Chapter 46

Bella “Are you done parking?” a guard from Alpha Owen called from outside the door as I sat while the maids fussed over my things. I heard my own men reply, “When we’re finished we’ll leave, none of us want to spend another second here.” They’ll handle it. But this humiliation Osborne has put me through will not be forgotten. And that bitch of a mother-in-law when she caught my hand mid-slap the second time, I knew she wasn’t just any she-wolf; her grip was strong, almost like a man’s. Which meant she could have avoided the whole thing, but she let it happen. I fell right into the trap she set, and now everyone will look at me differently. Worse: my reputation is on the line. I bit my finger hard. What am I going to do? By now my father must have seen the video—so why hasn’t he called? As for the woman who dared take what’s mine, I will not pity her when I get my revenge. She stole the only man perfect for me, and that will have consequences. “We’re ready, mistress,” the maids said, and I rose with deliberate grace. They won’t see me as weak. Even as I leave this pack, I will walk out with my head held high. This doesn’t change who I am or what I’m capable of. “One moment, ma’am,” a maid stammered. I cut her off. “Speak and don’t waste my time.” She hurried on, “The maid you disciplined the other day is still in the clinic. She hasn’t recovered.” I raised an eyebrow—oh yes, that fat maid who reminded me of Osborne’s mate. “So? Don’t waste me with unnecessary things. When she’s stronger she’ll manage and find her way. Let’s go.” A maid is the least of my worries. The doors opened as I swept out of the room. All the way through the mansion, no one came to see me off. How dare they. Even if I’d done something they disliked, courtesy would have demanded a farewell. I will never forgive them. This is only the beginning. Once we entered the airport, I could feel every pair of eyes on me. Saying I didn’t care would be a lie—it burned all the way to my bones. Even the staff, who once treated me like royalty, now looked at me no differently than a common wolf. I hated it. Then came the whispers. “Look at her… I heard the woman she slapped was Alpha Osborne’s mother-in-law.” My grip on my purse tightened. “Oh, I know that too. Can you believe she was rejected by him?” another voice added, followed by cruel laughter. I snapped my head toward them, sharp and furious, but Garrett, one of my guards, caught my arm, holding me back. When the gossipers met my gaze, they didn’t cower. No—they laughed even louder. “How pathetic,” one of them said boldly, almost enjoying my rage. “Ma’am, ignore them,” Garrett urged quietly. But it was too much. I quickened my pace, my people hurrying with me, desperate to get out. The longer I stayed there with their stares, their whispers, their mockery, the tighter my chest became until I could hardly breathe. Now the entire Silver Crest Pack had seen me as nothing more than a madwoman—a woman who couldn’t handle rejection and lashed out at an older woman. The thought left a bitter, choking taste in my mouth. Once we landed, cars were already lined up waiting to pick me up. My father must have heard of my arrival by now, but the problem was he still hadn’t called me. I even tried reaching him, but he didn’t pick up. Could it be that he was upset with me? But he was the one who told me I could do whatever I wanted in Silver Crest pack. Or maybe something else was going on with him. When we got home and I stepped out of the car, a maid quickly rushed out, bowing her head. “The Alpha wants you in his office immediately.” I blinked and nodded, quickening my steps. I should explain to him that it wasn’t my fault, that woman pushed me until I had no choice but to slap her. My father would surely understand. As I got closer to his office, I saw him standing there. I hurried forward, and just when I was a few feet away, he did something he had never done to me in all my life, something that shocked me to my very bones. I froze, my hand on my burning cheek, my eyes stinging with tears and anger. My father had never slapped me before, nor looked at me with that kind of fury. “Why?” I asked, my voice trembling. He strode toward me, and I stepped back, praying no one else had seen what just happened. “What did you do in Silver Crest pack? Do you have any idea the humiliation you’ve brought upon me?” he roared, and I flinched. “She provoked me, Father,” I tried to defend myself quickly. “I just did what came to mind. It was only a slap.” “Only a slap?” he repeated furiously, grabbing me by the hair. I had never seen this side of him before. “It’s not just a slap, Bella. Do you even know who you raised your hand against?” He shoved me, and I almost lost my balance. Whimpering, tears rolled down my cheeks. “Osborne’s soon-to-be mother-in-law,” I whispered. He let out a sharp sigh, trying to control his rage, his fists clenching tight. “Owen called me. The way he spoke to me, no one has spoken to me like that in years. And if we lose the bond between our packs because of your foolishness, Bella, I swear I will never forgive you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry, Father, but she pushed me and Alpha Owen won’t just cut ties with us over me slapping some old hag,” I blurted, trying to explain myself. My father laughed, a harsh, incredulous sound that cut through me. “You stupid girl,” he snapped. “That old hag you slapped was once his mate.” The words hit me like a physical blow. “What?” I couldn’t form anything; the realization slammed into me. Of course — she had said she knew my parents. How had I forgotten? But once being Alpha Owen's mate that is new to me. “Yes. She was supposed to be his Luna, but he married Olivia instead. After that she vanished from our circle,” my father went on, his voice cold. “Seeing her again in that video made me realize you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.” My head fell. My eyes were already puffy from crying, and my cheek still stung from the slap. My father, the only one I’d ever expected to stand by me, had struck me and was furious. All of this because of the Cliffs and that stupid mate of Osborne. I didn’t care about any stupid ties right then. I swore I would make them pay. Osborne would feel the same pain I felt today once I took his mate from him. “Go to your room,” my father ordered. “Seeing you only fuels my anger. We’ll talk when I’m calm.” I bowed my head and fled his office. As soon as the door closed behind me I broke into a run toward my room, tears hot and angry on my cheeks.