After My Mate Rejected Me for a Fake Heiress

The Beverly Hills Grand Hotel towered above me, its golden lights spilling onto the sidewalk like liquid wealth. I smoothed down the crimson dress that hugged my curves—a far cry from the meek attire I'd worn for three years. Tonight, I wasn't hiding anymore.

The VIP suite occupied the entire top floor, accessible only through a private elevator that required a key card. I'd "borrowed" mine from Mckenzie's office during our meeting, knowing she'd never notice it missing until tomorrow.

"Welcome, Miss Kennedy," the attendant said with a slight bow, his eyes widening as he took in my appearance. "Enjoy your evening."

The elevator doors opened directly into a world of crystal chandeliers and flowing champagne. The suite was packed with entertainment industry elites—producers, directors, and pack leaders mingling in an orgy of power and influence. The air hummed with conversation and clinking glasses, underscored by the faint scent of expensive cologne and perfume.

I scanned the room, noting familiar faces from movie sets and industry parties. In the center of it all stood Sterling and Aura, surrounded by an adoring crowd of sycophants and power brokers.

Sterling looked every inch the successful Alpha in his tailored tuxedo, his arm possessively wrapped around Aura's waist. She glittered in diamonds that caught the light with every movement, her dark hair styled in elegant waves that cascaded down her back.

"Another champagne, darling?" Sterling's voice carried across the room as he signaled a server, his eyes never leaving Aura's face.

I moved through the crowd slowly, my wolf's heightened senses picking up snippets of conversation. Director Vincent Cross stood near the bar, his reputation for discovering new talent legendary in werewolf entertainment circles. He'd once expressed interest in meeting me, before Sterling's rejection made me persona non grata.

"The Kennedy fortune is simply staggering," Aura's voice drifted toward me as I passed behind a group of producers. "You wouldn't believe the properties we own across Europe alone."

I froze, straining to hear more.

"And Alpha Morgan is so doting," she continued, her voice taking on a practiced tone of humblebrag. "He spoils me terribly. 'Aura, my dear,' he always says, 'you deserve the very best.'"

A couple of entertainment executives nodded appreciatively, clearly impressed by her fabricated connection to one of the most powerful Alphas in werewolf society.

"He's always sending me rare herbs for my wolf's strength," Aura added, touching her neck delicately. "The Kennedy bloodline requires special care, you know."

My wolf snarled inside me, rage building like a gathering storm. *She's lying about everything. Our father would never—*

I couldn't contain it anymore. A loud, mocking scoff escaped my lips, cutting through the conversation like a knife through silk.

The room fell silent. Every head turned toward me.

Aura's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with fury as she recognized me. Sterling's expression shifted from surprise to cold calculation.

"Well, well," I said, stepping forward into the circle. "If I'd known we were sharing bedtime stories, I'd have brought popcorn."

"Skylar?" Director Cross's eyebrows shot up in recognition. "I didn't expect to see you here after... recent events."

"Recent events?" I tilted my head innocently. "You mean Sterling's public rejection of his true mate for a fraud? Those events?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Aura's face flushed crimson, her hands curling into fists at her sides.

"Sterling," I turned my gaze to him directly, "care to explain why you're parading around with someone who's lying about her bloodline?"

Sterling's Alpha aura flared, pressing down on me with uncomfortable force. Three years ago, it would have made me cower. Tonight, I stood taller.

"What is this?" he snarled, his voice carrying that distinctive Alpha timbre that made lesser wolves submit. "How is a wolfless stray allowed in a VIP suite?"

The crowd shifted uncomfortably, some taking steps back as if my supposed wolflessness might be contagious.

Mckenzie materialized at Sterling's side, her face twisted in a practiced expression of outrage. "I'm so sorry, Alpha Sterling. She's not supposed to be here."

"Then why is she?" Sterling's eyes flashed dangerously.

Mckenzie turned to me, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Skylar, darling. I thought I made it clear what your role tonight would be."

She gestured toward a tray of champagne flutes on a nearby table. "The guests need refreshments. Perhaps you could make yourself useful?"

The room fell silent again, waiting for my reaction. Every eye watched me, some pitying, others amused by my apparent humiliation.

I looked down at the tray of drinks, then back up at Sterling's smug face. My wolf stirred inside me, no longer willing to be silenced.

*It's time to show them who we really are.*