Category: English

I am the Matriarch of all Lycans — ancient beyond counting, immortal, ageless. The Lycan keeps me hidden within the palace, a sacred relic they parade as their good-luck charm. I have guided every Lycan King across the centuries. I devised their strategies, advised their wars, and carved out kingdoms from nothing. Then a new Luna arrived. The moment the Lycan King stepped away, she kicked open my chamber door. “I always wondered what kind of cheap little whore had the King running to this corner of the palace every day,” she spat, stepping inside as though she owned every stone beneath her feet. “You don’t even have a title. You’re nothing but the lowest mistress around here. Disgusting.” I almost laughed. My great-great-grandson — who is barely a thousand years younger than I am — would make me his mistress? The thought alone was absurd. Beside me, my handmaiden tugged anxiously at my sleeve, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Matriarch, please don’t let it upset you. When the King returns, he’ll set things right for you…” I smiled, rose from my chaise, and smoothed my robe. Whether the King set things right was the least of my concerns. After all, whoever sat on the throne of this kingdom — that was my decision to make. Word had reached me that Alpha Lucas had returned to the capital just days ago, victorious from the northern campaign. That boy. I had raised him with my own hands. He had ten times more sense than this Lycan King. … I had no interest in wasting breath on such a foolish creature. I tilted my chin toward my handmaiden. “Elara. Go deliver a message.” “Go to Alpha Lucas’s pack. Tell him my peace has been disturbed, and I’d like him to come collect me.” The Luna blinked — then burst into laughter, doubling over and clutching her stomach. “I didn’t realize the palace had produced such a character. Invoking Alpha Lucas, of all people.” “Do you have any idea who Alpha Lucas is? He is the Lycan King’s own uncle. He commands five hundred thousand elite warriors. And you — a nameless, titleless nothing — think you’re worthy of being collected by him?” Those five hundred thousand warriors were mine to begin with. I trained them personally and passed them to Alpha Lucas when he came of age. He had begged me for years to come live at his pack. But the Lycan King had been young and fumbling on the throne, running to me every single day with questions. I had declined out of obligation. I said nothing to the Luna. I simply glanced at Elara. Elara finally snapped to attention and hurried toward the door. “Stop.” The Luna’s voice cracked like a whip. The attendant at her side moved instantly to block Elara’s path. “I have not given permission to leave. Since when do handmaidens walk wherever they please? Have you no sense of order?” I reclined against the chaise and watched the scene unfold with quiet eyes. A thousand years. I had seen this exact performance more times than I could count. Every generation, someone new had to try it. The Luna noticed that Elara would not answer her, and her interest sharpened. She turned toward me, wearing a grin. “Oh, how loyal. Your mistress stays silent, so you stay silent too. Tell me — do you both think you’ve found someone important to hide behind?” “I’m genuinely curious about you,” she continued, prowling closer. “What exactly is your story? The King is here every other day. He skipped the Lycan royal’s anniversary banquet. He walked out of a council session mid-deliberation because someone told him you weren’t feeling well.” “I expected some breathtaking beauty. But looking at you now…” She shrugged. “Nothing special.” I kept the amusement off my face. Of course the King put my wellbeing first. Without me, he would never have clawed his way onto that throne as a weak werewolf of a lesser line. And he certainly would not have kept it. The Luna stepped closer and cupped my chin in her fingers, forcing my head up. “Let me guess,” she said, studying me. “Is it that you’re exceptional in bed? Or did you use some kind of spell — slip something into his drink to keep him crawling back?” I let her hold my chin. I smiled. “How old are you, Luna?” She blinked, thrown off by the question. She answered before she could stop herself. “Eighteen.” “Eighteen.” I nodded slowly. “When I was your age, your great-great-great-great-grandfather was still in diapers.” Silence settled over the room like snowfall. The Luna’s expression traveled from confusion, to blankness, to fury. “You — you dare insult me?!” She raised her hand to strike.

I did not move out of the way. Not because I couldn’t. After a thousand years of living, there was not a soul in this palace fast enough to touch even the hem of my robe if I chose otherwise. But I suddenly remembered the last time I had been struck. More than four hundred years ago. A Lycan Queen, just as entitled, just as blind to her own smallness. She had stormed through my door the same way. Called me the same names. She later spent an entire night on her knees outside my chamber, forehead to the ground, begging me to put in a good word for her with the King. The slap landed. My cheek burned. I lay against the chaise and let it hurt, and I thought: four hundred years, and these people have learned absolutely nothing. The Luna froze after hitting me. “Why didn’t you dodge?” I looked at her. I didn’t answer. Something in my gaze unsettled her. Her humiliation curdled into rage, and she lunged forward, grabbing my collar. “What kind of look is that? I hit you and you look at me like that?” Elara was frantic on the other side of the room — trying to push past the much larger attendant, unable to break through, her voice cracking with tears. “My Lady! You can’t do this! You really cannot — she’s not — she isn’t—” The attendant moved before Elara could finish. A single strike, precise and brutal. Elara crumpled to the floor, unconscious. The fist I had tucked inside my sleeve tightened. A thousand years. I had made my peace with loss long ago. The handmaidens in my life came and went like tides — each one a brief shimmer in the long river of time, and then gone. But that did not mean I would stand by while they suffered for serving me. The Luna noticed my reaction. Her eyes lit up as though she had found something delightful. “Oh. That hurt you, didn’t it?” She released my collar and strolled to where Elara lay, nudging the girl’s face with the toe of her shoe. “She’s just a handmaiden. Is she really worth your feelings?” “Luna.” My voice was even. “Does the Lycan King know what you’re doing here today?” She paused. “The King? He’s in council with his advisors right now. No time to worry about something as small as you.” “And even if he knew — do you really think he’d pick a nameless, titleless thing like you over me?” I said nothing. She seemed to remember something then, and turned to her attendant with a curious frown. “Actually — how long has she been in this palace? What exactly is she?” The attendant smiled nervously. “My Lady, I looked into it. She has no rank, no title. Everyone in the palace calls her the King’s… outside mistress.” The Luna’s face transformed. She laughed until her sides shook. “A mistress? An outside mistress? All this time I thought she was someone, and she can’t even claim the lowest rank among the mistress!” I rose slowly to my feet. She took one instinctive step back. “What do you think you’re doing?” “Only trying to tell you something, Luna,” I said, unhurried. “You are eighteen. That is a young and beautiful age — a time when life has given you everything and asked nothing in return. You grew up cherished. Nothing has broken you yet.” Something almost like pride crossed her face. “Naturally. My father and brother gave me everything I ever wanted.” “Which is exactly why,” I continued, “you do not yet know which words must never be spoken, which lines must never be crossed, and which people must never be provoked. You need know which is your power and rights boundry.” “Leave room with your respect, Luna. The bridges you burn today are the ones you may need to cross tomorrow.” She stared at me for a moment. Then she laughed again, high and sharp. “You — a mistress without even a name to call your own — are lecturing me about power and rights?”

