Chapter 3

I opened my mouth to snap back, but then Aurora yanked at the diamond necklace—my mom's last gift before she passed—and it snapped.

My blood ran cold, then boiled like lava. I lunged forward, grabbing her wrist. "Did you do that on purpose?!"

She shook me off, pouting like some innocent pup. "What? I just thought it was pretty and wanted a closer look. It broke so easily—where'd you get this cheap thing? Some flea market? How much was it, a few bucks? I'll pay you back."

She pulled out her wallet, tossing a few ten-dollar bills at my face. "Forty bucks enough? I'll take the necklace then."

She reached for it again, but I'd had enough. "Get away!" I shoved her back with everything I had.

Footsteps sounded at the door. Aurora's eyes flicked, and suddenly she screamed, slamming herself against the wall.

Bang!

Blood trickled down her forehead, stark against her pale skin.

Dominic rushed in, taking in the scene: Aurora bleeding on the floor, me clutching the broken necklace.

"Dominic…" Aurora whimpered, reaching out. "I accidentally broke her necklace. I offered to pay, but she wouldn't let it go…"

He scooped her up, his gaze turning to me, colder than a winter storm. "Clara, you attacked her over a necklace? Don't you think that's too far?"

My anger flared hotter, but I tried to keep it together, to explain. "She provoked me first, then broke my necklace. Am I wrong for standing up for myself?"

"She's a guest," he shot back. "You're so petty, holding grudges over nothing. Is this how you were raised?"

Every word was a knife to my heart. I saw Aurora smirk in his arms, and it burned. "Dominic, this necklace was my mom's last gift to me! You saw it in the hospital—you promised her you'd take care of me. But these years, what have you done?"

I was screaming now, begging him to drop the act and choose me, just this once.

But all I got was his back as he carried a fainted Aurora out the door.

My words choked in my throat. I sank to the floor, tears falling like broken beads, cooling in my palms. The comments, silent for so long, flickered back.

[Clara's really hurting now, but she doesn't know Dominic's secretly thrilled she's jealous over Aurora. He just can't show it!]

[He rushed Aurora out to make sure she doesn't press charges—didn't want Clara in trouble with the enforcers. But he's too quiet, and now Clara thinks he's into Aurora. She's gonna be crushed.]

I laughed, a hollow sound that hurt my chest. Wiping my tears, I carefully tucked the necklace away and took it to a jeweler. Two days later, it was whole again, and I breathed easier.

I went home and crashed, only to wake up to a flood of taunting texts from Aurora. Photos of Dominic tending her wounds, scouring the pack for healers to prevent a scar, lighting her birthday candles with a soft song, bidding millions at an auction for a necklace and clasping it around her neck.

The comments chimed in, claiming he was just placating her to keep her from calling the enforcers. But I was numb to it all.

Then a college friend called, inviting me to a reunion. Knowing Dominic never showed up to these things, I agreed. But when I pushed open the door to the private room, my heart stopped.

There he was, lounging on a corner sofa with Aurora pressed close. He draped his jacket over her bare legs, then took a drink meant for her and downed it in one go.

[Knew it! Clara shows up, and Dominic's there like a moth to a flame!]

[Aurora's such a tagalong, trailing Dominic everywhere. Shameless!]

[Chill with the hate. Without Aurora, we wouldn't get to see Clara jealous and Dominic secretly loving it. Bet Aurora stirs up some drama soon—can't wait for the showdown!]

My gut twisted. I knew this wasn't going to end well.

Sure enough, Aurora roped Dominic and our old classmates into a game of truth or dare. Dominic lost the first round, and his penalty was to show us his phone. Everyone leaned in, eager to see if the untouchable wolf had fallen for me after all these years.

But his photo gallery? Empty. Notes app? Blank. WhatsApp chats? Just "yeah" and "uh-huh" over and over.

It was obvious to everyone: even after seven years as mates, Dominic didn't love me. Not one photo of us together.

The room went silent. My classmates exchanged awkward glances, at a loss for words.