The woman before me was confident , powerful , radiant . That gown flowing like starlight made her look like the goddess of Rogue herself . And the Alpha aura she exuded - pure , potent - was so strong it made even Lance stir with unease inside me . An Alpha . She really was an Alpha . All the confusion , the doubts , the unease I'd tried so hard to ignore - at that moment , everything made sense . She had been deceiving me . Deceiving all of us . Rage churned in my chest like molten lava . Why had she done it ? Was it because she looked down on me ? On Crimson Moon Pack ? Was our entire marriage just part of some scheme ? Lance howled madly inside me , seething with the humiliation of being tricked and the fury of an Alpha being challenged . Kill her ! Kirby ! Kill the woman who dared deceive us ! But I couldn't . Not now , at least . I forced the rage down and stared down Thorbane with the cold intensity of an Alpha . But my eyes couldn't leave Leslie . Her calm , her detachment , the quiet disdain she didn't even bother to hide - it all stabbed at me like knives . And then Liana made her pathetic attempt at provocation . I felt a wave of shame . In the presence of a real Alpha , her little tricks looked weak and pitiful . Thorbane's scornful retort only made it worse . And Leslie ... she didn't even get angry . Just one cold , lightly spoken sentence - full of pity and mockery - and Liana's carefully crafted mask crumbled . Then she didn't even glance at me again . She walked past me naturally , comfortably , her arm in Thorbane's , stepping into the spotlight that now belonged to her . In that moment , I felt the severed bond between us stab at me again - sharper than before . Not physical pain - something deeper . A hollowness in my soul . She really ... didn't want me anymore . 1/3 13:05 Mon , Sep 15 Lance let out a furious , hopeless roar . She's ours ! She's our mate ! How dare she - how dare she ignore us ?! She's not ours anymore , Lance , I answered wearily in my mind . She gave us up first . I stood frozen , watching her silhouette vanish into the crowd . Beside me , Liana looked ghostly pale , barely able to stand . A surge of irritation - and regret ? No. Not regret . Anger . Yes , it was anger ! I clenched my fists . My nails dug into my palms . Leslie - Rogue ... just you wait ! Leslie's POV ( Glory Hall - Garden Pool ) That brief, cold encounter with Kirby and Liana didn't leave much of an impression on me . If anything , Thorbane's teasing look had been the only thing that got under my skin a little . I needed space . Somewhere quiet to gather my thoughts . Alone , I slipped into a secluded indoor garden off the side of Glory Hall . In its center was a pool fed by fresh water and ringed with moonlotus blooms . The air was thick with soft floral fragrance and mist , muffling the noise of power games and politics outside . Asphodel stretched within me , enjoying the peace . The air here is cleaner than out there , she remarked . I had just found a stone bench near the water and sat down , taking in the elegance of the lotuses - when I felt it : a faint but malicious Omega scent drawing closer . Liana . Asphodel immediately bristled with tension , letting out a low growl . That annoying insect again . Be careful of her tricks , Leslie . I didn't move . I just watched as Liana approached . She'd changed into a different dress - white , more delicate . Her expression was carefully set with just the right amount of sorrow ... and a bitterness she couldn't quite hide . " Leslie ... " she said softly , like she was the one who'd been hurt earlier , " are you here alone ? Kirby's been looking all over for you ... " I raised an eyebrow . Internally , I scoffed . " Looking for me ? " My voice was flat . " More likely looking for an alliance partner who benefits . him - not a ' divorced wife ' he was eager to get rid of . " 2/3 13:05 Mon , Sep 15 Her face paled a bit , but she tried to recover , even mustering a look of pity . " Don't be too sad , Leslie . I know ... leaving Kirby was probably devastating for you . Sure , you seem stronger now , but look at you - dressed like this ... tsk . You still can't hide how pathetic and abandoned you are . Not like me . Kirby said he'll always take care of me ... " She brought up my strength deliberately , trying to imply it came from something shameful . And she made sure to mention Kirby's so - called promise to her . Asphodel was furious . Pathetic ?! She dares call us pathetic ?! Leslie , let me put her in her place ! Easy , I soothed her . Outwardly , I smiled - slow and meaningful . " Oh ? Is that how he takes care of you ? Dressing you in clothes that don't suit you , hiding behind someone else's name , following around like a shadow ? " My eyes flicked deliberately to her dress . It was expensive , no doubt - but it clashed hard with her Omega scent . Her smile froze . She instinctively clutched the hem . " You ... you don't know what you're talking about ! Kirby picked this out for me ! " " Did he ? " I rose and walked slowly to the pool , looking down at my reflection - strong , confident , beautiful . The pride of an Alpha was written all over me . " Liana , lying to yourself doesn't change reality . You'll never be me ." Maybe my words struck a nerve . Or maybe this had been her plan all along . Just as I turned to leave the disgusting little pest behind- There was a shriek . Then a splash . " Help ! Help ! Leslie - why did you push me ?! " Liana had flailed backward - perfectly - and landed right in the pool behind me . Splash ! She thrashed in the water , calling out in just the right pitch for nearby guests to hear . Not too loud . Just loud enough . Gasps and footsteps followed immediately . And of course - Kirby came running first . Panic and suspicion twisted his face as he leapt into the pool without hesitation , pulling a soaking , trembling Liana from the water . Send Gifts 128 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!