The Silver Moon Pack’s estate was even grander than I’d imagined.

When the private jet touched down on the airstrip, my mother, Luna Celeste, was already waiting for me.

Tears welled in her eyes the moment she saw me.

"Welcome home, my daughter," she whispered, her hand gently caressing my cheek.

For the next three days, my mother personally coached me on high-society etiquette.

As the heir to the Silver Moon Pack, I had to learn from scratch how to carry myself with the grace of a high-born she-wolf.

"Shoulders back, Isadora. You are the Alpha's only daughter. You carry an innate authority."

"Hold your knife and fork like this… your movements must be elegant."

"When you speak with other Alphas, your gaze must be steady, your voice strong. You are not an accessory to anyone."

Surprisingly, I was a fast learner.

It was as if the etiquette was coded into my DNA, dormant for eight years while I’d learned to keep my head down.

"Very good, Isadora," my mother said with a satisfied nod. "You were born to be on top."

Meanwhile, Bruce and Seraphina were on their very public honeymoon. Seraphina’s Wolfgram account was updated almost every hour:

"Sunrise with my Alpha by the sea ??"

"Surprise dinner Bruce planned for me."

"He says I'm gorgeous even with my pregnancy glow."

The comment section was flooded with envy and blessings.

In one post, she made a special announcement: "My birthday gala is in three days, and we'll be live-streaming the whole thing! Come witness our happy moments with Bruce and me!"

She was drowning in her own happiness, completely oblivious to Bruce's growing agitation.

He hadn't been able to reach me for three days. Our mind link was blocked, and my phone was off.

"Alpha, are you alright?" his Beta, Tom, asked cautiously. "Should I send someone to find Isadora?"

"No," Bruce said, taking a deep breath and forcing a calm he didn't feel. "A she-wolf like her? Who else would take her in besides me? She'll come crawling back sooner or later. This is just a tantrum."

But he alone knew the unease coiling in his gut.

Three days later, Seraphina's "birthday gala" went off as planned. The venue was lavishly decorated, and the guests were all Alphas and Lunas from major packs.

Tens of thousands of viewers had already gathered in the live stream.

"Welcome, everyone, to my birthday gala!" Seraphina announced, dressed in a shimmering silver gown. Around her neck was a priceless Moon Goddess gemstone necklace—a traditional symbol of a Luna's status.

I stood on the balcony above, a glass of champagne in hand, leisurely watching Seraphina's final moment in the spotlight.

As I turned to leave, Seraphina looked up and caught a glimpse of my retreating figure.

A flicker of panic crossed her eyes.

Tonight was her big moment to officially announce her relationship with Bruce. She couldn't let me ruin it.

An idea formed in her mind.

A moment later, Seraphina gasped dramatically. "Oh my goddess! My necklace is gone!"

Her voice was loud enough to command the attention of the entire room. The live stream chat exploded.

"That's an heirloom-quality Moon Goddess necklace!"

"It has to be worth tens of millions!"

"A thief must have snuck in!"

Bruce immediately stood up, his voice booming. "No one leaves the premises! Lock this place down! We will find that necklace!"

Just then, a few of Seraphina's closest friends started searching the room.

I was on my way to the dressing room to change when they blocked my path.

"Stop right there!"

I turned, my expression calm.

Seraphina feigned surprise. "Isadora? What… what are you doing here?"

The live stream camera immediately swiveled to focus on us.

"Isadora, I don't know how you got in, but you're welcome here, of course," Seraphina said, playing the part of the gracious host for the camera. "But I seem to have misplaced my necklace just now. I don't suppose you've seen anything?"

The words were meant to sound like a defense, but every syllable was a thinly veiled accusation.

"I bet the necklace disappeared right after she showed up!" one of her friends added, playing her part perfectly.

The live stream comments followed suit:

"She's just a poor nobody."

"Search her!"