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I spent two years as a human punching bag in underground fight clubs. Finally scraped together enough for my son’s surgery. Then my wife gave it away to her childhood friend. For the fifth time. Fifty thousand dollars. Not a penny more, not a penny less. But this time, my organs were wrecked beyond repair. I’d never earn another fifty grand. I cornered Harvey in his hospital room, still clutching my bloody boxing gloves. “Give me back my son’s money! He’s dying of heart failure!” Vivian sighed. She convinced Harvey to return it. But the day Ryan was rushed into emergency surgery, the payment bounced. Insufficient funds. That same day, Harvey updated his social media. [Some psycho tried to scare me today. Good thing I’ve got this $50k watch to cheer me up. My girl’s the best—real ones know how to treat their childhood friends right!] I called Vivian over and over. When she finally picked up, all I got was a lecture. “Jason, you were too aggressive that day. You terrified Harvey so badly that he had an episode. I need to stay with him while he recovers.” “I’m a doctor—I know Ryan’s condition better than anyone. He’s not that fragile. He can hold on a little longer.” “Once my research grant comes through, I’ll get him into surgery immediately.” I hung up. Calm. Empty. With what little money I had left, I purchased a double burial plot. Holding my son’s cold, stiffening body, I sent Vivian one last text. “Vivian. I want a divorce.” I’d barely confirmed the burial plot when Vivian’s call came through. “Stop being dramatic, Jason. Harvey had a heart attack that day—you scared him half to death. His condition was way more critical than Ryan’s.” “Ryan has a chronic condition. A few more days won’t hurt.” “Once Harvey stabilizes, I’ll figure out the money for surgery.” Critical? How critical could a man be if he just bought a fifty-thousand-dollar watch? All I could see was Ryan’s face in those final moments. He’d tugged weakly at my sleeve. “Daddy… if Mommy comes, will the pain stop?” “It’s okay if it hurts. I just want her to visit me… I want to see her one more time before I fall asleep.” He never got to. My throat tightened. “We don’t need your help anymore.” “Vivian, answer me honestly. Does Harvey matter more to you than your own husband and son?” Her voice was sharp with impatience. “Jason, Harvey and I have been friends for decades. He got his heart condition because he shielded me from human traffickers when we were kids. They beat him so badly his heart never recovered.” “I owe him. Can’t you just understand that?” In the background, I heard Harvey’s whiny complaint. “Your husband bothering you again? God, he’s so annoying. Can’t he grow up?” Vivian’s tone softened immediately. “You’re right, you’re right. No one’s as good as you.” “Don’t get worked up, baby. Your heart can’t take it.” Then Harvey sent me a private message. “Yo, Jason, I just overheard. Actually, Vivian’s got money—she just dumps it all into research. I suggested she ‘borrow’ yours instead.” “Didn’t think she’d actually go through with it lol. If you really need it back ASAP, I can tell her to return it.” “She’s being kinda shitty to you, not gonna lie. Want me to yell at her for you?” Tears dripped onto my phone screen. Every time Vivian got her hospital bonus, Harvey would “borrow” it for his treatments. She always said she owed him. That she’d do anything he asked. So when Ryan got worse and we had no money, I had no choice. I became a punching bag to pay for surgery. My phone buzzed. A message from the fight club manager. “Jason. Got a big spender tonight. Yeah, he hits hard—but he pays harder. One hour and you’ll have enough for your kid’s surgery. You coming or not? Offer won’t last.” Before, I would’ve jumped at this. No matter how badly my insides were already damaged, I was always first in line. Now, Ryan’s cold body pressed against me like ice seeping into my bones. “Not coming.” “Never again.” I ignored the flood of question marks that followed. The morgue was freezing. Ryan hated the cold. He must be so uncomfortable. I forced a smile at the nurse. “Could I borrow a blanket? My son gets cold easily.” The nurse’s face softened with pity. She brought me a brand-new fleece blanket. “Here, sir. Let the little one rest comfortably.” I whispered my thanks. She waved it off. “If you want to thank someone, thank Dr. Vivian Parker from our hospital. She’s got a friend staying here as a patient.” “To make sure we’d take extra good care of him, Dr. Parker spent thousands on gifts for the entire staff. This blanket alone costs a few hundred dollars.” “Spending that much on him? I bet he’s her boyfriend.” I froze. I thought of those days when Ryan was dying—when I went on my knees begging doctors for help, scraping together pennies, drowning in desperation. Tears streamed down my face before I could stop them. “Yeah. Thanks to Dr. Parker.” My hands shook as I wrapped Ryan in the blanket. The nurse looked at me with unbearable sympathy. “Where’s the child’s mother? Why isn’t she here at a time like this? If she could’ve scraped together the money, you wouldn’t have lost him to something as treatable as surgery…” I smiled bitterly. “His mother? She’s gone.” The nurse started to apologize, then fell silent. She didn’t know what else to say. As I stumbled through the paperwork, I turned a corner—and ran straight into Vivian. She was rushing down the hall, pushing Harvey in a wheelchair at full speed. She barreled into me so hard I slammed sideways into the wall. “Get out of the way!” My head cracked against the concrete. Blood trickled down my forehead. Vivian didn’t even glance back to see who she’d hit. She just kept running, screaming at a doctor up ahead. “Dr. Walker! Harvey needs a cardiac exam—NOW!” I slid down the wall, curling into myself as pain wracked my body. I sat there for a long time. Eventually, Harvey came back with Vivian in tow. “See? I told you that you hit someone. You should apologize. The doctor said I’m fine—I’m a grown man, I can handle a little scare.” He glanced down. His eyes met mine. “Oh. Wait… the guy you just mowed down is Jason?”

Vivian’s face shifted. Guilt flickered across her expression as she reached down to help me up. But Harvey’s eyes glinted. He cut in smoothly. “Jason, Vivian barely touched you. Why’d you fall over like that? You mad because she came with me to the doctor? Don’t be so petty, man.” He gave Vivian a little nudge. “Go on. Go make up with him.” Vivian’s outstretched hand froze mid-air. She frowned at me instead. “Seriously, Jason? I didn’t even push you that hard. Are you really throwing a tantrum over fifty thousand dollars again?” My heart felt like it had turned to ice. I braced myself against the wall and tried to stand, but my legs buckled. I stumbled forward—toward Harvey. He jerked back immediately, pinching his nose. “Dude, what is that smell? You reek.” “Vivian’s a doctor, for God’s sake. Jason, look at yourself…” Vivian wrinkled her nose in disgust, taking in my exhausted, filthy appearance. “Jason, you’re a mess. You seriously stink. Why didn’t you go home and shower?!” Since Ryan died, I’d been holding him. Holding him until his body started to decompose. Rage boiled up inside me. I wanted to scream at her. “Yeah. That’s the smell of YOUR son.” But before I could, a nurse walked by and lit up at the sight of Vivian. “Oh! Dr. Parker! I thought you were off today. What are you doing here?” The nurse’s curious gaze bounced between the three of us before landing on me. “And who’s this?” For years, Vivian insisted that doctors needed to avoid nepotism. She said if people at the hospital knew she had a son and was still doting on Harvey, there’d be rumors. People would talk. So she never told anyone at work about Ryan or me. Vivian’s expression darkened. Panic flashed in her eyes. “Oh. Harvey’s staying here as a patient. This is… the caregiver I hired for him.” I stood there, frozen. Every word I wanted to say died in my throat. Once the nurse was out of earshot, Vivian exhaled in relief. She stepped toward me, trying to pull me into a hug. “Jason, I didn’t mean it like that. Doctors just have to maintain a certain image—” I laughed. Cold and bitter. “What image?” Harvey snorted. “Come on, Jason. Vivian’s a respected doctor at this hospital. Look at you—you’re dressed like a homeless guy. You want people to know she’s married to that? You’d embarrass her.” Vivian said nothing. Her silence was agreement. I clenched my faded, threadbare shirt in my fists. My eyes locked onto the diamond-studded watch glittering on Harvey’s wrist. That watch was bought with my broken body. With my son’s life. The hatred inside me exploded. I swung. But before my fist even touched him, Harvey let out a bloodcurdling scream. “Vivian! My heart—it hurts! Don’t let him hit me!” CRACK. Before I could process what happened, Vivian’s hand flew across my face. The slap sent my world spinning. I tasted copper. She cradled Harvey in her arms like he was made of glass. “Jason! You KNOW Harvey has a bad heart—and you still tried to hurt him?!” I pressed my hand to my bleeding nose, glaring at him with pure hatred. “His heart’s bad? What about Ryan? MY son has end-stage heart failure!” “I could beat him to death with my bare hands, and it still wouldn’t be enough!” Harvey clutched his chest dramatically, gasping. “I’m so scared, Vivian…” Vivian’s face went cold. She grabbed me by the hair and yanked—hard. “You wouldn’t DARE.” My scalp tore. I felt warm blood trickling down. My phone slipped from my pocket and clattered to the floor. The screen lit up with a notification—a payment confirmation from the cemetery. Vivian’s eyes narrowed. She shoved me hard against the wall. “What the hell is this, Jason? Are you so desperate to hurt me that you’d curse our own son?!”

