Chapter 2 What Are You?

Serena answered the call. "Hello?"

"It's me." A deep voice. Commanding.

She knew it immediately. Derek Grim.

It hit her at once. Gareth must have called Derek. Right after they hung up.

"Want me to deal with those people for you?" Derek cut straight to the point.

Serena gripped the steering wheel. Tighter. "No. This is my personal business."

"You sure?" His voice dropped.

"Give me a few days. I'll handle everything here. Myself."

A long silence. Then he answered. "When you're done, I'll come get you."

He gave her no room to argue. Then he hung up.

That night, Serena didn't drive back. Not to the home she'd shared with Kieran for five years. She booked a motel room. On the edge of town.

Kieran didn't text her. Not once. All night.

She knew exactly where he was. With Leanna. Doing the same things he'd done with her. Hours earlier.

The next afternoon, her friend Hallie texted. An engagement party. That evening.

In the past, Serena would have made excuses. Kieran didn't like her socializing.

But this time, she replied. Calmly. "I'll be there."

She showered. Drove to a high-end boutique downtown. Bought a diamond necklace.

At the party, Serena spotted them right away. A group by the bar. Kieran was nursing a beer. Head down. Laughing. Leanna was pressed close against him. Her body tucked against his arm. A few of his friends stood around them.

Serena didn't hesitate. She walked straight over.

Colin spotted her first. Kieran's Beta. "Well, well. Look who showed up." He whistled. Looked her up and down. "Lena? Wrong place, babe. The kitchen's around back."

Kieran turned at the commotion. The guys around him burst out laughing.

"Lena, where'd you dig up that outfit? Some thrift store? Must've really wanted in on this party."

"Come on. Don't you usually just wear Kieran's old hand-me-down T-shirts?"

Serena kept her eyes locked on Kieran. He just stood there. Let his friends mock her. Without a word. His arm around Leanna's waist. Never loosened.

Then Leanna stepped in. Covered her mouth with a hand. Feigned surprise at the necklace. "Oh, don't be so hard on Lena, you guys. Look—she even wore a necklace. To dress things up a little. It's just... you can kind of tell it's a fake. But still. Points for trying. Lena, where'd you pick that up? One of those budget accessory stores?"

The laughter got louder.

Kieran felt Serena's arrival made him look foolish. "Lena, what are you doing here?" His voice was full of irritation. "Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? Walking around with a knockoff like that—are you trying to make me a joke?"

Serena looked at his hand. Resting on Leanna's waist. "I came to give my congratulations. Though I have to ask, Kieran—this is a pack-only event. Who exactly is this woman standing next to you? She's not in the pack."

Kieran went quiet. He hadn't expected this. Serena had always been meek. Compliant. Now she was calling him out. In front of everyone. His face flushed red. Then went pale. "You..."

Leanna softened. Tucked herself closer into Kieran's chest. "Hey, Kieran. Don't be mad at Lena. It's my fault. I shouldn't be here. Lena probably just misunderstood the situation. She's just jealous. That's all. Don't blame her for losing it."

Kieran glanced down at Leanna. Soft and delicate in his arms. Then back up at Serena. Cool. Sharp. Unreadable. The scale in his mind tipped. Completely toward Leanna. He pulled her closer. "You heard her? Leanna is defending you right now!" He pointed at Serena. His voice hard. "Apologize to her. Now."

"Apologize?" Serena almost laughed. "Why would I apologize to someone who went after another woman's man? And is now playing innocent? Kieran, have you lost your mind?"

No one had ever spoken to the alpha like that. Kieran's authority had never been challenged so directly. Rage surged up inside him. "Who do you think you are? Talking to me like that?!" He lashed out. Trying to take back control. "You think dressing up a little changes how everyone sees you? You were always stiff. Boring in bed. You can't hold a candle to Leanna. Not even close. If it weren't for your face, do you think I ever would have touched you?"

Leanna kept her eyes cast down. But inside she was thrilled. She was sure Serena would break down. Right there. In front of everyone.

Kieran thought the same. He waited for her to crumble. To beg.

But Serena didn't shed a single tear. "So that's what you really thought all along. If I was so dull and worthless, then why did you come to me every single night? For five years? And never let go?"

Kieran's face went blank. Shock. The woman standing in front of him was nothing like the quiet, obedient Lena he used to know. This new version. So completely different. Made his anger burn even hotter.

Leanna saw her chance. She rose on her toes. Pressed herself against Kieran's chest. Right in front of Serena, she nuzzled into his neck. A blatant provocation. She was staking her claim. Loud and clear.

Kieran made no move to push her away. Instead, he pulled her in tighter. Trying to use it to hurt Serena.

But Serena didn't fall apart. She just tilted her head. Slightly. Slowly reached into her coat pocket. Felt around for something.