I barely had time to process Alpha Felix’s words before the whispers of the pack began to swirl around me. The news spread like wildfire—Ryan Ford, Beta of the Ford Pack, had rejected me as his mate. The humiliation burned deeper than I cared to admit.

My father, Eli Griffin, a Gamma in our pack, wasted no time in berating me the moment I stepped into the dining hall. His voice carried the sharp edge of disappointment, and even Gwendolyn, his mate, couldn’t resist adding her own cutting remarks.

“Pathetic,” she sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. “An Omega like you could never hold the attention of a Beta like Ryan. You’re lucky he even considered you.”

I clenched my fists, my wolf stirring in the back of my mind, but I bit back the retort that threatened to spill out. Since when had being the victim become a crime in this pack?

My inbox was flooded with messages, each one more mocking than the last.

“Heard Ryan found a new mate? Guess you weren’t Luna material after all.”

“At least you learned how to serve someone, right, Raven? Maybe you’ll find a Delta who’ll take pity on you.”

“He’s a Beta, Raven. If you beg sweetly enough, he might reconsider. Or maybe shed a few tears—that always works, doesn’t it?”

I deleted them all, one by one, my jaw tight. I didn’t have time for their petty insults. All I wanted was to retrieve my mother’s belongings—her locket and the vintage radio she’d left behind.

I carefully packed the items into a box, my fingers trembling slightly as I traced the intricate carvings on the locket. It was all I had left of her.

When the time came, I headed to the meeting spot Ryan had designated—a grand dining hall in the Ford Pack’s territory. But as soon as I stepped inside, I realized I’d walked into a setup.

The room was filled with Ryan’s usual crowd—warriors, Deltas, and a few higher-ranking members of the pack. Ryan sat at the center of the long table, Lakelynn Pierce, a Delta from the Pierce Pack, beside him. They were laughing, their voices carrying over the hum of conversation.

As the door swung open, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me.

“Raven,” Ryan said, his tone smooth but laced with amusement. “Lakelynn wanted to meet some of my friends, so I thought it’d be a good time to invite everyone. You don’t mind, do you?”

Someone pulled up a chair for me, their grin too wide to be genuine.

“Come on, Raven. Sit down. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I didn’t move. Instead, I placed the box on the table, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

“Here’s your stuff. Where’s mine?”

Ryan hesitated for a moment, then clicked his tongue. “Oh, right. I forgot.”

“Then mail it to me as soon as possible,” I said, turning to leave.

But Lakelynn’s voice stopped me. “Raven, don’t go. If you leave, everyone will think I’m the other woman.”

She frowned slightly, her expression the picture of innocence. I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Aren’t you?”

The room went deathly quiet, and Lakelynn’s face darkened.

Ryan shot me a glare, his Beta aura pressing down on me. “Sit down, Raven. I’ll call the driver and have him bring your stuff over.”

I hesitated, my wolf growling softly in my mind, urging me to stand my ground. But I knew better than to challenge a Beta openly. With a curt nod, I took a seat, though every fiber of my being screamed to walk away.

As we waited for Ryan’s driver to arrive with the package, the room buzzed with lively chatter and excitement once again. Ryan had been right about Lakelynn—her boldness was undeniable, and she effortlessly held everyone’s attention. The air was thick with the scent of coffee and the faint floral aroma of Lakelynn’s perfume, though it did little to mask the tension I felt simmering beneath the surface.

Someone chimed in, their voice laced with admiration, “Lakelynn, I heard you used to be a podium girl when you were abroad. What was that like?”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she launched into stories of racing rules and strategies, her voice animated, as if she were an authority on the racetrack scene. She carried herself with the confidence of a Delta, her posture regal, her every word calculated to impress.

“You know,” she said with enthusiasm, “I absolutely love the racetrack. The adrenaline rush is unmatched, and you meet so many talented and charming drivers.”

She shot Ryan a meaningful look, to which he responded with a gentle smile, before adding with a sigh, “It’s a pity though; the driver’s license exam is crazy hard. I’ve flunked it several times.”

The others, clearly intrigued by this new world she described, listened intently, their expressions filled with awe. Werewolves admired strength and skill, and Lakelynn’s confidence made her the center of attention.

“Wow, Lakelynn, you’re amazing. None of the girls we know are into racing at all.”

“Yeah, Beta Ford, you really know how to pick remarkable women. She’s both stunning and fearless.”

Ryan’s eyes flickered toward me, but I focused on my coffee, staying silent and aloof. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind, a low growl of frustration echoing in my thoughts. I ignored it, keeping my expression neutral.

Noticing his gaze, Lakelynn turned to me, her smile sweet but her eyes sharp. “Raven, are you familiar with racing?”

The question was met with laughter from the others, their voices dripping with condescension.

“Her? How could she possibly know about such an exciting sport? Miss Griffin lives so sheltered; she’d probably faint just from the noise of the racetrack!”

“That’s not totally fair,” another voice joined in, though the tone was no less mocking. “Who said Raven never leaves the house? I often see her going over to Beta Ford’s place. And who says being good at hosting isn’t a skill?”

Lakelynn feigned surprise, covering her mouth theatrically, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Really? My bad for asking then. No worries though, we all have our different strengths.”

Turning back to Ryan, she playfully teased, her voice dripping with sweetness, “Oh, Beta Ford, when we get married, you’ll have to find your parents a housekeeper just as skilled as Raven.”

Laughter erupted around us, the sound cutting through me like a knife. I clenched and unclenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. As soon as I had the package, I’d leave without delay. My wolf growled louder, urging me to stand my ground, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Lakelynn pulled out a ticket from her purse and passed it around the group until it reached me. Her scent—a mix of jasmine and something sharper—lingered on the paper.

“Raven, this is a ticket to next month’s race. I happen to have an extra one. Beta Ford and I will both be competing. If you’re free, you should come and watch.”

I glanced at the ticket and smirked. It was the same race I had signed up for not long ago. My wolf let out a low chuckle, a rare moment of amusement.

Uninterested in further conversation, I finished my coffee in one swift motion and turned to Ryan, my tone sharp. “Beta Ford, check where your driver is with the package.”

Ryan made the call, and suddenly his expression darkened. He ran a hand through his hair, his usual confidence faltering. “Raven, I might not be able to give you the package right now.”

“Why?” I stood up abruptly, my voice cutting through the room.

Rubbing his temples and without a trace of pretense, Ryan admitted, his tone heavy with frustration, “I remember putting everything in the box, but it seems to have gone missing all of a sudden.”

The room fell silent, the tension thickening. My wolf growled again, this time louder, the bond between us pulling tighter. I clenched my fists, my patience wearing thin.