She rushed Harvey to his hospital room, cradling him like he was made of glass. “Tell Ryan to wait for me. I’ll perform the surgery myself. He’ll be perfectly healthy!” “Once I’m done here, I’ll spend quality time with you two. I promise.” I thought of the past two years—Ryan suffering through his illness, always so optimistic, always comforting me. “It’s okay, Daddy. Don’t be sad. Mommy’s a super amazing doctor. She’ll make me all better.” He trusted Vivian so completely. And he’d never see her again. I coughed up blood. The bitterness flooded my mouth. I bought cheap painkillers and left the hospital to handle Ryan’s paperwork. I scraped together just enough for the final payment on the burial plot. But when the payment went through, my card declined. My hands shook as I swiped the thin piece of plastic over and over. “Please, try again. This can’t be right… I just deposited the money!” The cemetery staff just shook their heads. I frantically opened my banking app. The screen showed a cold, merciless “0.” All the blood drained from my face. I immediately called Vivian. “Vivian! If you need money for Harvey’s treatments, use your OWN! Give mine back!” Her voice was sharp with irritation. “All my money’s tied up in research! I’ll pay you back when my grant comes through! After what you did to Harvey yesterday—putting him back in the hospital—you’ve got some nerve asking for money!” My eyes burned red. I screamed into the phone. “GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK!” “Vivian, you take this money—aren’t you afraid you and Harvey will be cursed?!” My words set her off. “If you need money so badly, why did you turn down that shift your boss offered you?” “He contacted me to convince you not to pass up such a good opportunity. I felt bad for you working so hard.” “So if you’re this desperate, why didn’t you take it?” I froze. I never expected the fight club manager to contact her. My organs twisted in agony. “Vivian… if I go back there, they’ll beat me to death.” I’d never told Vivian or Ryan what I really did for money. I didn’t want them to worry. But I couldn’t understand—Vivian could care so much about a childhood friend, yet not give a damn whether her husband and son lived or died. I begged. My voice broke. “Please. I’m begging you. I can’t go back there. Please just give me the money.” She went silent for a moment. Then finally relented. “Fine. I’ll transfer it to you.” I hung up, relief flooding through me. I could buy Ryan’s plot now. I waited all day. All evening. The money never came. Instead, the fight club manager called me. “Where are you? Your wife said you agreed to come back. I’m coming to pick you up. You’re still the best punching bag we’ve got—the regulars are asking for you by name.” “She already took a 30% deposit. You back out now, I’ll kill you myself.” My phone kept buzzing with messages from the hospital. “Mr. Parker, the morgue can’t hold bodies indefinitely. Please complete your son’s paperwork and make arrangements soon.” The setting sun bled red across the sky. I called the fight club manager back, my voice hollow. “Okay. I’ll come.” I asked how much I’d make after the deposit. The number he gave me wasn’t enough for a double plot. Only enough for a single grave. I pulled my lips into something like a smile. Then I’ll use this broken body one last time. At least Ryan will have a resting place.

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My boyfriend said he had to do one hundred little things for his first love, and once he was done, he’d come back to me. On the night of our seventh anniversary. My boyfriend, Declan, proposed to his first love, Sienna. He did it with 999 red roses and the exact Tiffany ring I had been dreaming of for years. His group of frat-boy friends went crazy liking the post on Instagram, leaving comments saying they were “born for each other.” I silently typed a comment under that viral video: “I wish you both happiness.” Declan called me almost immediately. His tone was dripping with impatience. “Harper, stop making a scene. This is just the 99th thing on the list. Once I do the last one, I’ll come back.” … The video of Declan standing in a sea of flowers proposing to Sienna had been filmed by countless bystanders. It was uploaded to TikTok and Instagram, trending instantly. The comments section was filled with strangers praising them as the perfect couple, saying “true love always finds a way.” I clutched my stomach, which was cramping from hunger. I stared at the steak dinner in front of me that had gone stone cold hours ago. My heart sank to the bottom of the ocean. Today was supposed to be our seventh anniversary. Ever since Sienna came back into the picture, Declan and I had been drifting apart. I had planned to have one final, serious talk with him tonight. He had promised me that today would be Sienna-free. Just the two of us. This morning, he even bought my favorite Napa Valley Cabernet. But this afternoon, he suddenly texted saying there was an emergency at the startup. He said he’d be late and told me to wait for him. So, I sat at the dining table from 6:00 PM until 1:00 AM. I never expected that while I waited, I’d be watching a livestream of him passionately proposing to another woman. Mechanically, I chewed on a piece of cold, tough steak and opened Sienna’s Instagram. In her latest Story, Sienna was blushing, standing on her tiptoes to whisper something in Declan’s ear. “For the last thing,” she whispered, “I want you to propose to me right now. And then kiss me.” Declan froze for a second. But then, without hesitation, he dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring box he had prepared long ago. “Sienna, will you marry me?” I stared at the ring in his hand, completely stunned. A few days ago, I found that little blue box in his jacket pocket. I thought it was my anniversary surprise. After all, I was still wearing the simple silver band he gave me when we were broke and launching his tech startup in Silicon Valley. I remember the first time I put on that silver ring. He hugged me, his eyes red with tears. “Harper, I’m sorry you have to suffer with me. I swear, one day, I’ll buy you a ring ten thousand times better than this.” I smiled and told him, “Then I want a Tiffany.” I told him I wanted him to belong only to me for the rest of his life. He promised me everything back then. It turns out, the Tiffany ring was for Sienna. No wonder he snatched the box away so nervously when I said “I love this” the other day. He lied and said his buddy Brody was storing it with him for a proposal. In the video, Sienna covered her mouth, moved. She extended her slender fingers and nodded gently. “Declan, I do.” The silver ring Declan used to wear was gone. There was only a faint tan line on his ring finger where it used to be. After slipping the ring onto Sienna’s finger, they embraced and kissed deeply while his friends cheered in the background. I picked up my phone and dialed Declan’s number. Sienna answered. She only got out a “Hello?” before the phone was snatched away by Declan. I heard her mutter unhappily in the background, “I’m going to go take a shower first.” So, they proposed, kissed, and went straight to a hotel room. Terrifyingly efficient. Declan’s voice was icy cold. “What is it?” I pressed my lips together. He clearly didn’t know he was already viral on the internet. “Where are you?”

“I’m working overtime at the office. If you have something to say, make it quick.” He seemed to walk away from the bathroom, and the sound of the shower faded slightly. My eyes were still fixed on the paused video of them kissing. “Declan, let’s break up.” “Harper, I am really busy right now. I don’t have time to play these games with you.” He paused, his tone shifting to a warning. “I’m serious.” After saying that, I hung up. … I packed my luggage and checked straight into a hotel. I slept until eight o’clock the next morning. When I turned on my phone, a string of texts from Declan popped up. “Didn’t I tell you I’d be late? Where the hell did you go to mess around?” “I’ve been exhausted all night, and you just have to make a scene?” “Don’t tell me this is about Sienna again.” Because I hadn’t replied for so long, his later texts obviously lost patience. I didn’t know if he was too busy to scroll through his phone or if he had turned off all social media notifications. I didn’t reply to his messages. I silently added him to my block list. Honestly, I should have done this a long time ago. Ever since Sienna showed up with that notebook where Declan had written down “100 Things To Do For Her” years ago, he granted her every wish. I couldn’t understand it, so I cried and fought. But Declan said it was a promise he made after Sienna saved his life in the ocean years ago. He claimed it had nothing to do with love; he just wanted to honor his word. Back then, I didn’t realize the severity of the situation, and I couldn’t bear to let go of our seven-year relationship. So, I was forced to accept it. I accepted everything. From Declan going out to buy tampons for Sienna, to accompanying her to bars late at night when she was sad. He even went on a spontaneous road trip with her. And I had to swallow all the grievances and sadness alone. I watched my boyfriend go through fire and water for another woman. If I raised even a single question, he would call me “petty,” “immature,” or “jealous and mean.” The funny thing is, I actually thought that once he paid off his “debt” to Sienna, we could go back to how we were. It wasn’t until now that I clearly saw how ridiculously wrong I was.

