Rejected Mate’s Stolen Star Path

The next morning, the roads were clogged with traffic as I made my way to the pack’s art exhibit. By the time I arrived, a crowd of pack members had already gathered around Chandler and Esme, their murmurs blending into a low hum of anticipation.

With a practiced smile, Chandler linked arms with Esme, his Alpha aura radiating confidence as he addressed the onlookers. “Yes, this painting was created by Esme for me. It’s a symbol of our journey into the vast universe.”

My steps faltered as I turned to look. The painting displayed next to Esme wasn’t the autumn landscape she’d promised—it was *Star Path*, the piece I had completed just two days ago. My heart slammed against my ribs, and a deafening buzz filled my mind. How could this be happening?

Ignoring the curious glances of the pack members, I pushed through the crowd, my hands trembling as I faced Chandler. “Why?” My voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of my shock. “Why does she have *Star Path*?”

Chandler’s lips pressed into a thin line, discomfort flickering across his features before he straightened, his Alpha tone cutting through the air. “If Esme’s work isn’t here, would it be with you? Harmony, you’re always trying to claim Esme’s paintings as your own, aren’t you?”

His words were met with a ripple of whispers from the pack members, their eyes shifting between me and Esme with growing suspicion.

“Isn’t that Alpha Chandler’s mate? Didn’t she get accused of copying recently?” one voice murmured.

“Seems so,” another replied. “She even took credit for one of Esme’s works last time. How shameless.”

With Chandler standing firmly beside Esme, my protests felt hollow, futile. “No, *Star Path* is mine. It bears my signature—”

“Harmony!” Chandler’s voice was sharp, his Alpha tone silencing me instantly. His expression twisted with disdain. “With your hands nearly ruined, how could you hold a brush? Stop lying to yourself before you deceive others!”

The pain in my chest was suffocating, as though my heart were being slowly torn apart. This was his way of manipulating me, forcing me into submission, into admitting to plagiarism I hadn’t committed. Esme’s fans had once crushed my fingers, leaving lasting damage. Chandler had promised to find the best healer for me, but he’d delayed until my discharge, disappearing entirely.

Back then, he’d still pretended to care, shedding crocodile tears for me.

“Harmony, I need to ensure Esme’s career is prosperous, so I can secure her loyalty to the pack.”

“Harmony, you don’t want me to suffer, do you?”

He’d looked at me with pleading eyes, full of fake tears, and I’d been fooled by them, believing him time and again. But to think he’d even try to take *Star Path* from me.

My face paled as I almost pleaded, “Chandler, you know what *Star Path* means to me. It’s my—”

“Enough.” His voice was cold, his Alpha tone brooking no argument. He effortlessly twisted the truth, his words slicing through me like a blade. “I know you want to sever our mate bond, and that’s why you keep creating trouble for Esme. I’ll sign the rejection papers, but I have one condition.”

He paused, his gaze locking onto mine, unyielding. “Stop claiming Esme’s work as your own.”

The weight of his words crushed me, and I nodded numbly, too overwhelmed to fight back. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, and for a moment, it seemed he wanted to say something more.

But then, a tremendous crash shattered the air. The massive glass wall beside us exploded, shards raining down as the pack members screamed in panic. Instinctively, I reached for Chandler, only to see him pull Esme into his arms, shielding her protectively.

The chandelier above us swayed dangerously before crashing down. I hit the floor, pain searing through my body as blood blurred my vision. Through the chaos, I thought I saw Chandler take a step toward me, but when Esme let out a soft cry over a shallow cut on her finger, he turned away without a second glance.