Winona’s mask of sweetness slipped, her lips curling in anger. “Stop her!” she shrieked. “My baby deserves a resting place! I won’t let her disturb him!”
The wolfguards grabbed my arms, yanking me away from the grave as I struggled and screamed. My wolf surged within me, begging for release, but I held her back. Not now. Not here.
Scott stepped forward, his face hard. “Ariana, you’re making a scene,” he said, his voice cold. “Winona’s been through enough with her dog’s death. Yet you’re blowing this out of proportion because I had to pause the mating ritual. This... this is ridiculous. Apologize to her. Now.”
“Apologize?!” I spat, my voice venomous. “She dug up my mother’s grave, Scott! Have you lost your mind?”
He shook his head, disappointment etched in his features. “Winona’s grieving. You’re strong, Ariana. You can handle this.”
His words were a blade, slicing through the last threads of loyalty I had left for him.
Winona tilted her head, her voice dripping with feigned concern. “Scott, I’m starting to see why the mating ritual didn’t happen. Look at her. She’s unhinged, acting like a rogue. If you marry her, you’ll be the laughingstock of every pack around.”
Scott’s jaw tightened, but his cold gaze turned to me, and I saw the flicker of doubt. Winona’s manipulation was working. She gave him a triumphant, saccharine smile, knowing she was winning.
“Who dares laugh at my woman?” Scott snapped, his voice sharp enough to silence the murmurs of Winona’s followers. But the fire in his tone didn’t reach his eyes.
He turned back to me, disappointment still painted across his face. “Ariana,” he said, quieter now but no less icy, “you’re making this all about you. If you apologize to Winona, maybe—just maybe—I’ll forgive you.”
My chest heaved, anger and heartbreak warring within me. I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of the man I had once loved. There was nothing left.
“And if I refuse?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, trembling as I held back tears.
His silence was answer enough.
The weight of his betrayal pressed down on me like an avalanche, crushing and relentless. My wolf howled in agony, clawing for release, but I kept her at bay. Scott wasn’t worth losing myself over.