After deciding to give up on Declan, my work efficiency skyrocketed. My manager asked if I wanted to compete for a spot in the London transfer program. I was a bit stunned. It wasn’t until he emailed me the company’s talent development plan that I realized what was happening. Leaving work that evening, I walked out of the office building and saw Declan’s tall figure standing downstairs. He attracted quite a few glances from my colleagues. In the past, I would have run over proudly to hug him and claim him as mine. But now, I pretended not to see him and turned to walk away. He caught up in a few strides, calling my name as he ran. I dodged the hand he reached out to grab me with, stopping to look at him. I used to love his hugs and kisses, enjoying those simple intimacies. He seemed surprised that I dodged him. His hand hung in mid-air, and his expression turned cold. “I’ve barely talked to Sienna lately because of you. What are you angry about now?” “Nothing. There are a lot of people here after work, I don’t want to make a scene,” I said calmly, making up an excuse. He studied me for a moment. Once he was sure I wasn’t throwing a tantrum, he put his hand back in his pocket and smiled. “Shy?” There was a hint of smugness in his eyes. His tone softened, which was rare. “I was so busy yesterday I forgot our anniversary. I’ll take you out for a good meal tonight.” I wanted to refuse, but more and more colleagues were looking over. I was in a critical period for the overseas transfer, and I didn’t want personal drama affecting my career. I had no choice but to get in the car. When I walked to the passenger side, he opened the door for me. Immediately, I saw a Polaroid of Sienna stuck to the vanity mirror. Written on it in sharpie was: Sienna’s Exclusive Seat. Clipped to the photo was a strand of curly brown hair. Declan casually tore the photo off, plucked the hair, and threw them away. “Sienna was just pranking. Don’t mind it.” “It’s fine.” I silently closed the passenger door and walked to the back seat myself. He looked at me in shock. Only when I reminded him to unlock the back did he react. Sitting in the car, I saw a pair of black stockings stuffed in the corner. The scent of Sienna’s favorite rose perfume lingered in the air. I could pretend not to see the stockings. But I am allergic to rose pollen. I couldn’t help but sneeze twice in a row. Declan remembered this too and quickly rolled down the windows to air it out. Through the rearview mirror, I noticed his eyes looked uneasy. He opened his mouth several times but said nothing. This was the first time since Sienna returned that I observed him so calmly. On his wrist, he was wearing a light pink hair tie—Sienna’s favorite. There were faint lipstick marks on his collar. On his shirt cuff, a small letter “S” was embroidered in pink thread. His wallet was tossed casually on the passenger seat. If I remembered correctly, opening it would reveal a selfie of him and Sienna. Not to mention the little trinkets—lipsticks, mirrors, stickers—that he never allowed me to keep in his car. Now, Sienna’s things were scattered everywhere. Those “100 little things” had infiltrated every aspect of our lives like an invisible web, strangling me. I had been avoiding these details for so long. But now, looking at this version of Declan, soaked in Sienna’s labels, I realized something. The things that used to make me toss and turn at night could no longer hurt me. Even if they gathered into steel needles and stabbed me, I felt nothing. Fresh air filled the car, and my nose slowly felt better. I rubbed my nose and took the bottled water he handed me, squeezing the plastic unconsciously. Seeing my expression return to normal, he quietly sighed in relief. “I’m glad you understand. I’m done with what I promised Sienna. Just be good, stop being so paranoid.” Is it really… done? Thinking of Sienna’s Instagram and the congratulations from his frat brothers, I felt incredibly bored. “Mhm,” I gave a muffled, perfunctory response. We didn’t speak again. Just as I was dozing off, the screeching sound of emergency brakes woke me up. I looked at him in confusion. He had just ended a call, looking torn. “Sienna says her stomach hurts really bad. How about we drop her at the ER first, then go eat?” I looked at the sunset glowing outside the window. The last shred of illusion in my heart shattered completely. He and Sienna would never end. The one who needed to end things completely was me. I shook my head. “No need. You go. I’m a bit tired from work, I want to rest early.” “Don’t overthink it, I’m just afraid something will happen to her.” “I know. Just drop me off at the intersection past this suburban highway.” I thought what I said was perfectly reasonable. But he suddenly turned to look at me, furious. “Sienna is crying from pain, do you have to be so passive-aggressive? Even if you’re jealous, that’s a human life! Do you only want to be happy if she dies?” I looked at him indifferently. “I didn’t say anything. I didn’t stop you from going to her. Why are you dragging this to me wanting her dead?” He choked on my question, seemingly too lazy to argue further. “Either come to the hospital with me or get out now.” “What?” I blurted out subconsciously. We were on a loop highway around the city. Getting out here meant walking for at least two hours to get an Uber. And I was wearing high heels. He completely lost patience and slammed the car door shut. Then he roughly dragged me out of the back seat. “Reflect on yourself!” He drove off, leaving me standing in a cloud of dust. I stood blankly on the roadside, my eyes tearing up against my will. … When I got back to the hotel, the skin on my heels was rubbed raw, and I had two bloody blisters on my soles. I popped them with a needle, the pain making my nose sting. After bandaging the wounds, I sat eating a burrito I picked up from Chipotle. My mom called, asking how Declan and I were doing lately. I held the phone, my hand unconsciously picking at the takeout box. Tears finally couldn’t be held back, dropping plip-plop into my rice. “We’re good.” “That’s good, that’s good. Do you have enough money? Is Declan treating you well?” “I have enough. He treats me very well.” My throat felt like it was blocked with wet cotton. I made up an excuse to end the call. A moment later, Mom transferred me two thousand dollars. Note: Harper, keep this money. Your dad and I don’t need much at home. My last bit of strength collapsed. I bit my lip and sobbed out loud. Through blurred vision, I sent the money back. Text: No need, Mom. Did you forget? Declan is a successful entrepreneur now. He treats me well and loves spending money on me. Actually, my job in San Francisco isn’t far from my parents’ home in Oakland. But to take care of Declan, I hadn’t gone back to visit them in a long time. I made a silent decision. Once the transfer was settled, I would go home and spend real time with them. While I was lost in thought, Declan called from a different number. “Are your feet okay? You should really learn from Sienna. Stop being so jealous and competitive.” He opened with his typical tactic: a slap followed by a piece of candy. It was his go-to method for manipulating me all these years. Punish me, then offer symbolic concern. Usually, I would feel like I was the unreasonable one, beg for his forgiveness, and thank him for his “tolerance.” When he didn’t hear my apology after a long silence, he was surprised. He called my name. “Mhm,” I responded. He continued, “Sienna’s stomach really hurts.” Realizing my reaction was off, he actually explained, which was rare. “The doctor said it’s a stomach ulcer. She needs an IV drip. How about… I order you some takeout?” I swallowed the burrito in my mouth. “No need. I already ate.” Declan fell silent, probably not knowing what else to say. On the other end of the line, Sienna whimpered twice. He said, “I gotta go,” and hung up. After the call, I opened Sienna’s Instagram. Her latest Story was updated three minutes ago. In the video, Declan was gently holding her, rubbing her stomach. The background was the living room of Sienna’s apartment. I stuffed another mouthful of rice into my mouth and silently blocked this number too.

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Today was supposed to be my mating day. The day Tristan Veyne would mark me as his Luna, in front of the whole Ashveil Pack. We’d trained together since we were pups. Everyone said we were the perfect match. Future Alpha and Luna. Balanced. Predictable. Safe. I smoothed down the front of my cloak for the hundredth time and glanced toward the entrance again. Still no one. Not a single soul had shown up—not my parents, not my brother Rafe, not even Tristan. Just me, standing alone in the silence. I pulled out my phone and checked for the fifth time. No new messages. My thumb hovered over Tristan’s name before I called again. It rang twice, then went to voicemail. I stared at the screen, unsure whether to laugh or throw it against the stone wall. Then the pack announcement flashed across it: [WELCOME HOME SERA THORNHART] A video auto-played. There they were—my family. All of them. Gathered at the arrival gates of the northern ridge, where the skycrafts landed. My father beamed, my mother teared up, and Rafe had lifted Sera into a spinning hug. Even Tristan was there, standing just behind her. Sera’s golden hair glinted under the lantern lights. Her arm curled tightly around Tristan’s like she belonged there. She always did. My chest burned. A moment later, my phone buzzed again. This time it was Tristan. “Stop being dramatic, Kiera,” he said, his voice dry, like I’d called to complain about the weather. “We’ll do the ceremony later. Sera just got back from Alpha training at Wolfsbane Academy —” The line cut. I stared at the screen, my claws itching to come out. Around me, the ceremonial hall remained silent, filled only with the soft rustle of moonflower petals falling to the floor. I looked down at the cloak I’d spent hours sewing silver threads into. It pooled around me now like shed fur, like something I didn’t deserve to wear. I slipped it off and left it there. The Ashveil Pack buzzed with noise when I returned. Someone had roasted meat on the back grill. Sera’s perfume floated through the halls—rose and sweetleaf, strong enough to push every other scent away. Laughter echoed from the main room. A celebration, loud and thoughtless. No one noticed when I slipped inside through the kitchen door. I went straight to my room, sat on the edge of my bed, and stared at the list I’d written in my journal. A simple list. Every time I’d been forgotten. Overlooked. Passed over. I added another entry at the bottom: Mating ceremony—no one came. A knock slammed against the door. It creaked open, and Rafe stepped inside like he owned the place, his boots heavy on the floor. “There you are.” He looked me over, taking in the fur cloak now folded by my desk and the half-written letter to the Council. “Sera wants your meatloaf. Make it spicy—she says she missed the way you cook it.” I stared at him, hands resting on my lap. “You missed my mating ceremony.” Rafe blinked, then shrugged like it didn’t matter. “It’s just a ritual. You and Tristan can do it next moon, or the one after. Sera’s back, Kiera. We haven’t seen her in a year.” He picked up my journal from the desk, flipped through it without asking. “You still writing this stuff down?” His eyes landed on the fresh page. At the top in bold letters: FINAL WARNING. He snorted. “What’s that supposed to mean? You gonna run away? To be a rogue?” He tossed the journal back onto the bed. “Just make the meatloaf, Kiera.” I stood slowly and walked past him toward the kitchen. My hands stung as I pulled out the meat from the cold box. The new soap they’d brought back for me to use—Sera’s favorite brand—had left red blotches on my skin. Rafe leaned against the wall behind me, watching too closely. “Why are you so quiet?” he asked. “Planning to poison her or something?” Before I could answer, her voice rang out from the main room. “Rafeee! The chestnuts!” He rolled his eyes and muttered, “Coming,” before turning and leaving without a second glance. I washed my hands under cold water, watching the red fade into pale pink. My eyes drifted to the counter. There sat the ceremonial cake I’d ordered. Still untouched. The bonding rings lay beside it, sealed in their velvet box. I didn’t cry. I just stood there for a long time, staring at all the things that were supposed to matter. My wolf had been quiet all day, but now her voice was sharp in my head. Veyla, my wolf, growled low in my chest. “They’ve made their choice,” she said. “So will we.” I looked toward the window. Beyond it, the dark trees of the northern woods swayed gently in the night wind. Sera was back. She had everything. And me? I was done waiting.

