After His Luna Poisoned Him, He Believed I Betrayed Him

The Silver Moon Pack's corporate headquarters loomed before me, a gleaming tower of glass and steel that pierced the Manhattan skyline. Five years ago, I'd walked out of these doors as a rejected mate. Today, I was walking back in as a beggar.

I smoothed down my wrinkled blouse, wishing I had something better to wear for this meeting. The security guard at the front desk gave me a suspicious look as I approached.

"Name?" he barked.

"Jane Ellis," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "I have an appointment with Alpha Davis."

His eyes widened slightly. "You're the event planner?"

"Yes." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I wasn't just any event planner—I was the one who'd rejected their Alpha five years ago.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt endless. Each floor that passed brought back memories I'd tried so hard to bury. The scent of rain and ozone—our mate bond—grew stronger with every ascending floor. My wolf stirred uneasily within me.

*Stay calm,* I told her silently. *We're doing this for Gordon.*

The hospital had given me three days to pay the remaining balance for Elder Gordon's heart surgery. Three days, or they'd discharge him. And without the surgery, he wouldn't last the month.

"You can go in now," the Beta assistant said, his expression carefully neutral as he opened the heavy oak door.

I stepped into the Alpha's office, and there he was.

Nolan Davis.

Five years had only enhanced his features. His dark hair was shorter now, more severe. His jawline harder. But those eyes—those piercing blue eyes that once looked at me with love—now burned with hatred.

"Jane Ellis," he said, my name sounding like poison on his lips. "The traitor returns."

I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Alpha Davis. Thank you for seeing me."

He circled me slowly, like a predator assessing prey. "I'm surprised you have the courage to show your face here after what you did."

"I'm here on business," I said, pulling out my portfolio. "My company specializes in event planning, and I've brought a proposal for your Mate Ceremony."

Nolan laughed, the sound devoid of humor. "A convict planning the social event of the year? I think not."

"I served my time," I said quietly.

"For crimes against my pack!" His fist slammed down on the desk. "Do you think I would trust you with anything after you abandoned us during our darkest hour?"

I swallowed hard. "I'm not asking for trust. I'm asking for a chance to prove myself professionally."

He studied me for a long moment, then nodded toward the corner of the room where a champagne tower stood—seven tiers of delicate crystal flutes filled with expensive champagne.

"Prove yourself, then," he said coldly. Then, before I could react, he swept his arm across the table, sending the entire tower crashing to the floor.

Glass shattered everywhere. Champagne splashed across the marble floor, soaking into the expensive carpet.

"Clean it up," he ordered,