Episode 16
1153 Words
Clara’s POV
I looked down at Frost, my gaze cold and sharp.
She was a little shorter than me, but her features were softer, rounder and cute, in a harmless way. In some sense, she was right.
She was weaker. She looked less capable. And yet she had learned how to use that perfectly, turning herself into someone that everyone wanted to protect. Including my mate.
“But Frost,” I said softly, my voice steady, “you’re talking about weak men.”
Her smile stiffened. “Weak men are afraid of strong women. They’re insecure and arrogant at the same time. They want powerful women, yet they’re terrified we might outshine them.”
Her smile finally vanished. I didn’t look at her. I kept my gaze unfocused. “I don’t understand,” I continued calmly. “You took a weak man from me. What, exactly, is there to be proud of?”
Anger flashed through her eyes. Her wolf hissed beneath her skin. But I didn’t stop.
“If you like Caleb, take him. You’re well matched. But if you dare disrespect me again, I’ll show Caleb who you really are. Don’t forget. There are cameras here too. Don’t make the same mistake my little son did.”
She lunged at me, grabbing my collar, her voice a low snarl. “You dare? You don’t even have a wolf now! I could tear you apart whenever I want!”
“You can try.” I caught her wrist and shoved her away. “You know exactly how important I am to Caleb, and to Silvercrest.”
Then I turned and walked out of the hall without looking back. I could hear her screaming behind me, hysterical and unhinged. “Clara! I won’t let you get away with this! I’ll take Caleb! Your position! Everything you have!”
Let her try. I stopped caring about Caleb and the Gamma position a long time ago.
By the time I stepped outside and started walking back toward the packhouse, it had begun to rain. And it only got heavier. Caleb didn’t wait for me. The maids who had been serving the banquet were gone too. Rain soaked my face, my hair, my robe, clinging cold and heavy against my skin.
But I walked slowly and steadily. Just like my heart.
When I finally got home, the rain had stopped. Caleb was nowhere to be seen. But I didn’t care.
I stripped out of my wet clothes and took a long, slow shower, letting the hot water sink into my muscles, pulling me back from the cold piece by piece.
Wrapped in a robe, towel drying my hair, I stepped out of the bathroom. And that’s when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.
An unfamiliar number.
Alpha King asked me to pass along that his handkerchief brand is Louis Vuitton. Item number attached.
I stared at the message for a long moment. I couldn’t understand what Xavier was thinking. Tonight, he had made it very clear—he didn’t want me anymore.
For just a second, a ridiculous thought crossed my mind. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe he thought what he said was too harsh, and he wanted to apologize. Maybe… he was giving me another chance.
I shook my head. Stupid fantasy. He was the Alpha King.
More likely, he regretted helping me at the restaurant. He just wanted to settle things cleanly. End it properly and never see me again.
I didn’t want to sound desperate or weak, so I replied politely:
Received. I’ll purchase it and send it to Alpha King as soon as possible. Please send me the address.
Then I forwarded the item number to Lora. She replied quickly, saying she’d arrange express delivery.
I sat on the edge of the bed, phone clenched in my hand. Xavier’s words echoed in my head again. I covered my face and let out a low breath.
I’d planned to use this banquet to find opportunities to leave Silvercrest. But the moment Xavier questioned me, I’d lost control. I’d been reckless.
Maybe he hadn’t meant any harm. He simply couldn’t accept what had become of warrior Clara, this woman who let others humiliate her. Just like me.
I thought I should apologize when I returned the handkerchief.
But first, I needed to salvage my reputation. I had to prove to everyone that I was still that Clara. Otherwise, finding a new pack would be nearly impossible.
I was lost in planning when my phone suddenly rang.
It’s Caleb. He’d disappeared after the banquet. Lately, he’d been coming home late every night, always claiming pack business. I was used to it. But why was he calling now?
I hesitated before answering. “Hello?”
At first, there was nothing. Then I heard it. Moaning. A woman’s voice and panting. Then a man’s low groan.
It’s Caleb. My stomach lurched.
The woman giggled softly. “Oh, Caleb…” she gasped, pleasure dripping from every word. “You’re amazing… Oh my god…I’m going to come… I love it, baby…Harder please…”
I froze. My fingers went numb. My breathing locked in my chest. It felt like something had wrapped around my throat and tightened. I bent forward and threw up until there was nothing left in my stomach.
The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor.
I slowly straightened, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. The room spun. I didn’t even bother picking the phone up.
“I won’t let you get away with this!” Frost’s words echoed in my head like a curse.
I collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained. I thought I would break and cry myself to sleep.
But I didn’t. I just lay there, staring at the dark ceiling. My heartbeat was slow and steady. I wasn’t hysterical. I wasn’t screaming inside.
I felt hollow. And strangely… calm.
Eventually, I closed my eyes.
***
Morning light woke me. I forced myself up. My body was stiff, but my movements were steady. I showered thoroughly, washing away the sour smell of last night. Then I exercised my legs as I did these days.
And then I made myself breakfast. I needed something warm in my stomach. I didn’t think about the call. I didn’t think about Caleb. I didn’t think about Frost’s moans.
Soon after breakfast, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and signed for my package.
When I carried the box into the living room, the door suddenly opened again and Caleb walked in.
He looked refreshed and satisfied. Guess he’d slept very well with Frost last night. I didn’t look at him and didn’t greet him like I usually do.
As if sensing my indifference, he frowned. Loosening his tie, he walked toward me, eyes fixed on the box in my arms.
“What did you buy?” he asked.
- Writer
