I yanked my arm free, staggering back as my world collapsed. Then, a deep voice rang across the hall. A tall man in ceremonial black stepped forward.
“My name is Alwin Oakwood, the Beta of Alpha Gareth, Alpha of the Grey Wind Pack,” he announced, bowing gracefully.
“Our Alpha believes all things beautiful should belong to their rightful owner. All these gowns belong to one person and that is Lady Gwyneth.”
Gwyneth pressed her gloved hand to her chest, pretending to be embarrassed.
“Oh … I had no idea Alpha Gareth would show me such honor. I am… deeply grateful. I hope to meet him soon. I have never seen him before.”
The pack members murmured, flashing their eyes with excitement.
“Gareth? The Alpha no one has ever seen?”
“And Lady Gwyneth has already captured his attention?”
“She must be special to earn such favor!”
I could barely breathe.
“What is this?” I whispered, voice sharp.
Before I could step closer, attendants rolled out the other five gowns. My other dresses, my life’s work, were hung carelessly on wooden racks, no reverence, no protection.
“All six gowns are gifts to Lady Gwyneth Greywind from Alpha Gareth,” the Beta continued.
“Who says Lady Freya should know her place and not interfere with the innocent Lady Gwyneth?”
The pack stared at me like I was a wolf trapped in a snare. Gwyneth looked around, wide-eyed, pretending innocence.
“Lady Freya … please don’t be mad. I never wanted to steal your spotlight. I’m sorry…”
I wanted to scream. I wanted to tear everything apart. Cry until my heart broke.
Gareth stood behind me, silent, watching. His eyes were cold, like a judge delivering punishment. He didn’t need words. He looked at me like I deserved this humiliation.
Public. Precise.
A lesson for daring to defy him.
I bit my tongue until I tasted blood. When the ceremony ended, all my dresses were gone. My tribute to my mother stolen. My name was erased.
I didn’t watch Gareth leaning toward Gwyneth with admiration. I didn’t watch Gwyneth’s sly smile.
What I knew was that I shifted into my wolf form to the old countryside farmhouse, the one on the edge of the forest. I almost collapsed once I reached the farmhouse.
I went to the garden. My mother’s garden. The one she fought to keep from being destroyed for a hidden pack vault.