I followed Nayeli into the back hall, my voice cold as I spoke,

“You knew the ceremonial dress was mine, yet you still put on this act.”

She no longer wore the mask of innocence, her laughter sharp and mocking,

“Because seeing you humiliated in front of everyone brings me such joy!

Five years you’ve been with Callahan, and not once has he publicly acknowledged you as his mate. How does that feel?”

She wasn’t wrong. For five years, Callahan and I had been bound by the mate bond, yet no one in the pack knew.

He said it was for my safety—his status as Alpha drew too much attention, and he didn’t want rogues targeting me.

But it left me in a shadow of shame, whispered about as the Omega who threw herself at the Alpha.

My heart ached, but I forced my voice to remain steady,

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re after. Give me back the dress.”

Without hesitation, Nayeli tossed the dress to the ground. I eyed her warily as I knelt to pick it up.

Suddenly, her face twisted into a cruel smile, and she lunged at me with her claws extended, silver dust coating her nails.

“The dress means nothing. What I really want is your heart, that rare Lycan heart brimming with power.”

I wasn’t fast enough. Her claws sank into my left shoulder, but I reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist with my bare hand.

“You’re insane! Silver is forbidden!”

Her grip tightened, the silver-laced claws slicing through my palm, blood cascading down my arm.

Her smile was grotesque,

“I could’ve killed you outright, but I chose silver out of kindness.

Pierce your heart, and you’ll die without pain. Your body will be mine to claim.”

The blood loss made me stagger, my vision blurring.

From outside the hall, Callahan’s voice rang out, sharp with irritation,

“What’s taking so long? Cataleya, if you’re bullying Nayeli again—”

My heart sank. The door burst open, and Callahan stormed in with Wayne close behind.

Nayeli immediately retracted her claws, collapsing to the floor with a wail.

Callahan’s eyes scanned the scene, landing on Nayeli’s tear-streaked face and the blood pooling around me.

His voice was a roar,

“Cataleya! How could you be so cruel? Silver? You tried to kill her!”

He didn’t even glance at my injuries, his focus entirely on Nayeli.

“I always thought you were just stubborn, but this—this is monstrous!”

Nayeli clung to him, sobbing,

“I gave her the dress like she asked, but she attacked me anyway. If you hadn’t come, I’d be dead!”

Their icy glares pierced me, and I was given no chance to explain.

“Apologize. Then report to the pack hall for punishment.”

My bloodied hand trembled as I stared at Callahan, tears welling in my eyes,

“I’m not wrong. I won’t apologize, and I won’t take the punishment.”

He seemed blind to my pallor, to the blood staining my clothes. His voice was frigid as he forced me into a bow before Nayeli.

I struggled against his grip, but he tightened his hold on my neck,

“Apologize! If Nayeli doesn’t forgive you, you’ll keep taking punishment until she does!”

I bit my lip, refusing to speak.

Nayeli put on a show of mercy, her voice soft and pleading,

“It’s fine, Callahan. If she’s capable of using silver against me, who knows what else she’ll do?

I don’t want to provoke her further and put myself in danger.”

I glared at her, my voice dripping with sarcasm,

“Who brought the silver? The security logs will tell the truth!”

She burst into louder sobs, and Callahan snapped,

“You’re in charge of security. You could’ve easily tampered with the logs to frame her!

Apologize, now!”

The pain from my shoulder and his grip made it hard to breathe.

Time was running out. I couldn’t afford to waste it on them.

“I’m sorry! It’s my fault!”

The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but Callahan finally released me with a cold huff.

“That’s more like it. Report for punishment later.”

As he stepped back, he noticed the blood on his hands, finally taking in my wounds.

The heavy scent of blood made him grimace,

“How did you get so hurt?”

I shrank my hand back, saying nothing.

After all, there was no point in explaining anything to someone who didn’t believe me.

Instead, Callahan reached out and took my hand, his touch surprisingly gentle as he tended to my wounds. His eyes softened, a rare warmth in them as he spoke.

"Cataleya, I know you’re upset about what happened with Nayeli and me," he said, his voice low and almost tender.

"But I did it for you. If the Rogue King had targeted you, it would’ve been over. I just didn’t want to see you hurt."

His words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

All I could think of were the countless times he’d claimed to be acting in my best interest.

He’d said it was for my safety when he drained my strength, afraid the Rogue King would sense my presence.

He’d said it was for my protection when he kept me hidden in the pack’s training grounds, never letting me step into the spotlight.

He’d even monitored my every move, my food, my clothes—all in the name of keeping me safe.

Back then, I’d found it comforting. Now, it only made my chest ache with a cold, hollow pain.

Everything he’d done—all the things he’d said were for me—had actually been for Nayeli.

He’d weakened me to strengthen her, hidden me away so she could take my place.

I steadied myself and pushed him away, bending to pick up the ceremonial dress I’d discarded. I slipped it on, my voice icy as I spoke.

"Don’t bother explaining. I know exactly what you’re doing."

His expression darkened instantly. He grabbed my arm, his grip tightening as he demanded,

"What’s gotten into you?! You’re hurt—you should be resting, not running around like this!"

I yanked my arm free, meeting his gaze with a sharp, mocking smile.

"What’s the matter, Alpha? Are you afraid the Queen will show up and take me back to the Lycan Court?"

For a moment, he looked stunned, then panicked. He released me abruptly, his voice harsh as he snapped,

"You’re delusional! There’s no Queen coming here!"

But before he could finish, a loud voice echoed from outside the hall.

"Her Majesty, the Queen, has arrived! Make way for the Queen!"