Chapter 11
Every time I stepped outside, I could feel it -the weight of a hundred stares pressing down on me, the hushed whispers that weren’t so hushed. My wolf bristled under my skin, ears practically twitching with every not–so–subtle comment thrown my way.
By the time I got back to the packhouse, the Silver Claw elders were already waiting, sitting in their usual semi–circle like a tribunal of judgmental grandpas.
“Rowena,” Elder Marcus started, steepling his fingers like he was about to hand down a life sentence. “Perhaps it would be… wise to be more mindful of your actions.”
The other elders nodded in solemn agreement, like I was some reckless pup
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caught chewing up the furniture.
Mindful? Of what exactly?
I frowned. “Did I miss an emergency decree banning grocery runs? Or do I need the council’s approval before stepping outside?”
They exchanged glances, their expressions screaming she doesn’t know.
I was really starting to hate that look.
So, the moment I got back to my apartment, I pulled out my phone and did a quick search.
And then I found it.
Someone had been dragging my name through the mud online.
The culprit? I didn’t even have to think twice.
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The moment I saw the account’s profile picture, I knew.
An expensive navy–blue suit, no face shown.
But I recognized that suit instantly.
It was the birthday gift I had given Beta Malcolm.
I exhaled slowly through my nose before clicking on the first post.
“Seven years. SEVEN YEARS. And she threw me away like yesterday’s trash the moment a rich Alpha showed up. Is loyalty worth nothing anymore?”
I scrolled down.
“I gave her everything. Bought her a house as our future home. And how does she
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thank me? By stealing it from me! Now she’s kicking me out like some stray!”
I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached.
The internet, being the bottomless pit of drama it was, ate it all up.
Strangers who knew nothing about me were already sharpening their pitchforks.
“What a heartless woman! No wonder the Moon Goddess cursed her!”
“Ugh, textbook gold digger. Bet she’s already eyeing his bank account.”
“Seven years?! And she just tossed him aside?! Hope karma gets her”
I felt my wolf roll her eyes inside me. “Do they even know what happened?!” she
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growled.
No. No, they didn’t. But logic and the internet didn’t exactly go hand in hand.
And lucky me, people in real life weren’t any better.
As I walked home, I caught the unmistakable murmurs, the side glances, the not–so–quiet judgments.
“That’s her. The one who dumped her mate for money.”
“Tsk. Some women will do anything for status.”
“Hope the rich guy dumps her too. She deserves it.”
My wolf snarled inside me, her hackles
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rising. It took everything in me not to bare my teeth and remind them I had fangs.
Before I could say something I’d probably regret, warmth settled around my shoulders.
A black cashmere coat was draped over me.
I turned my head and met a pair of steely
gray eyes.
Alpha Zachary.
His expression was dark, his jaw set in a way that made his entire presence dangerous.
The crowd went dead silent.
Then, in a voice as cold as an arctic wind, he spoke:
“What’s it got to do with you?” His tone was
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razor–sharp, cutting through the murmurs like a blade. “Defamation is a crime. Say another word, and my lawyer will be in touch.”
Cue instant panic.
The crowd scattered faster than a bunch of rogues caught trespassing.
Zachary didn’t say another word–just placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me toward his car.
For the first time all day, I exhaled.
By the time we reached the apartment, I could hear Yvonne before I even stepped inside.
The rapid–fire clacking of a keyboard. The occasional frustrated growl.
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“These keyboard warriors think they’re so tough online–if they’ve got the guts, come fight me in real life!”
I opened the door just in time to see her violently smashing the enter key, her eyes blazing with righteous fury.
At the sight of me, she yelped and slammed her laptop shut like she’d been caught looking at something illegal.
I raised an eyebrow. “So… you’re just watching a show, huh?”
“Yup! Totally normal. Nothing suspicious. here.” She grinned, not at all convincing.
I crossed my arms. “Uh–huh. And the show’s called…?”
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Yvonne fidgeted. “…How to Expose Lying Exes on the Internet?”
I knew it.
A laugh bubbled up before I could stop it.
Before I could say anything else, she launched herself at me, wrapping me in a tight hug.
“It’s gotta be Malcolm. He’s jealous you married my brother. Now he just wants to ruin you!”
My heart softened a little. I wasn’t as fragile as she seemed to think, but knowing she had my back? That meant more than I could say.
Still, I had no idea how to fix this.
I tried to explain myself online. Huge
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mistake.
The moment I posted anything, I got swallowed in a tidal wave of comments.
Some people called me a liar. Others twisted my words. Some just wanted to fan the flames.
And the Silver Claw elders? They weren’t exactly thrilled.
By the end of the day, I got a formal notice from the packhouse.
Suspended from my Alpha duties. One week to ‘clean up‘ the mess.
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