Author: Momo Chan

My brother had always hated me. Once, he wished for me to die. Later, his wish came true, and I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. However, he regretted it. In the end, I was dead. With a smile, I died right in front of him.

I had been a simp for Edward Parsons for six years, obeying his every command. When he hugged another woman, drinking and flirting with her, I was diagnosed with leukemia at the hospital, with only three months to live. Later, he knelt by the hospital bed, crying and begging me to accept the bone marrow transplant. How funny. I never thought of living at all.

I had been Milton Fleming’s mistress for four years. On the day of my death, he was marrying someone else. “This is my big day and you didn’t even come. What’s the matter? Jealous because the bride isn’t you?” “Or do you think I will compromise if you play these petty tricks?” “Phyllis Graves, I’ll only say this one last time. If you don’t show up today, don’t think about coming back to me in this life.” Later, he knelt before my grave and carved the epitaph for me with his hands. “Beloved Wife Phyllis Graves. Born when all the flowers were gone and died on the year I loved her the most.” That was the first time he admitted that he loved me. But so what? I was already dead.

The day I found out I was dying, Alpha Griffon Knight broke up with me. Our relationship was a contract, but when his true love came back, he didn’t need me anymore. He canceled our contract and told me to get lost. I thought that after five years, his frozen heart would thaw for me. How wrong I was. So I packed my things and left. Without telling him… I only had three months left to live. —— Taya Griffon Knight’s private jet landed at the airport at 7:00 p.m., just as the sun was starting to set, vivid orange and red giving way to the bright light of the moon. Within a half hour of his arrival, he requested that I be brought to his downtown penthouse. Per our contract, I must be thoroughly cleansed “inside and out” without any traces of perfume or makeup. As an Alpha, his senses were more perceptive than most other wolf shifters. I strictly followed his preferences and requirements, changed into freshly washed silk pajamas, and then went to the bedroom on the second floor. Griffon was sitting in front of the fire in his leather wingback chair, one ankle resting on his knee in a relaxed manner, flipping through a stack of documents. When I entered the room, he gave me a glance before placing the papers on the side table next to him. “Come here,” he demanded, his wolf flashing amber in his dark eyes for a second as he narrowed his gaze at me. A chill ran over my spine. His voice was gruff and emotionless, weighing heavily on my heart as it always did. I longed, just once, to hear something in his tone when he spoke to me. But he always maintained his powerful and mysterious aura, never giving an indication of what he was thinking or feeling. I didn’t dare to hesitate for a moment, worried that any delay might anger him. Keeping my head tilted down in deference to his formidable presence, my bare feet were silent on the plush carpet as I rushed over to him. As soon as I was at his side, he pulled me into his arms and onto his lap, lifting my chin with his large hand. He lowered his head and kissed my waiting lips aggressively, without any traces of the warmth I longed for. His tongue delved into my mouth, twisting around mine, and desire flowed through my body, pooling in my nether regions. Griffon might seem noble and restrained to his pack and other pack elites, but he showed no such thing when it came to sex. He was never restrained, never tender with me. No sweet talk, no soft kisses. Just hunger, desire, sex. With me, he was always the animal. Always the coarse Alpha, never the cool, calm, and collected leader that others saw. He had been away on pack business for three months; he probably wouldn’t let me go easily tonight. As I had expected, he was rougher than usual. It was as if he was all feral wolf instead of just mostly wolf like he typically was. Griffon didn’t stop his thrusts until I was too exhausted for more, his wolf shining in his eyes and his face twisted in a snarl the entire time. *** When I woke up, I found myself alone in bed. Instead of the usual silence I typically wakened to, I heard running water came from the bathroom. I frowned in confusion and looked in the direction of the sound, surprised to see Griffon’s tall and muscled form reflected in the glass door of the shower. He usually left immediately after our encounters. No goodbye, no waiting for me to wake up. I struggled to sit up, my body spent from hours of lovemaking, and I quietly waited for the man to come out. A few minutes later, the water stopped, and Griffon came into the room, a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets from the tips of his dark hair fell onto his bronze skin, slowly sliding down his well-defined abs. His face was finely chiseled, exquisitely handsome, with sharp, distinct features. His eyes, almond-shaped and hazel in color, were aloof and distant, deep and unreadable. Even in his human form, his dark wolf side showed through, creating even more of an enigma surrounding the Alpha. To everyone else, he was charming yet distant, friendly yet aloof and unattainable. With one glance, people could tell he was not an easy man to get along with, but not completely impossible. To me, he was simply cold, harsh, and unreachable even when he was inside me. Seeing that I was awake, he gave me a stony look and said, “You don’t need to come anymore.”

I blinked, clutching the covers tightly around my body, my knuckles white as a sliver of panic raced through my heart. What did he mean? Griffon turned around, went to the side table, to the papers he’d been looking through last night. He shuffled through them, then tossed one onto the bed in front of me. “I’m canceling our contract. You’re fired.” I felt the blood drain from my face, and my heart stopped for minute. Fired. Not “we’re breaking up.” Fired. Regardless as to how our relationship had started, regardless of how I’d come to feel about him, I knew this day would come. Because in reality, we had no “relationship”. We were employer and employee, and I served only one purpose for Griffon. Nonetheless, his words stung. I’d never expected that he would end things so abruptly. I’d thought I’d have more time. Sure, I’d expected his typical unemotional coldness, but this was beyond that. After being with him for five years, he gave me no reason or explanation. He didn’t think I deserved that, and it was painful to think about. Suppressing the sharp pain in my heart, I slowly raised my head from staring at the document on the bad and gazed at Griffon. Enough time had passed with my being frozen by his words that he was now fully dressed in his typical dark suit. “But…the contract will expire in six months. Can’t we wait for a little longer?” My voice was somewhat pleading, and I struggled to keep it from cracking. The doctor said I only had three months left, and the only thing I wanted was to stay with him until the end of my life. Griffon remained silent, staring at me with his stoic, vacant expression, as if he were kicking away a toy he had grown tired of playing with. His silence was all I needed. His decision was final. After five long years of trying, I had failed to thaw Griffon’s frozen heart. It was time to wake up from my illusion. I took the contract and plastered on a fake smile, attempting to feign indifference. “Don’t be so serious. I was just joking.” Then, I added, “I’m glad this is over. I get six months off. How perfect!” Griffon paused as he adjusted his shirt sleeves, then lifted his gaze to me. It took everything in me to make sure there was no sadness in my eyes, to make sure the only emotions he might see were excitement or relief. The absolute last things I felt. Griffon narrowed his eyes and frowned. “You’re glad it’s over?” I nodded and shrugged one shoulder as if I hadn’t a care in the world. “Yup. I’m not the little girl I was when I agreed to this. It’s time for me to get married and have children. I can’t always be your contract lover, can I?” Inside, I laughed at myself. It was impossible for me to get married or have children, but I’d be damned if I ever let Griffon know that. I would leave with dignity and grace. I forced another smile and asked, “Does that mean I can finally have a normal boyfriend once I leave here?” Griffon’s eyes were filled with deep and unidentifiable emotions. After staring at me for a while, he looked at his watch and turned to leave. “Do whatever you want.” Looking at his back as he turned and walked away, my smile faded. Griffon hated it when other people touched his things, including his woman. His wolf would push through, his eyes flashing amber and his claws coming out. But this time, there was no reaction. He truly was done with me.

After Griffon left, his assistant walked in. Andre handed a morning-after pill to me and said respectfully, “Ms. Palmer, please take it as usual.” Griffon would never allow me to get pregnant. Not only was I just his contracted lover, I wasn’t even a wolf shifter. I’d always grown up around wolves, and had spent time in the shifter orphanage, but I’d never gained her wolf at puberty. No one knew where I came from, though the assumption had always been that at least one of my parents had to have been a shifter in order for me to be dropped off at the shifter orphanage. Staring at the small pill in the palm of my hand, my heart started to hurt even more. I wasn’t sure if the pain was caused by my heart failure or Griffon’s cruelty, but regardless, it was so intense that I struggled to take a breath. “Ms. Palmer…” When I didn’t immediately take the pill, Andre urged me along with a nervous expression. He was probably afraid that I would cause trouble since it had been my last night with Griffon. I swallowed through the pain in my chest and tossed the pill in my mouth. I didn’t even bother with water, forcing it down dry. Andre let out a sigh of relief, then took an apartment deed and check from his briefcase and placed them in front of me. “Ms. Palmer, this is Mr. Knight’s compensation for you. In addition to the real estate and cars, he had also placed five million dollars in your account.” How generous. Too bad, he never knew what I truly wanted. “I don’t want it.” I set her mouth in a grim line and shook my head. Andre was stunned and confused. “Do you think it’s not enough?” My heart shattered beyond what I’d thought possible. Even Andre thought I was doing it for the money. It was too much. So much money, plus an apartment and a luxury car. Was he afraid I would ask him again for more money in the future? I picked up the bag beside me with a bitter smile, took out a debit card, and handed it to Andre. “This is all the money Griffon paid me over the years. I never spent a single penny, and I don’t want it. The pin number is his birthday.” Andre was dumbfounded, a confused look making his brows furrow. I didn’t care whether he believed me or not. I placed the card on the pile of documents. Then I left the penthouse without another word. *** Winter was cold in Arcadia. I walked the empty street, alone and shivering. The shadow of my thin figure was cast on the ground by the streetlight, gaunt and fragile. I tightened my beige coat, gritted my teeth, and walked back to my apartment in my high heels. I pushed the door open. It was huge inside, taking up an entire floor. Despite the warmth inside and the luxurious decor, the apartment couldn’t dispel the chill that flooded me. I sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the surroundings for a moment. Then I began to pack. Griffon had purchased this apartment for me to live in so that I would be close to his penthouse, able to rush over at a moment’s notice. I had loved that he wanted me close by, wishing and praying to the goddess above that somehow it meant more than what it really did. Since he didn’t want me anymore, I didn’t want anything that came from him. Taking out my suitcase, I opened the closet and pulled out all of my clothes. I hadn’t brought many things with me, and it didn’t take me long to pack up everything and leave. I packed quickly and efficiently, with no outward emotion, nothing like the girl from five years ago. The desperate, crying girl who’d begged Griffon to purchase my virginity. After getting into the car, I sent a text message to Andre. [The key code to the Hudson Apartment is 0826.] *** Andre returned to the Knight Pack headquarters, handed the documents to Griffon, and told him what Taya said. With an indifferent gaze, Griffon glanced at the items on his desk. His stoic gaze fixed on the debit card. “You checked the balance?” “Yes, Alpha.” “There is additional money in there?” “Yes, Alpha.” Andre nodded. The exact amount Griffon had paid Taya for her virginity. Griffon frowned, and Andre heard his wolf rumbling. After a moment of staring at the card, he stretched out his hand, picked up the piece of plastic, and snapped it in half, his claws starting to extend. He pushed the pile of documents toward Andre, his fingers curled and starting to crumple the papers. He was clearly resisting his wolf’s urge to shred them. “Get rid of it then.” Andre opened his mouth and wanted to say something nice for Taya, but the Alpha had already turned away and was looking at his phone, a snarl on his face. He knew better than to speak when his Alpha was like this, so he picked up the pile of documents and left the office.