I set the meatloaf down on the long oak dining table, the scent wafting through the air like a forgotten promise. Laughter echoed from the living room. Father, usually buried in Alpha Council meetings and Ashveil Pack’s logistics, sat comfortably, listening intently as Sera gushed about her time at Wolfsbane Academy. “We practiced under the pack elder Greyfang,” she said, eyes shining. “He said I had the instincts of a born Alpha—strong enough to lead any pack.” Mother clutched Sera’s hand, eyes shimmering with emotion. “My sweet girl. You’ve lost weight, haven’t you? You need more rest—too much time in training will weaken your wolf and dull your senses.” Rafe sat beside them, still dutifully peeling chestnuts like some Beta servant. I stood quietly at the threshold between the kitchen and living room—watching, never invited. That room was warm, bright, full of voices and attention. This room—mine—was quiet, dim. Forgotten. Sera’s voice rose with performative sweetness. “Kiera, why are you just standing there? Still mad at me for ruining your ceremony?” The conversation screeched to a halt. Three pairs of eyes turned toward me like I was a problem that had just come back. Father’s brow furrowed. “Kiera, come here. Don’t sulk.” Mother gave me that impatient look—the one that always followed whenever Sera cried. “You’re the one who picked that unfortunate date. Sera had just landed, we were all exhausted from the airport run. You know that, don’t you?” Then came the dagger. “If you’re going to be petty with your sister, then you’re no daughter of mine.” Sera gasped, wide-eyed and full of faux concern. “Mom, don’t be so harsh. Kiera will feel hurt…” But her smirk said otherwise. She knew my ceremony date. I told her a week in advance. She even replied: “Can’t wait! Got a surprise planned for you.” Surprise, indeed. Since we were pups, Sera had always managed to turn every situation into a test—one where the pack had to choose. They always picked her. Even my mate chose her. I should’ve felt something—anger, betrayal, sadness. But there was only… stillness. “I’m not angry.” Those three words sliced through the tension like claws through bark. Everyone stared. Father blinked. Mother narrowed her eyes. Sera tilted her head with a mock-confused pout. They had expected a tantrum, not serenity. Which meant… they knew what they did would hurt me. They just didn’t care enough to stop. Father exhaled and forced a smile. “Good. That’s good. We’re a pack. We don’t hold grudges.” “Of course,” I said, nodding with perfect obedience. It was the same voice I used to speak to the Elder wolves during full moon rituals. The relief in their eyes was instant. They turned their attention back to Sera. Dinner began. The maid had added several dishes besides my meatloaf—crab legs, lemon garlic scallops, all Sera’s favorites. “You’re too thin,” Father murmured, piling food onto her plate. “Eat more. You’ll need your strength before the orchestral trial,” Mother added, dabbing her eyes again. Rafe chimed in with a grin. “Don’t worry. If any of those city wolves give you trouble, I’ll rip their throats out.” Sera laughed, her silver hair gleaming in the light. “No need. I’ve got this.” They all chuckled. I ate in silence, the warmth of the meatloaf doing little to thaw the cold within me. Then, for the first time that evening, Mother glanced at me. She hesitated. Picked up a spoonful of meatloaf and placed it on my plate. “Try it. Don’t think we don’t care about you just because we fuss over Sera. I care about you too.” The words felt… rehearsed. Like a line from a script she’d used too often. I looked down at the food, then slowly set my utensils down. “No. I’m full.” Her expression shifted—first startled, then irritated. “What’s wrong with you lately?” She started to say more, but Sera suddenly clutched her throat, eyes wide. “Mom… I… I can’t breathe—” Her voice cracked, breath rasping. She staggered backward, knocking over her chair. Panic erupted instantly. “Sera!” Mother screamed. “What’s happening?!” Father stood so fast the table shook. Rafe was already at her side, sniffing her neck and face for signs of poison, his Beta instincts flaring. “Her scent’s spiking—something’s wrong!” My heart thudded in my chest, not from fear, but from the quiet, twisted irony of it all. In the chaos, no one noticed me standing completely still—just watching. Veyla’s voice stirred faintly in my mind. “She’s not choking, Kiera. She’s shifting. Something inside her is waking.”

Sera’s rash bloomed across her skin like a warning from the moon goddess. “Is this… an allergic reaction?” Father barked, nostrils flaring as he hovered over her convulsing form. “Why would this happen now?” Mother’s gaze snapped to me like a dagger drawn under moonlight. In the next heartbeat, her palm collided with my cheek, sending me sprawling across the tiled floor. “Kiera! What did you put in the food? Have you forgotten your sister’s triggers?!” My head rang. The room swam. I could feel Veyla stir within me, a low growl rising in the depths of my chest. But I shoved her back, swallowing the heat clawing at my throat. Rafe stepped forward, eyes flashing in disbelief. “You were so quiet… so obedient. And now this? You meant to harm Sera.” “How did I end up with a sister like you?” he added, his voice heavy with disappointment. “Enough!” Father slammed his fist on the table, the sound reverberating like thunder. “Get her to the healer now!” The room cleared in a blur—my parents and Rafe carrying Sera out, frantic and breathless, like she was the moon’s own fragile vessel. I was left alone, face throbbing, heart hollow. It wasn’t me. I whispered the words aloud, but they echoed off the silence like lies. They wouldn’t believe me. They never did. Not after everything. I felt something wet and hot on my palm. The maid had returned, her eyes wide as she caught sight of my hands. “Lady Kiera… your hands… they’re—swollen.” I looked down. Red lines bloomed across my skin like fire veins. “I’m fine,” I lied, brushing past her. In my room, I reached for an old leather-bound notebook. As I opened its worn cover, the scent of old ink and pine dust rose—memories not even the wolf in me wanted to recall. That winter, prey was scarce. Rogues pushed at our borders, and the Council demanded more from Father than he could give. When resources thinned, when space and safety grew tight, someone had to be sent away. I volunteered. The obedient daughter. The easy one to forget. The outpost clung to the cliffs beyond the pack’s borders—a place carved for old warriors and outcasts. No pack song reached that far. Only wind and silence. There I learned everything. They visited once a year for Solstice rites. Each time, they stayed less. Brought more gifts for Sera. Spoke less of me. When I finally returned, the Ashveil Pack had grown stronger—courts and galleries echoing with pride. My new quarters? A forgotten supply room near the rear exit. No windows. No warmth. Just a reminder: I wasn’t part of the vision they built. I packed my things into a worn duffel. The wedding leave I had once requested felt laughable now. I was reaching for the phone, ready to send a message to my superior at outpost—requesting return to the outpost. Tristan. My mate. Or at least, the one fate had paired me with. The one who should have stood by me. “What did you do to Sera?” he demanded, skipping any pretense of concern. “She’s in the healer’s hall. You poisoned her?” “It was an allergic reaction,” I said simply. “Don’t lie to me. You’ve always been jealous. How could you hurt your own blood like that?” His words were fire, burning through any remaining illusion I had. “Yes. I hurt her. I’ll apologize when she recovers. Are we done?” He fell silent for a second, stunned by my calm. We’d argued about Sera before—dozens of times. He used to flirt with her under the pretense of concern. Ordered her favorite foods during our dinners. Ignored my needs, my wants. “She’s your sister,” he always said, like that made everything acceptable. To my family, I was always the overreacting one. The unstable one. When Sera went to the Alpha training, I felt peace for the first time. Even Veyla had been calmer. Now, the storm had returned. “If anything happens to Sera again,” Tristan warned, his voice cold, “there will be no mating ceremony.” Then the line went dead. I pictured him rushing into the healer’s den, brushing hair from Sera’s face, playing the hero to the girl he truly wanted. My claws threatened to unsheathe. Instead, I smirked, hung up, and called my mentor back in the outpost . Later that night, the front door creaked open. Mother and Father returned, exhaustion painted across their faces. Rafe followed, his head low. My duffel sat by the door. I was ready to leave. From upstairs, I heard them speaking in hushed tones—until the silence cracked open with betrayal. “If only Tristan’s family had better standing,” Mother sighed. “He’s so good to Sera…” “Sera likes him,” Father added. “Had I known, I never would’ve paired him with Kiera.” “Still,” Mother continued, “Tristan and Kiera are more suited. Let Sera chase her dreams. He can still take care of her, even as Kiera’s mate.” The words sank like stones in my gut. Even now, they planned to keep Sera close to my mate. To my mate. I descended the stairs, my presence sudden, cutting off their whispers. Mother flinched as she saw me. “Kiera… you—You’re still here?” I said nothing. Just grabbed my bag and walked into the night—into the cold air and the arms of the moon. Veyla stirred again. We were never one of them, Kiera. But we are not alone. I tilted my face skyward, letting the night wind carry my scent far from that house. From the pack that never truly saw me. From the mate who never chose me. Let them keep their false bonds. I would forge my own.

