, nearly losing my balance. Even though I bit my lip hard, a sob escaped. A scar identical to Blair's marked my wrist, only mine was a bit redder.

Rowan noticed my dazed look and seized the opportunity to add insult to injury: "Since you're just a stand-in, everything about you mirrors Blair's. Is there a problem?"

Three years ago, Rowan had spilled hot stew on me, causing this scar. Back then, he had seemed genuinely remorseful, watching over me as I applied ointment. But a packmate who had seen the security footage suspected Rowan had done it intentionally, nearly driving a wedge between us.

Today, Rowan's confession shattered my last bit of self-confidence. I felt like a fool under the gaze of everyone at the pack gathering. The surrounding voices blurred into a hum as the auction continued. When I lit the candle centerpiece, the service staff came to verify my financial status.

"Alpha Hayden, could you show proof of your assets?" Adele Matthews asked, while Stephanie Cole weaved through the crowd with a tray of drinks.

Blair deliberately picked up a glass of red wine and offered it to me. "Rowan told me you're allergic to grapes. What a coincidence, so am I. But I do love their flavor. I wonder how much effort Rowan put into desensitizing you. Care to take a sip for me?"

When I didn’t, she feigned clumsiness and spilled the wine. "Oops, my hand slipped," she said.

I tried to dodge, but Rowan intentionally nudged me forward. The wine splattered all over me, staining my clothes red. Rowan immediately turned to check Blair’s hands, asking, "Did any get on you? I don’t want you breaking out in a rash. Let me see."

My brand-new white dress was ruined, and my carefully styled hair clung to my face in sticky strands. Adele Matthews stepped back, clearly unimpressed.

I watched Rowan fuss over Blair, adjusting her dress. "Sorry about that. Rowan always says I’m such a klutz; he can’t help but love me," Blair remarked with a sly grin.

I stayed silent, just watched Rowan as he fussed over her.

I remembered a year ago, at a gathering when I was pregnant with our pup. A rogue had deliberately caused trouble, insisting I drink alcohol. Rowan had immediately intervened, and when the rogue insulted me, Rowan was furious enough to throw a drink at him.

Now, Rowan stood by as Blair orchestrated my humiliation.

Suddenly, the crowd gasped. I turned, confused, to see what had happened. As I glanced at Rowan, a flicker of guilt crossed his face. He almost moved to cover my eyes but shifted to wrap an arm around Blair’s waist instead.

"Alpha Hayden is quite a sight. No wonder Beta Rowan chose her as a stand-in when Blair went abroad," an old man leered, eyes glued to me. "What a beauty! Let’s hurry this auction along; I’ve got the presidential suite at the Ritz tonight and can’t wait to enjoy this exquisite delight!"

The lecherous old man rubbed his hands together, his gaze fixed on me with a lustful gleam. I looked up and forced a vacant smile. Tears ran down my cheeks to my collarbone, vanishing into the fabric.

The auction hall’s large screen flickered to life, displaying personal photographs that exposed the most private corners of my life. My chest tightened as I realized Rowan had installed cameras to capture every intimate moment, every vulnerability. My eyes locked onto his, but he turned away, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

"If you’ve got the funds, place your bid," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "If not, you’ll be groveling under the Alpha’s desk. Don’t come crying to me when that heirloom bracelet ends up on Blair’s wrist, claiming I never gave you a chance."

The room fell into a hush, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Every eye in the hall turned to me, the Alpha of the Adams Pack, waiting for my response. I raised my paddle, signaling a temporary hold on the auction. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of defiance echoing in my mind.

Blair’s laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. She tossed the black card Rowan had handed her to the floor near my feet. "Stop the charade, Hayden. Since Rowan’s been grooming you to resemble me about seventy percent, I’ll give you a hand."

I pressed my lips together, refusing to let her words cut deeper than they already had. I turned and walked out of the hall, my head held high despite the turmoil raging inside me. In that moment, I finally understood why my father had gripped my hand so urgently on his deathbed, warning me to be wary of the Scotts. He had seen through Rowan long before I fell for him, knowing he wasn’t someone to trust. Unfortunately, I had realized it too late.

As I stepped into the cool night air, Kalani, a longtime acquaintance and an Omega within the pack, hurried after me. Her expression was conflicted, guilt etched into her features. She hesitated briefly before speaking, her voice trembling. "Alpha Hayden, when you and Beta Scott first became mates, he had the auction house search for that heirloom bracelet. When I saw the photos, I realized it was your family’s lost piece. I thought he was planning it as a surprise for you, so I kept quiet. I’m truly sorry... If you need funds, I have about twenty thousand you can use."

Breaking confidentiality rules wasn’t easy for an Omega, and I was deeply grateful for her honesty. How could I blame her? I gently placed a finger over her lips and shook my head, signaling her to stop. "Kalani, thank you. I’ll handle the rest."

When my parents were alive, the Adams Pack’s name was synonymous with honor and strength. Now, as Alpha, I couldn’t allow our name to be tarnished by scandal or betrayal. My wolf growled in agreement, urging me to take action.

After a moment of careful thought, I dialed a number stored on my phone but never used. The moment the call ended, a notification appeared: a significant deposit into my account. Staring at the dizzying sum, I made another call. "Zachariah," I said, my voice steady, "I’ve decided to purchase the files on Rowan’s infidelity you mentioned. I need you to watch things for me and send updates."

Steeling myself, I walked confidently back into the auction hall, my presence commanding the room’s attention. I signaled for Felix, the auctioneer, to resume the proceedings. He exchanged a glance with Rowan before continuing his account of the heirloom bracelet.

Rowan’s eyes flicked over me, his fingers absentmindedly toying with Blair’s hair as he murmured, "The show’s starting, Blair. I promised you a spectacle, and I’ll deliver."

His words, laced with malice, no longer had the power to wound me. My gaze remained steady on the auction stage, my wolf’s resolve burning within me. As Felix initiated the bidding, I gave the table’s tassel a sharp pull, calling out, "Lights on!"

The room erupted into brightness, illuminating the faces of those who had doubted me. My wolf surged with pride, a silent reminder that I was the Alpha, and I would not be broken.