Chapter 2: Bound by Love, Branded a Liar

I set aside my thoughts. Arguing with them was pointless and a waste of time.

I turned to August and said calmly, "Aren't you here to pick me up? Let's go, then."

The air was tense, and silence filled the hall. They exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

Hailey let out a sharp scoff and said coldly, "Pick you up? In your dreams."

She pointed at the sign. "Take a good look. We're here for a VIP guest from the Lymerian pack. Do you have any idea who that is?"

My mate was Ryder, the lycan chairman. Of course, I knew exactly who they were waiting for.

"We're waiting for the lycan chairman's mate, Mrs. Weyland. Mr. Weyland's known for being ruthless and decisive, but when it comes to love, he's a romantic at heart. Word is, he stayed single all these years just to wait for his current Luna to bond with him."

"Everyone knows the fastest way through Ryder Weyland is through his Luna. She's the one he treasures most."

As I listened to their chatter, a gentle, satisfied smile graced the corners of my lips.

In the three years of our mate bond, Ryder had led his territory to strength and stability, and he had done so while never once wavering his devotion as a devoted Alpha to his mate.

Hailey was always desperate to one-up me. Hence, she never missed a chance to show off. "I heard Mr. Weyland once bought a bracelet at auction just to impress his mate."

"It was a symbol of eternal love and sincerity. And it's worth two million dollars. That gift made his mate the envy of every she-wolf in the pack."

She paused mid-sentence. Then her voice suddenly shot up in pitch as she pointed at my wrist. "Hold on. That's the one!"

Everyone fell silent. They held their breaths, staring at the bracelet on my wrist.

August suddenly grabbed my hand and gave it a once-over. He sneered. "Not a bad imitation. Who gave it to you? Some broke loser trying way too hard?"

I pulled my hand away and smiled a bit as I ran my fingers over the bracelet. Ryder gifted it to me for our first mate bond anniversary; although it was one of the cheaper pieces in the collection he had given, it was still a thoughtful gift.

But what mattered wasn't the price; it was the meaning behind it. To me, it meant love.

Yet, to them, it was inconceivable that I could own such a bracelet.

Seeing that I wasn't flustered or embarrassed in the slightest, August's pupils narrowed. Without warning, he yanked my wrist and tore the bracelet off with force.

I didn't expect him to go that far, but he succeeded.

Hailey stepped forward, eyeing the bracelet before casually taking it from August's hand and turning it over in her fingers. "It's definitely more refined than the replica I bought online."

"But I have self-respect. I wouldn't dare wear a knockoff in public and let people laugh at me."

"Or… Sophia, are you saying you're the VIP from the Lymerian pack? The one who's supposedly the mate of the legendary lycan chairman?"

Instantly, the others burst into laughter. To them, it was ridiculous.

Ryder was a legendary Alpha, renowned throughout all the packs for his keen instincts and formidable clarity. He was a cold, ruthless leader who acted decisively when necessary.

On the contrary, I was the pathetic ex-girlfriend August had discarded three years ago—the foolish she-wolf who once begged for scraps of affection.

To them, there was no universe in which I could belong beside Ryder.

Hailey twirled the bracelet around her finger and said with a smug smile, "Sophia, I actually like this. Sell it to me. Whatever you paid for it, I'll give you double."

I hurried forward, concerned she might damage it. "Give it back. That bracelet was a gift from Ryder..."

Before I could finish, August slapped me hard across the face, snapping my head to the side. I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth.

"Shut up!" He glared at me. "Sophia, who do you think you are? How dare you mention Mr. Weyland's name? Are you trying to get me killed by spreading lies about having ties to him?"

His pack of sycophants echoed his outrage, their eyes burning with hostility.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing, Sophia?"

"This is our one shot at making a good impression on Mrs. Weyland. Mr. Weyland is in the middle of alliance talks with our pack. Do you want to ruin it?"

"August finally earned a spot among our Alpha's trusted circle. You're just a broke, cast-off ex. Do you believe you can just waltz in and act like you're Ryder's mate?"

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and slowly turned my head, locking eyes with August.

Probably something in my calm, cold gaze seemed to make him uneasy, causing his brow to furrow and a flicker of worry to cross his eyes.

Hailey noticed it too. Her voice turned shrill with resentment. "Sophia, you ungrateful traitor! August was willing to take you in, and this is how you repay him? Don't push your luck! Even if you still resent August, this isn't the way to get back at him."

Her words made me feel as if I were back in the past, three years ago. No matter what I did, Hailey would always twist my intentions to make me look bad in front of August.

Initially, August would reprimand her for her remarks. However, over time, he began to mimic her words and use them against me.

Just like before, August gave me a look of disappointment and muttered, "You're just a bitter, jealous woman."

But this time, he didn't keep scolding me like he used to. After a pause, August pulled out a check of 200,000 dollars and held it up in front of my eyes.

"For old times' sake, I'll let it slide this once. Use the money to buy yourself some decent clothes. If you're not into babysitting, I'll find you a more respectable job in a few days."

"Don't worry. Now that I've earned our Alpha's favor, this kind of money means nothing to me."

I looked at the check. Then I looked at him.

That smug expression. The arrogance in his voice. The rot behind his words.

In the stunned silence of the crowd, I slowly pushed away the hand holding the check and calmly took my bracelet back from Hailey.

I replied indifferently, "Keep your money. I don't accept charity from strangers."