Kathie POV

The moment Emma’s eyes locked onto mine, I knew she wouldn’t let this go. I turned my back on her, pretending to inspect a display of fabric swatches near the counter. My heart raced, my wolf pacing with restless energy. This wasn’t the time or place for a confrontation.

“Kathie?” Emma’s voice called out, hesitant yet insistent.

I closed my eyes briefly, willing myself to stay calm. But when I turned around, she was already walking toward me, her white gown billowing slightly with each step.

“I thought it was you,” she said, stopping a few feet away. Her smile was nervous, like she wasn’t sure whether to be happy or apologetic. “It’s been so long. How are you?”

I crossed my arms, my posture stiff. “What do you want, Emma?”

Her smile faltered. “I—I just wanted to talk. I didn’t know you were back in town.”

“That’s because I didn’t tell you,” I said, my tone sharp. “What are you doing here?”

Emma looked down at the dress she was wearing, then back up at me. “I’m… getting married.”

The words hit harder than I expected, but I kept my face neutral. “Good for you,” I said coldly. “Why are you talking to me?”

Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she took a cautious step closer. “Kathie, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I want to apologize for what happened with Jason . It was a mistake—”

“A mistake?” I snapped, cutting her off. “Sleeping with my mate was a mistake? That’s what you’re calling it now?”

Emma flinched but didn’t back down. “I was wrong. I was selfish, and I hurt you. I’ve regretted it every day since.”

I laughed bitterly, my wolf growling low in the back of my mind. “Regret doesn’t erase betrayal, Emma. You didn’t just hurt me; you destroyed everything we had.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I’m not asking for things to go back to the way they were. I just want to make amends.”

I took a step closer, my fists clenched at my sides. “Amends? Do you even hear yourself? You think an apology will fix this? If I never see you again, it’ll be too soon.”

Emma opened her mouth to say something else, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. My wolf was clawing at the surface, demanding action.

“Leave,” I said through gritted teeth. “Before I do something we’ll both regret.”

She hesitated, her hands wringing together. “Kathie, please—”

“Is there a problem here?” a deep voice cut in, steady and authoritative.

I turned to see Griffin standing a few feet away, his piercing blue eyes scanning the scene. His presence was like a bucket of cold water over my simmering anger.

“No,” I said quickly, forcing myself to relax. “No problem.”

Griffin didn’t look convinced. He stepped closer, his broad frame exuding quiet strength. “Are you sure? It doesn’t look that way.”

“I said it’s fine,” I replied firmly.

Emma glanced between the two of us, her face pale. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but Griffin’s imposing presence seemed to hold her back.

An awkward silence settled over us, thick and heavy. I could feel Griffin’s gaze on me, steady and assessing, but I kept my eyes on Emma.

Before anyone could speak again, the boutique door opened with a soft chime. I glanced over, and my breath caught in my throat.

Jason walked in.

The room seemed to shrink, the air around me charged with tension. Jason ’s eyes scanned the boutique, landing on Emma first before shifting to me.

My wolf stirred uneasily, the tension in the room thickening with every step. Of all places to run into him, why here?

Jason’s presence was commanding as always, but his proud smile carried the arrogance that I’d learned to despise.

Griffin, standing close to me, shifted slightly. His sharp eyes flicked between Jason and me, his body rigid with silent readiness. It was clear he was prepared to intervene if necessary.

Jason walked straight toward us, his smile unwavering. “Kathie,” he greeted smoothly, as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t ripped my heart out and left me in pieces.

I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let him see how unsettled I felt. “What are you doing here?” I asked coldly.

He chuckled, the sound infuriatingly casual. “I could ask you the same thing. But fate seems to have brought us back together.”

“Fate?” I said, my voice laced with disbelief. “You think running into you here is fate? Don’t flatter yourself, Jason.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, it’s good to see you again.”

“I can’t say the same,” I snapped, turning away from him.

Before I could take a step, his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. The contact sent a jolt through me—not from any lingering affection, but from sheer anger.

“Kathie, wait,” he said firmly, his grip tightening slightly. “We need to talk.”

I whipped my head around to glare at him. “Let go of me.”

Jason’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t release me. “You can’t just walk away like this. We have unfinished business.”

“Unfinished business?” I hissed. “You made your choice, Jason. There’s nothing left to say.”

Before he could respond, Griffin stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over Jason. “You heard her,” Griffin said, his voice calm but dangerously low. “Let go.”