I felt a sharp sting in my chest, but I refused to show weakness in front of him. Gritting my teeth, I wrenched my wrist free from his grasp, squared my shoulders, and turned toward the stairs.
I had only one thought in my mind—I needed to leave. I needed a plan. My pack was gone, my title stripped, and my mate had betrayed me. But I wouldn’t stay trapped here. I would find a job, save money, and escape this nightmare.
I grabbed a simple dress from my closet and fixed my hair into a loose braid, securing it with the only possession I had left from my mother—a silver hairpin shaped like a crescent moon. I didn’t care about appearances anymore. Once, I had dressed to impress Benedict and his family, hoping to earn a place among them. Now, I had nothing to prove.
When I descended the stairs, Benedict barely spared me a glance. His indifference cut deeper than his cruelty. “Let’s go.”
The car ride to his family estate was silent. I kept my eyes on the passing trees, their towering forms casting long shadows across the road. My wolf stirred within me, restless. I hated being near Benedict.
As we neared the estate, another car—a sleek black Range Rover—roared past and skidded to a stop in front of us. My breath hitched.
I knew that car. My pulse pounded in my ears as the door opened and a tall figure stepped out.
Elias Blackwood.
My mate’s step-brother.
The moment his golden eyes met mine, I froze. My wolf whimpered, caught between fear and something else. Elias had always been unpredictable, his presence both commanding and dangerous. He was the heir who walked away, the Alpha who refused his birthright, the rogue who built an empire in the shadows.
Benedict stiffened beside me. He had always despised Elias, hated that their father once wanted him to lead. But Elias had rejected the pack, choosing exile over submission. Now, he was more powerful than ever, his influence stretching far beyond the pack’s borders.
I kept my head down as he approached, praying he wouldn’t acknowledge me. Benedict wasn’t one for mercy. If he knew the full extent of what had happened between me and Benedict, he might see me as weak. And weak wolves didn’t survive in his world.
“Benedict.” His voice was deep, rough like gravel. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Benedict’s jaw clenched. “It’s a family dinner.”