Breaking Off the Engagement
Breaking Off the Engagement
(Amber’s POV)
“Wake up, Amber! This is your chance!”
Paige’s voice cut through my sleepy haze. I blinked, trying to focus on her excited face hovering over me.
“What time is it?” I mumbled, reaching for my phone.
“Never mind the time,” Paige insisted, pulling me upright. “We need to talk about Dominic Blackwood.”
I groaned. “Can this wait until I’ve had coffee?”
*+25 BONUS
“No, it absolutely cannot.” Paige paced around my bedroom, her energy practically vibrating through the air. “You need to marry him.”
That woke me up completely. “What?”
“Think about it!” She sat beside me, eyes gleaming with excitement. “As Dominic’s wife, you’ll rise above everyone who’s ever looked down on you. The entire Northern Territory would have to respect you.”
I rubbed my temples. “Paige, you can’t just decide I’m marrying someone.”
“But he’s perfect! He’s powerful, wealthy, and clearly interested in you.” She counted off on her fingers. “Plus, it would completely destroy Ethan and Melissa.”
The thought sent a small thrill through me. Becoming Luna of the Blackwood Pack would certainly silence my critics.
“I don’t know…” I hesitated.
“What’s there to know? You’d be the most powerful she–wolf in Silvercrest.” Paige squeezed my hand. “And you’d be free of
Ethan forever.”
Freedom from Ethan. The words echoed in my mind as I dressed and prepared to leave.
But first, I had other scores to settle.
“I’m going to the Chase Pack house,” I told Paige
done.”
as I grabbed my keys. “It’s time Victoria and my parents paid for what they’ve
My phone rang just as I reached my car. Ethan’s name flashed on the screen. I almost declined, but curiosity won out.
“Hello?” I answered coolly.
“Amber.” His voice was smug, irritating. “I wanted to personally thank you.‘
“For what?” I kept my tone neutral.
“Your unreasonable behavior has made everything so much easier. Melissa and I are getting married, with full pack approval.”
The words were meant to hurt, to make me jealous. Once, they would have devastated me.
Instead, I laughed.
“Ethan, have you forgotten something?” I asked, my voice suddenly serious.
“What are you talking about?”
I took a deep breath, feeling my wolf Cora stir within me. “I reject you as my destined partner.”
Silence stretched between us.
“You can’t-”
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Breaking Off the Engagement
“““I can and I do.” My voice was steady now. “Our bond is severed. Enjoy your marriage.”
Thung up before he could respond and pulled to the side of the road, hands trembling on the steering wheel.
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Cora whimpered inside me, mourning what we’d lost. The pain was sharp but brief–like pulling out a splinter that had been festering too long.
When the achie subsided, 1 felt lighter. Clearer.
How long would Ethan and Melissa’s “love” last under the Blackwood family’s watchful eyes? Not my problem anymore.
Paige’s words echoed in myanind: Dominic is your best choice.
On impulse, I turned the car around. The Chase Pack house could wait.
I needed to see Dominic Blackwood.
Felix looked startled when I burst into Dominic’s office without an appointment, but Dominic merely rafsed an eyebrow.
“Miss Chase,” he greeted me. “This is unexpected.”
I took a deep breath and went straight to the point. “Alpha Dominic, do you need a Luna?”
His piercing blue eyes widened slightly the closest thing to surprise I’d ever seen on his face. The silence stretched between us, heavy with potential.
My confidence wavered. “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate. Just forget 1
“I’ve agreed to let Ethan marry Melissa,” he interrupted, watching me carefully. “Did you know?”
“Yes.” I nodded, trying to appear unfazed. “Ethan just called to gloat about it.”
Dominic’s expression darkened. “Is that why you’re here? To get back at Ethan?”
“No,” I said firmly. “Ethan wouldn’t care if I married someone else. At most, he’d be uncomfortable that I’d become his aunt.”
A ghost of a smile touched Dominic’s lips. “Then why do you want to marry me?”
