My vision blurred. My hands shook. Five years of carefully constructed peace, and it was crumbling around me because of this woman and her vendetta.
"That's quite enough." Eleanor's voice cut through the tension like a knife. She stepped out from behind her booth, drawing herself up to her full height, which wasn't much, but the steel in her eyes made up for it.
"I beg your pardon?" Trinity turned, clearly not expecting interference.
"I said, that's enough." Eleanor moved to stand beside me, her arm brushing mine in silent support. "I've known Daphne for five years. She's never manipulated anyone. She's one of the hardest-working, most honest people in this town, and I won't stand here and listen to you slander her."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Trinity snapped. "This is between me and…"
"Between you and the whole market, apparently." Mrs. Chen appeared on my other side, her arms crossed over her chest. "You're the one who decided to make this public. And publicly, I can tell you that Daphne has been nothing but a blessing to this community. You, on the other hand, I don't know at all. Based on what I'm seeing, I don't think I want to."
"And for the record," Eleanor added, her voice sharp, "there's nothing wrong with a pack courting an omega. That's how it's supposed to work. All four of them choosing her, and her choosing all of them, that's not something shameful. That's something beautiful."
More people were stepping forward. Brad from the hardware store. Sarah from the bakery. Victor who ran the coffee stand. One by one, the vendors and townspeople I'd known for years moved to form a loose semicircle around my booth, their faces set with quiet determination.
"We've known Daphne for five years," Brad said, his voice gruff. "She's part of this town. Part of this family."
"We don't know you," Sarah added, her usually sweet face hard with disapproval. "And frankly, we don't like what we're seeing."
Trinity's composure was cracking. Her cheeks flushed an ugly red, and her carefully styled hair seemed to wilt as the crowd turned against her. Her two friends exchanged nervous glances, clearly not expecting this level of resistance.
"You don't understand," Trinity said, her voice rising. "You don't know what she's really like. She's a manipulator, a liar, she stole my entire future…"
"The only liar I see here is you," Eleanor said calmly. "Making accusations you can't prove, bringing strangers to back up your story, causing a scene in a public place. That's not the behavior of someone who's been wronged. That's the behavior of someone who's desperate."
Something snapped in Trinity's eyes. The mask didn't just slip, it shattered completely.
"Desperate?" She laughed, wild and unhinged. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. Any of you." She whirled on me, her face contorted with rage, all pretense of civilization gone. "You think these people can protect you? You think that pack can keep you safe? They were supposed to bemine! All four of them! I had plans! I had everything figured out! Then you come along, some pathetic little orphan omega, and suddenly they can't see straight!"
Her voice rose to a shriek. "I will destroy everything you've built here. Everything! I'll make sure every single one of them regrets the day they chose you over me. And you…" She jabbed a finger at me. "You'll end up exactly where you belong, in the gutter, with nothing and no one. I'll make sure of it!"
The threat hung in the air, naked and vicious. Around us, I saw phones being raised, screens glowing as people recorded.
"Trinity." One of her friends grabbed her arm, face pale. "We should go. People are filming. Trinity was beyond reason.” She shook off the restraining hand, taking a step toward me that made Eleanor and Mrs. Chen close ranks protectively.
"This isn't over," she hissed. "Not by a long shot. You'll regret the day you ever looked at what was mine."
"Ma'am, I'm going to need you to step back." Sheriff Morrison appeared through the crowd, his hand resting casually on his belt, his face carefully neutral. His e sharp eyes taking in the scene with professional assessment.
"Sheriff." Trinity's voice shifted instantly, honey-sweet and reasonable. "Thank goodness you're here. This woman has been harassing me, and these people?—"
"I've been watching for the last five minutes," Morrison interrupted. "I know exactly what happened here." He turned to address the crowd. "Anyone who witnessed this confrontation and is willing to give a statement, please stick around. Otherwise, you're free to go about your business."
"But—" Trinity started.
"Ma'am." Morrison's voice hardened. "I strongly suggest you leave the market. Now. Before I have to make this official." For a moment, I thought she might argue. Her hands clenched at her sides, her whole body vibrating with barely suppressed fury. Something in Morrison's expression must have gotten through, because she finally took a step back.
"Fine." She smoothed her hair with trembling hands, trying to reassemble her shattered composure. "But you'll all see. You'll all see what she really is." She turned on her heel and stalked away, her friends hurrying after her with backward glances of mingled embarrassment and fear. The crowd parted to let them through, then closed again, a wall of bodies between me and her retreating figure.
I didn't realize I was shaking until Eleanor wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"It's alright, dear," she murmured. "She's gone. You're safe." I didn't feel safe. I felt exposed. Vulnerable. All those old fears rushing back like a flood breaking through a dam.Nobody wanted you. You'll be alone.
"Daphne?" Mrs. Chen's voice came from far away. "Daphne, you're pale as a ghost. Sit down before you fall down."
Someone guided me to a chair. Someone else pressed a cup of water into my hands. Voices swirled around me, concerned, angry, supportive, but I couldn't focus on any of them. All I could hear was Trinity's voice, echoing the worst thoughts I'd ever had about myself.
Greedy. Desperate. Collecting an entire pack because one would never be enough.