I took my suitcase to my best friend Harper Duke’s. I gently knocked on the door and waited. Harper had grown up with me in the same orphanage, and we were like sisters. Except Harper had her wolf. “If anything happens, come home,” Harper had said when Griffon took me away five years ago. It was because of Harper that I could leave everything from Griffon behind. As soon as Harper opened the door, a wide smile appeared on her face when she saw me. “What are you doing here?” I tightened my grip on the suitcase. “I need a place to crash,” I said quietly. Only then did Harper see the suitcase, and the smile on her face disappeared, a look of worry replacing it. “What’s wrong?” “I just broke up with him.” I forced a smile to hide my pain. Harper looked closely at me and saw past my pretense in a matter of seconds. Her eyes narrowed, then she frowned. I knew how I looked. I was thin and pale, my eyes sunken. Harper hugged me tightly. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.” I couldn’t help but tear up at her words. I hugged Harper and patted her gently on the back. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Harper knew how much I liked Griffon, how much more I wanted with the powerful, distant Alpha. We shared everything. Over the past five years, I had worked hard to earn the amount Griffon had paid me so I could give it back to him. I was so naive and innocent, I believed that if I returned the money, his feelings for me would change. Maybe then we could be something more than just “employer and employee.” But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Harper remembered that rainy night five years ago just as might as I did. If it weren’t for Silas Johnson, I wouldn’t have met Griffon. If the accident never happened, I could have had a happy life. I didn’t want to burden Harper with my sorrow. After gently pulling back from the hug, I smiled and said, “Girlie, aren’t you going to let me in? It’s freezing out here!” I stood there, forcing myself to believe that I would soon recover from this. For orphans like us, who had no one to rely on, being abandoned was just another day, right? Harper took my suitcase and led me into the house. “You don’t need a place to crash. This is your home, too.” After that, she turned around, fetched clean pajamas, and handed them to me. “Go take a shower. I’ll make you something to eat, and you can get some sleep. Don’t think about anything else, okay?” “Okay.” I took the pajamas and nodded. Harper had always been like this. She was unconditionally good to me, like a beam of light that sliced through the darkness. Most other people didn’t know what to do with me. I lived in a gray area…raised by wolves yet not a she-wolf. It was a pity that I suffered from terminal heart failure, and my life was soon coming to an end. Had I been blessed by the goddess with my wolf, there would be other options, other treatments. But with no wolf to help me heal… If Harper found out that I was going to die soon, she would be devastated. And the last thing I wanted to do was burden her with that knowledge. I gazed at the busy figure in the kitchen and slowly walked over. “I want to quit my job.” Harper nodded in agreement and said, “You should. You’ve been working so hard for so long. God, you must be exhausted. Quit your job and take some time to yourself. Don’t worry about anything; I’ve got your back.” I wrapped my arms around my best friend and squeezed her tightly, filled with too many emotions to verbalize them. Then, I turned around and went to the bathroom with tears in my eyes. Fate had never favored me. If Harper and I were meant to be apart, I should use the last three months of my life to be with her. To be with someone who truly loved me. *** The next morning, I applied makeup to conceal my pale face and lips and went into the office to quit my job. Just as I sat down and was about to turn on the computer to write my resignation letter, my colleague Brielle came over. “Have you seen the email?” I shook my head. I’d spent the whole weekend in Griffon’s penthouse; I hadn’t had time for anything else other than him and…recovering from him. “Lila sent a letter saying that Elder Thorin’s daughter is taking over today,” Brielle said. I had no impression of the elder’s daughter, so I wasn’t interested. Plus, I was about to quit anyway. Brielle, on the other hand, was very intrigued. “I heard she had just returned from studying abroad in one of the European pack cities, so she doesn’t have much work experience with pack politics and business. Is she even qualified?” Another colleague, Margaret, sneered and said, “Who would dare question her? She’s the long-lost love of Alpha Knight.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397465”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #Werewolf #Alpha #HiddenIdentity #Steamy #Billionaire #LoveAfterLoss #SecondChance #Mistress #OvercomingOdds #Surrogate

I thought growing up half-witch, half-wolf, hated by both, was the worst thing that could happen to me. But then one day I was rescued by an Alpha who treated me better than anyone had in my entire life…until he found out who I am. He’s my true mate. My worst enemy. And the connection between us will either save us or kill us all.

My husband Chris enfolded his secretary, lovingly. His colleague sent me a creepshot of that and said, “You’d better keep your eye on her, Sophie.” I didn’t pay much attention to it. Because I saw that secretary’s face once in a company group photo Chris showed me. No makeup, no shining glow, quite plain among all those pretty girls. Chris had also complained to me countless times about her: “I’ve never seen someone so incompetent. She can’t do anything right.” “She looks so ordinary and doesn’t know how to dress. That hurts my company’s image.” His tone of disdain was still ringing in my ears. But later on, he beat her fiancé up and got detained for 10 days, all for her sake.

Spire 73, the highest rooftop bar in the western hemisphere. Located right on top of Hotel InterContinental. Cora Lane was seated with a very good looking man. Her ruby red lips glistened under the moonlight. Dangerously inviting. The man asked her with a cold smirk, “You want to kiss me? Do you not know who I am?” Cora was drunk, she could barely see straight and her words slurred “Who are youuuu?” Even through her beer goggles, Cora could tell this man was very good looking. His features looked sharp enough to be a Greek god. This man’s damn sexy. She thought as she reached for his face again to kiss him. Byron didn’t let her of course, he grabbed her wrist midair and whispered in a dangerously low voice, “I’m your fiancé, Eason Patton’s uncle. Technically you should call me Uncle Byron.” Did this girl really not know him? But he distinctly remembers meeting her before at a family event… At the mention of Eason Patton, Cora’s pretty face scrunched up, “Fiancé my ass! Your nephew is a cheater and a scumbag!” Byron Hansen was not used to someone dissing his family member so openly in front of him. Everyone knows, Byron Hansen is the richest man in New York, the de facto ruler of Hansen enterprise. Once the old Mr. Hansen passes away, Byron will be next in line. Cora smiled and leaned into Byron,”Eason cheated on me, so why can’t I sleep with his uncle?” Byron narrowed his eyes at Cora, “this is your final warning.” Cora ignored him and leaned in for a kiss, her eyes fluttered close and something inside Byron snapped. “You asked for it.” This time, Byron didn’t hold back. Byron’s hotel room was only a few levels down from the bar, on the executive level suite. Still, the elevator ride felt like an eternity. Once inside the room, Byron and Cora fell into a frenzy. Clothes fell onto the floor in various ways… They were surprisingly compatible, the only little hiccup was when Cora felt the knife scar on Byron’s shoulder. She wanted to ask him how he got stabbed but he was buried so deep inside her, her question became moans instead. They went on for hours. Cora didn’t know how many times they did it, but she was very sore the next morning. Especially this being her first time. A splash of red could be seen on the white Egyptian cotton. Byron was already awake and looking at her, his eyes glanced at the splash of red but he quickly looked away and headed to the bathroom. By the time he came out he was already showered and dressed. He saw that Cora had to put on the hotel’s bathrobe, because her dress was torn. He asked half-seriously, “Eason broke off the engagement with you, so you are planning to become his aunt-in-law for revenge?” … After being stunned for a moment, Cora said half-jokingly back, “If I can’t be Eason’s wife, being his aunt doesn’t seem too bad! But I don’t know if Mr. Hansen will give me this opportunity.” “Don’t even think about it.” Byron was smiling but there was no sense of humor in his tone. Cora understood what he meant. This was just a one night stand and nothing more. Cora was not surprised, Byron Hansen is the notorious ice-king. A serious relationship is out of the question. Plus, it’s not like she actually wanted anything to do with him after either. “Last night was fun, thanks.” She simply smiled and brushed it off. Yesterday, she got dumped by Eason. Fate would have it, she went to Spire 73 for a drink and ran into Byron Hansen. She didn’t expect this to happen either. “I have some business to attend to, so I’m heading out. I already called a car to take you home so just head downstairs whenever you are ready.” “Thank you, Mr. Hansen.” Neither of them said “goodbye” to each other. Because Byron had made it pretty clear that they weren’t going to see each other again. Except… fate always has other plans. *** After Cora went home that day, she checked her mailbox and got a letter from the hospital. Her mother’s medical bills were late. Again. This time, if she can’t pay on time they would be forced to send it to debt collection. It would absolutely ruin her credit. Being crushed by reality, Cora realized that she had no other choice but to go to Eason Patton’s house. “Eason, can I borrow 50 grand? I know I shouldn’t be asking you but my family’s bankrupt and my mother’s in the hospital. It’s urgent.” Eason was already feeling guilty about cheating, and now seeing Cora asking so humbly, he felt really bad for her. “Cora, come inside. I’ll go write a check for you, have some water while you wait.” “Thank you. I promise I’ll pay you back.” As soon as Cora followed Eason into the hallway of the Patton Mansion, she saw Byron Hansen standing in the living room with Lydia, Eason’s mother！ Maybe Byron heard the sound of her footsteps, because the next second… he looked over and their gazes locked…

