?Chapter 109:

“And the wine?” she reminded, tapping her foot. Click, click, click, it sounded on the floor.

My fists clenched as I quietly suppressed the urge to p Isabelle’s smug face. It wouldn’t be so pretty once I was done. But I wouldn’t let her push me over the edge. Not today, not on my first day of work. I knew that was her agenda—sly bitch.

Maintaining myposure, I headed to the bar area to retrieve the wine Isabelle had ordered. She was lucky there was nothing avable for me to poison her with. Bold of her to assume her food was safe with me.

As I approached Isabelle, she looked up, a sly smile spreading across her face.

“Finally,” she sighed, extending her hand to collect her drink. I handed her the ss, our fingers touching briefly.

Just as she took the wine, Isabelle suddenly jerked her arm, hitting the ss out of my hand.

The wine sshed everywhere, soaking through my white shirt. My hands curled and uncurled, aware of her hawk-like gaze on me, watching me closely for any sign of difort.

“Clumsy girl,” Isabelle hissed, rolling her eyes. “Can’t even serve wine properly. You stained my skirt, damn it!” Her hands wrung the air as she pressed her palms against the brocade fabric of her skirt.

Could this day get worse? I had a feeling this was just the tip of the iceberg.

JASMINE

I saw red. The first thought that crossed my mind was to p the demon right out of her. My stomach churned—not from nerves, but from the anger simmering beneath my skin. A storm? No, it felt more like a full-blown tornado ripping through my insides.

Isabelle’s shrill voice rang out, cutting through the noise in the gallery. She wanted everyone to hear her.

“How does it feel, Jasmine?” she sneered, drawing the attention of every patron and coworker. “Humiliated yet? You really think you can seduce Ryder and take my ce as Luna? You’re nothing but a slut—a lowly wolf whoring herself to the highest bidder!”

Her words struck like ws, shredding through myposure. No one had ever dared to call me a slut, least of all in front of half the pack. Fury boiled in my veins, hot enough to burn. My fist curled tightly at my side as I shot Isabelle a look so sharp it could’ve gutted her on the spot. Moon Goddess help me, if looks could kill, she’d be a pile of ash right now.

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Isabelle smirked, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. “Can’t even defend yourself, huh? What a joke. You’re just a breeder, Jasmine. Embrace it.”

Hold it in, Jasmine. It’s just your first day at work, and this witch isn’t worth it. The whole gallery was watching, and I wasn’t about to let her get under my skin—notpletely, at least. I bit my tongue, knowing it was driving her nuts. Isabelle had about as much patience as a rabid mutt.

“You’re nothing but a cheap trick,” she spat, venom dripping from each word. “Ryder will get tired of you soon enough, and when he does, you’ll be tossed aside like yesterday’s bones.”

Boring. Always the same tired lines. My face flushed with shame—not because of her insults, but because everyone was staring at me like I was exactly what she called me—a cheap slut.

Just as I thought about crafting the perfecteback, Isabelle grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking hard enough to make me gasp. The bitch!

I winced, prying at her fingers, but she only tightened her grip. “Let go of my hair!” I screeched, my voice trembling. Tears threatened, but there was no way I’d give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Not today.

Sheughed—a cold, heartless sound. “Maybe I’ll let go if you admit everything I said is true.” She pouted mockingly, her gaze filled with twisted amusement.

Suddenly, it hit me. I had no one toe to my rescue. Ryder was miles away, and Seraphina? She’d probably side with Isabelle without question. What was the point in fighting back if no one had my back? The whispering from my coworkers, their pitiful nces, only added salt to the wound.

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