6.The Scandal

Nina

I stand near the bar, gripping my champagne flute so tightly I’m afraid it might shatter. My heart’s racing, my skin feels too tight, and all I can think about is getting the hell out of here. I can still feel Jaxon’s presence, even though I walked away from him minutes ago. His voice, the way he looked at me, like he still has some claim over me—fuck. It’s too much.

The charity event swirls around me in a blur of laughter and clinking glasses. My father hosts this thing every year to support werewolf packs across the country—helping fund education, infrastructure, all the things smaller packs can’t afford. It’s a noble cause, and I should be focused on that, but all I can think about is how fucking suffocated I felt the moment I locked eyes with Jaxon.

I take a deep breath, leaning against the bar, trying to ground myself. The ballroom is packed with elites—wolves in designer suits, powerful Alphas, and humans too, mingling like they belong. This event is a big deal, but I can barely keep my head on straight after running into him.

Dominic steps up beside me, his presence solid, calming. “You okay?”

I nod, even though I’m not. “Yeah. Just... needed a second.”

He gives me that look—half concern, half don’t bullshit me. “You saw him, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” I admit, the word heavy. “He’s here.”

Dom clenches his jaw, his gaze scanning the crowd. “If he tries anything—”

“I can handle it,” I cut him off, forcing a smile. “I’m not the same person I was when I was with him.”

“You’re right,” he says, but his eyes don’t soften. “You’re better. Stronger.”

I let out a small, bitter laugh. “You have no idea.”

He pats my shoulder, squeezing gently. “You’re an Alpha heir, Nina. Don’t let some asshole like him shake you.”

I nod, my throat tightening as I glance around the room. The truth is, I’m not just an Alpha heir—I’m the only Valens heir, and my father’s been easing me into the family business. I’ve been back home for weeks now, throwing myself into work, trying to prove I’m more than the mess Jaxon left behind.

But being here? Leading the pack? It’s exhausting. My wolf mourns the bond I had with Jaxon, even if I don’t want to admit it. Even though I know I’m better off without him.

Griffin strides over, wearing his usual shit-eating grin. “So, you ready to get out of here yet? I’m dying for a drink somewhere that doesn’t involve people kissing our father’s ass.”

I snort. “You know this is for the pack. Not everything’s about ass-kissing.”

Griffin shrugs. “Could’ve fooled me. But hey, if you want to stay here all night and deal with all the formal bullshit, be my guest.”

Dominic rolls his eyes. “Grow up, Griff.”

“Never,” Griffin shoots back with a smirk, then glances at me. “Seriously, though. You good?”

“I’m fine,” I lie. “Just needed some air.”

He and Dominic exchange looks, but I ignore it, taking another sip of champagne. I know they’re trying to help. Trying to support me. But I don’t need their pity. I don’t need anyone’s pity.

I set my glass down and straighten my spine. “I’m going back in.”

*

The next few weeks blur into a whirlwind of meetings, pack responsibilities, and late nights at the office. My father’s been grooming me to take over more and more, and as exhausting as it is, it’s a welcome distraction. I throw myself into work—finances, strategic alliances, everything that keeps me from thinking too much about Jaxon.

But late at night, when I’m alone in my room, it’s harder to push the memories away. Harder to stop my mind from wandering back to that night.

The night it all started.

We were at some high-end club, celebrating a business deal. I was his assistant back then, just happy to be in his orbit, even if it was in the background. Jaxon had been drinking more than usual, his jaw clenched tight, his mood darker than I’d ever seen.

“Scarlett’s engaged,” he muttered, downing another shot like it was water.

I remember the way his words hit me—like a punch to the gut. He was so fucking hung up on her, even after all that time. She was with someone else, and he couldn’t let her go.

I don’t know why I stayed with him that night. Maybe I thought I could help, maybe I thought I could distract him. But somewhere between the fifth drink and the tenth, things got blurry. He wasn’t the same stoic, distant Jaxon I worked for. He was looser, more... human.

“You’re always here, you know that?” he said, leaning in close, his breath warm against my neck. “Always fucking here.”

My heart pounded. He’d never looked at me like that before, like I was anything more than an employee. But that night? He looked at me like he needed me.

And I wanted to be needed.

We ended up in some dingy Vegas chapel, laughing like idiots, both of us too drunk to stand straight. The lights were bright, everything spinning, and before I knew it, we were signing papers, saying vows, rings on our fingers.

I woke up the next morning in his bed, my head pounding, my body aching. Jaxon was lying next to me, his arm slung over my waist, his breath even and calm. For a moment, just a moment, I thought maybe this was it. Maybe this was the start of something real.

Then he woke up.

“What the fuck did we do?” His voice was raw, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“We... got married?” I whispered, my throat dry, my head spinning from the hangover and the weight of what we’d done.

He sat up, running a hand through his hair, his body tense. “We were drunk. This was a mistake.”

I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting. “Yeah. A mistake.”

But then he looked at me, his eyes dark, and something shifted. He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine, and suddenly it wasn’t a mistake. Suddenly it was real. His hands were on me, his body pressing against mine, and everything felt too hot, too fast.

We had sex again. I didn’t even think about what it meant. I just let it happen, because for once, he wanted me. For once, it wasn’t about Scarlett. It was about us.

But when it was over, reality hit. Hard.

“We can’t... this can’t be public,” he said, pulling away, his voice cold again. “The scandal... it’d ruin us.”

I nodded, my chest tight. “I know.”

“We’ll stay married. For appearances,” he said, as if that made it all okay. “But it won’t change anything.”

And it didn’t. Not really. We stayed married, but we never really were married. He was distant, cold, and I... I just stayed. Hoping, waiting for him to change. Waiting for him to see me.

But he never did.

*

I shake off the memory, forcing myself to focus on the now. I’m not that girl anymore. I’m not the girl who waits around for someone to love her. I’m the fucking Alpha heir, and I’ve got shit to do.

Lucas walks into the office, his usual scowl in place. “You busy?”

I glance up from the stack of papers in front of me. “Always. Why?”

He leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “You’re working too hard.”

I roll my eyes. “Is that your way of telling me to take a break?”

“It’s my way of telling you to stop avoiding your life,” he says, his voice blunt, but not unkind. “You’ve been burying yourself in this work, and it’s not healthy.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.” He steps closer, his gaze softening. “You’ve got more to offer than this. More than a broken marriage and a title.”

I bite my lip, trying to keep my emotions in check. “I’m doing what I have to do.”

Lucas sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Nina, you’re meant for more than this.”

I look away, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I know.”

He doesn’t push it, just gives me a nod before heading out. But his words stick with me, echoing in my head long after he’s gone.

You’re meant for more than this.

I don’t know if I believe that anymore. But I’m going to try. Because I can’t go back. Not to Jaxon. Not to the girl I used to be.

It’s time to be someone else.