Byron didn’t say anything. He just glanced at Cora coldly. A hint of ridicule flashed across his eyes but his facial expression quickly returned to normal. They had sex less than twenty four hours ago, with the idea that they wouldn’t see each other again. Cora knew why Byron looked at her with a hint of ridicule, he must think of her as a manipulative gold digger. She told herself to not care about what he thought, but still, she felt bad somehow. Lydia saw her too and spoke up first, “Byron, take a seat first. I’ll be right over after dealing with this.” Lydia rushed over with a frown. She spoke quietly but one can tell her voice had a tone of anger, “Eason, why did you bring her in here again?” “Mom, the hospital is urging her to pay the fees. Cora really has no choice but to borrow money from me.” Eason, on the other hand, honestly told Lydia what had happened. “Borrow money? You are no longer engaged to Cora, she’s just using money as an excuse to pester you!” Lydia’s eyes darted upstairs, clearly anxious about Cora being here. “Hurry up and tell her to leave. Just looking at her makes me feel poor.” Cora expected Lydia to be cold, but she didn’t expect Lydia to be straight out mean. Once upon a time, when her family had money, Lydia treated her very well. “Lydia, didn’t you say you always wished I was your daughter? Oh, so just because my family is bankrupt now, your whole attitude is different?” Cora’s fingers dug deep into her palms, but she still couldn’t control her temper and fought back. In fact, she was well aware of the reason why the Patton family broke off the engagement. However, Lydia’s 180 degrees attitude change still felt like a knife stab to the heart. Cora really thought once upon a time, they were going to become family. “Stop talking about the past. Your family’s bankrupt because your father is a horrendous businessman. He took the easy way out and jumped off a bridge, your brother is in jail for financial fraud, your mother has gone crazy. You are a huge liability!” Lydia continued, “But Eason’s career is on the rise, and he needs someone who can help him.” Cora resisted the urge to roll her eyes, “Lydia, I’m not here to get back together with Eason. I just want to borrow some money.” Before Lydia could respond, a voice came from upstairs, “Eason, who’s there?” When Cora looked up and saw Mia, she was very confused. Cora knew Eason found someone else… she just didn’t think it was going to be Mia from college. “…Mia?” “Cora? I thought you’d be crying your eyes out somewhere. Didn’t your Dad kill himself? What are you doing here?” Mia sneered and walked up to Eason as if she were the queen of the house. She even held his hand. Eason wanted to withdraw his hand, but Mia didn’t let him do so. He could only sneak a peek at Cora. He knew that Mia’s family could help him greatly, but this doesn’t mean he’d want Cora to know Mia was the “new girl.” Because not only was Mia very ugly and fat, she was also extremely unpleasant as a person. Unfortunately, there’s no point in hiding it anymore. Even a blind person could see Mia’s relationship with Eason. The sudden realization made Cora feel nauseous, and the thought of begging him for money made her want to vomit. She would rather beg on the street than borrow money from him. So she let it all out. “Hey Eason, didn’t you say before Mia reminded you of Shriek, the troll? Now you’re dating her? Wow. Good for you.” “What?!” Mia’s face turned red and glared at Eason. Before Eason could respond, Cora added, “When Mia asked you out in college, you told me you’d rather die than go out with her. What made you change your mind?”

“Cora, you b*tch!” Mia nearly shrieked. Eason quickly stepped in, “I never said such a thing! If you are pissed don’t take it out on Mia, it’s not her fault.” Eason also became defensive, but it was unknown if he was defending Mia or if he was simply embarrassed. “I didn’t know you’d be so rude, and here I thought you were a proper lady!” Lydia felt insulted as well, so she also spoke up. She was mocking Cora for being two faced. Cora understood what Lydia meant, she quickly retorted back, “At least I’m not the one whoring out my son for business benefit!” Lydia was so angry that she stamped her feet. “What are you talking about? Mia and Eason are good for each other!” Cora gave a cold snort, “Yea right. Then why didn’t Eason agree to go out with her back in college? No one here is stupid, do I really need to spell it out?” Mia was shaking with anger, she raised her hand to slap Cora. But just then, a man’s dignified voice came over. “Stop!” When Cora looked up in shock, she saw that Byron was standing right behind her! He was wearing a tailored black suit, and his height and legs were stunning. At this time, the three others also saw Byron. Especially Mia! She couldn’t hide the amazement in her eyes. “Byron, this girl is Eason’s ex-girlfriend. She tried to borrow money from Eason. But seeing that they couldn’t get back together, she insulted us. What a terrible person!” Lydia was the first to come back to her senses. The first thing she did was slander Cora. Although Eason felt sorry for Cora, he had no intention of trying to stand up for Cora at all. He thought that Cora was too arrogant, so it was good to let Byron teach her how to behave. Cora had thought that Byron would take Lydia’s side, they were family after all. She was ready to face backlash from Byron, but to her surprise he said, “So that’s an excuse to hit Cora?” This time, it wasn’t just Cora who was stunned. Even Lydia and Eason looked at Byron in surprise. They hadn’t expected him to take her side! … Considering that Lydia was much older than Byron, it would be a little embarrassing for her to apologize to her younger brother, so Eason could only take the initiative to speak up for his mother. “Uncle, you’re right. I’m sorry. Getting physical is never okay.” “I’m not the one you should apologize to.” The moment Byron’s voice fell, Eason and Cora’s expressions turned even uglier. Did Byron mean that they should apologize to Cora? Cora was a nobody now! It would be degrading to apologize to her, but then again… Byron was standing right there. When Eason and Lydia were hesitating over what to do, Cora spoke up first. “There is no need to apologize, because I won’t accept it. Let’s take this opportunity to make everything clear.” Eason and Cora locked eyes when Cora said this, “Eason, just like you wanted, our engagement is over. Just so we’re clear, the feeling is mutual.” There was a hint of indifference in her soft tone, which made Eason feel uneasy in his chest, as if he really lost Cora forever. “Cora, come on-” Eason reached out his hand instinctively. But Cora didn’t give him a chance to finish his sentence. She turned around and left the Patton Mansion with her head held high. Byron was glancing at Cora’s back when Lydia’s voice rang out. “Byron, don’t let these irrelevant people affect our mood. I’ve asked the chef to prepare…” But before she could finish, Byron said, “I have to be somewhere, let’s talk later.” “But Bryon! The factory…” Lydia wanted to pull two of the Hansen family’s production lines to the Patton family to work on, so she called Byron over. “We can table that discussion.” Byron didn’t hesitate. After saying that, he strode away. Lydia could only curse under her breath. “It’s all that bitch’s fault! If it weren’t for her, I would’ve brought those two production lines over today.” However, Eason was still staring in the direction in which Cora had left, ignoring Lydia’s curses. As for Mia, she had forgotten about everything already since she laid eyes on Byron Hansen. She had thought that Eason’s appearance was already top notch, she did not expect his uncle to be even more handsome. She was still thinking about how good looking Byron was that she didn’t hear a single word Lydia said. After leaving the Patton family’s home, Cora walked aimlessly on the street, thinking about where she could find a large sum of money for her mother’s treatment. A tire screech pulled her out of her train of thought. To Cora’s surprise, Byron Hasen’s Rolls Royce Phantom pulled up next to her. He rolled down the window and looked at her, “get in the car.”