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After Alpha Zane’s death, the leadership of the Silverfang Pack passed to his younger brother, Alpha Rex. Alpha Rex declared he would “take care of Zane’s Luna together”, visiting my room—his sister-in-law Evelyn—every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I refused. The next day, cards printed with my private photos began circulating in every major Pack group chat. They read: “Luna for hire. $50 per time, $100 for three.” Furious, I went to confront Alpha Rex: “They’re photoshopped! I never did anything like that!” He didn’t believe me. Instead, he got me drunk, threw me out on the street, and spat venomously: “Never thought you’d stoop so low. You disgust me. Spend the night here reflecting on how not to shame me again!” He hadn’t even left when his so-called Alpha “brothers” dragged me away. I was tortured until dawn, my legs nearly crushed. Covered in blood, shaking all over, I stumbled back home—only to see Alpha Rex holding Evelyn—my so-called sister-in-law, Alpha Zane’s Luna. He shamelessly whispered: “Took long enough to get her out of the way. Otherwise, I couldn’t keep loving you… Evelyn.” I summoned every last ounce of strength to call out to the voice buried deep within: “Enid.” “I’m here, Stella.” That was Enid, the wolf soul within me—silent ever since my bond with Alpha Rex. But now, finally, she awakened. “He betrayed us.” My body trembled; my voice was like snow in the wind. Evelyn nodded with feigned concern: “I could understand if Stella didn’t want you visiting me, but spreading rumors like that? The whole Pack’s heard… It broke my heart.” “And aren’t you afraid of going too far? What if she breaks the bond with you?” Alpha Rex sneered: “I only bonded with her to cover for you and my brother. And now she wants to cut it off? If she were obedient like you, she wouldn’t have had to spend the night ‘reflecting’…” He paused, contempt dripping from his voice: “If she knew her place like you, she wouldn’t have tried to bargain with Stella’s reputation. Everything that happened to her, she brought on herself.” My breath caught. My whole body shook. “She’s pregnant?” I blurted. Alpha Zane hadn’t even been dead ten days! Before I could process it, Alpha Rex’s parents—Old Alpha Ross and Old Luna Tina—appeared in the hallway. I hid in the shadows. Instead of anger, they spoke calmly, almost indulgently: “Evelyn, it’s hard on you, staying behind to give Zane an heir.” “Once you have the child, I’ll let Alpha Rex give you my emerald necklace.” That’s when I understood—this “dual replacement” had been long accepted. Twin siblings standing in for each other—an ancient, Moon Goddess-sanctioned ritual to strengthen bloodlines. Only Evelyn’s child wasn’t Zane’s. It was Alpha Rex’s. When Evelyn hesitated, seemingly wanting to defend me, Alpha Rex snorted: “Relax, I already threw her out to get her trained. When she comes back, she’ll cooperate. Otherwise—she’s not even fit to keep as a dog! She wants to break the bond? Let’s see her try!” I stumbled away, only for my communicator to ring again—another round of anonymous harassment, each message laced with mockery. I tried to hang up—when Alpha Rex burst through the door. He froze at my battered state—then quickly replaced the shock with a fake smile, wrapping his arm around me: “Stella, you’re finally back. I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have left you out there. You’re my Luna. I should have believed you.” He gently stroked my wrist. But in my mind, all I could hear was: “Alpha Rex sure is lucky. That Luna’s wild and cheap—$100 for three turns…” When he whispered, “Tonight, you’ll earn it all back,” rage exploded inside me: “Don’t touch me!” He was stunned—then yanked me to the ground: “Stella, quit the act! I told you to reflect, not cause more drama!” I hit the floor hard, gasping. He rushed to help me up, only to be stopped by Evelyn: “Stella, don’t make a scene. I heard nothing actually happened last night.” “What did I do wrong? Why is everyone on the side of the people who hurt me?” I cried out, my voice shaking like a candle flickering in a storm. “You trusted him too much. Woke up too late.” Enid’s calm voice echoed from within me. Evelyn looked at Alpha Rex, speaking gently: “I only stayed to honor Zane… What is there to fight over…” That’s when I broke. Through tears, I called the authorities. Standing up on trembling legs, I shouted: “What did I do wrong? The one who should reflect—is all of you!”

When I said that, Tina immediately jumped in: “Stella, how can you say something like that? Evelyn is still pregnant with Zane’s child, she’s all alone now… how pitiful!” Ross also cut in coldly, full of reproach: “From ancient times, it’s been acceptable to marry two women for succession. This is just to share responsibility for the late Zane. Can’t you even tolerate that much?” Seeing everyone siding with him, Alpha Rex pulled Evelyn closer and added with a smirk: “How about this—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I’ll stay with Evelyn, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays with you. Still not satisfied? What do you want?” I felt a fire swelling in my chest. I couldn’t take it anymore. I gritted my teeth: “No need. Just spend all seven days with her. I don’t care.” The room went dead silent. Tina froze for a moment, then clapped her leg and laughed: “Glad you’ve finally come to your senses!” Alpha Rex sighed in relief and walked toward me to embrace me. But the moment he got close, filthy images from last night pierced my mind like blades. I recoiled instinctively, nausea choking me. I shoved him away, panting, and said each word with force: “Don’t touch me.” “You misunderstood—I meant to say… I want to sever the bond with Alpha Rex.” “That way, he can be with Evelyn—openly and officially.” He froze. “Stella, what kind of joke is this?” His eyes brimmed with disbelief. “I didn’t even blame you for sneaking around with other wolves, and now you’re breaking our bond over this?” “This?” I snapped. “You left me on the street, watched me get humiliated by your ‘brothers’. Do you even know what I went through?” He sneered: “I had people watching you. What could’ve possibly happened? Or are you mad you missed a few paying clients?” Smack! I slapped him, my whole body shaking. “Alpha Rex, are you even human?” Tina rushed to block me: “How dare you strike an Alpha? He’s the leader of the Silverfang Pack!” I let out a bitter laugh. “An Alpha? Without me, your Silverfang Pack is nothing!” “I sold off the estate my father gave me to help him win the Alpha succession. I built your throne!” “Enid,” I whispered inside. “Should I keep enduring this?” “No, Stella,” Enid’s voice was calm, unwavering. “Now is the time to tear your chains. Your wolf blood was never meant for shame.” Alpha Rex exploded: “Who’d want a used-up mutt like you after this?” Outside the door, omegas peeked in, whispering: “So shameless! I’ve gotten her little card before.” “Heard she’s wild—three times for only a hundred bucks.” “I wanna try her too,” someone murmured. My body trembled uncontrollably. My knuckles turned white from clenching too hard. Tears poured out without restraint. Evelyn, ever the innocent, said softly: “Don’t say that… Stella’s not that kind of wolf…” Alpha Rex shot her a cold glance, then spat: “You’ve got the nerve to cry? If you had any decency, would people say those things?” “Enid…” I muttered. “Don’t let them stain the last of your dignity. You were never meant to be beneath their feet.” I looked at Alpha Rex, still ranting about how much he “tolerated” and “sacrificed”. “But… I loved him once,” I told Enid. “That doesn’t mean you should accept humiliation,” she replied. “Love is not a prison. A bond is not a shackle.” “You thought saving the Silverfang Pack would earn their gratitude. But they only ever saw you as a tool.” Evelyn stepped closer, deliberately whispering in my ear: “Rex loves me. He only pitied you.” “You helped the Pack, so what? He never loved you. He would never sacrifice a single thing for you.” She straightened up, raising her voice: “Just leave quietly. Maybe you can keep a shred of pathetic dignity.” I was about to respond when my communicator vibrated. The screen showed an image—me, from last night, being violated. Underneath it: “Round two tonight? I’ll pay double.” I screamed. The device slipped from my shaking hands and crashed to the floor. My chest felt like it had been torn open by claws. Even breathing hurt. I looked up, eyes locked on Alpha Rex. One word at a time, I said: “Stop pretending.” Tina and Ross’s faces turned ghostly pale.

