It wasn’t possible. Those were Yuki’s thoughts as she watched the video

Her blood turned to ice. How could this be? She had never entered that room. The details were too perfect: the angle of the bracelet, the way the figure moved. Perhaps someone had employed some twisted magic or technology, but in this room full of influential wolves who would not listen to her denial.

Tears burned her eyes before she could stop them. They spilt down her cheeks as helplessness wrapped around her chest like a tightening chain. The whispers started low then grew into a wave that crashed over her.

"So this is the future Luna’s sister."

"You can take them from the streets but you cannot take the streets from them."

"How disgraceful."

The words sliced deep not just at her but at Aevia too. Yuki watched her sister shrink back, shoulders curving inward as if trying to disappear. The commendation in those voices earlier had twisted into judgment. Yuki’s face burned with frustration. She wanted to scream that it was not her who had set this trap but the gazes pinned her in place. They saw a jealous outsider trying to ruin the golden girl of the pack.

A slow clap cut through the murmurs drawing every eye to the entrance. A stunning blonde woman stepped forward, her hazel eyes were as sharp as daggers. She moved with the confidence of someone who once ruled this world. Estelle the former Luna and mother of the triplets. Her presence filled the room like a gathering storm.

"Dear Alexander" she sneered, her voice carrying across the silent crowd. "Is this the replacement you chose for me?"

Estelle was a pretty lady with a powerful presence but next to Aevia out of world beauty, she paled in comparison not because she was ugly but because there was someone better

Estelle glided through the guests, her gaze sweeping first over Yuki then lingering on Aevia. For a brief moment, something dark twisted in her expression before a polished smile returned. "What a perfect occasion. Such a shame it had to be ruined. So dear ex-husband, Alpha Alexander Ravencourt, how do you plan to handle this?" She sneered disdainfully

The tension thickened until it felt hard to breathe. Kieran stood rigid, his face pale as he stared at the frozen image on the screen. Kaden’s eyes locked on it too, his jaw tight with some complicated storm brewing behind them. Why would Yuki do this? Was it revenge for this morning or something deeper?

He didn’t understand but the evidence was foolproof

Yvonne and Eloise dropped to their knees in perfect sync. "Please Alpha!" Eloise cried, her voice breaking in a way that tugged at hearts around the room. Tears streamed down her face as she begged for justice, her shoulders shaking. The sight pulled sympathetic murmurs from the crowd. The victim was on her knees pleading while the accused stood accused

Each whisper made Yuki look worse and more humiliated.

Alexander remained steady, his alpha presence a calm wall against the chaos but Yuki could see the strain in the set of his shoulders. He knew he walked a blade’s edge. This matter couldn’t be allowed to escalate.

Yuki’s heart pounded against her ribs. This was spiralling out of control. She had done nothing yet the evidence painted her as the villain. "I didn’t" she started her voice cracking.

Aevia’s voice cut into her mind through their link. ’Please do not. You will only make things worse.’ Aevia’s voice trembled in Yuki’s mind. She could feel her sister’s emotion. Eloise was breaking apart.

Yuki froze, glancing at her sister whose face had gone blank as fresh paper. Frustration boiled in her gut hot and bitter. ’But I did nothing. They are framing me.’ She pushed back through the link, her thoughts trembling with desperation.

’It does not matter if we cannot prove it. Dragging this out will destroy us both. Yuki please just apologise.’ Aevia begged her. The desperation in her tone was thick.

Yuki’s body shook as the weight of those words settled on her. How could she apologise for a crime she never committed? Her throat tightened until swallowing hurt. ’But I did nothing Aevia. You of all people should believe me.’ Tears rolled faster now blurring the faces around her. In their eyes, she was nothing but a jealous shrew, an outsider who did not belong.

’Do you think I did it?’ she sent through the link her mind raw with pain. ’This is not right.’ Everything else faded, even Eloise’s perfectly pitiful performance. The setup was flawless and it terrified Yuki how easily the trap had closed.

Aevia’s reply came exhausted and heavy. ’It is not about right or wrong anymore. It is about finding a way out. I am sorry for bringing you into this trouble.’

