When Danielle Thompson's adoptive mother, a healer in the Silver Crescent Pack, was severely injured during a rogue attack, Apollo Lee, the Beta of the neighboring Crimson Fang Pack, declared his feelings for her. Desperate for help with the medical expenses, Danielle accepted his offer. At first, she thought he was merely playing games, but much to her surprise, he was genuinely invested in their relationship. Her packmates dubbed her "Cinderella," and she started to imagine a bright future ahead.

That was until one day, Apollo's childhood friend, Kennedi Simpson, the Luna of Crimson Fang Pack, accused Danielle of stealing a sacred pack artifact that turned up mysteriously in her den. Apollo, like everyone else, glared at her in disgust and contemptuously tossed a pouch of coins at her feet, remarking, "If you need money, take this instead of resorting to petty theft."

Branded a disgrace in the pack, Danielle became the subject of public ridicule. She decided to leave the pack, cutting off all ties with Apollo, and vanished from his life. Years later, upon encountering him again, she was shocked when he tearfully confessed he had been searching for her for the past eight years.

Now, as she hurried to deliver an expiring order to the Crimson Fang Pack, Danielle quickened her pace and accidentally bumped into someone at the stairway corner. Before she could steady herself, a voice snapped sharply, "Are you blind? Didn't you see me standing here?"

She quickly apologized, but as she looked up, she was rendered speechless by shock. It was Kennedi Simpson. Dressed in a red Victorian-style dress, Kennedi's appearance hadn't changed much over the years, except for the same air of superiority and disdain in her eyes. Recognizing Danielle, Kennedi's lips twisted into a mocking smile.

"Oh, it's you... Danielle," she said. Danielle lowered her gaze and tried to walk past, but Kennedi blocked her way. "Have you sunk so low that you're delivering food now? Didn't you get a good payout from selling our sacred artifact?"

Kennedi's words made Danielle lift her head sharply, locking eyes with her taunting gaze. "Let me introduce you all to my good friend from the pack," Kennedi announced to the friends gathered around her. "She's the one who stole the sacred artifact our ancestors left us... a thief."

Kennedi's friends' disapproving looks weighed heavily on Danielle. "So, it was you who took the artifact our ancestors left?" one of them sneered. "Stealing sacred items—aren't you worried it might bring you bad luck?"

Another scoffed, "How much did you get for that artifact? Did they pay you enough to stop delivering food?"

"Or maybe she's using the delivery gig as a cover to swipe more stuff," someone suggested as the crowd grew larger, whispering and pointing.

Danielle clutched the delivery bag so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Kennedi looked at her with feigned sympathy. "What’s the matter? Scared of what people are saying now? Why didn't you just ask Apollo for coins if you were that desperate? Didn’t he support you? Surely, he would have given you what you needed."

Kennedi's words piqued the crowd's interest, with their disdainful eyes fixed on Danielle. Gossip about affairs, betrayal, and money was their favorite pastime. "Not only a thief but also a kept woman. Such a disgrace! Wonder how her parents raised her," someone murmured.

"Bad upbringing must be in her genes," another added, piling on the insults with evident enjoyment.

With her face pale, Danielle scanned the accusatory faces surrounding her, her lips trembling as she tried to defend herself. "I didn't steal the artifact..." she began, but before she could finish, a male voice interrupted from behind her.

"What's going on here?"

Danielle froze. It was Apollo Lee, now the Alpha of Crimson Fang Pack, his presence commanding and his aura overwhelming. The crowd instantly quieted, their eyes darting between Danielle, Kennedi, and their Alpha.

Footsteps echoed down the polished marble hallway, halting behind her. The unmistakable scent of pine and dominance filled the air, causing Danielle Thompson to stiffen. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the hem of her worn delivery uniform, the rough fabric a stark contrast to the opulent surroundings of the Crimson Fang Pack’s central den. Kennedi Simpson, who had been smirking moments before, quickly straightened her posture, her expression shifting to one of practiced innocence as she turned toward the approaching figure.

"Alpha Lee," Kennedi greeted, her voice sweet and laced with false concern. "You’re late. Look who I ran into—I almost didn’t recognize her!"

Danielle’s stomach churned as Apollo Lee’s imposing presence came into view. His broad shoulders and towering frame, accentuated by the tailored suit that marked his high rank, seemed to fill the space around them. His sharp, amber eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the weight of his Alpha aura pressed against her, making it hard to breathe. She instinctively straightened, though she knew she could never measure up to the polished elegance of the Crimson Fang Pack’s elite. Her uniform hung loosely on her frame, a reminder of her status as an Omega, a position that had always made her feel like an outsider.

"Danielle," Apollo said, his voice deep and measured, though his tone gave nothing away. "It’s been years. Come in for a moment."

Danielle’s throat tightened as she met his gaze. The indifference in his eyes cut deeper than she wanted to admit, stirring up old wounds that had never fully healed. She shook her head, forcing a polite smile.

"No, thank you, Alpha Lee. I have deliveries to finish."

She moved to step past him, but Apollo shifted slightly, his broad frame blocking her path. His presence was overwhelming, a mix of dominance and something else she couldn’t quite place.

"Delivering at this hour?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he glanced at the takeout bag in her hand. "Are things... difficult?"

Danielle let out a bitter laugh, her gaze meeting his with a defiance that surprised even her. "Not all of us have the luxury of trust funds, Alpha Lee. Some of us have to work for a living."

Apollo’s expression flickered, a brief hint of something—guilt, perhaps—crossing his features before he stepped aside, allowing her to pass. She walked away without looking back, though she could feel the weight of his gaze and the whispers of the pack members watching her retreat.

The encounter left her shaken. She hadn’t expected to see him here, let alone face his indifferent scrutiny. As she stepped out into the cool night air, memories of the past flooded her mind—memories of a time when she had believed in something more, something that had been shattered by betrayal and loss.

Her wolf stirred uneasily in the back of her mind, a low whine escaping its throat. Danielle pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. She had a life to rebuild, and no amount of Alpha presence or pack politics was going to distract her from that.