Without hesitation, she opened the door on the other side and got in. Soon, the car started again. Cora saw that Byron was still holding a document in his hand with a focused expression. Cora didn’t know if she should say something or stay quiet to not bother him. Unexpectedly he took the initiative to ask, “Are you short of money?” Cora was stunned for a moment and did not think there was anything to hide. “Yes, I am.” “How much do you need?” “More than 50K.” Byron took out his checkbook, wrote a string of numbers on a check, and handed it to Cora. Cora looked at the check for 100K and pushed it back to him after hesitating for a while. “I can’t accept this.” Other than last night, they’ve never spoken to each other. They are practically strangers. If she took his money now… it’d make her feel like he’s only giving it to her for sex. … Byron seemed very surprised by her refusal. He stared at the check for a few seconds before taking it back. Cora then asked, “But maybe you can give me some advice? Do you know how I can make some cash fast?” Byron looked at her with a half smile, “all the ways to make fast cash are written in the law books.” Cora smiled awkwardly and said, “Right.” If she went to jail, her mother’s treatment fees would be even more of a problem. Just as Cora was regretting rejecting the money, Byron suddenly asked, “What if I get you a job?” “Okay. But I have to work in the hospital Monday to Friday. Can you give me a part time gig?” “The lounge we were at last night… go to Spire 73 to work in the evening,” he said. … At nightfall, in Spire 73, the favorite leisure and entertainment place of the rich young men in the city. “Byron, how does it feel to be harassed by your nephew’s fiancee?” Byron’s good friend, Harry, was wearing a flowery shirt, drinking and chatting with him. Byron knew that Harry was referring to Cora. He took a sip of wine and said, “Engagement is off. What fiancée?” “That’s true, and damn. That Cora Lane, she’s really something. Rarely do I see a girl with a good face, big breasts AND a fat ass. I bet a lot of people would want to tap that now that she’s single.” Words travel fast, especially in the “rich crowd”. By now, everyone knew about Cora Lane’s fall from grace and that her engagement with Eason Patton was over. When Harry said, “I bet a lot of people would want to tap that” he was specifically looking at Byron. He had exactly three hickies on his neck. Yesterday, he had organized a party for Byron to appear in Spire 73. That was why when Byron left Spire 73 with Cora, Harry had seen the entire thing. Even though he was grabbing the ass of a russian model, he saw from the corner of his eyes how Byron took Cora’s hand and headed towards the elevators. They were both adults. It was easy to know what would happen after they left the bar together. Harry nudged Byron, “so, how does it feel to sleep with the same girl your nephew slept with?” Byron glared at Harry, “who says my nephew slept with her?” Harry’s jaws hit the floor. He edged even closer, “no f*cking way. They were engaged though!” Byron ignored Harry, but the more Byron ignored him the more interested he became. “Come on!! Man, talk to me. How was it?” Byron coldly looked at Harry and just said one word, “no” But because of Harry’s question, his mind took him back to the night before… Cora moaning beneath him, then her legs shaking when he took her from behind. Harry was right, she did have a perfect body. When he thrusted from behind he held on to her tiny waist and watched as her plump butt swallowed his shaft. The air seemed to have suddenly become thinner. Byron quietly pulled open his collar a little. “Aww come on man, you’re no fun…” Harry was very open about relations between men and women. He had seen Cora at the dinner party once, it was a long time ago but he still remembered the blue satin dress she wore. It accentuated her curves, and even someone like him who’s been with countless women, wanted a taste… But at that time, Eason was her fiance and he watched her closely, making sure no man went anywhere near her. Now that the Lane family had been torn apart and the Patton family had drawn a clear line between them, Harry was eager to give it a try. But Byron suddenly interrupted him. “Maybe I’ll tell you next time.” “Next time? There’s going to be a next time? Don’t say I didn’t warn you, what if Jane finds out?” Harry was shocked Byron would actually think about a “next time”. Normally, these types of things would be a one and done, especially for Byron who has a girl his family picked out for him. Jane was the “approved bride”, she came from an impeccable family and had great looks. She’s also a doctor with a kind heart, a rarity in their world. In Harry’s eyes, Jane was excellent. “Why should I care if Jane finds out?” “Wait what? I thought you’d marry Jane!” Before Harry could blurt it out, he saw Cora coming into the lounge. “Oh shit, she looks good…” Harry exclaimed. Byron turned around and looked in the direction of Harry’s gaze and saw that stunning figure…

Cora started her first shift as a promoter. “Sir, would you like to try this new cocktail? It’s delicious.” Cora smiled, and the dimples at the corners of her mouth were lively and intoxicating. This was the part-time job that Byron had gotten for her—promoting different alcohol. The clients were nearly all men, and they looked at her with lustful eyes, “You want us to order the drinks you promote?” “Then show us why we should buy it,” another chimed in with a laugh. A bald guy with greasy looking fingers got up and poured 10 shots of patron. “Come on, if you can drink with us, we’ll order a few bottles from you.” “I can’t hold my liquor. I’m really sorry.” After drinking a few glasses of wine last night, she had sex with Byron. Alcohol tolerance was not her strong point. Cora wanted to give up on this table so she smiled and got ready to leave. Unexpectedly, the several male guests there refused to let her go. “Come on, this is how you treat your clients?” Spire 73 was famous for its hot bartenders and waitresses. That’s another reason why so many men come to this place. However, just as they were about to put their hands on Cora, a cold male voice rang out. “What are you doing?” Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the man’s eyes seemed to be as cold as an iceberg. “Mr. Hansen!” Almost all the people who came here to entertain themselves were rich young men from New York. Most of them knew Byron Hansen. After all, this is the same man whose photos are plastered everywhere. Magazines, billboards and social media. One magazine once wrote “The hottest and most eligible bachelor, Byron Hansen. Who shall take home the gold?” When Cora saw Byron, she was a bit surprised. One young man tried to play it off, “we were just messing with her, we meant no harm.” Looking at those people coldly, Byron said, “You are not qualified to do such a thing. Get lost.” His tone sounded casual, but his innate arrogance and powerful aura suddenly reminded the people present that Spire 73 was also the property of the Hansen family. “Mr. Hansen, I’m sorry. We crossed the line.” “Mr. Hansen, it won’t happen again.” They hurriedly apologized. … However, Byron didn’t listen to them. He only gloomily ordered the bar manager, who had heard the news and rushed over, “Throw these people out. Sue them for sexual harassment, and never allow them into any Hansen Group establishment ever again.” The seemingly casual order made the several men weak in the knees. Almost all of the top-notch leisure and entertainment establishments in New York belonged to the Hansen Group. If they were barred from those places from now on, how could they have the face to stay in the social circle of the new rich young men in New York in the future? How could they maintain their contacts? They kept apologizing and begging for mercy, hoping that Mr. Hansen would take pity on them. Unfortunately, the man ignored them, and the manager immediately asked the bouncers to escort them out. After those people were kicked out, Byron didn’t even look at Cora. He simply went back to where he was sitting before. Cora caught up with him because she wanted to thank him. “For what happened just now, I’d like to thank you for your help.” After thanking him, Cora nodded politely at Harry sitting at the side. Cora behaved in a gracious manner and did not lose the demeanor that a daughter of a rich and powerful family should have. Harry nodded back with a smile. Harry suddenly understood why Byron had ignored his relationship with Eason and slept with Cora. But at this moment, Byron ignored her. However, Cora’s eyes landed on Byron’s hand. It was bleeding. “Are you injured? Let me help you take care of it.” Although she didn’t know how Byron had gotten injured, he had helped her just now. What’s more, Cora is a doctor, she can’t just turn a blind eye to someone with an injury. Harry glanced at Byron, he distinctly remembers Byron shattering a wine glass with his hands when he saw those men harass Cora. Harry’s eyes darted between Cora and Byron, how interesting.

Cora called the manager over and asked for a first aid kit. Then, she took Byron’s hand and began to deal with it. Harry tried saying hi to Cora but she was fully focused on Byron’s wound. This was her natural instinct as a doctor. Although Byron ignored Cora, he didn’t stop her from treating his wound. “The wound looks a little deep. Try not to touch any water in the next two days.” Cora carefully dressed Byron’s wound and did not forget to remind him. She thought that Byron would ignore her as before. After saying that, she got up to leave. Unexpectedly, Byron suddenly asked, “Do you know how to drive?” Cora was stunned momentarily before she realized Byron was talking to her. “Yes, but…” Cora mostly took the subway to get around the city, she rarely drove. But before she could finish, Byron handed over the car key and said, “Drive me home.” Cora wanted to refuse, but when she saw the gauze wrapped around his hand, she realized that it’s not convenient for him to drive. He also helped her three times in one day, best to return a little favor. In the end, Cora took the car key. Harry watched the two of them leave, muttering to himself, “I guess there really is going to be a next time…” … Cora’s never driven a four hundred thousand dollar car before. Heck, she’s never driven anything other than a toyota. But it’s all the same right? Just brakes and gas pedal. Cora thought. However, as soon as she drove through an intersection, Byron, who had been casually sitting in the passenger seat just now, suddenly looked serious. Cora mistook the accelerator for the brake and ran a red light. She almost bumped into a car crossing the road, causing traffic jams. “How did you pass your driver’s test?” “It’s been awhile!” Cora said after taking a deep breath. The sound of other cars honking their horns filled the air. Cora began to feel embarrassed and turned to look at Byron. Byron looked back at her. Cora didn’t know if it was because of the light, but she felt that Byron’s gaze was much more profound than before. “Don’t you live a block away? Go to your place then.” “Okay,” replied Cora. When she drove the car to her apartment, she found her back was soaked. “Well this is me, do you want to call your driver to come?” Once the car was parked, Cora could finally breathe easy. Thank God she didn’t damage the car, she would not be able to afford fixing it. To her surprise, Byron got out of the car. When Cora caught up with him, she found he was already standing in front of her apartment building. “Open the door.” Byron’s words were concise and carried an irresistible deterrence. Even Cora understood what this meant. “Mr. Hansen…” Cora wanted to refuse. It was not a good thing to keep sleeping with Eason’s uncle. If other people found out about their relationship, she worried that her reputation would be ruined, and her job would become a problem. But when Cora thought of how easily she fell asleep after she had slept with Byron last night, she didn’t want to refuse him. Ever since her father killed himself and her entire life shattered, she’s been having insomnia. She moved to her shitty apartment and would spend hours lying in her bed just looking at the ceiling. But last night was the best sleep she’s had in ages. Thinking of this, she suddenly opened the door to her apartment building and let Byron in. Even if this peace of mind was unrealistic, she still wanted to grasp this moment of peace. Byron was emboldened by her sudden behavior, he nearly took her clothes off in the hallway. Cora had to remind him that people could walk out any second. Cora led Byron to her room, he eagerly tossed her onto the bed. His scent filled her nostrils, and somehow it calmed her racing heart. This time when he thrusted inside her, she didn’t feel any pain. She was already wet with desire. “So eager…” he murmured against her ears. His hands reached to her breasts and pinched a nipple. This is the first time Cora ever felt this kind of sensation, she gasped in pleasure. Her moans only encouraged Byron. He thrusted harder, then flipped her over so he could take her from behind. He snaked one hand around so he could gently rub her cl’t as he kept plummeting her body. Cora’s thighs shook badly and her moans could be heard loud and clear. 　　 “Please….! Please….Byron!” She felt a tension building in her core. Hearing his name on her lips, Byron paused for a split second before picking up the pace even more and angling her again to go even deeper. The force of his thrusts rattled her cheap bed so much it was creaking. Finally, Cora let out a muffled cry as she came all over his c*ck. Her entire body was shaking, so Bryon knew she had finished. Byron gave a few final thrusts and released inside of her soon after, and both drifted to sleep in exhaustion…

