I ignored August, whose face had turned beet red, and turned to leave.

But I hadn't gotten far when he grabbed me. Then, he questioned me coldly, "Sophia, you don't want my money? What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to cut all ties with me?"

I looked him straight in the eye. "Since we've already broken up, it's better not to have any further entanglements to avoid misunderstandings."

My thoughts drifted to Ryder, who was always jealous.

He wasn't prone to unreasonable jealousy, but he had a fierce sense of territory. If he caught another werewolf attempting to touch me in public, that poor werewolf would certainly be in for a serious reckoning.

But August glanced at Hailey, clearly thinking he'd figured everything out.

"Our Alpha is throwing a welcome party for the Lymerian pack's Alpha in three days. I'm planning to take you to experience the high life. But first, you'll need to change out of that ugly outfit. I don't want you embarrassing me—"

Before he could finish, I cut him off firmly."No thanks."

Hearing me turn him down again, August's expression darkened. The hand holding the check froze mid-air, and his jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grinding.

"Sophia, I see your temper has certainly grown, but you still can't seem to shed that somewhat cheap demeanor. If you don't want to go, fine. I'll take Hailey instead."

Hailey's eyes lit up when she heard August was taking her to the party. She quickly chimed in, "August, I'll make sure to behave. I won't embarrass you, I promise."

I had no interest in getting dragged into their drama any further. I turned and walked away briskly, leaving them with one parting line. "Let's hope you're both still this confident three days from now."

I rushed out of the arrival hall, and only after taking a breath of fresh air did my nausea ease a bit.

Three years ago, my parents arranged a mate bond for me in another pack. Under pressure from my parents, I begged my boyfriend of seven years, August, to become my mate. I was hoping to go through with it first and explain later.

August agreed. Yet, outside the Pack Affairs Department, I was surprised to see not only August but also his first love, Hailey.

"Hailey's pup needs to be registered with the Aurelis pack. I need to officially become her mate first. I'll form a mate bond with you as soon as her pup gets legal status, which is expected in about a month. It's just for the pup, so don't overthink it."

Watching August walk into the office hand in hand with Hailey, I gave up on him completely. That very night, I agreed to the mate bond my parents had arranged.

A month later, I went through with the ceremony and formed a mate bond with Ryder. A year later, we welcomed our first pup.

I recently found out I was pregnant with our second pup. If it weren't for wanting to visit my parents, I wouldn't have come back to the Aurelis pack at all, and I definitely wouldn't have run into August.

…

Three days later, I showed up at the party alone, wearing light makeup and a casual outfit.

The moment August saw me, his eyes lit up, and a smug smile tugged at his lips. "You said you weren't coming, but your body's telling a different story.

"But if you're trying to win me back, you'll need to at least please me. At an event like this, you should be dressed properly, something worthy of my status."

I ignored his sudden bout of narcissism and tried to walk past him to my seat.

But I barely took two steps before August grabbed my arm in irritation. "Sophia, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me? Our seats are over here. Where do you think you're going?"

I shook off his hand and replied calmly, "That's your seat. Mine is over there."

Following my gaze, August looked toward the seats reserved for the most esteemed guests. His expression turned sour in an instant.

Hailey shot me a venomous glare, then pointed at my bracelet and shouted, "Sophia, how did you sneak in here? You're here to cause trouble, aren't you? And how dare you show up wearing that fake bracelet?"

Her voice was so loud that it immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Is that bracelet the same model as the 'Timeless Love' limited edition that Mr. Weyland spent a fortune to buy for his mate? Today is Mr. Weyland's Luna's first public appearance, and she shows up wearing a knockoff? Is she trying to embarrass our pack on purpose?"

"August, is this your friend?" another subordinate frowned and asked.

Noticing I hadn't once looked directly at him, August adjusted his tie and calmly replied, "No."

Hailey's expression lit up at his words, and she looked at me with smug superiority. "Take off that bracelet and get out!"

I looked at her indifferently and asked, "Are you sure you want me to leave?"

My calm expression only made her angrier. In her mind, I was supposed to be sobbing and apologizing, begging her not to kick me out.

Her eyes narrowed sharply, and she shouted, "Quit pretending! Take that bracelet off! Now!"

The next second, she lunged at me and tried to yank it off herself.

I slapped her hand away and instinctively stepped back to avoid her. But someone suddenly stuck out a foot. I was caught off guard and fell to the ground.

I was completely stunned.

Hailey stomped on my hand and ripped the bracelet straight off my wrist. "Only trash like you would treat this junk like it's something precious."

Pain shot up my arm, her heel grinding into my hand. My skin was torn open, blood mixing with dirt.

Yet, I just stared blankly at the broken bracelet and the scattered gemstones glittering across the floor.

"Pick her up and throw her out!" Hailey ordered arrogantly.

People immediately started to crowd around. As someone reached for my arms and legs, I quickly said, "Stop! I'm Mr. Weyland's…"

Before I could finish, Hailey slapped me hard across the face. "Oh, let me guess. You're about to spread that lie again? Claiming to be Mr. Weyland's Luna? Someone like you? Seriously?"

As if one slap wasn't enough, she slapped me again.

My wolf inside me let out a low, threatening growl, aching to come out and tear her apart.

Initially, I hadn't planned on settling any old scores when I came back this time, because I was truly happy now. She simply wasn't worth my time.

But now, I swore she would face the consequences of her actions.

August crouched in front of me, reaching for the wound on my wrist. I instinctively pulled away.

He looked at me icily. "Sophia, have you caused enough of a scene? You came here wearing a fake bracelet, dressed like that for the party.

"Wasn't it just to catch my attention after seeing how successful I've become? Trying to win me back, hoping I'd keep you by my side?

"If you beg me now, I'll get you out of this mess. I'll even let you stay with me."

I sneered and replied, "August, you really do think too highly of yourself."

August frowned and was just about to speak when he noticed the room suddenly growing quiet. People around us began straightening their clothes and fixing their posture, all eyes locked on the entrance to the party.

He quickly pulled me to my feet and muttered under his breath, "The Alpha and the esteemed guests will be here any minute. You'd better behave yourself.

"But don't worry. I've already severed my mate bond with Hailey. I could give you another chance."

I gave him a puzzled look. I hadn't cared about his relationship with Hailey in a long time.

As I rubbed my still-throbbing wrist, I realized just how repulsive August truly was.

Just then, Ryder entered the room, holding our pup, Darren Weyland, surrounded by a crowd that treated him like royalty. As they reached the main hall, Darren started squirming, wanting to get down.

The moment the adorable child appeared, every eye in the room was drawn to him. Two attendants closely followed him, ready to catch him if he stumbled.

August suddenly turned to me and said, "Sophia, if you stop acting jealous and picking fights with Hailey, I'm willing to forgive you for disappearing for the past three years. And I'll offer you a chance to give me a pup, one that belongs to us."

I ignored him. My gaze drifted past him and met the eyes of Ryder, standing among the crowd beside Darren. Both of their expressions lit up the moment our eyes met.

Moments later, Ryder followed Darren's lead and walked straight toward me.