You Bear the Inferny
+25 BONUS
You Bear the Infamy
(Amber’s POV)
I collapsed into Paige’s arms, my body shaking with sobs I could no longer contain. The dam had broken, and years of suppressed pain came flooding out all at once.
“It’s okay,” Paige whispered, stroking my hair as she held me. “Let it all out.”
My apartment felt too small, too suffocating despite its generous size. The walls I’d built around my heart were crumbling, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.
“I can’t do this anymore,” I managed between sobs. “I just can’t.‘
Paige guided me to the sofa, never releasing her protective embrace. Her presence was the only thing keeping me from completely falling apart.
“He doesn’t love me,” I whispered, the admission tearing through me like a physical wound. “He’s chosen Melissa.”
“That bastard,” Paige hissed, her loyalty fierce and unwavering. “After everything you’ve done for him.”
24
I wiped at my tears with the back of my hand, trying to regain some semblance of control. “I’ve been fighting for someone whose heart belongs to another.”
“And that’s not your fault,” Paige insisted, squeezing my hand. “You deserve someone who chooses you every time.”
The realization settled over me with surprising clarity. “I’m done. It’s over.”
“What do you mean?” Paige asked, studying my face.
“I’m ending it. Completely.” My voice grew stronger with each word. “No more fighting, no more hoping he’ll change.”
Paige nodded, a small smile touching her lips. “It’s about time.”
I took a deep, shuddering breath. “I’m moving forward with my life.”
“Without Ethan Blackwood,” Paige added firmly.
“Without Ethan Blackwood,” I agreed, and somehow, saying it aloud made it real.
Paige stood suddenly, pacing across my living room with agitated energy. Her face had transformed from sympathy to fury as I’d recounted the events at Victoria’s birthday celebration.
“That parasite,” she spat, her eyes flashing dangerously. “She orchestrated this whole thing!”
I watched her pace, her anger somehow validating my own feelings. “You think so?”
“I know so!” Paige stopped, turning to face me directly. “Don’t you see what she’s doing? This was calculated.”
“To humiliate me,” I said softly.
“Not just that.” Paige resumed her pacing. “She wanted to drive a deeper wedge between you and your family, to flaunt her favored status with your mother.”
I hadn’t considered the full scope of Victoria’s manipulation. “Why now, though?”
“To prevent you from marrying into the Blackwood family,” Paige declared with absolute certainty. “Think about it.”
The pieces began falling into place. “Because as Ethan’s wife…”
“You’d outrank her in both families,” Paige finished, nodding vigorously. “She can’t stand the thought of you having that power.”
“She’s not even a true Chase by blood,” I murmured, the bitterness creeping back into my voice.
You Bear the Infamy:
+25 BONUS
“Exactly!” Paige snapped her fingers. “She knows she can never aleve what you can. It’s pure jealousy.”
Tleaned back against the sofa, exhaustion washing over me. “What does it matter now? Ethan’s made his choice.”
Paige’s expression suddenly shifted, a calculating gleam entering her eyes. She sat beside me, leaning forward with unexpected intensity.
“What about Dominic Blackwood?” she asked, her voice dropping conspiratorially.
I blinked in confusion. “What about him?”
“You saved his life, remember? He still owes you a life–debt.”
“So?”
Paige grabbed both my hands, her excitement building. “Ask him to marry you.‘
I stared at her, certain I’d misheard. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Just hear me out,” she insisted, launching into an explanation that mirrored Felix’s suggestion from earlier, “As Dominic’s wife, you’d outrank everyone who’s ever looked down on you.”
“Paige, that’s insane,” I protested, though a small part of me was intrigued by the audacity of it.
“Is it?” She raised an eyebrow. “You’d outrank Ethan, Victoria, all of them.”
“I can’t just ask the future Alpha King to take me as his wife!”
“Why not? From what I’ve heard, he has twice the influence Ethan does,” Paige argued, her eyes gleaming. “Think of the power you’d have.“.
