My own birthday had passed months ago. No celebration. No party. Just me, sitting alone while Luther claimed he had urgent packing matters to attend to. But now, seeing this—how he moved heaven and earth for Catherine, I realized how blind I had been.
The expensive gifts he had brought for her weren’t simple tokens of appreciation. The lingering touches, the stolen glances, the way he defended her at every turn—it wasn’t just favoritism.
It was love.
And I had been nothing but a placeholder.
The party carried on, the loud music and laughter filled the air. I was nothing more than a shadow against the walls, listening to the whispers that floated around me.
"Isn’t she the Alpha’s mate? Why is she standing alone?"
"It’s obvious, isn’t it? The Alpha treats her like a stranger."
"I heard Catherine is carrying his real heir. Maybe Cherry’s being pushed aside."
Their words dug into me like claws, tearing at wounds that had barely begun to scab over. My hands trembled as I turned away, my vision blurring. I couldn’t breathe. I needed to get out.
I spun on my heel, ready to escape, when a sudden screech rang through the ballroom. The microphone.
The music died. Conversations halted. All eyes turned to the stage.
And there, standing under the bright lights, was Vander.
My breath hitched.
His expression was calm, but his eyes burned with something fierce, something determined. He held the microphone in his hand, gaze sweeping across the crowd before landing on Luther.
"I won’t stay silent any longer," Vander’s voice carried through the room. "You all deserve to know the truth."
A murmur rippled through the guests, confusion and curiosity buzzing in the air.
"Alpha Luther has been lying to all of you." Vander continued. "Catherine was never Cheryl’s surrogate. She was never meant to carry the Alpha’s heir. Because she isn’t just a surrogate—"
He turned to Luther, voice laced with venom.
"She’s his mistress."
Gasps filled the room.
I felt my heartbeat slam against my ribs as every eye turned to Luther, to Catherine. Catherine’s face drained of color, her hands shaking as she stepped forward. "Vander, stop this. You’re ruining the party—"
"Oh, I’m not done yet," Vander cut her off. "I wonder, Luther—how long were you planning to keep up this act? How long were you going to pretend that Cheryl was your Luna when you’ve already replaced her?"