Chapter 5

• Aurora’s POV
• A few sharp-looking young werewolves stepped out. They were John’s so-called “friends,” though they behaved more like vultures circling since he reclaimed control of the Palmer Pack, eager to curry favor.
• They spotted me carrying a cardboard box and exchanged smug, gloating glances.
• “Well, well, if it isn’t Aurora,” the leader drawled. I remembered his name—Max, the son of some minor Pack leader. He blocked my path deliberately. “What happened? Did John kick you out?”
• “Looks like you can’t stick around anymore,” another sneered, eyes flicking from my plain clothes to the shabby box.
• “I’ve said it before. A Beta foster kid from a fallen Pack? She’ll never be good enough for John. Just a fling. Did you really think you could turn into a phoenix?”
• “You don’t think John’s Alpha circle would actually accept you just because he covered for you a few times, do you?”
• Their words stung like poison needles. I knew why they hated me. Each of them was desperate to push their own she-wolf toward John to strengthen alliances, and I—the unloved foster daughter of a dying Pack—was standing in their way.
• Before, I might have swallowed my pride to keep John’s life easy. But now? Not a chance.
• I stopped, lifted my chin, and stared them down.
• “Since when did the Palmer Pack turn into a flea market? What kind of mutts are allowed to bark all over the place now? Move aside. Good dogs don’t block the way.”
• Their expressions darkened instantly.
• “What did you just say, you little—”
• “Enough!” a voice snapped from behind, tight with restrained anger.
• The office door swung wide open. John stood there, his face dark as storm clouds.
• Grace followed close behind, her hand clutching his arm weakly, worry painted perfectly across her features.
• “John, you’re just in time,” Max said quickly, switching to his fake politeness. “We just got here and saw Aurora causing a scene and insulting people—”
• “You started it…” I muttered.
• “Alright, that’s enough yelling.” Grace suddenly softened her voice. She stepped forward, her glassy eyes sweeping the crowd before settling on me with dripping sympathy. “Miss Aurora might just be in a bad mood. Let’s all calm down. John, don’t be upset.”
• Those spoiled pups didn’t like Grace either—her family wasn’t high-ranking enough—but because John cared about her right now, they shut up and shot me colder looks. Mm
• But my eyes were locked on Grace’s neck. That ruby pendant gleamed coldly against her collarbone. It felt like the cruelest slap in the face.
• All my hurt and anger boiled over.
• I pointed straight at the pendant, my voice trembling with emotion. “John, that’s my mother’s heirloom. Make her give it back. Now.”
• Everyone’s eyes snapped to the ruby.
• Grace’s face faltered, then she quickly covered the pendant with her hand and backed behind John like a frightened deer.
• “John… this… this was your gift to me… How can Miss Aurora claim it’s hers? I didn’t even know…”
• “Aurora!” John’s brows slammed together, his tone sharp and impatient. “Have you had enough? It’s just a piece of jewelry. I already promised to get you something better.”
• “That’s not just jewelry!” I shouted, tears burning my eyes though I refused to let them fall. “It’s the only thing my real mother left me. You promised you’d help me get it back! And now it’s hanging around some other she-wolf’s neck? John Palmer, do you even have a heart?!”
• “I…” John looked taken aback for a moment, his eyes flickering.
• Seeing that, Grace suddenly began coughing violently. Her face turned pale as she swayed weakly. “John… my chest… it feels tight…” She gasped for breath like she was about to collapse. “I… I didn’t mean to… If Miss Aurora wants it… I…”
• Before she could finish, her eyes fluttered shut and she went limp in John’s arms.
• “Grace!” John panicked, catching her. He shouted her name repeatedly.
• When he looked up at me, his eyes—once the ones I loved so deeply—were filled only with rage and blame.
• “Aurora! Look at what you’ve done. Over some stupid rock, you’re trying to kill Grace? She’s seriously ill. Apologize to her. Right now. Say you’re sorry!”
• Stupid rock…
• Trying to kill…
• Apologize..
• Each word stabbed into me.
• The hallway fell silent. Everyone stared. Brown awkwardly looked away while Max and his group smirked openly.
• I looked at John, at the man whose face was contorted with anger for another woman. I looked at Grace, “unconscious” in his arms but with the faintest smirk on her lips. And that ruby…
• Apologize?
• To a thief who stole my love, snatchedmy mother’s keepsake, and flaunted it?
• Absolutely not.
• I took a slow breath, forcing all the chaos inside me down deep. When I spoke again, my voice was calm and final.
• “John Palmer, we’re done.”