Chapter 6 I snapped my eyes open , the sterile scent of the Healing Den assaulting my senses . I wasn't dead . The four - story drop had been broken by the awning , cushioning my fall . Lucky ? Maybe , but the three broken ribs that screamed with every breath said otherwise . " Honey , you're awake ! " Xavier rushed in , looking like hell . Haggard , as if he hadn't slept in days . " Vivi can finally rest easy . She blamed herself so much , she barely ate . " So he'd been playing nursemaid to Vivian these past few days . I yanked my hand away , scoffing . " With your attentive care , she'll live to be a hundred Howl Moons . " My voice dripped with venom , laced with a pain I couldn't quite contain . Xavier paused , his eyes darkening . " Do you have to be like this ?! Vivi's my Pack subordinate , struggling on her own . It's only right I help her . And if it weren't for you , would she be going through this ? " His tone flared , but it didn't resonate with me . " He defends her , Celeste . Not us . " My wolf murmured . It was still my fault , in the end . I closed my eyes , refusing to engage . He would always find a way to twist it back on me . Just then , Vivian's voice , thin and reedy , floated in from the hallway . " Xavier , where'd you go ? I'm scared ! " " Don't worry , I'll be right back ! " He hurried towards the door , then paused , sighing heavily . " Celeste , you have me and the best healers , but Vivi has nothing . Don't always pick on her . " And then he was gone , leaving me alone with the throbbing in my ribs and the hollowness in my chest . * He chooses her , Celeste . Again and again . * He was heartless , but I'd lost him long ago . Days crawled by , each one punctuated by the sharp sting of betrayal . Xavier didn't return . Not that I cared . I buried myself in the pain , remembering every single tender moment , and letting it all die . I focused on my recovery , quietly cooperating with the healers until they deemed me fit for release . But on the day of my release from the Healing Den , the Pack drama exploded . I was summoned to a Pack Council meeting . Vivian had leaked Pack trade secrets , selling them to the rival Red Fang Pack . The Council was in an uproar , demanding Xavier hold her accountable , but he was unmoved . He refused to take action , he didn't care at all . " I didn't mean to , " Vivian sobbed , her eyes swollen and red . She was trying to look innocent , but her scent betrayed her . 2.1 % < Chapter 6 No sympathy emanated from me . Accusations flew , a chorus of condemnation . Menu " Enough ! " Xavier snapped , his Alpha command silencing the room. " I believe Vivian didn't do it intentionally . I'm transferring 20 % of my shares to her . She is now an Alpha Tier member , not a subordinate . No one can touch her . " My breath hitched . The air grew cold , biting at my skin . I was stunned . The pack was stunned . Ten years of loyalty , of fighting beside him to build our collective Pack , and he was just gifting a fifth of that away to her ? He'd sworn the controlling stake was only for us , our pups and heirs . Now , to protect Vivian , he was sharing that power with a third party . Just like he shared their Blood Bond . His loyalty wasn't mine alone anymore . It had shifted to Vivian , blazing hotter than ever before . I lowered my gaze , a soft , bitter chuckle escaping my lips . My fingernails dug into my palms , a poor attempt to mask the agony churning within me . With his protection , the Council was powerless . Shareholders reluctantly filed out . As I stood to leave , two Pack Enforcers entered . " We received a complaint that a member of your Pack , Vivian Bennett , stole and resold Pack trade secrets . Is she present ? " The air froze , heavy with unspoken accusations . Vivian cowered behind Xavier , clinging to his arm like a vine . Xavier was silent , his jaw tight . Then , he spoke , his voice low and controlled . " It wasn't her . " All eyes turned to him , waiting for his explanation . My wolf was snarling . He did care . Then : " Our internal investigation is complete . It wasn't Vivian . The mastermind is ... Celeste . " He pointed directly at me . The world seemed to tilt on its axis . " What ? " My voice trembled , barely audible . " Say that again . " Xavier approached , his eyes filled with what looked like pity . He took my hand , his touch like ice . " If Vivi gets a record with the ancient wolf accords , her future is over . But you're different . You still have me . I'll support you for life . " My wolf was howling . He had broken our bond . He handed a Blood - Core crystal to the Enforcers . " This contains the irrefutable evidence of Celeste's guilt . " False evidence . I was trapped . * He has betrayed us , Celeste . He has sacrificed us to save her . * I felt my blood turn to ice , a chill piercing me to the very core of my being . I shook off his hand , staring at him with tear - filled eyes . Five years ago , during our lavish Blood Bond ceremony , he'd vowed to protect me for life . This was his twisted version . " Celeste , you're pathetic , " I muttered to myself . < Chapter 7