I considered lying, crafting some romantic declaration. Instead, I chose honesty.
“I need a powerful ally to protect me,” I admitted. “And I want Ethan to sell our jointly owned apartment in the neutral zone. I chose and designed that place. I can’t bear the thought of Melissa living there.”
“I’ve already instructed Ethan to transfer the property to your name,” Dominic said.
I blinked in surprise. “You have?”
“Along with two commercial properties he owns on Prosperity Boulevard.”
My mouth fell open. “Why would you do that?”
“It seemed fair,” he said simply.
I was about to ask for more details when Dominic leaned forward, his intense gaze locking with mine.
“I accept your proposal,” he said.
Now it was my turn to be speechless.
“However,” he continued, “there is one condition.”
I swallowed hard. “What condition?”
“Given your history with Ethan, becoming his aunt will be… awkward.” His eyes never left mine. “You must find a way to handle
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Breaking Off the Engagement
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that awkwardness.”
Inodded slowly, my mind already racing with possibilities. “I will
(Dominic’s POV)
Five days later, I was patrolling our northern border when Felix called.
“Alpha,” his voice was tense, “there’s been a press conference.”
“What press conference?” 1 growled, already sensing trouble.
“The Blackwood Pack has publicly announced the dissolution of ban and Amber’s engagement.”
My grip tightened on the phone. “On whose authority?”
“Olivia Blackwood organized it.”
Rage surged through me. I had given explicit instructions about how this situation was to be handled.
“Get Ethan on the phone. Now.”
Within minutes, my nephew’s nervous voice came through. “Uncle”
“Explain,” I cut him off, my voice dangerously low.
“Mother arranged it without telling me,” Ethan said quickly. “Melissa and I were out of town. She thought it was the best way to prevent Amber from changing her mind.”
“Your mother has overstepped.” My wolf Leo snarled inside me, demanding I assert dominance. “I gave specific instructions.”
“I know, Uncle. I’m sorry.” Ethan’s voice quavered. “But you know how Mother is. I couldn’t have stopped her even if I’d known.
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I did know Olivia’s manipulative nature. And I knew Ethan was too weak to stand against her.
“The damage is done,” I said finally. “But this changes nothing about our agreement. You will still transfer those properties to Amber.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
I ended the call and immediately dialed Amber. My concern surprised me when had her wellbeing become so important?
“Dominic,” she answered on the second ring. Her voice sounded steady, not distressed as I’d feared.
“I’ve just heard about the press conference,” I said. “Are you alright?”
A soft laugh came through the line. “I’m fine. I expected something like this from Olivia.”
Her resilience impressed me. “The timing is… unfortunate.”
“It’s actually perfect,” she replied, surprising me again. “Now when we have our marking ceremony, it will silence all the gossips.”
Relief washed through me. “You’re handling this well.”
“I’ve had practice dealing with Blackwood family drama,” she said lightly. “I should go. I’m working on that condition you mentioned.”
After we hung up, I found myself smiling. Amber Chase continued to surprise me.
(Amber’s POV)
As soon as I ended the call with Dominic, I slumped against my desk, the brave facade crumbling.
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Breaking Off the EngageTree!!
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The press conference had been brutal. Olivia had practically painted me as unstable, implying I’d broken the engagement on a whim. Social media was flooded with speculation and mockery.
But I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.
Instead, I focused on Dominic’s condition: how to handle the awkwardness of becoming Ethan’s aunt.
The Blackwood Pack was ancient, with strict hierarchy and traditions. Family gatherings would be inevitable. I needed a strategy that wouldn’t make Dominic uncomfortable or embarrass either of us.
I pulled out my notebook and began to write. The Blackwood family wouldn’t know what hit them.
I was determined to find a solution that worked for both me and my future partner. Dominic deserved that much, at least.
And I deserved the chance to rewrite my story on my own terms.