Seraphina chimed in with a display of fake sympathy. "Everyone, please don't say such things about Isadora. She may not have come from much, but her character is…"

She paused deliberately, then sighed with feigned helplessness. "Never mind, I shouldn't have said anything. But Isadora, just to prove your innocence, maybe you should let us check? What do you think?"

Facing this blatant accusation, I stared at them coldly. "On what grounds? You have no right to search me."

"Grounds?" one of the she-wolves sneered. "Someone of your breeding sees a necklace that valuable? It’d be stranger if you didn't steal it."

"Exactly! You're just jealous of Seraphina!" another girl added sharply.

The live stream comments were even more vicious:

"She has the face of a thief."

"Pat her down!"

Seraphina furrowed her brow for the camera, looking conflicted. "Please, everyone, that's too cruel to Isadora."

She paused, a cunning glint in her eyes, before looking at me with a pleading expression. "Isadora, to keep this from getting ugly, just give the necklace back. We can pretend this never happened."

Her words sealed my guilt in everyone's eyes.

I took a deep breath, refusing to get dragged down to their level. I pulled out my phone. "If you're so sure, then let's check the security footage."

Just then, rushed footsteps came from outside.

Bruce stormed in and grabbed my wrist. He gripped it so hard that my phone slipped from my hand, the screen shattering on the marble floor.

"Isadora! So this is where you've been!" His eyes were filled with a wild sense of relief.

I ripped my hand from his grasp in disgust.

Before I could speak, Seraphina sobbed, throwing herself into his arms. "Bruce, my necklace… it's gone. It disappeared right after Isadora showed up…"

She choked on her sobs, looking so fragile and heartbroken.

Bruce's face instantly darkened. He stared at me in disbelief. "Isadora, did you steal Seraphina's necklace?"

He didn't even hesitate. He just accused me.

I laughed coldly. "If I said I didn't, would you even believe me?"

Bruce’s gaze flickered between me and Seraphina. Finally, his voice turned to ice.

"First you ruin her dress, now you steal her necklace. You're becoming more pathetic and vicious by the day!"

"And I bet ignoring me all this time was part of your little game, wasn't it?"

Every word was a knife to the heart.

"I want to see the security footage," I said, struggling to maintain my last shred of composure.

"What footage? We all saw what happened!" Seraphina's friend shouted. "Just confess! Where did you hide it?"

Bruce stepped closer, his voice low as if he was doing me a favor. "Isadora, just admit it. I can still ask for leniency for you. Otherwise, don't blame me for forgetting the bond we once shared."

"I told you, I didn't steal anything!" I tried to push past them, but they cornered me, forcing me back.

"Still denying it? Then we'll search you in front of everyone! Let them all see how shameless you really are!" someone shouted.

The live stream audience roared in agreement:

"Search her! Expose her!"

"Bitches like her need to learn their place!"

In the chaos, someone shoved me hard. I stumbled back, my spine slamming against a marble pillar. The sharp pain almost made my knees buckle.

My purse fell to the floor, its contents spilling everywhere.

"Look! See what's in her bag!" someone yelled.

One of Seraphina’s friends lunged for it, rummaging through my things before crying out in feigned shock. "Found it! The necklace is here!"

She held the Moon Goddess gemstone necklace high in the air, letting it sparkle under the lights.

The crowd gasped. The live stream went absolutely wild:

"Caught her! There's the proof!"

"So disgusting, and she kept denying it!"

Seeing the "irrefutable evidence," a look of deep disappointment crossed Bruce's face. "Isadora, you've let me down more than I can say. Guards, take her to the pack warriors!"

As he reached for me, my eyes held no more hope, only a bone-deep chill.

Just then, an enraged roar echoed from the entrance of the hall.

"Unhand her! Who dares lay a finger on my daughter?!"

The entire hall fell silent.

My mother, Celeste, stormed in, her face a mask of fury.

Her eyes immediately found Bruce's hand on my arm and my pale face, still reeling from the impact.

Without a moment's hesitation, she marched forward.

SMACK!

My mother slapped Bruce across the face. The sound was sharp and loud, echoing through the silent hall.