Chapter 3
The bright lights of the film set felt both familiar and foreign after five years away. My wolf stirred restlessly within me as I took my position for the first scene. This was supposed to be my triumphant return, but Victoria's presence at the edge of the set stomach knot with dread.
'Let's roll camera,' Julian called, his enthusiasm genuine. I immersed myself in the emotional scene – a she-wolf discovering her mate's betrayal. The irony wasn't lost on me.
'Cut!' Victoria's voice sliced through my performance. 'The lighting isn't quite right on her face. Let's do it again.'
I kept my expression neutral, though my wolf snarled inside. Through our damaged mate bond, I could feel Alexander watching coldly, probably from his office. Of course he'd given Victoria 'consulting' privileges on set.
Take after take, Victoria found fault with everything – my positioning, my delivery, the way I breathed. By the twentieth take, my emotional wounds were raw and bleeding. By the thirtieth, I was barely holding myself together.
'Again,' Victoria commanded, satisfaction glinting in her eyes. 'Your pain isn't... convincing enough.'
My fingers curled into fists at my sides. The crew's discomfort was palpable, but no one dared challenge an Alpha's chosen mate. I forced myself through one more take, pouring every ounce of my real agony into the performance.
When I finally returned to the pack house that evening, exhausted to my bones, another humiliation awaited. Beta Marcus stood outside my quarters, his expression carefully blank.
'Luna Isabella,' he said formally. 'Alpha Alexander has ordered your belongings moved to the servants' wing. For your... convenience.'
I followed him to my new quarters – a small room tucked away in the farthest corner of the pack house. The message was clear: I was being erased, demoted not just in Alexander's life but in the pack hierarchy.
Through our bond, I felt Alexander's cold satisfaction at my reaction. My wolf whimpered, but I refused to give him the pleasure of my tears.
The next evening, during a rare pack gathering, Elder Lydia approached me. Her kind eyes held understanding as she squeezed my hand. 'You showed great strength today, dear. A true Luna's worth isn't measured by—'
A dramatic gasp cut through the room. Victoria had collapsed, clutching her chest in an obviously theatrical display. 'I can't... breathe...'
The pack erupted into chaos. Alexander materialized instantly at Victoria's side, cradling her like precious glass. His eyes found mine, burning with accusation.
'This stress is too much for her,' he growled. 'Isabella, you will wait outside the pack hospital until she recovers. Maybe that will teach you to show proper respect.'
'But—' I started to protest.
'That's an order.' His Alpha command slammed into me like a physical force.
For twenty-four hours, I stood in the hospital courtyard, forbidden to sit or leave. Pack members passed by, some pitying, others smirking. Through the windows, I could see Victoria being pampered, Alexander constantly at her side. Even Beta Marcus avoided my gaze when he hurried past.
As the sun rose on the second day, my legs trembling with exhaustion, I made a decision. Victoria could orchestrate all the 'accidents' she wanted. Alexander could strip away my dignity piece by piece. But they couldn't take my determination.
I would finish this film. I would reclaim my career. And then, when the moment was right, I would make them regret every single humiliation they had forced me to endure.
My wolf, usually so beaten down, lifted her head with a low growl of approval. For the first time in years, we were in perfect agreement.
Through our mate bond, I felt Alexander's attention shift to me briefly. Let him wonder what had changed. He'd find out soon enough.
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