Alpha’s Regret After He Proposed to a Fake Heiress

The crowd grew. Reporters shoved microphones in my face.

"Serena, is your relationship with Adrian really what Vivian described?"

"Did you destroy the painting out of jealousy?"

"Is it true you've been stalking the Alpha?"

Camera flashes blinded me. I stumbled backward. "It wasn't me! Vivian threw the wine herself!"

Adrian's expression darkened further. He moved close and dropped his voice so only I could hear. "I know you're upset, but didn't we agree? Once the deal goes through, I'll cut things off with her. Can't you even wait that long?"

"Everyone's watching. Stop embarrassing yourself and just apologize."

My fists clenched. Red-eyed, I stared up at him and ground out every syllable. "I. Didn't. Do it. Check the cameras if you don't believe me."

I was done with Adrian. I didn't care which she-wolf he ran around with or who he made Luna. But he didn't get to smear my name. He didn't get to crush my dignity.

He scoffed. "You're saying an heiress would frame you? Or that everyone here is blind?"

His voice dropped again, coaxing. "Serena, just admit it was a mistake. We won't hold it against you. I'll make the reporters delete everything—your reputation stays intact."

Something died in my eyes. I shook my head slowly. "You're right. I was wrong."

But not about this. I was wrong eight years ago, the day I chose him. Wrong to misjudge someone so completely. Wrong to hold on for so long.

But I was awake now. Looking at the man before me, I realized how ordinary he was. My love had been the only thing that made him shine.

Adrian misunderstood. He thought I was confessing. He helped Vivian to her feet, took her hand, and addressed the room.

"My Luna is Vivian—and only Vivian. Serena was my former Beta. Beyond that, we have no connection whatsoever."

Silence.

He turned back to me, casual and dismissive. "If you're upset about losing your position to Vivian, I can arrange another role for you in administration."

Like charity. Like pity.

"No thanks."

I reached up and unclasped the necklace I always wore—a wolf fang pendant. Years ago, Adrian had lost it fighting off rogues to protect me. I'd treasured it, had it set into a necklace, and wore it every day. Among wolves, exchanging fangs was sacred—it meant giving the most important part of yourself to the one you loved. A bond for life.

None of that mattered anymore. I dropped the necklace into the nearest trash can without hesitation.

"The job. Us. It's all over."

I turned and walked away.

Behind me, something flickered in Adrian's eyes—panic, maybe. He took a step after me, then stopped. Too many cameras. Too many witnesses. He pulled his foot back.