Marked by the werewolf

Crystal POV The camera loved liars. I knew this because I'd been one for six years, smiling through every interview, every red carpet, and every staged photo with the husband whose family thought I wasn't good enough to breathe their air. Tonight was no different as The annual Global Star Awards glittered around me like a beautiful trap, and I played my part perfectly. I smoothed down my dress as I walked through the crowded hallway leading to the main auditorium. The gown gummed my body in all the acceptable places, it was designer and modest enough to avoid scandal. My publicist had chosen it and in–laws had approved it. My husband hadn't bothered to show up. "Crystal." The voice dripped with false sweetness. I turned to find Zara Ming blocking my path, stunning in a red gown that left little to the imagination. The other actress smiled, but her eyes were cold. "Zara." I kept my tone neutral despite knowing she was up to no good. Never had been."You look lovely tonight." "Save it." She stepped closer , with her fake smile . "We both know you're not taking that award home tonight." My publicist had warned me about this. Zara had been gunning for the Global Star Award for months, doing every interview, every appearance and playing the media like a violin but I had this. I'd worked too hard not to. "The night's still young," I said smoothly. "Anything could happen." "It already has." Zara's eyes gleamed with something triumphant. "I've seen the way things are going. Hope you prepared a gracious losing speech for when I win." Heat flared in my chest but I kept my smile perfect. I'd learned young how to hide what I really felt. How to be the good daughter, the perfect wife and the actress who never caused trouble. Even when trouble was all I wanted to cause. "Then I guess we'll see soon enough." I moved to step past her. Zara caught my arm. "You've had your time at the top, Crystal. Some of us deserve a turn." "Deserve?" I pulled my arm free, my smile finally dropping. "You want to talk about deserve? I've been in this industry for eight years. I've earned every single thing I have." "By marrying into a powerful family, you mean." The words hit like a slap and I clenched my fist at my sides. I wanted to tell Zara exactly where she could shove her opinions about my marriage. I wanted to scream that being Marcus Bill's wife was more prison than privilege, that his family treated me like dirt. But that wasn't what perfect Crystal Bill would do. "Crystal!" My assistant Maya appeared, breathing slightly heavily. "They're about to announce the Global Star Award. We need to get to our seats." I gave Zara one last cool smile. "Excuse me. I have an award to collect." I walked away while Maya fell into step beside me. My assistant was the only person in the industry who ever saw the cracks in my perfect facade, and even then, I kept most of it hidden. "Don't let her get to you," Maya whispered. "You've got this." I nodded and my confidence returned as we entered the auditorium. The seats were filling up, cameras were everywhere and the energy was electric. I found my assigned seat and settled in, trying to calm my racing heart. This award mattered, not because of ego, though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of it. But because it was mine. Something I'd earned through talent and hard work, not through my family name or my marriage. In a life where everything felt controlled by someone else, this was supposed to be different. The host took the stage, building suspense. My hands trembled slightly in my lap. Maya leaned over, squeezing my arm. "You've got this," she whispered again. The categories moved quickly from supporting roles to technical awards, each one bringing us closer. Then finally, the moment arrived. "And now," the host announced, "for the Global Star Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in acting this year." My heart pounded. This was it. The presenter opened the envelope, her eyes scanning the card. She paused, and something flickered across her face like surprise, maybe even shock. I stood up, smoothing my dress and my smile was ready. The cameras would want the perfect shot of my reaction and I was ready to give them one. "The Global Star Award goes to..." I held my breath, I was so sure it was my name they were going to call until it wasn't. "Brady Wolfe." The name punched through me like a fist. I stood frozen, my smile locked in place as applause erupted around me. No, that wasn't possible. Brady Wolfe? The actor who'd appeared out of nowhere three months ago and inserted himself into my world like he belonged there. We'd never met in person, never been in the same room, but somehow we'd been competing for everything. The same roles, same endorsements, same magazine covers. It had felt personal like he was targeting me specifically. And now he'd won my award. Maya's hand touched my elbow gently, a silent reminder to sit down and probably to comfort me. I lowered myself back into my seat, still clapping and smiling. The cameras would be on me so I couldn't break here. Not now. A spotlight cut through the darkness three seats away from me and showed him. So he'd been sitting right there the entire time. Brady Wolfe stood, and my world tilted. He was taller and broader than I'd expected. The photos didn't do him justice. He had dark hair, sharp features and eyes that caught the light in a way that seemed wrong. It was too bright and somehow had gold color. He turned toward me and our eyes locked, that's when something slammed into my chest like recognition. He seemed so familiar , not of seeing him on screens and magazines but of recognition beyond that which was impossible because we had never had a close interaction before. So why did looking at him feel like remembering? His lips curved into a dark and knowing smirk like he could see right through my perfect smile to the rage burning underneath. Then he started walking toward me not the stage. There were other easier paths he could have passed but Brady Wolfe walked straight toward where I sat and the spotlight followed him like he commanded it. People turned to watch while cameras swiveled to capture every moment. My pulse hammered in my throat. What was he doing? He stopped beside my seat and up close, he was devastating with a sharp jaw and perfect features, and those eyes. His slightly gold or brown eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin tingle He leaned down and my breath caught. For one insane second, I thought he might kiss me, right here, in front of everyone with cameras rolling. Instead, his mouth moved to my ear, close enough that his breath sent shivers down my bone marrow. "Hello, Crystal," he whispered, his was voice low and rough. "We meet again." Immediately he said this , the star birthmark on my neck that I had carefully used makeup to hide as my Mom had taught me to always do when outside, started to burn against my skin .