I shook my head, waving my hand dismissively. “Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, Dominic would never agree to such an arrangement.‘
“You won’t know unless you ask,” Paige pressed. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
“He could laugh in my face and tell the entire supernatural community about my desperation,” I shot back.
Paige sighed, recognizing my stubborn resistance. “Fine. But promise me you’ll at least consider it.”
“I promise to think about how ridiculous it is,” I replied, managing a small smile despite myself.
(Third–person’s POV)
Ethan Blackwood shifted uncomfortably in the plush chair outside Dominic’s office. The Blackwood Pack headquarters always felt imposing, but today the air seemed particularly thick with tension.
Beside him, Melissa James fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her face pale with anxiety. Dark circles under her eyes suggested she’d slept poorly, if at all.
“Stop fidgeting,” Ethan whispered, reaching for her hand. “Everything will be fine.”
Melissa’s fingers trembled in his grasp. “But what if he takes back your pack shares? What if he forbids our relationship?” “Don’t worry,” he murmured, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Dominic only intends to give us a warning.”
Her eyes, wide with fear, sought his for comfort. “Are you sure?”
“He wouldn’t have given me those pack shares just to take them back,” Ethan insisted, though doubt crept into his ve. The massive oak doors to Dominic’s office finally opened, revealing Felix Peter’s impassive face. “Mr. Blackwood will see you now.”
Ethan stood, straightening his jacket with practiced nonchalance. He offered his arm to Melissa, who clung to it like a lifeline as
2/3
You Bear the infomy
+25 BONUS
they entered the lion’s den.
Dominic Blackwood sat behind an imposing desk of polished mahogany, his piercing blue eyes revealing nothing as he watched ahem enter. He didn’t rise to greet them, nor did he invite them to it.
For thirty excruciating minutes, he simply observed them in silence, occasionally reviewing documents on his desk as if they weren’t worth his full attention.
Melissa’s legs began to tremble from standing so long. Ethan’s confident posture gradually slumped under the weight of the
silence.
Finally, Dominic spoke, his deep voice filling the room. “Ethan.”
“Uncle,” Ethan responded, forcing respect into his tone.
“I understand Amber Chase has ended your engagement,” Domine stated, his eyes never leaving Ethan’s face.
Ethan swallowed hard. “There’s been a misunderstanding. I’m sure we can
“There is no misunderstanding,” Dominic interrupted coldly. “The engagement is over.”
Melissa tightened her grip on Ethan’s arm, her nails digging into his flesh through his suit jacket.
“Regarding the 2% territorial rights I gave you,” Dominic continued, causing both Ethan and Melissa to tense visibly. “I will not be reclaiming them.”
Relief washed over Ethan’s face. “Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate your-
“Since Amber is the one initiating the break–up,” Dominic clarified, cutting him off again. “However, there are conditions.”
The momentary relief vanished from Ethan’s expression. “Conditions?”
Dominic’s gaze shifted to Melissa, who seemed to shrink under his scrutiny. “You bear the infamy,” he declared, his voice carrying the undeniable authority of the future Alpha King.
Melissa’s face drained of what little color remained. “I–I don’t understand.”
“Let me clarify,” Dominic said, rising from his chair with fluid grace that belied his powerful frame. “You will attend Ryan Quinn’s birthday party at the Moonlight Club next month.”
Melissa nodded frantically, eager to appease him. “Of course, whatever you wish.”
“There, you will publicly apologize to Amber Chase,” Dominic continued, circling his desk to stand directly before them. “You will confess to being the reason for the broken engagement.”
Ethan stepped forward, protective instinct overriding his fear. “Uncle, surely that’s not necessary—‘
“You will take full responsibility for the affair and the subsequent fallout,” Dominic pressed on, ignoring Ethan’s interruption. His eyes, cold as arctic ice, remained fixed on Melissa’s trembling form. “You will acknowledge your role in destroying what could have been a powerful alliance between two prominent families.”
Melissa opened her mouth to protest, but no sound emerged. The weight of Dominic’s command seemed to physically press upon her, making resistance impossible.
