Chapter 12

At dawn, Dominic stood outside Aurora's apartment, his knocks sharp and controlled. When she opened the door, bleary-eyed, her face lit up—until she saw his expression. Her joy evaporated.

Dominic didn't give her a chance to speak. He pushed past, tossing a stack of papers onto the coffee table: security stills, audio transcripts, hospital records—a silent tribunal laid bare in the morning light.

"Explain," he said, his voice chillingly calm.

Aurora's face went white, but she forced a smile. "What do these prove? Clara's just too fragile to handle a little truth, and that's my fault?"

"You deliberately broke her mother's heirloom necklace."

"She pushed me first, so I—"

"You humiliated her in public at the coffee shop."

"I was just being honest!" Aurora's voice spiked, a flash of venom in her eyes. "Everyone knows she chased you for seven years like a desperate pup. The whole pack laughs at her!"

Dominic's gaze turned to ice. He stepped closer, backing her against the wall. "I let you?"

"Didn't you?" Aurora tilted her chin, voice trembling but defiant. "Every time I got close, you never pushed me away! I posted those photos—you saw them and never said a word! Even that night at the hotel—"

"Enough."

Dominic grabbed her jaw, his grip tight enough to make her wince. Staring at her calculated face, he felt only disgust. "You'll pay for this."

He released her and walked out. Aurora collapsed, a bone-deep chill settling over her.

That afternoon, in the pack hospital's conference room, the dean's voice echoed. "After review, we're suspending Dr. Aurora from all duties. Multiple patient complaints have been substantiated…"

Aurora shot to her feet, her chair screeching. "This is a setup! I'll appeal!"

Her eyes darted to her colleagues, but they all looked away. The dean slid a file across the table. "Three patients have filed joint accusations—improper prescriptions, accepting bribes…"

Aurora snatched the papers, her hands shaking as she scanned them. Realization hit. She grabbed her bag and bolted.

At Hale Business's top-floor boardroom, shareholders were mid-quarterly report when the door burst open. Aurora stood there, hair wild, eyes red. "Dominic! How dare you—!"

He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, expression serene. "You ruined my career!" Aurora's voice rang out. "All for that nobody? What's so special about her? Seven years, and she couldn't melt your cold heart!"

The shareholders exchanged glances and quietly slipped out. When the door clicked shut, Dominic spoke, his tone almost gentle. "This is just the start."

Aurora froze, dread pooling in her gut.

Three days later, in a suburban villa's basement, darkness swallowed the room, broken only by faint rustling. Aurora's eyes were blindfolded, her wrists raw from ropes. She didn't know how long she'd been there, only that icy water splashed her awake whenever she drifted off.

"Let me out… please…" Her voice was a hoarse rasp. "I'll apologize… I'll leave the pack…"

The iron door creaked open. She trembled as footsteps stopped before her, the familiar scent of cologne hitting her. "Dominic? It's you, right?" She lunged forward, only to collapse. "I'm sorry! I won't—"

The blindfold was ripped off, blinding light forcing tears from her eyes. Dominic loomed above, his gaze pure frost. Aurora's pupils shrank.

She burst into hysterical laughter. "Fine, I did it! So what? You're not innocent either! You let it happen!" She thrashed against the ropes. "Every time I hurt her, you just watched! You pushed her away yourself!"

Dominic's eyes darkened, a terrifying glint flickering. He crouched, grabbing her throat and lifting her. "You're right," he said, his thumb grazing her pulsing artery. "So we'll both pay."

As the guards re-blindfolded her, she heard his final whisper before the door slammed shut.

"Make sure she's clear-headed."