Chapter 4

The next day, I pushed open the doors of the city’s only high-end bridal atelier.

The pungent scent of perfume hit me at once.

“Grant~ do I look pretty in this?”

Faye’s voice was cloyingly sweet, dripping like syrup.

I looked up—and my chest tightened instantly.

She was twirling before the mirror in the white gown that the Elders had commissioned specifically for me.

On her, the dress was nothing but a grotesque mockery.

Grant stood at her side, his gaze soft enough to drip honey.

“Faye, you look beautiful in anything.”

The fire in my chest roared to life.

Step by step, I walked forward. The atelier fell silent, the air brittle.

Grant’s face changed sharply. He instinctively moved to shield her, forcing his voice into gentleness.

“Don’t misunderstand. Faye’s health is fragile. She may not live to see the wedding day. She just wanted to experience what it’s like to wear the Princess’s gown—”

“Take it off.” My voice cut through his excuse, cold and sharp as moonlight in winter.

Tears welled in Faye’s eyes instantly. She choked, weak and pitiful.

“I’m sorry, Princess… I just couldn’t help but envy you.”

I watched her quietly for a moment. Then my lips curved—not in kindness, but in a cold sneer.

“Envy? Do you even deserve to?”

With that, I stepped forward and seized the hem of the gown.

Riiip.

Silk tore beneath my fingers, a long ragged slash across the pristine white fabric.

The entire atelier fell into stunned silence.

Faye froze, her face drained of color. She clutched the ruined gown, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Listen carefully, Faye. What you stole today wasn’t just my dress—you insulted the entire Flame Pack. If it weren’t for your frail condition, I’d have you kneel before everyone here and pay for it this instant.”

Grant’s face darkened with rage. He stepped forward, his voice harsh.

“Nina! You’ve gone too far!”

I snapped my head toward him, my gaze razor-sharp, silencing him at once.

“Too far? Allowing an Omega to wear the Flame Pack Princess’s wedding gown—that’s what’s called overstepping.”

The air thickened, suffocating. The attendants lowered their heads, terrified of drawing my ire.

Faye clung to Grant’s sleeve, her voice trembling.

“It’s my fault… she’s not to blame…”

Grant’s jaw tightened, his tone reprimanding as he turned on me.

“You’ll marry me sooner or later. She only tried it on for a moment. Can’t you show a little tolerance?”

“I’ll say it once more—take it off.” My command was absolute.

“You’ve already torn it to shreds. What’s the point of taking it off now? Do you want Faye to stand here naked in front of everyone?” Grant’s gaze flicked toward the male attendants, panic flashing across his face.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you enjoy the sight?” My laugh was sharp and merciless.

Then I turned toward the seamstresses, my eyes like blades.

“Who allowed someone else to touch my gown?”

Two attendants trembled violently, rushing forward. They stripped the dress from Faye in frantic haste, leaving angry red marks across her delicate arms.

She crumpled, crying like a flower beaten down by a storm.

“I’m sorry… I was never worthy of wearing something like this…”

Suddenly, her knees buckled and she collapsed.

Grant rushed to catch her, throwing his coat around her shoulders. His voice thundered in fury.

“Are you satisfied now?!”

I only curved my lips in a cold smile.

“Very satisfied.”

Then, carelessly, I added,

“This gown is tainted by another woman’s filth. Burn it. I’ll commission a new one.”

Faye fled the atelier in tears.

I raised my voice again, calm but cutting.

“And while I’m at it, I’ll be changing the groom as well.”

Grant froze, shock flooding his eyes—before he, too, stormed out and slammed the door behind him.