Early the following day, when Cora woke up, Byron was already dressed and standing beside her bed. Cora was in a daze. As soon as she remembered what had happened last night, Byron handed her a business card. “In the future, you can find this person to follow up on marketing wine in Spire 73.” Cora took the business card and looked at it. There were two words on the business card, Carter Pope. Cora remembered that this person was also a member of the Pope family, one of the four top families in New York. However, there was no mention of anything related to it on the business card. In addition to the name, there was only a phone number and the moniker, “Executive Assistant to Byron Hansen” “Thank you, Mr. Hansen.” “I have a morning meeting, I’ll head out now.” After Byron left, Cora looked at the business card and smiled bitterly to herself. I just wanted a good night’s sleep, but now it seems like Byron thinks it’s some sort of business transaction… Cora’s heart ached faintly, but it’s not like she could explain herself to him… Cora shoved the thought away, she had bigger things to worry about today because it’s the last day to pay the bill. It was Monday today. Cora rushed to the First Hospital. Cora was a medical student and was currently working as an intern in the emergency room of the First Hospital in New York, so her salary was pitifully low. Sally Gray, also the intern this semester and the best friend of Cora, handed her a sandwich in a ziploc bag. “Why are you so late today?” “I erm… didn’t hear my alarm.” After putting on her white coat, Cora opened the sandwich bag and took a bite. But after a few bites, Cora saw Sally smiling at her. “But you look glowy this morning. Did you and your man finally…” Even though Sally didn’t finish her sentence, Cora could guess what Sally was talking about. “How could I?” The image of Byron’s final thrusts before release came into her mind. It was so damn sexy that just thinking about it made her blush. “Are you lying to me? From your look, I can tell you’ve slept with a man recently. Look at the kiss marks…” Sally was an expert in this field. Cora quickly pulled up the collar of her white coat. “Fine, you caught me.” “Oh my GOD you finally lost your V card? Spill! How’s Eason’s sex technique? It should be pretty good, right?” Carol’s heart felt as if it had been pricked by needles when Sally mentioned the name of Eason. She blurted out, “Sally, it wasn’t him last night.” Sally looked at her with shock etched on her face, then Sally looked around to make sure no one was listening, “Girl I love you to death but cheating is risky business. If Easo finds you, your engagement is gonna be screwed.” Sally was analyzing the consequences of this matter with Cora. “Sally, even if I did have sex with him, we can never be together again.” “What, why?” Finally, Cora told Sally everything. After she was done, Sally was beyond furious. “Cora, you dodged a effing bullet. Good thing you didn’t marry him, what a prick!” “Yup, I am so much better off without him,” Cora said, smiling. “Now I just want to have fun, and try to live my life the best way I can.” Sally nodded in agreement. As for who the man with Cora last night was, Sally didn’t care that much, as long as he could make Cora happy. After encouraging Cora, the two returned to their busy work in the emergency room. This kind of busyness continued until noon. Cora took advantage of the lunchtime break to call Carter Pope. From her first phone call till meeting Carter Pope, the entire process only took thirty minutes. Carter showed up at First Hospital and met her at the hospital cafeteria’s coffee shop. He wore a black suit and looked like a business elite. He didn’t talk much but he was very efficient. “Just sign right here on the dotted line, and write down your bank account number. From now on, you’ll get a share in all the alcohol that is sold in Spire 73.” Everything happened so fast that Cora was in a daze, it wasn’t until Sally popped over and asked her did she realize it really all happened. “Cora, isn’t that eldest son of the super rich Pope family? What were you discussing with him?”

“It’s a long story,” Cora said. How should I describe my relationship with Carter? I’m sleeping with Carter’s boss? Cora thought. While Cora was trying to find her words to describe her relationship with Carter, Sally took it the wrong way and immediately said. “Okay, I understand. Just remember, protect yourself okay?” Cora blinked a few times, “Protect myself from what?” Sally rolled her eyes. “Contraception, duh!” Cora covered her aching head and said, “No, no no. It’s not like that. I just signed a contract with Carter to act as the agent for the alcohol he’s selling in Spire 73.” “Right, and why would he help you for no reason…?” Cora stopped talking. After all, Sally was right. It’s just that the person in question was not Carter Pope, but Byron Hansen. For some reason, Cora didn’t want to tell Sally about Byron. Maybe it’s because Byron is Eason’s uncle, or maybe it’s just because she wants to keep him to herself… What Cora didn’t expect… was for this misunderstanding to continue. … When Sally found out that Cora had just broken up, she was afraid that Cora would be in a bad mood, so she reserved a table for two in Cora’s favorite restaurant in advance and took her there after work. “Did you make a reservation?” Before they entered the restaurant, a waiter stopped them. This restaurant was very high end, and the reservations were pretty hard to get. “Yes, I made a reservation in advance.” When Sally finished speaking and the waiter was about to let them in, a female voice rang out. “Why do you allow nobodies like them in? Aren’t you afraid they can’t pay the bill?” Cora and Sally turned around and saw Mia entering the restaurant with her personal shopper. “Miss Donald!” The waiter, who had been indifferent just now, immediately put on a warm smile when he saw Mia Donald. Even the GM rushed over after Mia came in. Everyone in New York knew Mia Donald, the bratty daughter of the Donald family. “Mia, did you not brush your teeth this morning? Your breath stinks.” Since finding out Mia stole Cora’s fiance, Sally’s been meaning to go off on Mia. Mia gritted her teeth and said, “What are you talking about!” “I guess even money can’t buy good dental hygiene” Sally rolled her eyes and laughed. Mia knew she wasn’t going to win in an argument so she turned to the manager of the restaurant. “These two don’t deserve to eat with me here. Drive them out!” The manager told Cora and Sally, “Miss, we don’t welcome rude people like you in our restaurant. Please find another place.” Mia often came to their restaurant to eat and her parents hosted events here so she was a VIP client. The manager didn’t want to offend Mia for two nobodies. Cora was also annoyed. “She was the one who accused us of not being able to pay, how is she not the rude one?” “Miss Donald is probably just stating a fact. If you don’t leave now, you will be blacklisted by our restaurant chain. In the future, you can’t enter any restaurants our group owns.” The manager was cunning. He knew that morality and principles were important, but he had to give in to the interests in his hands. Sally was upset too. She brought Cora out for dinner to make her happy, but it proved annoying. When Mia saw what the manager did, she became increasingly arrogant and ridiculed them. “Bah! See? Two bitches with no money and no power, and you want to pick a fight with me?” Sally flew into a rage on the spot. “That’s right. You have money and power but evidently, NO CLASS. No wonder you only get to have Cora’s sloppy seconds!” Mia was speechless. She was humiliated again! Mia couldn’t let it go, but she knew she was no match for these two women when it came to quarreling, so she commanded the manager on the spot. “What are you waiting for? Throw them out.” The manager immediately asked the waiters to take action. The waiters knew Mia’s purpose was to teach Cora and Sally a lesson. Therefore, they dragged Cora and Sally to the door of the restaurant in a rude manner. Cora twisted her ankle in the push and almost fell back into a man’s arms. There was a faint smell of mint mixed with tobacco on his body, which was so familiar that it made her heart speed up. This scent… it belongs to…

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The Alpha was forced to marry me.I still fell for him anyway. What’s worse… I only have six months to live. He doesn’t love me… So why can’t he let me go? —— “Did your family not come with you today, Luna Leah?” I frown. This was just supposed to be a routine check-up and bloodwork. Nothing that required another person. Besides… What family did I have? My mother died in the last pack war, and to make peace my father pledged me to Alpha Aaron. I was thirteen when I had to leave my home, and was forced to move to Aaron’s pack. At first, he was tolerant of me. Sometimes, even kind. I used to resent him for tearing my family apart. But eventually, I came to love him, not as a child, but as a woman loves a man. When I came of age at eighteen, we were married. It should’ve been the start of a beautiful life together. But Aaron never wanted to marry me. To him, I was still the enemy. And the worst of it all—my wolf never manifested. Without a wolf, I was useless. I couldn’t be a real Luna. I couldn’t be a true mate. Still, I always held out hope. I refused to give up on the dream that someday my wolf would emerge. That someday, Aaron would love me. It was the whole purpose of this visit to the doctor, alone. I wanted to know how I could be a full-fledged wolf… …so I could have a baby. “I’m sorry, Doctor. I didn’t know I needed to bring anyone,” I say as he stares at me. “I thought you were just giving me my test results.” He looks uncomfortable. Perhaps even anxious. Maybe he’s afraid Aaron will be mad that he treated me without his knowledge. “I know I’m a ‘late bloomer’ compared to other shifters,” I explain. “But there have been cases of wolves emerging later in life—” Ohhh, wait. Maybe he thought I needed to be here with my husband because of my symptoms. I’m tired all the time and I’ve been feeling nauseous lately. Maybe I’ve been feeling off, not because of my wolf, but because I’m carrying a baby. The thought ignites a spark of joy inside me. “Doctor,” I whisper, smiling. “Am I pregnant?”   If I’m pregnant, maybe Aaron will finally mark me, and we can be a true family. Oh my gosh–a baby! Happy tears leak free. Doctor Henley coughs to clear his throat. He slides a stack of papers across the desk to me. “I’m afraid I have some… terrible news, ma’am.” I flip through the files, but I’m not sure what it all means. “You’re not pregnant, Luna Leah,” he says softly. “You have cancer. I’m sorry.” “What? No, that can’t be right.” I shake my head. I’m still reeling from the high of thinking I was carrying a child. I feel that loss to my soul. I can barely process that I have cancer. “I’m… I’m only twenty-three. And, my wolf healing should prevent me from getting sick!” He sighs. “It’s possible that this is why your wolf hasn’t surfaced. You have an aggressive form of liver cancer, and I’m afraid… you’re in the advanced stages now.” It feels like the ground crumbles beneath me, and I’m spiraling downward… He closes the file and comes around the desk to squat in front of me. He squeezes my hands for a second. “I’m sorry, truly.” I don’t respond. His dark eyes flit nervously around the room, and he adds in a voice so low I struggle to hear, “Are you still paying the blood debt?” I look down in embarrassment. It was a common form of reparation in peace treaties for surrendering wolves to offer their blood. Normally though, no one had to do it for as long as I did… I nod. “Yes, once a month. Aaron’s physician draws my blood personally.” “Your body will only weaken with more offerings. You have to stop.” My head is spinning. “What can be done, Doctor?” “I recommend seeking help at a facility that specializes in cancer treatment. Somewhere outside the pack.” He places his hand on my shoulder in comfort. “And I suggest you do it quickly.”

