When we arrived, the grand hall was already bustling with pack members. The air buzzed with excitement, laughter, and admiration for the pack’s newest addition: Daisy, the rightful Alpha’s daughter.
As we entered, all eyes turned to us. Or rather, to him. Alpha Eros commanded attention without even trying, his presence magnetic and imposing. I, on the other hand, faded into the background like a shadow.
And then I saw her.
Daisy stood at the center of the room, radiant in a diamond-studded gown that shimmered with every movement. Her hair cascaded in perfect waves, and her smile lit up the entire hall. She was beautiful—a swan among a flock of ducks.
I glanced down at my simple outfit, the jeans that suddenly felt too tight, the shirt that felt too plain. I felt like an intruder, a misplaced piece in a perfect puzzle.
Alpha Donovan, my—no, Daisy’s—father, stepped onto the dais, his voice booming through the room.
“Tonight, we celebrate the return of our real daughter, Daisy,” he announced, his tone filled with pride and emotion. “She has endured so much, suffered greatly, but now she’s back where she belongs. From this day forward, she will be cherished and treasured as she deserves.”
Applause erupted, loud and enthusiastic. I stood at the edge of the crowd, feeling like a ghost.
“She’s stunning,” someone whispered behind me.
“Poor Daisy. Imagine what she went through while Remi was here, living her life,” another added.
My cheeks burned as I heard their words, my heart sinking lower with every hushed comment.
“She’s a fake,” one voice muttered.
“Just look at her,” another said with a sneer. “What a joke.”
My throat tightened, and I swallowed the lump forming there. I wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air.
“Remi.”
The voice jolted me, and I turned to see Daisy approaching, a glass of red wine in her hand. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were sharp, glinting with something darker.
“Are you happy with what you see?” she asked, her tone laced with mockery.
I stared at her, unsure how to respond. “I don’t—”
“You stole my life,” she hissed, stepping closer. “You stole my parents, my family, my home.”
“It wasn’t my fault,” I said quietly, my voice trembling.
“Wasn’t it?” She tilted her head, her smile widening. “You stole everything from me, Remi. Even my man.” Her gaze flicked toward Eros, and her lips curled into a smirk.
“I didn’t—”