Chapter 2 Apparently , my laughter struck a nerve . The line went dead quiet for a second- just Cecilia's sobs growing louder in the background , like a siren winding up for drama . Then Alexis's voice came back on , sharp and furious , like a claw slicing through the silence . " Eloise , delete that comment and apologize to Cecilia . Right now . Or this wedding is off . " " Fine " I said flatly . There was a pause . Then his tone softened , smug and patronizing . " Now that's more like it . I'll let it go this time . But don't act out like this again - you were 1/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points never this immature before . " " You misunderstood me , Alexis , " I said , voice like ice . " I'm not agreeing to your demands . I'm agreeing that the wedding is off . If Cecilia loves that dress so much , sell it to her for a million . As for you … she can have you too . " I didn't shout . I didn't cry . I let the words land like a silver dagger . He clearly hadn't expected that . The silence that followed felt thick with stunned disbelief . Then he snapped , trying to claw back control . " It's just a dress ! " he barked . " And I've told you before - Cecilia is like a sister to me . Do you really have to blow this out of proportion ? " 2/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points That line again . The " just a sister " excuse . He'd used it so many times , it made my wolf want to tear something apart . " Yes ," I said . " I do . " Right on cue , Cecilia's voice floated through the phone again - sweet , rehearsed , so fake I could almost smell it . " Alexis , don't be upset . Eloise is just overreacting . Talk her down a little - women , right ? " That made things worse , not better . Alexis's tone turned colder , more dismissive . " Talk her down ? Who does she think she is ? " Good question . Who did he think I was- when he took my mate bond for granted and 3/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points paraded another she - wolf around in my Luna gown ? " Alexis , " I asked quietly , " am I not your fiancée ? We're supposed to be mated next month . " He didn't even blink at the reminder . Instead , they took it as an opening . " Told you , Cecilia purred . " She still loves you . Just coax her a bit . " He chuckled , a low , condescending sound . " Eloise , even if you're regretting this tantrum , it's too late - unless you apologize to Cecilia right now and give her the dress . Otherwise , don't expect this to end well . " I exhaled slowly . My wolf stirred inside me , restless but calm . 4/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points Was it because I loved him more that he thought I'd never leave ? Even now , Alexis didn't show a hint of guilt . And yet , I gave him one last chance - one last opening to tell the truth . " If Cecilia isn't the bride ," I said , " then why is she the one wearing the wedding dress ? And what about me - the actual bride - to - be ? " He scoffed . " It's just a dress . The store's full of them . Pick a new one . It's just a wedding . " Just a wedding . That was the moment I realized - he never saw me as his Luna . Then the real insult came . They actually started shopping for me . Over the phone . 5/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points " Cecilia , you've got good taste ," he said . " Pick something for her . She's only wearing it once anyway !" " Alright , " she said , practically giddy . " But wow , this is tough . That bodice is gorgeous , but she doesn't have the figure for it . And this skirt ? So elegant - but she's way too tall . It'd look ridiculous on her … " Her words were sugar - coated knives . And Alexis ? He just laughed along . That was it . I was done . " Don't bother , " I said , voice like frost . " I'm not marrying you . We're done . " That finally set him off . " Eloise , don't push it ! We've already made 6/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points so many concessions - how can you still be this unreasonable ? Fine ! It's over ! But don't come crying to me later . If your family hadn't forced me , I never would've agreed to this engagement in the first place ! " There it was . The truth , ugly and raw . So that's how he really felt . No wonder he was always so cold toward my family , always making excuses , never truly letting me into his heart - or his pack , for that matter . I used to think he was just a reserved Alpha . A lone wolf . Now I saw him for what he really was : a coward , hiding behind charm and half - truths , pretending to be noble while betraying me in plain sight . I didn't say another word . Just ended the 7/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points call . What I didn't expect was how fast the storm hit . All because of that one comment I left under Cecilia's post , the internet exploded . " Wait , what's going on ? Is Cecilia the other woman ? No way , right ? " " That comment … Is it real ? Is the bride calling them out ? " " Cecilia's a pack princess ! That account's probably fake - some jealous rogue trying to ruin her moment . " " Relax . Let's wait for Cecilia to clear this up . She wouldn't do something like that . I trust her ! " 8/9 Chapter 2 + 5 Points I stared at the screen , barely blinking . My blood ran cold - not from heartbreak , but from disbelief . What lie would they tell next ? What story would they spin ? I thought I'd already seen the worst of their shamelessness . I was wrong . 9/9