Chapter 1:Broken Engagement

(Scarlett's POV) I stood motionless in front of the boutique's full-length mirror, watching the saleswoman fuss over my hair. Her nimble fingers curled a few strands of my auburn hair while another assistant made the final adjustments to my ceremonial robe. "You look absolutely breathtaking, Miss Winters," the saleswoman gushed, stepping back to admire her work. The robe was objectively beautiful—white silk with diamonds meticulously sewn along the neckline and sleeves, catching the light with every slight movement. It draped over my figure perfectly, as it should for the astronomical price the Winters Pack had paid for it. But all I felt was the fabric tightening around me like shackles. "Is something wrong with the fit?" the assistant asked, noticing my discomfort. "It's fine," I replied automatically, the lie sliding easily from my lips after years of practice. My emerald eyes stared back at me in the mirror, betraying none of the turmoil inside. This bonding ceremony was meant to symbolize my union with Alexander Amber, the Alpha heir to the Northern territories. A strategic alliance between the Northern and Winters packs sealed through mating bonds. Politics wrapped in white silk and diamonds. I couldn't help but think of another man - tall, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through all my defenses. Roman, my foster brother, who used to keep me warm when I was cold and care for me when I was abandoned. And the man I could never have, I thought grimly, wondering how he was doing now. My phone buzzed in my purse, temporarily freeing me from my thoughts. "I need to take this," I told the saleswoman, stepping away from her hands. Emma's name flashed across the screen. My best friend rarely called during working hours at the treatment center, so I immediately answered. "Emma? What's wrong?" Her voice came through breathless and urgent. "Scarlett, you won't believe this. I just saw Alexander and Grace at the treatment center." My spine stiffened. "Grace is back from Europe?" "Yes, but that's not all. They were at the OB/GYN and Grace seemed..." Emma hesitated, then pushed forward. "Scarlett, she's pregnant with his child. I heard them discussing it." The world around me grew silent. The boutique, with its expensive fabrics and glittering accessories, faded from my awareness. Emma's words pierced through my heart like a silver dagger. "Are you sure?" My voice sounded distant to my own ears. "Positive. I'm so sorry, Scarlett. I thought you should know before—" "Thank you for telling me." I cut her off, not wanting to hear more. I hung up and stood perfectly still for exactly three seconds. Then, with deliberate movements, I reached for the clasps of the ceremonial robe. "Miss Winters? We still need to finalize the—" I tore the robe off my body, not caring about the delicate stitching or precious stones. The fabric made a satisfying ripping sound as I pulled it free and threw it to the floor. The saleswoman gasped. "Miss Winters! That robe is worth—" "Bill it to Alexander Amber," I said coldly, already pulling on my regular clothes. "He can afford it." My phone rang again. Alexander's name flashed on the screen. I answered, not bothering with pleasantries. "What?" His voice came through, commanding and haughty as always. "My office. Now." "Is that an order, Alexander?" I asked sweetly, venom lacing my tone. "Don't test me today, Scarlett. Just get here." He hung up. A sneer formed at the corner of my mouth as I stared at the phone. Inside my head, my wolf Cora growled with rage. "He dares to command us?" she snarled. "After betraying our trust?" "Not for much longer," I promised her silently. I gathered my belongings, leaving the ruined ceremonial robe in a heap on the boutique floor. The diamond-studded fabric looked like scattered stars against the dark carpet—a fitting metaphor for my shattered engagement. As I drove to Alexander's office, Cora continued to pace angrily in my mind. "We were never Fated mates," she reminded me, her fury building. "Just a political match. We agreed to this union for the benefit of the Winters Pack." "And now he's betrayed us with Grace," I said aloud, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "My adopted sister, that bitch." Grace Winters, my adopted sister, the daughter of the Alpha who replaced me for so many years, was sent to Europe three years ago. She's the one Alexander always dreamed of marrying. "Today, we end this farce," I told Cora firmly. Half an hour later, I strode through the Amber Pack's main building, my heels clicking purposefully against the marble floor. Pack members scurried out of my path, sensing my barely controlled rage. Alexander's assistant jumped to her feet when I approached. "Miss Winters, he's expecting you, but—" I pushed past her, throwing open his office door without knocking. Alexander sat reclined behind his massive oak desk, looking every bit the arrogant Alpha heir he was. His black hair was perfectly styled, his expensive suit immaculate. The office reeked of his signature cologne, mixed with something else—cigarette smoke. "Scarlett, you're late," he began, condescension dripping from every word. I remained silent, closing the door behind me. Alexander reached for a cigarette, lighting it despite knowing how much I detested the smell. A small but deliberate show of disrespect. "Grace is back," he continued, exhaling smoke in my direction. "She's sick with silver poisoning and she needs me." I arched an eyebrow. "Silver poisoning? How unfortunate." "It's serious," Alexander snapped. "She requires constant care." He pushed a document on his desk at me." I suggest postponing our partner bonding ceremony. Grace's condition requires my full attention. Of course, this is only a stopgap measure." I approached his desk slowly, eyeing the postponement papers. With deliberate calm, I picked them up, examining the contents briefly. "Postponement?" My voice was as cold as winter frost. I tore the papers in half, then quarters, lettings the pieces flutter onto his desk. Alexander's eyes widened. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" "It's not necessary," I said, stepping closer until my hands rested on his desk. "Let's just break off the engagement now." "Have you lost your mind?" Alexander stood abruptly, his chair rolling back. "This union has been planned for years. Our packs—" "Our packs will survive," I cut in. "And I'm thinking more clearly than I have in months." Alexander's face darkened with anger. "You're talking crazy. This is about Grace, isn't it? You've always been jealous of her." A laugh escaped me, sharp and without humor. "Jealous? Of your pregnant mistress? I think not." The color drained from Alexander's face. "Who told you—" "It doesn't matter," I interrupted. "What matters is that you're a liar and a cheat, Alexander. Did you think I wouldn't find out?" He recovered quickly, his jaw setting in that stubborn way I'd come to despise. "Get out. Go cool off somewhere and think about what you're throwing away." "There's nothing to think about," I replied. "We're done." I turned toward the door, feeling lighter with each step. Behind me, Alexander called out, "This isn't over, Scarlett! You can't just walk away from this arrangement!" I paused with my hand on the doorknob, looking over my shoulder. "Watch me." I slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing through the hallway. Several secretaries stood in the corridor, pretending to work but obviously eavesdropping. As I walked past, their whispers reached my sensitive ears. "I knew she couldn't keep him satisfied." "Grace has always been his true choice for Luna." "No wonder he strayed—have you seen her temper?" "Winters Pack would prefer to have their biological daughters joined in marriage, but everyone knows that Alexander only wants Grace." I stopped walking. The whispering immediately ceased as they realized I had heard everything. Slowly, I turned to face them. The wolves lowered their gazes, but I could still sense their disdain. One female secretary—Melissa, I recalled—seemed particularly smug, a small smile playing at her lips. I walked over to her, Melissa tried to back away, but I was faster. I reached out and cupped her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. My voice was low and deadly," You can make fun of me all you want here, but don't forget that your Alphas aren't the only ones with teeth." I slapped her face dismissively, then let my fingers trail along the veins in her neck—a subtle threat that even the dimmest wolf couldn't misinterpret. Melissa trembled, her earlier bravado evaporating. I released her and straightened my spine, holding my head high as I walked away, each wolf I passed bowed their head instinctively, the sound of my heels on marble the only noise in the now-silent corridor. I had nothing to fear. I had nothing to lose. It was time to go to my office, gather my belongings, and begin the next chapter of my life. As for Alexander, the dumbass, tell him to fuck off.