Elara’s POV
“She’s playing you again, and you don’t even see it.”
That was the first thing I thought when I saw Miela’s expression shift from panic to a soft, practiced smile. But Thorne–he didn’t notice a thing. He stood there, distracted, lost in his thoughts.
He probably didn’t realize he was clenching his jaw like he’d just tasted something sour.
Back then, when the Diaz family couldn’t scrape up the ransom fast enough, Thorne said he’d handle it. He wired the full amount without hesitation. Or so he claimed.
But only Miela came back.
No trace of me. No note. No body. Just… gone.
Even his soldiers found nothing. Like I had vanished into thin air.
And that haunted him, I could tell. Not because he loved me, no. But because I was his mate–and maybe, just maybe, he felt guilty for towing me away before he had the full story.
Still, one question lingered in my mind: why did those rogues let Miela go and keep me?
It never added up.
“Don’t let it get to you, Alpha,” Miela said, her voice syrupy sweet. She looped her arm around his, even though he didn’t seem to notice. “You know how Elara is–she holds grudges. This is just her trying to get under your skin. And now with Alpha Cael at her side? She’s clearly playing it up.”
I didn’t have to hear more to know she was already plotting something.
Thorne gave a stiff nod and finally turned away. “Let’s go. The gala’s starting.”
He strode off. Miela hesitated for a second, her smile fading into a scowl. She looked at me like I was a problem that had returned from the dead.
She clenched her fists, her knuckles pale. I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind.
She wasn’t going to let this go.
By the time the grand hall filled up, the event had turned into a spectacle of power and prestige. Alphas and envoys from all over the continent filled the room in glittering waves of silk, suits, and dominance.
Cael made his speech–gracious, sharp, and efficient. The kind only a strong Alpha could deliver with that kind of charm.
And then he reached for me.
With every eye on us, I placed my hand in his and let him lead me onto the dancefloor.
Soft music played. We moved in sync, effortless. It wasn’t about romance–it was about power, and I knew exactly what we were doing.
“Who is she?” I heard someone whisper from the edge of the floor. “Cael’s mate?”
“She must be royalty. Maybe a high–blood Alpha daughter from Europe.”
“She’s flawless. No wonder everyone’s staring.”
Miela was still on the sidelines, smiling like she was made of porcelain, but her hands gripped the champagne glass so tightly I half expected it to shatter
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15:08 Mon, 28 July G
Chapter 4
Even Thorne couldn’t stop watching me. His face was unreadable, but I could feel his stare burning into my back.
“You’ve got your ex practically breathing fire over there,” Cael murmured against my ear as we spun..
“Let him choke on it,” I replied calmly.
Cael chuckled. “He probably thinks we’re lovers. You sure we aren’t giving him too much of a show?”
“He never noticed me before. Let him suffer now.”
Back then, I would have killed for Thorne to look at me like this–even just once. Now? I danced for myself. For my strength. For the girl who crawled through blood and betrayal to stand here shining.
The first dance ended, and others joined the floor. I slipped away toward the bar to grab a drink and collect myself.
That’s when I heard the voice I knew would come eventually.
“…Sister?”
98
I turned slowly, already bracing for it.
“Sorry,” said coolly. “The Diaz family made it clear I’m not your sister. Call me Lady Elara. That’s what the pack does.”
Miela blinked, clearly thrown off, but she recovered fast.
“I came to ask about the necklace,” she said, blinking fast like tears were forming. “You took it on that picnic. You remember, don’t you? Moms sapphire necklace. It was her dowry.”
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “What about it?”
“I–1 just want it back,” she said, her voice cracking for effect. “Mom blamed me when it went missing. Please, Elara. She loved that necklace.”
Her voice wasn’t soft anymore. She was speaking just loud enough to draw attention.
People nearby started glancing o
our way.
“I know you don’t care about us anymore, but that necklace–how could you sell it? Did you really trade it for status? Is that how you fooled Alpha Cael into thinking you belong here?”
I didn’t flinch.
But others were starting to murmur.
“Did you hear that?”
“She sold her mom’s heirloom to act like
“How low…”
I kept my eyes on Miela. “So now I’m a thief
“You took it,” she said, stepping closer, “You know you did-”
“The necklace in the family safe?” I cut in. “The one in the master bedroom I wasn’t allowed to enter? With a password only you knew?”
Miela paled.
I stepped forward, keeping my voice level. “You want to talk theft? Go ahead. But don’t expect me to pretend you’re not lying.
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15:08 Mon, 28 Jul G
Chapter 4
She stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet and collapsing in an ungraceful heap. The gasps were instant.
Then came the theatrics.
“It’s fine…” she whimpered, clutching her chest. “If you won’t return it, just don’t hurt me why did you push me, Elara?”
I didn’t even blink. “You tripped yourself.”
But the bystanders didn’t see it that way. They saw Miela on the ground, crying, and me standing over her.
Right on cue, Thorne pushed through the crowd and dropped beside her.
“Are you alright?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Miela leaned into him like a well–trained actress. “She pushed me… she’s still so cruel…”
Thorne looked up at me sharply. “You’re still the same, aren’t you? Vicious. Selfish.”
I crossed my arms, lifted my chin, and stared him down.
“Then I guess you did know me after all.”
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