Yuki’s heart clenched so hard she thought it might shatter. She bowed her head, the fight draining from her limbs. Alexander’s voice rang out steady and commanding.

"The party must continue. I will cover the damages at double the price. I am sure Yuki is deeply apologetic." He mediated calmly wanting to end the situation as soon as possible

Eloise froze for a split second surprise flashing across her face before she recovered. "Thank you Alpha" she whispered, still on her knees. Alexander offered her a gentle smile but Yuki caught the calculating glint in Eloise’s eyes as she rose.

"Please do not kneel," Alexander urged, helping her up. Eloise nodded, swiping at her tears in a way that looked heartbreakingly fragile.

"Let Yuki apologize," she said, her tone sounding fair and forgiving. "It is only right. I will not hold it against her so we can return to the celebration."

All eyes turned to Yuki. The lump in her throat felt like stone. Her dress, which she was still trying to put on now hung dishevelled from the earlier spill clinging awkwardly to her skin. She felt exposed and humiliated , every nerve screaming to run. Pride warred inside her as her chest burned hot against the cold reality of their dependence on Alexander’s favour. What was pride worth if it cost them everything?

She forced a weak smile and bowed low to Eloise. Her voice came out raspy barely above a whisper. "I am sorry for ruining your party because of my jealousy. Please do not take it to heart." She apologised despite the chaos within her.

Kieran’s fists clenched at his sides, a sharp twist of dread and unexplained pain stabbing through him. Kaden looked away, his chest tight with a helplessness he could not name. He did not understand why Yuki’s humiliation echoed in his own bones.

"That was not sincere enough" Eloise sneered softly.

Yuki’s smile faltered. She met Eloise’s gaze then whispered again. "I am sorry." Without warning she raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face. The sound cracked through the room. Kieran’s heart dropped like a stone.

"Is this enough?" she asked in a breaking voice.

Before anyone could respond she slapped herself again and again. The rapid smacks filled the stunned silence. Her lip split blood blooming on her tongue but she did not stop. The frustration and rage at her own powerlessness fueled each strike. Eloise’s eyes widened in genuine shock for once unable to react.

’Yuki stop!!’ Aevia screamed through the mind link rushing forward. Alexander caught her arm with a firm grip, his gaze alone holding her back. Aevia’s eyes burned with helpless fury.

Kaden’s hand twitched forward despite himself, he tried not to react but his hand moved on its own, before he could reach her Xavier cut through the crowd first grabbing both of Yuki’s arms in a strong yet careful hold.

"That is enough" he barked his voice rough with barely contained anger. "Is her apology not sincere enough? If not I will take the slaps for her."

Eloise snapped out of her daze and hurried to Yuki pulling her into a tight hug. Yuki’s body went rigid at the contact confusion swirling with her pain.

Eloise cried harder as if she were the one who had been struck. "I did not ask you to slap yourself. How will you enjoy the party looking like this mess?" She cried

She touched Yuki’s stinging cheek, her own eyes reddening in a display of kindness. "Please stop. I understand you were jealous but you do not have to hurt yourself like this. If you wanted a dress you could have asked me."

Eloise turned to a nearby maid, her voice steady. "Bring Yuki one of my dresses and call a healer for her." She stood with a tired graceful sigh then bowed to the crowd. "Sorry for the trouble everyone. Please continue downstairs."

Her performance was flawless. With the drama resolved the guests began to filter out murmuring among themselves. Estelle watched from the sidelines, a faint smile playing on her lips as the scandal unfolded.

Yvonne pulled Eloise away leaving Yuki standing there with Xavier and Aevia. Kieran’s gaze lingered on her for a long moment heavy with unspoken conflict before he turned and left.

Yuki remained rooted in place the taste of blood and defeat bitter on her tongue, her cheeks throbbing as fresh tears slipped silently down.

As the room emptied, Yuki looked down at her trembling hands. Then she heard two maids whisper near the doorway.

"Poor Miss Eloise."

"She’s too kind."

"Anyone else would have thrown that girl out."

Yuki laughed softly.

For the first time in her life, she understood how terrifying kindness could be.