It’s raining when I leave Doctor Henley’s office in the city. I took a taxi here, alone, and I chose to walk back to our packlands, thirty miles away. Alone. People walking in umbrellas and driving in cars glance at me as I pass by, soaked through my clothes. But I don’t care. I’m dying. What difference did a little rain make? A black SUV pulls up beside me. The driver’s window rolls down, a large, brooding man sitting at the wheel, glares at me like I’m a wet stray on his doorstep. It’s Aaron’s Beta, James. He doesn’t say a word, his piercing eyes speaking for themselves, demanding I get in the car. I open the passenger door and get inside, shivering and turning up the heat. He doesn’t ask where I was, or what I was doing. I doubt he even cares. Despite technically being under my authority, James never liked me. Probably because before I came along, Aaron was supposed to marry his sister, Jessica. I’m pretty sure Aaron still loves her. The two are always together, and she hangs on his arm constantly. If I wasn’t around, he would already be mated to her by now. It’s one more pain in a list of so many. She would make the perfect Luna. Sweet and pleasing, obedient and submissive, and absolutely beautiful. Everything I am not. She has a big, strong wolf. She isn’t an enemy, a human…dying. The entire drive is quiet. But I can feel James’ glances next to me while I stare blankly ahead, replaying Doctor Henley’s words in my head… “Unfortunately, even if you do get proper treatment… That might only buy you a few extra months…” A few extra months… Ninety days, maybe even less. Before I came of age, I spent years dreaming of growing up. Getting my wolf, becoming Aaron’s mate, and making him love me. Tears silently streamed down my face. All those years, wasted on hopeless dreams. And now my days are numbered. Eventually we’re back in the packlands, and James drives us to Aaron’s private mansion, the guards waving him through the main gate. The security is meant to keep humans out. But it’s also to keep me in. Even if he didn’t love me, Aaron couldn’t risk losing me. I was his bargaining chip over my father’s pack. That’s all I ever was to him. I wipe the tears from my cheeks as James pulls the car to the front of the mansion. He stares at me curiously, and he looks like he’s about to say something. But he doesn’t. His usual indifference shouldn’t sting after all this time. But it does… My family was all to eager to barter me for peace, and even in making that sacrifice, I’ve gained no friends. I may be Luna, but this pack hates me. Even after all these years. When I die, they’ll probably throw a party. I get out and stare up at the massive house. Four stories of stone and ornate architecture. A grand estate fit for an Alpha’s home. “Was there something wrong with your phone today, Leah?” a dark, familiar voice asks. “Or are you just deaf?” The Alpha. My husband. Aaron. He storms through the front door and grabs my arm, dragging me inside the house into his private study. I twist my arm free from his hand, and his eyes flash gold. A warning. “Well?” he growls. I fish my phone out of my back pocket and hold it up for him to see. “My phone died.” He stalks toward me, and I instinctively step backwards. This Alpha is strong. This Alpha is merciless. This Alpha is angry. “Where the f*ck were you?” A day ago, I would’ve cowered. But now… “What does it matter?” I ask quietly. He stiffens. Aaron has seen all sides of me—stubborn, argumentative, happy, sad. Most times, I think I amuse him. But he’s never seen me so low. So utterly defeated. “Answer me, Leah. Now.” I look around the study, eying the rows of books on his wall-to-wall shelves. I spent a lot of time here as a kid, reading quietly while Aaron worked. I sniffle. And again, a flicker of shock crosses his face. I try my best to will my tears from falling. I wouldn’t cry for this man, who had taken me from my home. Who made me his wife, when he didn’t even love me. He snarls. “I said answer me!” Everything with this male speaks of extremes. Peace and quiet. Yelling and fighting. Being ignored–or ravished. Through his rage, I think back to the days and nights we spent in this room together, when life was simpler. When he was still somewhat good to me, out of kindness, or pity, or whatever reason. Many, many things had changed since then… He slams his hands against the wall on both sides of my head, and I’m like a prey, cornered and trapped beneath this predator. I crane my head to look up at him, and his scent wraps around me—rich and warm and enticing. He growls, and lowers his head to mine, his breath hot against my face, his chest against mine… His hardness against my belly. We’ve done this dance many times before. I fight or run. He hunts me down. Then he claims me. The gold returns to his eyes, his body heating up with desire. I suck in a breath. This man might hate me, but he can’t deny… He wants me.

His shoulders are wide and strong. His hair is dark, a bit long and disheveled. I’ve run my fingers through it countless times. He leans down and bites the curve of my neck. I tremble, and he growls approvingly. His mouth scorches a path from my throat to my ear. Then his other hand grabs a fistful of my hair and pulls my head back. “You still didn’t answer my question…” His eyes are golden and wild, barely containing the wolf inside him. His wolf is at the surface and his emotions are every bit as wild as the beast inside him.  More extremes, I realize… Passion and rage.  Pleasure and pain.  Hate and love.  Well, not love. At least not for him.   “What will you do, Aaron?” I keep my gaze level on his. “F**k me against this wall?” His glaze flickers for a moment as if he’s eyeing the bookshelf for how sturdy it will be. “Torture me until you get what you want?” I shake my head even as it pulls out strands because he still has one hand gripped tight in my hair. “I’m done. I won’t live like this. I won’t love you anymore.” He jerks back, like I slapped him. I can see his arms flexing, his hands balled into knuckle-white fists. He’s furious now. Suddenly, Jessica walks in, pretending like she’s completely innocent and unaware. She’s holding a feather duster and wearing an obscenely short skirt… I roll my eyes. “What is this, your little French Maid fantasy?” Then I turn my gaze back to Aaron. I don’t bother hiding the jealousy—the hurt—in my eyes. Not this time. “She’s the one you really want, right? Then have her.” I shove past him and rush by Jessica out the door. I can hear her huff not-so-quietly, “Wh*re…” Aaron roars, “Don’t f*cking walk away from me!” But I won’t play weak and submissive like Jessica. I’m not his mate. I was never officially made a member of his pack. His Alpha powers have no hold on me. I only stop to look back at her. “You win, Jessica. You wanted him all these years. You snuck into his room to seduce him away from me, his wife… Well now he’s yours.” Tears finally slip and roll down my face. Aaron’s eyes widen. “I hope you’re happy together,” I whisper. Then I run, climbing the stairs to my room, and slam the door behind me.   * * * * * * * * * AARON   “What the hell is going on?!” I growl. Jessica stands beside me. She’s been mine since we were young. We know everything about each other. But even she can’t appease my anger now. “Get your brother,” I bark to her. “Tell him to meet me in the training ward. And the guards too. He’ll know what I mean.” “Y-Yes, Alpha,” she bows meekly, obviously sensing my rage. She hurries from the room and I’m alone, a strange, cold feeling spreading through my body. It sort of feels like the moment right before a battle, when the entire world stands still. The calm before the storm. The last few months have been stressful, with threats against the pack and careful plans I’d prepared that would change everything. And now, this outburst from Leah… I stare up the stairwell she’d run. I’ve never been rejected by a woman. And Leah has never once denied me in the five years we were married. She would always come to my bed unbidden, and stayed even after I was satisfied. She would cling to me in the afterglow, and press her naked body against mine… I rub my chest, trying to make that unsettling feeling go away. But it stays. I hear a door slam from somewhere in the house, where my little wife went to hide away. I can still smell her lingering scent—light and floral, and beneath that, the headier smell of her arousal. She might claim to hate me—but I know better. I can feel my canines sharpen and my claws extend all on their own. An Alpha isn’t supposed to be out of control like this. But I don’t f*cking care. ‘My silly little wife thinks she can disrespect me…? That she can run away from me…?’ My wolf howls… I climb the stairs three at a time to her bedroom. She caught me off guard in the study and got away. But she won’t get away so easily this time. The day she was pledged to me, I gave Leah only two rules: Don’t ever lie. And don’t ever run from me. She’s just broken both.

