~Dalia's POV

Judith's laughter soon tore into the tension my response had formed. And like a puppet, Karl joined her.

"Dalia dear, who could possibly want to be engaged with you?" She laughed. "I mean everyone in the pack knows that you are Karl's play thing. A used up whore... No one can be with you. Or did you forget that?"

Her words cut deep, but I refused to let her see the pain behind my eyes. I squared my shoulders and held my door firmly.

"Well, fortunately I found someone who accepted me just the way I am—" I said, watching the way Karl's eyes widened in shock.

"—And now, if you'll both excuse me, I have better things to do with my time!" I slammed the door shut, the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.

"Dalia!" Karl roared outside but I put in my earbuds and blocked him out completely.

He wasn't worth it, I told myself over and over. Yet the pain was still there.

Their cruel words still echoed inside of me and I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I couldn't stop blaming myself for being so stupid— so blind to the truth all along.

How could someone I thought loved me, wish for me to become a breeder? A refined position for a common whore?

How could Karl want this for me?

Tears refused to stop flowing as the scenes continued replaying.

Time lost all meaning as I stood there, frozen in shock. When I finally came back to myself, the silence was heavy in my ears.

I took off my earbuds, and the sudden peace in the room jarred me to full consciousness. Karl and Judith were gone, but the memory of their cruel words remained.

Yet, somehow, I found it within me to push their horrible proposal aside. I sighed in relief and headed to the kitchen to make myself a cup of chocolate. That was when my phone buzzed, signalling a message.

With a frown, I picked up the phone and checked the details. The moment I saw Vladimir's name flash on my phone, a smile covered my face.

"Hello, Dalia. I will be coming back earlier than planned for our ceremony. Meanwhile, I am sending a driver to take you to the jewelry store to get our rings," I read.

As I read the message, a surge of excitement filled me up. I quickly got ready, my heart racing with anticipation. Before I knew it, the driver arrived to take me to the jeweler.

We got there in no time and I swiftly made my way into the very beautiful store.

There were so many beautiful rings ranging from emeralds to diamonds. I was stunned just gazing at them.

"Ah, you must be Mrs. Knight," Someone suddenly said.

I turned away from the display shelves to meet the woman. A middle aged woman dressed in a black suit and a skirt. She sported on a warm smile as she stood before me.

"His highness told us that you were coming. Please, let me take you to the collection he handpicked for you." She led the way to an inner room.

The room was filled with even more beautiful pieces that my mouth dropped in shock. Just how rich was Vladimir?

"These are our most expensive pieces and he wanted you to select from them," the woman explained.

"I— I don't know which to take..." I stuttered but the woman's eyes brightened as she pulled out a set.

The diamond wasn't as large as the others but it was more captivating than any I had ever seen.

"I will recommend you take this one... It's a rare piece that is believed to have been crafted for the goddess..." She explained and I was already floored.

"It's beautiful," I whispered as she handed it over to me. I found myself admiring the simple yet beautiful diamond throughout my stay in the store.

As the lady completed all the formalities, I thanked her and started heading out of the store.

I was almost at the front door, lost in thought, when I felt a strong hand grab my arm. I turned to find Karl’s angry face staring back at me.

Without giving me a chance to fight back, he cornered me into the restroom and pointed a warning finger at me.

"I don’t know what game you are playing Dalia but you are going to accept what I am offering you! And you will be thankful!" He growled.

My eyes narrowed at him and I shook my head. "I already told you my answer! I am not going to be your breeder. I never will—"

"Oh yes, you fucking will!" I snapped, slamming my back roughly against the wall.

He suddenly leaned into me and started breathing in my scent, a move that always melted any resolve I had.

But today, as he did, I felt nothing but disgust.

Yet he didn't get that as he continued bringinf his lips closer to my neck, hoping to excite my wolf— forgetting how much he had broken it.

Irritated, I pushed him off me with all my might but he barely shifted an inch, his eyes burning with lust as he chuckled.

"You are my mate, D." He whispered. "You can't deny our connection!"

"Not if I wish to break it!" I let out and he froze.

A deafening silence filled the space as his darkened eyes took me in. "What did you say?"

But I had taken enough from him. I wasn't going to settle for his manipulation all my life.

"You heard me, Karl. I am rejecting you."