Elena POV
Wow. I knew Derick had told me he had rejected his mate, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would be Ashley. The same Ashley who had caused such a rift between Kane and me. It was like the world had decided to shrink just to throw this mess in my face. A small, cruel world indeed.
As I stood there, trying to process the whirlwind of revelations, anger bubbled in my chest. How could I have been so blind? So foolish? I had trusted Derick, believed in the promises he whispered when we were younger. He'd told me I was his world, that he couldn't wait to build a life with me.
But now, the truth hit me like a slap. He hadn't wanted me—Elena. He'd wanted what I came with. Being the daughter of an alpha wasn't just a title; it was a ticket to power. If we had stayed together, if I had been naive enough to let him, he would've used me to take over my father's pack. Every sweet word—it was all manipulation. He'd played me, and I fell for it.