I bust through her door, breaking it off the hinges. “You don’t run from me,” I growl softly. “I own you.” She jumps but stands firm in the middle of the bedroom. The room looks the same as it did since she first moved in, just as I ordered. Pink walls. A pile of her stuffed animals in the corner. No photos or mementos from her old pack. She didn’t decorate any part of the room herself. But still… parts of her invade the space. Her hair ties on the vanity, a couple scattered on the floor. She picks and plays nervously with the one around her wrist. A habit she never outgrew. Her books are around the room. On the bed, the nightstand. Stacked in high piles. On the floor. Worn clothes are piled in her hamper. Her damned scent is everywhere. “There’s nowhere to run now, Leah.” She straightens her back, squaring off with me. This is far from our first fight. Stubborn fucking woman, sometimes I wonder if she does it on purpose, provoking me. Poking and prodding at the wolf until it bites. Part of me wonders if she likes that side of me—the feral one, that is all passion and need. For certain, she is the only female I’ve come across that can get under my skin so completely. I grab her waist and lift her off her feet, and she gasps. I inhale deep through my nose. I don’t smell another male on her. If I did, there’s no telling what I’d do. She continues glaring at me. It would be so easy, to wrap her legs around my waist, grind her hot little c*nt against my d*ck… But then, her eyes glisten, and I hesitate. “If you’re going to force me, Aaron…” she says, “just do it already.” I search her face. There’s usually fire in her eyes during our intimate moments. She usually fights, resists, then yields to me and gives in to the pleasure I give her. That’s our M.O. And it plays out almost every day of the week. I don’t even mind that she challenges me. Something about it makes the victory that much more sweet. But her eyes are cold now. Her body is aroused, I can smell the way she reacts between her thighs… But there’s no fire, and suddenly… It doesn’t feel right to play the same game we always do. Now, I want to do something different… I lower her to the floor gently and draw her close. “What…” She blinks rapidly. “What’re you doing?” I push the hair away from her face and kiss her forehead. Her eyes. Her cheeks. Then finally, her soft, plush mouth that haunts my dreams. Slowly. Lovingly. I never go this slow when we have sex. It’s usually rough and hard. I’ve never actually made love to my wife before. But I intend to right now. Leah can sense the change in my actions, softer and gentler than ever before, and she shudders. “Aaron, wait—” I catch her lips, my tongue softly caressing hers. My arms are next to her head, holding me above her as I cover her with my body. I break our lips apart for just a moment to quickly peel off my shirt and throw it across the room, then return to her. I kiss her face, brushing my lips across her freckles, then trail my lips down her neck, to the freckle on her shoulder. She has them all over her body. I know where each one is. Behind her right knee. On her left hip. Under her breasts. Inside her thigh, right next to her weeping center… I note to myself to kiss every single one, thoroughly exploring her body. Worship every inch of her skin with my hands and lips, tearing an orgasm or two or three from her body and listening to her cry out my name in ecstasy. I always love the way she sounds, moaning my name. Only then would I unzip my pants, and inch by inch push my c*ck inside her warmth. I’ve probably f*cked her on every surface of this room. But tonight, I want to have her in bed. Like husbands and wives do. I carry her to the bed, and when she looks up at me, her eyes are wide and glossy in the most alluring way. The same way they always are when she’s ready. But she still looks deep in thought. Not upset like before, but not quite happy or turned on either. I kiss her again, stealing the breath from her lungs, determined to push away her pressing thoughts and get her to let go… “The door…?” she whispers, eyes flitting to her broken doorway. I chuckle against her mouth, quickly peeling her clothes off her body. “You should’ve thought about that before you ran, sweetheart.” She gulps. There’s no room for conversation now. I capture her lips once more, then drag my teeth and tongue all over her body. I take my time at her most sensitive spots. The curve of her neck, where I bite and suck, making sure to leave marks. Her taut, dusty colored nipples, I tease and lick while my fingers rub her over her damp panties. Her back arches when I finally pull her panties aside, and gift her sad, wet p*ssy with my mouth, pushing my tongue deep inside and licking faster when I feel she’s close, then pulling away right as she’s about to fall over the edge. I don’t let her come until she begs me, and give her two of my fingers inside while I suck hard on her swollen little cl*t. She comes two more times on my tongue, before I finally push my aching c*ck inside and thrust into her, slowly at first because I wanted to be tenderbwith her. But her wet heat feels too f*cking good around me, and my movements turn faster and harder. Her arms and legs wrap around me like a vice, and I growl as her nails scratch down my back, drawing blood. She screams as I wring another intense orgasm out of her overstimulated body, loud enough for the whole house to hear, and I grin. I’d fuck her in front of the whole pack if I could. To make sure everyone knows exactly who she belongs to. As she clenches and pulses around me, I feel myself edging closer, and with a few more thrusts I groan into her neck and spill my seed deep inside her. My orgasm brings her over the edge one last time, her body shaking as I fill her to the brim with my come. When I draw back, her eyes are glazed over and she’s breathing fast. I sigh softly. I lost control, and went back to taking her roughly, like an animal. I cup her cheek softly. “Tell me where you went,” I whisper. Her heart is still hammering, but she slowly comes back to reality. “No.” She moves her cheek away from my hand and laughs darkly. “Oh, and, Aaron? I want a divorce…”

Rage spreads through me like a wildfire, and it’s a miracle I don’t shift right now. “Think about what you’re saying, Leah,” I warn. “Our marriage is the only thing keeping the peace. You leave, and I’ll have no choice but to take action.” “Come on, Aaron, be reasonable. Our packs have thrived in the ceasefire. Fighting would make zero sense.” I shake my head in disbelief at the sheer hubris of this woman. She wasn’t around for the horrors of her father’s reign as Alpha. She has no idea of the slaughter and horror that shattered my world. She didn’t have to bury the bloody remains of a sibling… I stare into her eyes, stubborn defiance swirling within. She’s already shown me she can’t be trusted, with her sneaking away, doing Goddess knows what… “You’re forcing my hand, Leah. You’ll regret it.” Her face hardens, and any affection or warmth that she held for me moments before is gone. “It’s my life, Aaron.” I tear myself from her arms and shoot up from the bed, pulling my pants back up. She sounds like a bratty child, not the wife of the most powerful Alpha in the region. She doesn’t get to run off and do what she wants. “Where did you go?” I ask her sternly. “What are you hiding?” Her lips are pressed into a thin line. A voice in the back of my head tells me to calm down, to not do something I’ll regret. But I’ve had enough. I grab her wrist and drag her out of bed and through her broken door. Then I push her into a spare bedroom and lock the door and her inside. My heart is pounding in my ears as I walk away. She’ll stay inside that room until she’s ready to talk. Guards will stand outside to make sure she doesn’t run off again. This is a punishment, I tell myself. This is what she deserves. So why is that cold, aching feeling in my chest back again? I storm outside through the back gardens to the elevator that will take me to the estate’s underground training facility. “Clear the field!” I shout as soon as the elevator doors open. There are at least a dozen wolves training. They all stop what they’re doing and immediately obey. James comes out from the elevator behind me, just as all the trainees file in anxiously. I ask. “Where was she?” “I don’t know.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “And the guards on patrol?” “On their way here.” They’ll be lucky if I let them live. We had an attack on our pack recently, and several wolves were killed. No evidence. No scent trail to follow. Then today, barely a week later, my wife manages to evade a whole contingent of guards and my Beta to go gods knows where. The rain would’ve wiped out her scent too. Mighty convenient if you asked me. “How did she get off packlands without anyone knowing?!” I snarl. “You found her and brought her back?” James shakes his head. “I found her walking back our way. She got into the car willingly. She didn’t say where she’d been.” “Didn’t say? Or you didn’t ask?” His face is stone cold. “Neither.” I narrow my eyes. “What the f*ck are you Beta for, if you can’t complete one simple task?” He bristles, clearly furious. But he doesn’t argue. He knows better. “The Luna of this pack—my wife—was gone and unaccounted for for several hours. So, I’ll ask you again…” I stalk towards him. “Where. Was. She?” James’ wolf is at the surface now. He spits, “Ask her yourself.” It’s the closest he’s come to mouthing off at me. But it’s just enough to set my wolf off. I lunge. My wolf tears at his skin, my teeth and claws sinking into his flesh…   * * * * * * * * * * * LEAH It’s been a few days since Aaron locked me in this room. Every morning, he asks the same question. “Are you ready to tell me the truth?” Every morning, I ask the same question. “Are you ready to give me a divorce?” Then he doesn’t say a word, and I hear his heavy steps walk away. There’s no food. I drink water from the bathroom tap. My stomach aches and twists with hunger so much, I’m dizzy. I don’t know if the pain I feel is from being starved… or if it’s the cancer. When I’m too tired to move, I cry. And when I can’t cry anymore, I sleep. The minutes start feeling like hours… Stay positive, I repeat to myself. Just stay positive. You’ll be alright. I keep thinking if I say it enough times, I’ll believe it. I don’t dream when I sleep. I wish I did. It would make the waking moments more bearable. Because when I wake, I just feel sorry for myself. For the time I had in this life that I never appreciated. For all the things I’ve longed for and wished for that will never be. Sometimes I think Aaron’s outside, listening, thinking of letting me out. But that’s just wishful thinking. To him, I’m just a warm body. A pawn in his game, and occasionally someone to fuck. Not family. Not his love… After the fifth day, I don’t feel hunger pangs anymore. Just pain. Everywhere. On day six. He greets me at the door, carrying a platter of fresh fruit and meats. “Your phone died so we can’t trace where you went. You ready to tell me? And who you were with?” Maybe the starvation drove me mad. Because I still choose to be defiant. “I’m not telling you anything. I’m done, Aaron. If you want peace, I’ll make sure my father keeps it. But I’m tired of living like this. I wanted a real marriage. A real love. But I’m done loving you.” My words don’t faze him. Instead, he laughs. “Oh, so you’re telling me you want to keep staying here and reflect on how to be a better wife? No problem…” He yells down the hall, “Jessica!” She comes running in obediently, holding a phlebotomy kit. “It’s time to take Leah’s blood debt. Be a dear and draw it from her,” he tells her. “You son of a b*tch,” I sneer. I scramble backward on the bed. But there’s nowhere to go. I’m a wounded animal in their trap. “Leave me alone!” She makes a show of it all. Slowly putting on gloves, flicking the needle. She’s enjoying this… I flinch when she grabs my arm. “Stop!” “You owe us,” she utters, her blue eyes filled with pure hate. She jams the needle into my arm, and I bite my lip from crying out. My blood instantly spills through the needle and into the tube, filling the blood bag. Aaron stands there watching, indifferent to my pain. “It’s the anniversary of the slaughter. Draw a second offering.” My vision dims as Jessica forces the blood from my body. I’m too weak to fight. I fall back, my eyes flickering open and closed. Through the darkness I hear his voice. “Come on. The chef prepared breakfast for us.” I open my eyes, and they’re strolling out of the room, Jessica holding bags of my blood in one hand, the other through Aaron’s arm. I scream, “I hate you!” I think maybe he pauses for just the briefest second. But then he’s gone, shutting the door, and locking it behind him…