Alpha Rex’s face turned bright red the moment I snapped at him. I casually grabbed that disgusting card stuck in the neighbor’s doorframe—printed with my private photo, along with a degrading price written across the paper. Coldly, I said, “You printed my photo. You spread vile rumors about me. I will never forget this.” He glanced nervously at Evelyn, pretending to stay calm as he protested, “Me? Why would I? Why would I want the whole pack to know their Luna is a bitch?!” He paused, then put on a look of deep affection, his tone turning mournful. “Stella, if you still care about me—your Alpha Rex—I won’t abandon you.” “As long as you’re willing to let Evelyn move in, and let her safely give birth to Zane’s child, I can forgive everything.” He looked at me with agonized sincerity, his words full of emotion, drawing sympathetic gasps from the surrounding omegas. “She doesn’t even treasure an Alpha Rex who loves her like that. What’s wrong with her?” “She was with Zane. Zane just died, and she’s already so heartless…” “Look at Evelyn, so gentle and understanding. Stella is selfish and shameless.” Evelyn, standing at the back of the crowd, smiled with satisfaction. Her lips moved slightly, and I could clearly read the two words she mouthed: “Serves you.” I clenched the card tightly, didn’t spare them another glance, and turned to leave. Alpha Rex tried to grab me, but I shook him off hard. Furious, he shouted from behind me, “You walk away now—don’t ever come back!” I walked down the stairs without looking back, my heart utterly calm. “You’re still waiting for them to change, but all they’ll become is more like stray dogs.” Enid’s voice suddenly echoed in my mind—the voice of the wolf spirit that had long slept inside me. “I endured for five years…” “You are the Luna of the Winsor Pack. Your bond is your honor, not your chains.” I could almost feel Enid standing behind me, a noble and commanding wolf shadow at my back. I reopened my communicator and sent a message I had already made up my mind about: [Dad, Mom, I’m breaking my bond with Alpha Rex. Silverfang Pack—let it go bankrupt.] Just as I was about to step out of Silverfang Pack’s gates, I halted, overwhelmed by rage and humiliation. “Shall we break the bond now?” Enid asked, her voice deep and distant. “No.” I whispered back. “I’ll do it in front of the whole pack.” “You want them to witness how a Luna reclaims her honor.” I nodded slightly. “Exactly. I’ll turn this humiliation into a trial—my trial.” Stumbling, I flagged down a cab. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror, twitched the corner of his mouth, and sent a voice message on his communicator: [Guess who just got in my car? Luna—the one going viral in the group chat… the ‘$100 for three times’ bitch.] A chill ran through my body. I felt frozen. I clenched my teeth, refusing to let the tears fall. In my mind, Enid spoke softly: “Stella, these aren’t insults—they’re the fire that will forge your soul anew.” “Burn it all down—with your true self.” Meanwhile, back at the Silverfang Pack mansion— Evelyn stumbled, grabbing the edge of the table. A sickly blush colored her pale face. “Rex, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have upset Stella like that…” She caressed her slightly swollen belly, eyes full of delicate sorrow. “But I’m really scared… What if she, out of spite, sends someone to hurt our baby?” Alpha Rex froze, then slammed the table in anger. Evelyn immediately took his hand and placed it on her belly. “Feel it—the baby kicked just now. It must have sensed danger.” She looked up at him, tears hanging from her lashes. “Remember the fire three months ago? The omega guarding the warehouse said he saw a woman wearing a pearl necklace wandering nearby…” Alpha Rex’s pupils shrank. That was my favorite necklace. Evelyn seized the moment and leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She whispered seductively into his ear: “It’s only us—we’re the real family, aren’t we?”

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They took my uterus. Seven months pregnant. My husband kicked me so hard the placenta detached. I hemorrhaged on the ice. His reason? Someone told him I slapped his first love across the face. My brother Marcus—the one person I had left in this world—found out and just stared at me with pure disgust. “You deserved it. If you ever lay a hand on Olivia again, I’ll make you regret it.” The hedge fund they ran together collapsed. They hung the CEO title on me and shoved me into federal prison. Three years. Three years of hell inside those walls. When I got out, I was done. No more hope. No more clinging to the shredded remains of love and family that had bled me dry. But they had regrets. Oh, they had plenty of those. *** Joseph Cross kicked me. Hard. My body hit the frozen driveway and I went down. Wind carved into my face like a blade. My abdomen clenched—a deep, ripping contraction that stole my breath. Something hot gushed between my legs. I couldn’t tell if it was blood or amniotic fluid. “Joseph—my stomach—something’s wrong—I think I’m bleeding!” I reached for him. He stood right there beside me. He looked down at me from above. His mouth curled into a cold smile, like I was putting on some pathetic show. “Oh, now you know what pain feels like? Did Olivia feel pain last year? When you made her miscarry—did she feel pain?” “She never said a word against you. That’s because she’s a good person. But you?” “It’s her birthday. You threw that bastard child in her face, and then you had the audacity to hit her.” His eyes were ice. No mercy. None. “I didn’t—just let me explain!” I scrambled to stand. The ice was too slick. I slammed back down. I crawled forward on the frozen ground, desperate, reaching for the hem of his coat. “Joseph, I’m not faking—my stomach really hurts—” My fingers never touched him. Olivia, silent until now, stumbled back half a step. She pressed a hand to her temple and let out a delicate gasp. “Joseph… I feel so dizzy…” His face changed instantly. He stared at my outstretched hand, smeared with dirty slush, like it was something foul. He didn’t pull me up. He kicked me away. The sole of his shoe met my body with disgust. “Get away from her. Don’t touch her with your filthy hands.” On that frozen driveway, the kick became a death sentence. My body slid backward. A dull, sickening crack. My lower back and belly slammed into the concrete snow barrier at the edge of the drive. Something tore deep inside me. A ripping, obliterating pain that didn’t stop. I couldn’t breathe. The heat between my legs spread faster, staining the snow beneath me red. I clawed at the ice. My blood-smeared hand reached for him. “Joseph—please—the baby—get me to a hospital—save the baby—” He stood there, Olivia cradled in his arms, staring down at me curled on the ground. No pity in his eyes. Just revulsion. “Vanessa. Save the theatrics. You think a little fake blood and a sob story will make me forget what you did to Olivia?” He snorted. “Women like you—raised in trailer parks—you’ll use any trick to get sympathy.” “I’m not faking—it’s real—” My body shook uncontrollably. My vision blurred. Through the haze, Olivia nestled against Joseph’s chest. Her voice was soft, sweet. “Joseph, forget about her. I really do think I have a concussion…” He didn’t hesitate. He stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her. Scooped her into his arms. His final words landed on me like a door slamming shut. “Lie there and think about what you’ve done. Don’t expect me to fall for this.” He strode toward the parking lot. He didn’t look back. Not once. Snow drifted into my eyes. The cold seeped into my chest, reached my heart. I couldn’t hold on anymore. Everything went black.

