he bracelet. Others might see only its staggering

or one's o

full, devastating depth of her own folly truly crash over he

ha spoiling

Ivy going to b

er... it's definitely

iliar private account-Adrian's discreet secondary profile-caught

deser

ply was a single,

ed to hide it anymore. Did they think she was dead? She would not tolerate this humiliati

" she commanded, her voice eerily calm. "To the

ve secretary pool of Adrian's corporate empire. Several personal shopp

so the pack's Gamma, stammered, rising

e through the room-curiosity, su

ng with a strange, defiant thrill. For three years as Adrian's mate,

g the distinctive, moonstone-set Luna's ring catch th

nced, her voice carrying effortlessly. "I've brought

rward, opening the velvet-lined boxes in unison. Nestled ins

'Only beloved,' is it? Let's

Luna to appear, let alone bestow such extravagant gifts.

valuable. A pack-a company-thrives when its heart is united. My Alpha is a visionary leader

mations and excited chatter as the

red in the doorway. Her ga

et strained. "You needn't have gone to such

d to face

ces, require your approval?" Mira asked, her tone deceptively

liberate step forward

address your Alpha with the proper tit

voice or issue a threat. Th

her women watched the exchange with bated

angible honor and reward. Ivy's favored stat

rstood, the color d

tears. Her lips parted as if to form some explana

ce her way, rendering

ease ensure the bracelets are distributed. They are gifts from me. What you do with the

ckered with a mix of deference and

he distribution reached its end, Mary paused, her

t seems... we are one short. As

ession didn

cool and clear. "Since Alpha Adrian has already gif

ence settled o

rious, piercing-landing on Ivy, whose f

lem, Assistant Ivy? Or do you believe your contributions have so far excee

o every woman in the room. Her promotion to the Alpha's personal assistant was already see

, forcing a brittle smile. "Of course

"I will be taking a more active role in the pack's affairs from now on. Should any

espectful and admiring looks,

hut, a wave of hushed, derisi

think a few feathers

in a mirror. How could she

re fated mates. No on

a cl

lips. Her wolf's keen hearing captured every whispered jab with perf

s? Let her taste the bitt

ven that well of patience was running dry. But from this day forward

all came just as s

swered

with displeasure. "What you did t

cy, brimming w

olated. The whole office is talk

lared before sh

ged. "Did you spare a single thought for my feelings when yo

t, so I gave it to her. Why must you turn everything int

ords dropping like st

down and reflect on your behavior. Ivy has suffered

ne wen

welling despite her furious

ope, severed. There was nothing le

cast her as the villain in their story, then what wa

chasm opening inside her, she pulle

ice clear and devoid of all emotion.