I don’t know what day it is now. All I know is the fever. The chills. The pain. I haven’t left the bed in a while. The air is thick. My eyes feel heavy. So heavy… Suddenly, the door slams open. I try to lift my head, but I can hardly move. There’s screaming, and the guards are struggling with a tall male. Then there’s Aaron, cursing with fury… And a familiar voice, shouting, “What the hell did you do to her?!” “Adam…?” I croak. Aaron slams him against the wall. I push myself up on shaky arms. Adam is my best friend from home. “Is this who you snuck away with? Went to feed more info to your bastard father!” My head spins, from the sudden movement, and from Aaron’s words… The two men are screaming and growling at one another, uncontrollably shifting into their lycan forms, barely being held back from tearing each other apart. Something compels me to get between them. But as I stand, my legs crumple beneath me, and I fall to the floor. Everything starts to go dark. I can hear a man shouting my name, and strong arms lifting me. But my eyes won’t open, and I think… maybe this is death.  Then, I feel nothing. When I open my eyes again, I’m in Aaron’s room. The huge suite has dark blue walls and a giant bed. The white sheets are silk and soft and smell like him. I sit up slowly. There’s a tray of food beside me. I should be hungry, but I’m not. After going so long without food, I’ve lost my appetite. Maybe that’s a good thing. I read somewhere that fasting can help cleanse the body of defective cells. Maybe Aaron did me a favor. Adam’s sitting on a chair. He’s a few years older than me. A couple of inches over six feet tall, with light brown hair and light green eyes. He’s good looking. Nice. Calm. Even as a child, he was an intellectual, where the rest of my pack was singularly focused on war. “This isn’t my room,” I say. Adam shrugs. “Your husband insisted.” “How are you here?” “Why the hell didn’t you call me?” he says. I reach for the glass of orange juice. It’s probably going to burn my stomach, but the sweet, fresh juice has me salivating. I take a careful sip and try to gather my thoughts. I was locked in a room, so weak I fainted. Now I’m in Aaron’s room and my childhood friend is here. And he’s angry I haven’t called him!? “Adam.” I hold the glass in both hands. “We haven’t talked in years. Why would I call in the first place? If you missed me so much, you could’ve called me.” I get to see my family a few times a year. There are even escorted visits back to my packlands. Only home doesn’t feel like home anymore. Everyone there…they’ve moved on. So when I come back, it’s always awkward. Like seeing me is a reminder of what they did to secure their way of life. Adam stands and then leans over the bed, one arm on either side of me, caging me in in a move I’d expect from Aaron, not my old childhood friend. He starts examining my eyes. Prying open my mouth to look down my throat. “Dude… stop.” “No. You came to my pack hospital, Leah. I run that facility. Did you seriously think that Dr. Henley wouldn’t share your bloodwork? I gasp. That explains why he came. Because he knows I’m sick. He shoves away from the bed and paces the room. “Does your piece-of-shit husband know?” I cringe. “Lower your voice,” I tell him. Aaron has fought over lesser insults. He freezes. “Then he doesn’t know.” I shake my head. “You need to tell him.” “Why?” Adam’s mouth drops open. “Seriously. Explain to me why I should tell him anything.” Adam’s pensive. Finally, he says, “Fine. Leave the bastard in the dark. But then come home.” With my days numbered… I’m not sure I want to spend them there either. “Leah, you need to come home.” Do I? I’m not so sure. “Let me spell some things out for you. I was barely thirteen years old when my mother died, and my father dragged our pack into even more brutal battles with the Rathborns. My mom was killed by the very bastards I’ve been forced to live with all these years. Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of her, that I don’t miss her.” He frowns. “I wanted to stay with my family. I needed them. I was devastated and grieving. But instead, my father pledged me, like some piece of chattel or a pawn, to an Alpha who has hated me and every one of my bloodline since before I was born.” Adam crosses his arms. “I was taken away from my family and everyone I’ve ever known. I was imprisoned here. I’ve never been respected or made to feel welcome. I’m not treated with kindness. Not even by my husband–and I’m ten times the fool, because I loved that brute, and actually wanted to become his bride.” “Leah, you have–” “Let me finish. My love has been one-sided for far too long.” I think about that for a moment. As a teen, I latched onto Aaron because he was nice to me. Some twisted form of Stockholm Syndrome surely. Or just the desperation of a too-young, too-dumb girl. Too lonely girl. But I’m not that girl anymore. “Leah, I’ve read the reports… You’re terminal. You are going to die.” “Yes. We all die, Adam. Some sooner than others.” “Your husband is an Alpha. He can mate you. Maybe he can force your wolf to rise.” Does he think I haven’t already thought of all these things? “There are risks,” he goes on, “but you have a chance.” I eat a few bites of bread and my stomach knots around them. Biting a human to ‘turn’ them is a rite that requires approval from the Council and even when it is sanctioned, very few humans survive the transition. I might get a pass given my lineage, and we could forego the formality of petitioning them since I am already Aaron’s wife, but that still doesn’t mean it would work. And if he mates me… “What then, Adam? At best I’m stuck, forever bound to a man that hates me. At worst, my sickness kills him through our bond, and then we’re right back to war.” He clasps my hands. “There are treatments, Leah. I graduated from NYU. I did my residency at MD Anderson. I’ll pull together a treatment plan. You can fight this.” Yes, I suppose I can. But do I want to? Adam’s hands are smooth and tapered. The hands of a surgeon. Not a warrior. He wears a suit and an expensive watch. He’s a powerful, wealthy, high-ranking member of my father’s pack. Most females would fawn over him. His bright green eyes search mine. “I can take care of you, Leah…” I’m still thinking about his offer when there’s a growl at the door.

The door slams open a moment later. Aaron’s eyes take me in. On the bed. Adam sitting beside me and his hands holding mine. He growls again. “Stop!” I yell. “This is my friend, Aaron. One of the only ones I have. And just where the hell do you get off acting jealous, when you’ve got Jessica trying to hump you every time you turn down the hall?” He scoffs. Then he turns to Adam. “Your visit is over. Get out.” Aaron comes within inches of Adam and his nostrils flare. He’s looking for evidence. “I’m not lying! Will you stop already!” Adam rocks back on his heels. His smile is confident, taunting. “It’s been incredible seeing you, Leah. And I’ll be sure to get things ready for when you come home.” He means with my treatments. Aaron snarls. “My wife isn’t going anywhere.” Adam glances at me. “You need to tell him.” “Tell me what!” Aaron shouts. I press my lips together. Adam sighs. He sidesteps Aaron and walks out. His men surround him. “Your boy looks awful smug, but he won’t be laughing for long,” Aaron says. “What does that mean?” I ask. He shrugs. “Let’s just say, big changes are coming. And they’re coming soon…”   * * * * * * * * AARON   Leah is nervous. She’s doing that thing with her hair and eyeing me like I’m a predator who hasn’t eaten in a week. Speaking of… she looks terrible. Too skinny and weak. Her scent is off too. “What’s wrong with you?” I ask. She blanches. “Nothing.” “I’ve warned you about lying to me, princess.” She twists another curl. “I haven’t eaten in days, Aaron. What the hell did you think would happen?” Fair. But I never expected her to hold out this long. There were nights when I wanted to break down the door and force her to answer me. But her will is strong. Too strong. And though I’ve done many things I’m not proud of, I’ve never beaten my wife. But that’s not to say I won’t. Always, pack comes first. Always. If she is a threat to them, she’ll find I won’t be as patient as I have been. I push the platter of food toward her. It’s filled with meat and vegetables. “Eat,” I command her. She gradually picks up a roasted vegetable. But I don’t think she does it to obey me, or even because she needs the sustenance, her whole demeanor is just bored. While she was locked away these last days, I structured the plans to ensure our pack’s safety. Her father’s pack won’t survive. It’ll all come out at the Regional Council meeting. Once the Collective sees what Alpha Roberts has done, they’ll seize his lands, accounts, and corporations. The Council will order his execution. It’s a ruthless strategy, even for me. But I’ll do it. For my pack… I’ll do anything. “What have you done, Aaron?” Leah whispers, watching me carefully. She knows me well, this woman. “Aaron, answer me.” Now it’s my turn to be smug. “No.” Besides, she’ll see soon enough, and the fallout of what’s about to transpire will ripple through these packs for years to come.

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So, here’s the thing. I took the place of my sister and ended up marrying her fiancé, who unexpectedly lost his sight. Surprisingly, we hit it off really well after tying the knot. He always believed I was my sister, so he treated me with utmost care, love, and affection. For me, life was supposed to be smooth sailing from there. But one day, out of the blue, this supposedly blind man regained his sight.

After my husband’s first love came back, I saw his answers to a question on Quora – “What is it like to marry someone you don’t love?” He wrote that he didn’t love his wife. Despite her wholehearted dedication and taking good care of the family, he still couldn’t forget about his ex-girlfriend. He said he knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t help it. Someone commented: You’re not anonymous, aren’t you afraid that your wife will see this post and divorce you? He replied: No, she can’t live without me. However, what he didn’t expect was that the next day, I left the divorce agreement on his bedside table and left without a word.