FAYE

Scarlett's POV

I smelled him on her before I saw them together.

Sandalwood and cedar-Alexander's scent, the one that used to make my wolf purr with contentment.

Now it clung to another woman's skin like a brand of ownership, thick enough to taste at the back of my throat.

Faye. His childhood sweetheart.

His "true love" who'd rejected him five years ago, who'd walked away to chase her dreams in the city, who'd abandoned him when his pack was on the brink of collapse.

But as Luna, I didn't even know when she'd returned.

No one had asked for my approval-pack law be damned.

And by the time I found out, she was already standing in my place, basking in the glory I'd bought with blood.

The grand ballroom glittered with success.

Pack members laughed, champagne flutes clinking in toasts to our rise-from tenth place to second in the Continental rankings.

A victory I had bled for. Sacrificed for.

And my husband was celebrating it with his mistress in his arms.

I stood frozen in the arched doorway, still wearing my coat from the drive over. My fingers crushed the fabric of the garment bag I carried-the white silk gown I'd designed for TOMORROW NIGHT, diamonds sewn into every seam.

Yes. Tomorrow night.

Everyone had told me the banquet was tomorrow.

I'd believed them like a fool.

If I hadn't overheard the seamstress mention it during my fitting, I would've stayed in the dark. Excluded from my own pack's celebration while another woman took my place.

"Luna?!" My maid, Ruby's shocked voice cut through the music like a knife.

Every head in the ballroom swiveled toward me.

The whispers started immediately:

"Didn't Alpha say Luna was sick?"

"Are you a puppy? You still believe those lies-"

"Oh goddess, so both of them are here-"

Each word was a needle piercing my chest.

But the real fool wasn't these guests.

It was me. I was the biggest idiot of all.

My wolf, Kara, snarled deep in my chest.

"Rip their throat out."

I wanted to. I was supposed to be the bravest female warrior in our pack.