Twant to be sonwone
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I want to hit someone
(Amber’s POV)
My phone buzzed for the fifth time in an hour. I glanced at the screen and sighed. Mother again.
I silenced the call and tossed my phone onto the couch. Let them stew in their anger. The Blackwood Pack’s press conference announcing my broken engagement to Ethan had clearly sent my amily into a tailspin.
Good. Let them feel a fraction of the humiliation I’d endured.
My phone lit up again. This time it was Henry. Reluctantly, I answered.
“What?” I snapped.
“You need to come to the pack house,” Henry’s voice was tight with tension. “Mother’s been hospitalized.”
I rolled my eyes. “What happened? Did she break a nail?”
“This isn’t a joke, Amber. She collapsed after hearing about the press conference. The doctors say it’s stress–induced.”
A twinge of guilt tried to surface, but I pushed it down. “And that’s my problem because…?”
“Because you’re her daughter!” Henry’s voice rose. “And Father is demanding you come immediately.”
considered hanging up, but a better idea formed. Perhaps it was time to confront my family directly.
“Fine. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
As I drove to the Chase Pack house, memories of my disastrous birthday party flashed through my mind. The humiliation of Ethan’s betrayal, exposed in front of everyone. Victoria’s smug face. My mother’s disappointment–directed at me, not at the cheating bastard or his mistress.
My wolf Cora growled inside me, sharing my anger.
I wasn’t going there out of concern. I was going because my rage deserved an outlet, and my family had earned every bit of it.
The pack house loomed ahead, its elegant facade hiding the dysfunction within. I parked and strode inside without bothering to announce myself.
Henry was waiting in the foyer, his expression grim. “She’s in her room. The doctor just left.”
“How convenient,” I muttered, brushing past him.
I found my mother propped up in bed, her face pale but her amber eyes–so like my own–sharp with anger. Harrison stood beside her, his posture rigid with barely contained fury.
“So,” I said, leaning against the doorframe, “I hear my broken engagement is causing quite the crisis for the Chase Pack.” “How dare you!” Melanie hissed, color flooding back into her cheeks. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? The embarrassment you’ve caused me in Northern Territory social circles?”
I tilted my head. “Embarrassed you? That’s rich coming from the woman who paraded her daughter’s cheating fiancé and his mistress at her birthday party.”
“You provoked Ethan!” Melanie’s eyes glittered dangerously. “If you’d been a better mate-
“A better mate?” I interrupted, incredulous. “He was sleeping with his secretary behind my back!”
“These things happen in powerful packs,” my mother said dismissively. “Why couldn’t you just tolerate Melissa like a proper Luna would?”
Something inside me snapped. Years of resentment bubbled to the surface.
I want to hit someone
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Tolerate her? Like you tolerated Father’s affairs?” I stepped close to the bed. “It’s okay to say I’m okay. Back in the day, dad had an affair with an omega and you didn’t tolerate it. You went to her school and humiliated her, threw money in her face, and even had her house on the outskirts of the territory burned down.
Melanie’s face drained of color.
“That girl lost all her status and dignity and ended up leaving our pack as a stray wolf,” I continued mercilessly. “Now I’m just pushing Melissa into the pool. Compared to you, I’m much kinder We’ve both been betrayed and you can’t stand it, so why are you trying to talk me into being a saint?”
Melanie clutched her chest, gasping for breath before slumping back against her pillows.
Harrison stepped between us, his face contorted with rage. “That’s enough!”
He grabbed my arm, dragging me from the room and into his study across the hall.
“You will apologize to the Blackwood Pack and marry Ethan,” he growled, slamming the door behind us. “Or I will break your legs. Do you understand me?”
I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “Break intimidation?”
legs? Is that your solution to everything, Old Chase? Violence and
“This isn’t a game, Amber,” he snarled. “You’ve embarrassed our entire pack. The Blackwoods are furious.”
“The Blackwoods?” I raised an eyebrow. “Or just Olivia? Because Dominic seemed quite understanding when I spoke with him.”
