At noon, I returned to my desk to pack my things.

The carved wooden wolf on my desk was a gift from Kaelen when he first became Beta. He had sworn to me then that I would be his only Luna.

I laughed bitterly at the memory, but I packed the figurine into my box anyway.

Just as I was about to leave, Layla rushed in, her face etched with panic.

“Everyone, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but the moonstone amulet I was wearing today seems to be missing. Could you please cooperate and let me search your things?”

The office erupted in whispers.

“I saw Layla’s amulet today! It’s a Croft family treasure, said to boost a werewolf’s power!”

“She’s being way too polite. I bet someone got jealous and just stole it!”

“Oh my god! We have a thief in our pack!”

Kaelen, standing by Layla’s side, immediately ordered the pack guards to block the doors and search everyone.

When it was my turn, I set my box down for inspection.

His eyes fell on the wooden wolf at the very top. He froze for a second before ordering the guards to dump everything out of my box.

My belongings crashed onto the floor. The wooden wolf shattered into a dozen pieces, just like my six years with him. Once broken, it could never be whole again.

As the guards rummaged through the mess, Layla suddenly gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “My amulet!”

Every eye in the room turned to me. I could feel their glares, hear their pointed whispers.

“Oh my god! It was Alia! She stole the new strategist’s amulet! If the Beta hadn't blocked the doors, she would have already run off with it!”

“I can’t believe Alia is that kind of person. She’s just bitter about the promotion. How petty can you get?”

My face went pale. I hadn’t touched her damn amulet. Someone must have planted it in my box while I was in Kaelen’s office.

Kaelen’s face was a mask of fury as he picked the amulet out of my scattered belongings.

He held it up, his expression one of utter disappointment. “Alia Thorne—”

He roared my name. I looked down and saw his boot crushing my personal items, grinding the pieces of the wooden wolf into dust.

I looked up just in time to feel the sharp sting of his hand across my face. “Apologize to Layla! Why did you steal the heirloom I gave her?”

In that moment, whatever was left of my heart for him died.

He held the precious heirloom he gave Layla, while crushing the cheap promise he gave me under his heel.

Tears streamed down my face. The judgment of the entire pack was nothing compared to the pain of this slap from the man I had loved for six years.

He didn't believe me.

Seeing my silence, he grabbed me like a piece of trash and dragged me in front of Layla. “I said apologize! Explain why you stole from her!”

A flash of triumph crossed Layla’s eyes before she feigned a frown and reached out to help me up.

I slapped her hand away and forced myself to my feet with the last shred of my dignity.

My vision was blurred with tears, but I stood tall. “I didn’t take it! There are security cameras in this office. I want to see the footage to prove my innocence!”

“Besides,” I said, staring directly into Layla’s eyes, “I wouldn’t be caught dead with a piece of junk like that.”