---- slipped back into place quickly. His mouth curled into aslow, mocking smile. "Told you. She'd come crawling back eventually." The group tittered. "Sophia Miller vanished without a word back then. Now that August is a Beta of the Aurelis Pack, she must've realized she made the wrong call. She probably cried into her pillow every night." Another voice chimed in. "But Sophia, if you're going to fake a casual run-in, at least dress the part, yeah? What are you wearing? Even my grandma wouldn't be caught dead in that." "Don't tell me you couldn't even afford a decent outfit after leaving August. That's rough. Looks like you've really hit rock bottom." What none of them knew was that my clothes had been custom-designed, chosen by someone my mate, Ryder Weyland, hired, with my pregnancy in mind- every thread tailored for comfort. During my pregnancy, I had grown used to going ---- without makeup. Yet to them, I was still the she-wolf in thick lipstick, trying to catch August's eye. Three years ago, I walked away from August. Ihad bonded with a werewolf who saw me for who I was and loved me, not as a trophy, but as a mate. That werewolf was Ryder Weyland, also known as the lycan chairman. Clearly, the "Mrs. Weyland" they'd all been waiting for was me. But not one of them had realized it yet. Seeing that I hadn't spoken, someone who once knew me fairly well tried to ease the tension. "Sophia, it's good you're back. Actually, August has been looking for you all these years. He's asked around, like, everywhere." Instantly, August's smile stiffened. Trying to cover up the awkward moment, he gave a dismissive shrug and said, '"Hailey's pup is starting school soon. You'll take care of the drop-offs and pick -ups." He was still as arrogant and self-important as ever. ---- But I was no longer the woman who used to bend over backwards to accommodate him. Looking at him now, I felt nothing but a bone-deep disgust. I was seconds away from telling them exactly who I was when Hailey cut in. "Sophia, don't be mad at August. He's only doing this for your own good. You've been gone for three years. Who knows what kind of low-level job you've been doing out there? "And now, look at you, showing up in that shabby look .. Even if he wants you as his personal assistant, you'd reflect poorly on him. But don't worry. Just take care of my son, and no one will look down on you." Three years had passed, and Hailey was still as smug and self-absorbed as ever. Isimply raised a brow, my hands settling over my belly. I didn't speak. I wanted to see how deep their delusions ran. However, August misread my silence. He thought I was heartbroken, jealous, or perhaps even angry.