That gave Harrison pause. “You spoke with Dominic Blackwood?”
I smiled, seeing an opportunity. “I did. And I might be persuaded to smooth things over… for a price.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed. “What price?”
“Two million dollars,” I said firmly. “Well, you and mom will each give me a million dollars. I promise I’ll marry Ethan.”
“Two million?” Harrison barked out a laugh. “You think your humiliation is worth that much?”
“I think the Chase Pack’s reputation is worth that much,” I countered. “And I need compensation for the two slaps I received at my own birthday party.”
Harrison studied me, calculation replacing anger in his “One million. Total.”
eyes.
“Two million,” I repeated. “Plus a gift for the Blackwood family elders. Something valuable enough to show our sincere regret for the… misunderstanding.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Henry’s healing crystal,” I said. “The one from his collection.”
Harrison waved his hand dismissively. “Fine. Take whatever you need from his collection. Just fix this mess.”
I nodded, hiding my satisfaction. “I’ll need it before I leave today.”
Harrison stalked out, presumably to arrange the transfer of funds and inform Henry of his contribution to family peace.
I waited in the lobby, mentally counting down the minutes until I could escape this house of lies.
The sound of footsteps on the marble staircase made me look up. Victoria was descending, her face arranged in. concern that didn’t reach her eyes.
sk of
“Amber,” she said softly, “I’m so sorry about all of this.”
I stared at her, saying nothing.
She sat beside me, placing a hand on my arm that I immediately shook off.
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I want to hit someone
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“I feel terrible about inviting Melissa to your birthday celebration she continued. “I had no idea it would cause such chaos. If
I’d known
If you’d known what?” I interrupted I’d find out my flance was cheating? Or that I wouldn’t just swallow my pride and
accept it like a good little she–wolf?”
Victoria’s expression hardened slightly. “You’re being unreasonable. Think of the pack’s reputation–”
I stood abruptly, rage coursing through me. Without thinking, I slapped her hard across the face, leaving a red mark on her perfect cheek.
“How dare you, an adopted daughter, tell me what to do?” I snarled. “Henry and those blind fools love you. Fine, you’ll take fatherly love, motherly love, and brotherly love. I don’t need them. As long as you stay out of my way, we can live in peace.”
Victoria touched her cheek, eyes widening in shock. “You’ve lost your mind-
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Something inside me snapped. I felt my hand shift, fingers elongating into a wolf’s paw with sharp claws. I slapped her again, harder, then again, watching with satisfaction as blood welled from the scratches on her face.
I grabbed her throat, squeezing just enough to make her gasp. “I know about you and Henry,” I whispered. “I know what happened with Sophia.”
Victoria’s face drained of color. “What are you talking about?”
“Henry’s ex–mate. The one who miscarried after walking in on you two together.” I tightened my grip slightly. “The pack might not know yet, but I do.”
A commotion from the staircase announced Henry’s arrival. He rushed toward us, eyes flashing with rage.
“Get your hands off her!” he shouted, raising his fist.
“Henry, don’t!” Victoria cried, grabbing his arm. “She knows.”
Henry froze, his face paling. “Knows what?”
Victoria gave him a meaningful look, and understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by fear.
I released Victoria, smoothing my clothing. “I’ll be taking your ten carat South African diamonds and those rare emerald- colored moonstones as a gift to the Blackwood family,” I told Henry calmly. “Father’s already approved it.”
Henry looked like he wanted to argue, but Victoria squeezed his arm, silently urging him to comply.
“Fine,” he spat. “Take them and get out.”
I smiled coldly. “One more thing before I go. Henry, I know about you and Victoria. You’d better not get into trouble. Either you. go to Europe together and never return, or break off your illicit relationship with her immediately. Messing around with your adopted sister, tsk, tsk, you’re disgusting. If Grandma Eleanor is talked about after she passes away because of you two rats, I will make Victoria pay and bury you alive. I’ve already warned you
