Ella's POV.

“Ella, there's a headline about you. It's... it's on the wolf community forum. It's everywhere.”

My heart dropped instantly.

My mother immediately stood. “What is it? What does it say?”

Michael didn't answer. He reached for the remote on the table beside my bed and turned on the television mounted on the wall.

The screen flickered to life.

A live breaking news broadcast filled the room, with a red banner flashing across the bottom of the screen. Reporters crowded the entrance, pushing against one another as their cameras pointed toward the building.

Then Jason stepped onto the podium at the center.

He was impeccably dressed in a dark suit, and his hair was perfectly styled. Not a single detail was out of place. Even his face was carefully arranged into the expression of a dignified man carrying a terrible burden… like he was the one who had been wronged. Like he was supposed to be the victim.

I felt sick to my stomach.

Sylvie's hand found mine and she squeezed it tightly. My mother stood beside the bed, completely frozen, while Michael's jaw clenched as we all watched.

Jason slowly raised one hand, and the crowd fell silent.

“I never wanted my private life to become public,” he began, his voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. “But since the rumors have spread, I owe my pack the truth.”

He paused and lowered his gaze for a moment.

“I loved my Luna with all my heart.”

My fingers curled into the sheets.

Jason looked back at the cameras.

“But for months, I had been living with a painful truth. I knew about her unhealthy obsession with other men. I knew she had been sleeping with several of them.”

A few reporters exchanged shocked looks.

“Even then, I tried to protect her. I kept it private because I prayed and believed she would change.”

His voice cracked.

“But what do you do when trust is gone? When the very foundation of your bond has been poisoned by betrayal?”

He slowly shook his head.

“At some point, there is simply nothing left to protect.”

My blood ran cold. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was Jason really trying to pin his affair on me? He wanted everyone to believe I was the whore who cheated while he stood there playing the heartbroken Alpha.

This had to be the worst nightmare of my life.

“An investigation will be held,” Jason continued, his voice steady now. “And I assure you, she will be investigated like any other civilian and brought to justice for her disgraceful behavior.”

He paused, letting the words sink in.

“The Stormwolf Pack will not tolerate infidelity, dishonor, or anyone who brings shame upon the sacred institution of the mate bond.”

My chest tightened. I struggled to breathe as a tear slipped down my cheek.

“I will not rest until the truth is uncovered,” Jason said, placing a hand over his chest. Then he looked straight into the cameras.

“And I ask for all your support during this difficult time. Thank you.”

Michael pressed the power button, and the screen went black.

“Wait… Ella.”

Mom’s voice cut through my thoughts. Her eyes were wide, desperately searching my face like she was trying to make sense of something she couldn't quite understand.

“Tell me the truth. What exactly is going on? An Affair?! You couldn't have...”

That question knocked the breath out of me.

“Mom!” I snapped. “If someone came to you and told you I did that, would you really believe them? Don't you know me anymore?!”

Her hands flew up. “No, no, baby. That's not what I meant. I just… this came out of nowhere. I don’t understand any of this. I’m lost, Ella.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm the heat burning through my chest. I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood.

How was I supposed to get out of this?

Sylvie was right… this was trouble. It had gone beyond just a scandal. Even my mom could get dragged into it too. The worst part was that I knew exactly how far the Pack Senate could take this. They could sentence me to death for disgracing the pack’s name.

“This is messed up,” Sylvie muttered, raking her fingers through her hair. “What are we going to do? We don't have anything that can prove he's lying.”

I stared at the blank television screen. My own reflection stared back at me.

My mom suddenly straightened and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “We can't just sit here and wait for them to come for you. We need to leave now before the press gets here.”

My stomach twisted. “Leave?”

“Yes.” Her tone was firm now. “It doesn't matter what your side of the story is, Ella. No one is going to believe you over Jason.”

“No.”

The word came out before I could think about it. They all turned to face me.

I ignored the sharp pain shooting through my body and slowly pushed myself to my feet.

“I'm not running anywhere.”

“Ella…” Michael started.

I looked at him.

“I didn't do anything wrong.” My voice shook, but I forced the words out anyway. “Why should I be the one hiding?”

I swallowed hard.

“I'm not going to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder because Jason Blackwood decided to destroy me.”

My mom stepped closer, her hands reaching for mine. “Baby, I understand. But right now, we need to be smart. We can't fight him without proof.”

“She's right,” Michael said quietly. His voice was tense. “Ella, being stubborn isn't going to save you right now. Jason has the entire pack believing his lies. If you stay here, he'll find a way to make you disappear forever. You know what he's capable of.”

My jaw tightened, and my mom squeezed my hand tighter.

“They already know you’re here. And Jason will want to turn this hospital into the stage for his little show.”

She glanced toward the blank TV.

“We can’t let the reporters have their cameras all over your face while you're like this. We need to move.”

She looked straight into my eyes.

“Now.”

I wanted to argue. I wanted to scream that I wasn't afraid of Jason, that I'd rather die fighting than run like a coward. But the look on my mother's face stopped me. The fear in her eyes wasn't for herself… it was for me.

I let out a shaky breath, and some of the fight drained out of me, leaving nothing but exhaustion.

“Fine,” I whispered. “I'll leave for now… Only because I need time to figure out how to destroy him too.”

Sylvie finally let out the breath she'd been holding. “That's good enough for me.”

My mom nodded and hurried to the closet. She pulled out the small bag she'd brought with her and started stuffing my clothes inside. Sylvie joined her, grabbing the few things scattered around the room.

I stood there watching them.

Michael pulled a hoodie from the bag and held it out to me. “Put this on. It'll make you harder to recognize when we leave.”

I took it from him, my fingers brushing against his.

He gave me a small nod.

Just as I turned away and reached for the buttons of my hospital gown, the door slammed open with force.

And all four of us froze.