Chapter 308

Chapter 308
Cindy

I was stunned when I spotted Bella and Soren walking into Serenity Court together. I clutched my glass, jealousy simmering in my chest.

That bitch.

Bella thought she was so special, using her looks to seduce powerful Alphas. First Liam Wilson, now this Soren character.

If it wasn't for Bella, I'd still be on that production. I'd worked so hard for that role, only to be overshadowed by her supposed "natural talent" and benefactors. Now I was blacklisted from the set, while she got to play victim and gain even more sympathy.

My fingers moved almost automatically, pulling out my phone and angling it toward their table. The lighting was just right, framing them in what appeared to be a deeply personal exchange. Soren was leaning forward, saying something that made Bella smile.

I snapped several photos, making sure to capture angles that would fuel speculation. Then I opened an anonymous account I'd created specifically for moments like this and posted the pictures with a carefully crafted caption.

Within minutes, my phone was buzzing with notifications. The post was spreading like wildfire across wolf social media. I watched with satisfaction as the comments poured in:

[I heard Bella only got that lead role because this Soren invested in the company for her.]

[Such shameless behavior from a Beta.]

"This Bella is absolutely shameless," I said loudly to my date, making sure my voice carried to the surrounding tables. "I don't know how many Alphas she's seduced to get where she is. If I had her... talents, maybe I wouldn't be stuck playing supporting roles forever."

I was just settling into the moment when a sudden shadow loomed over our table. My gaze lifted, and a chill shot through my veins.

Freya Welch stood there. The recognition hit me like a slap—this was Bella's best friend, the Alpha who'd visited her on set multiple times. Freya was a powerhouse in the business world, someone I definitely couldn't afford to cross.

"Alpha Freya!" I stammered, scrambling to my feet. My date jumped up too, immediately offering his seat with an obsequious smile.

Yet, Freya remained standing, her arms crossed, those sharp eyes fixed on me like a predator sizing up prey.

"You're Cindy," she said, and it wasn't a question.

"Y-yes, Alpha Freya. I'm Cindy." My voice came out smaller than I intended.

She ignored my date completely, her focus laser-sharp on me. "The photos of Bella circulating online—you took them. Do you have any idea that spreading false rumors can land you in trouble?"

The bottom dropped out of my world. Of course she'd traced it back to me. Of course Bella's powerful friend would come for revenge.

"Alpha Freya, I was wrong! I was so wrong!" I dropped to my knees right there in the restaurant, not caring about the stares from other diners. "I'll never do anything like this again. Please forgive me! I'll apologize to Bella personally!"

My date took one look at the situation and practically sprinted away, clearly wanting no part of whatever was about to happen to me.

Freya calmly took the seat across from where I knelt and pulled out a document. "Sign this, and I'll consider letting this slide."

Hope flared in my chest as I scrambled back into my chair. But as I went through the contract, a cold wave of fear washed over me.

I asked, "A service contract?! What is this supposed to mean?"

"There are two copies of this contract," Freya explained. "One for Bella to sign, accepting your service. One for you to sign, committing yourself to serve her. You'll bring her coffee, manage her schedule, and basically make sure she's comfortable on every set."

I stared at her in horror. Serve Bella? The person I hated most in the world? This had to be some kind of nightmare.

I argued weakly, "Alpha Freya, even if I'm willing to serve Bella, she might not accept it. Seeing my face every day would probably just make her angry!"

Freya said, "You don't have a choice. Whether Bella agrees or not, you're going to serve her. Whatever she asks you to do, you'll do it. Cross her, and I'll make sure you regret it."

She slammed a pen down in front of me.

This couldn't be happening. My career, my future, my pride—everything was crashing down around me because of a few photos.

A desperate idea struck me. Maybe if I could get Bella to refuse the arrangement, Freya would have to find another punishment. It was a long shot, but it was all I had.

I bolted from the table and ran toward Bella's table.

I pleaded, "Bella, please! I'm begging you, forgive me! I'll never try to hurt you again. If you just let this go, I'll stay out of your way forever!"

Bella looked startled, then disgusted. "You don't need to apologize to me because I'm not going to forgive you anyway. I've already reported the lake incident to the Wolf Council. You can wait for them to contact you."

Wolf Council? My world tilted sideways. Not only was I facing Freya's wrath, but I could be looking at official pack sanctions too.

"Even if you involve the Wolf Council, I'll accept that," I said desperately, "but please, can't you tell Alpha Freya not to make things difficult for me? She wants me to sign a service contract to work for you. Even if I agreed, you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Bella looked genuinely confused. "What are you talking about?"

That's when Freya appeared beside us, and Bella's face lit up with surprised delight. "Freya! What are you doing here?"

Freya smiled warmly at Bella—a completely different expression than the one she'd shown me. Her gaze briefly acknowledged Soren with a polite nod.

Bella asked again, "Freya, what's going on? What's this about contracts and service agreements?"

Freya's voice turned cold as she explained. "I'm making her sign a service contract to work for you. It's the least she can do to make up for what she's done. But she came running to you for mercy, thinking that if you forgive her, I won't force the issue."

I held my breath, waiting for Bella's response. This was my only chance for salvation.