Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever

SOPHIA’S POV

The morning after George told us about the banquet, I woke up with a headache. My body had rested, but my mind hadn’t. The thought of standing beside Damien in front of a room full of strangers made me uneasy.

My wolf kept pacing inside me, as if she could already sense trouble.

My chest felt tight. I’d spent too many years being used as decoration in Damien’s life. The thought of doing it again, even for George, made me tired.

As if that wasn’t enough, Klara ambushed me at breakfast.

I was still in my robe with my hair undone, halfway through my first cup of tea when she appeared in the kitchen doorway with her school bag already on her shoulder.

“Aunt Sophia!” she shouted happily. “I need a favor!”

I laughed softly despite my headache

“Good morning to you too,” I said. “What kind of emergency requires this much energy?”

“It’s serious,” she said with complete confidence. “School is having a countryside outing next week. Teachers said family members can come, and I want you to come with me.”

Her face was full of hope, and that alone softened something inside me. Klara always asked for things with her whole heart.

“You want me?” I asked, pretending to think hard. “Not your parents? Not someone younger and cooler?”

“No,” she said seriously “I want you.”

I narrowed my eyes playfully at her “Why me?”

She frowned like the answer was obvious. “Because you’re my favourite aunt and you listen to me and you smell nice”

I burst into laughter at the last reason. My wolf, who had been restless all morning, howled with laughter too.

I crouched to her height and touched her cheek gently. “I’ll need to move some things around,” I said. “But yes. I’ll adjust my schedule and come with you.”

Her mouth dropped open dramatically. “Really?”

“Really.”

She screamed with joy and wrapped her arms around my neck so tightly I nearly lost balance. I hugged her back, smiling into her hair.

“You’re the best!” she squealed.

“I know,”

She laughed and ran out of the room to announce the news to the entire house. I stayed kneeling there for a second longer, smiling to myself. Then reality slowly returned.

My mind went back to the banquet. I thought of Damien and the performance.

My smile faded.

-

Around noon, my phone rang. I didn’t need to look at the screen to know who it was. My wolf recognized the timing all the time.

Damien.

I answered. “What?”

“I’m outside,” he said calmly. “Come down.”

I was confused. We didn’t make any plans today.

“For what?” I asked.

“Styling for tonight.”

I closed my eyes, trying to breathe properly. I sighed in frustration.

Of course, the banquet was tonight. Of course, Damien would take me for my styling. How great.

“I can get ready on my own.” I said.

“No,” he said. “You’re attending as George’s representative. That means you need proper styling.”

“I’m not one of your business projects.”

“You’re also delaying me,” he replied. “Five minutes.”

Then he hung up.

I stared at the phone in disbelief. Even after everything, he still had the audacity to speak like the world naturally obeyed him. My wolf snarled low in my chest.

Still, I knew refusing would only create more problems with George later. I changed clothes and went downstairs.

Damien’s car waited outside. I got in and as soon as I did, a strong scent hit me. It was the scent of strong floral perfume.

Tiffany.

It filled the space so much that it felt like she was still sitting there. My wolf reacted instantly. I kept my face blank and closed the door.

Damien glanced at me. “Seatbelt.”

I put it on without answering. Then my eyes moved to his suit jacket.

There, near the collar, were pale beige smudges. I wore enough make up to know what those stains were - foundation. The stain looked fresh.

I knew immediately whose it was - Tiffany.

To my surprise, I felt....calm. There had been a time I would have felt sick, jealous, heartbroken, humiliated. There had been a time I would have spent the entire day wondering what happened, where they were, how close they stood.

Now, I felt only disgust, not because he touched another woman, but because he still expected me to sit beside him afterward.

“You’re staring,” Damien said.

“I was observing poor hygiene,” I replied.

His brows pulled together. “What?”

“Nothing.”

He looked irritated, but he didn’t say anything. The car moved through traffic in silence.

-

The stylist Damien had arranged worked out of a private studio in town. It was an elite luxurious studio. I didn’t expect any less.

Everything was soft lighting. The place was filled with people who smiled professionally. The staff greeted Damien with respect.

“This way, madam,” a woman said.

I followed her to a private rom.

For the next two hours, strangers handled my hair, skin, nails, and dress choices. I stayed quiet through most of it. My wolf disliked being touched so much, but she tolerated it because there was no threat.

Damien came and went while taking calls. Every now and then, I caught his reflection in the mirrors. He kept looking at me when he thought I wouldn’t notice.

When they were finally done, I stood in front of the largest mirror. For a second, I forgot to breathe.

The gown was an elegant blue dress, fitted through the waist and flowing downward. My hair was curled to perfection in waves. My make up fitted me perfectly. It looked flawless.

I looked like someone powerful. I was in awe of myself

The stylist stepped back and smiled. "Perfect," she said simply.

I heard movement behind me and glanced in the mirror.

Damien had come in. As soon as he saw me, he went completely still.

His eyes were fixed on me with an expression I hadn’t seen in years. His eyes went wide with what looked like wonder.

“Well?” I asked coldly.

He swallowed once before answering. “You look stunning.”

I almost smiled.

“Interesting,” I said. “I looked invisible for years.”

His jaw tightened. “Sophia-”

“Relax,” I cut in. “I’m dressed. That was the goal.”

I walked past him before he could answer. My wolf lifted her head proudly.

-

The Stone family banquet was held at the private dining room of a hotel the family had used for formal gatherings for thirty years.

I had attended events here before as Damien’s wife. I knew the layout. I knew the faces.

Tonight felt different. Tonight me and Damien were faking our marriage for George.

We arrived together. As soon as we got in, the room was already filled. All of Damien’s families were here as well as other people in the Stones’ family inner circle..

I recognized most of them. A lot of them recognized me too. Damien and I walked around, talking to people.

One of Damien’s far uncles looked between Damien and me with the confusion.

"Damien," he said. "Who is your companion this evening?"

The table near us went quiet in. I waited.

Damien looked at his uncle. For a moment, he thought of what to say.

"She’s-" He paused. "She works with me. she’s a professional associate."

I looked at Damien for one moment, at the side of his face. He couldn’t even claim me as his wife when that was still technically and legally what I was.

I turned to the man with a smile.

"Sophia," I said. "His secretary, apparently."

The man blinked. A few faces around the table exchanged glances. Someone made a small sound that might have been a laugh.

Damien’s jaw tightened. He looked at me. I looked back at him with a neutral expression.

The air in the room had just become very interesting. Then it changed.

There was a different kind of shift now. This was the kind of change that was caused by a dominant wolf.

Several heads turned. Conversations paused mid-sentence.

I turned.

Zade was standing in the entrance of the dining room.