I woke up in a hospital room. Dim light. Dead quiet. No one there. My head was thick, slow. It took a long time to piece together what happened. My hand moved to my stomach. Trembling. Seven months. Round and full. Flat. Completely flat. The baby was gone. A white noise filled my skull. Blank. Empty. My chest caved in. Like a sledgehammer had crushed it. Yesterday, the baby had been kicking. Rolling around inside me, full of life. I’d been imagining his face. And now— Seven months. That was all we got. Hatred surged up from my chest—wild, boundless. I wanted to kill Joseph. I wanted to do it right then. I dragged myself off the bed. Before I could stand, I crashed to the floor. The thud echoed through the room. The bathroom door banged open. An orderly rushed out. “Mrs. Anderson! Are you okay? I’m so sorry—I was just in the restroom.” “You just had a hysterectomy. You cannot be out of bed.” Everything stopped. “What did you say?” She helped me back onto the mattress. “You came in with a placental abruption. Massive hemorrhage. They couldn’t save the uterus. You absolutely cannot get up for the next two days. Let me handle everything—your husband already prepaid all the expenses.” Like being held underwater in freezing darkness. My blood turned to ice. I came back to myself and tore free of the orderly’s grip. I was going to find Joseph. I was going to end him. She hit the emergency call button. Shouted for doctors. A crowd rushed in. A moment later, sedatives slid into my veins. I sank into unconsciousness. The dreams coiled around me, suffocating. Memories. Marcus and me when we were kids, just the two of us against the world. Him carrying me on his back, our small lonely shadows moving through trailer parks and cheap rentals. The sweet moments after I married Joseph. The way he used to take care of me. And then Olivia appeared. Everything shattered. When I woke again, it was the next morning. I opened my eyes. Marcus was there. Sitting motionless beside my bed. His expression was flat. Distant.

Marcus is three years older than me. We’re orphans. The real kind. Our father died of a fentanyl overdose in a truck stop restroom when I was five. Our mother vanished. Never saw her again. We survived on foster homes and state checks. The kind of hardship only we understood. Dumpster diving behind convenience stores for just-expired food was normal. Begging quarters for wiping windshields at gas stations was normal. Eventually we clawed our way into college on scholarships and loans. Started working. I thought we’d finally made it. Then his senior year—end-stage renal disease. He needed a transplant. He wanted to give up. Couldn’t afford it. I got tested in secret. A perfect match. I emptied the last twelve thousand dollars from the trust our grandmother left us. Donated my kidney. I made sure the hospital signed strict privacy agreements. The social workers, the surgeons—nobody told him. Same recovery wing. He never knew. I didn’t want him carrying that weight. He’d suffered enough his whole life. I wasn’t going to let him spend the rest of it drowning in guilt toward me. He got angry later—furious I’d touched the trust money. Disappointed I’d vanished for over ten days during his surgery. I just smiled and brushed it off. Now, seeing him healthy, almost like any normal person—I was genuinely happy for him. To me, Marcus was my only family. The one who raised me. My only blood in this world. When I saw him, my nose stung. Every buried hurt surged up my throat. “Marcus—” My voice broke. He slapped me. Hard. Across the face. The blow choked every word of grief right out of me. I stared at him. Too shocked to see his expression clearly anymore. “Vanessa. I am so goddamn disappointed in you. How dare you?” “Last year you pushed Olivia down the stairs. Deliberately. She lost the baby. She didn’t press charges because of me.” “But you just keep going. You crashed her birthday party. Made a scene. Gave her a concussion. When did you become this vicious?” “She forgave you. Again. But after you’re discharged, you will get on your knees and apologize to her.” I kept staring, silent. He screamed: “I’m talking to you! Do you hear me?!” “I spoiled you. That’s the problem. I made you forget your place.” I looked at this man—face red, features twisted, unrecognizable. Was this really Marcus? Over twenty years of memories flooded through me. When we were kids, he did spoil me. Protected me. But after he fell for Olivia—got tangled up in her emotional games with Joseph—he became volatile. Erratic. He was jealous of Olivia’s boarding school history with Joseph. But he couldn’t let go of the scraps of warmth and flirtation she threw his way. I knew him. A childhood starved of love made him desperate and insecure. The missing kidney carved a deep hollow of shame inside him. And Olivia? Upper East Side heiress. Trust fund. European degree. Beautiful. He looked at her with awe. He’d comply with anything she asked, even if it targeted me. And he wouldn’t care. Back then it was all small stuff. At first I tried to talk to him. Eventually I understood. He was a grown man. He knew right from wrong. The way he acted was a choice. His choice. It hurt. But I genuinely hoped he’d find his happiness. Now here he was. Storming into an ICU room, basing everything on one unsupported accusation, demanding answers from me—me, who had just lost her baby and her uterus. I didn’t know this man. He wasn’t the Marcus who once stayed up all night, terrified, because my fever hit 104. Something thick and metallic rose in my throat. I gagged. Blood spilled past my lips. Marcus froze. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes. But he gritted his teeth. He didn’t come to me. He turned to leave. At the door, he stopped. His back to me. His voice was ice. “Vanessa. Everything happening to you—you brought it on yourself. And if you ever go after Olivia again, I won’t forgive you either.” The door slammed. I stared at it for a long time. Wiped the corner of my mouth with my hand. Blood smeared my fingertips. Tears blurred it, spreading the red in circles. Tilting my head back, I tried to force the tears down. It didn’t work. I really regretted it. Regretted scheming my way into marrying Joseph. Regretted stepping into this chaos. Olivia wavered between my husband and my brother. Stringing along Marcus—sweet, obedient Marcus who gave her everything—while refusing to let go of her first love, Joseph. So why? Why were my baby and I the casualties of their game?

The moment I saw Joseph, I knew I was finished. Completely, utterly lost. Fall of senior year. Sunlight streaming through gothic stained glass at an Ivy League alumni mixer. I spotted him beside the lectern. Chiseled profile. A tiny beauty mark at the corner of his eye. It hit me like a freight train. He was aloof. Privileged. Gorgeous. Gliding through campus on family trust money and elite venture capital internships. To catch up to him, I pulled all-nighters on full scholarship, shadowed professors shamelessly for recommendation letters. I followed him to the Ivy League. Followed him to Wall Street. His shadow. Always hovering just inside his sightline. I loved him like a secret I was terrified to speak aloud, afraid my love would inconvenience him. And then one night—after a failed acquisition, drunk—he finally looked down. He saw me. The shadow. After that day, I had a second person in this world I’d gladly die for. I knew someone else occupied his heart. I walked into the fire anyway, fully aware I’d burn alive. From dating to a Hamptons wedding—one year. After marriage, he was tender. Attentive. No matter how busy, he never neglected me. When I got sick, he stayed by my side. Every trip to Silicon Valley or London, he brought back carefully chosen gifts. We were happy then. No question. But all of it ended the moment Olivia came back from Paris. The first time he abandoned me at a highway rest stop in Jersey was to pick Olivia up at JFK. The first time he called me trailer trash with no breeding was for Olivia. Later, he, Olivia, and Marcus launched a hedge fund. I was the CEO on paper. I held zero equity. I had my suspicions. But I didn’t want to believe people could be that ugly. Of the three of them, one was my husband. The other was my own brother. When I got pregnant, I ran to Joseph with the blood test, trembling with excitement. There was no joy in his face. Just a tight frown. Disgust. He never once came to a prenatal appointment. Back then I didn’t understand why pregnancy made everything worse. I should have known. If I had understood sooner— If I had walked away then— My baby might have made it into this world alive. But “if” doesn’t exist. Joseph arrived. Olivia beside him, dressed like a magazine spread. I was pale, lips gray, the stark contrast laid bare. I saw them enter, one after the other, and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to deal with this. “You’re awake.” Joseph’s voice. Flat. No warmth. His expression was open contempt. “Good timing. Olivia came to see you. Apologize to her. Now.” “She’s a kind person. You’ve hurt her again and again, and instead of blaming you, she offered to visit. But I won’t let this keep going. You will apologize today.” I almost laughed through the tears gathering in my eyes. I’m vicious? I’m cruel? This time last year. Olivia’s birthday party. Joseph and Marcus had planned it for her at the Hamptons estate. Midway through, I went upstairs to the bathroom. She cornered me on the staircase. I hadn’t even figured out what was happening before she cried out and tumbled down. She wailed about stomach pain. Blood seeped between her legs. She passed out. On the drive to the hospital, Marcus was shaking. Joseph held her in the back seat, calling her name, urgent, desperate. Then came the story. Two months pregnant. Miscarriage. Whose child was it? Marcus’s? Joseph’s? I didn’t know. I never understood the tangled mess between them. Afterward, they dumped the entire blame for Olivia’s miscarriage on me. I spent a full year living like a convicted sinner in front of them. No matter what I said, they believed I was lying. And then—just days ago, at her most recent birthday party—she pulled the same stunt. Accused me of slapping her. They believed her. Again. Without hesitation.

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For the past nine years,I had been secretly involved with Alpha Nick—my cousin Alpha Roger’s best friend. Our relationship was never made public.Because we believed in the power of true love between us. That night,after the Northern Moon Festival in the forested highlands,the Alphas of the pack were gathered around the longfire pit,drinking and sparring.He had a bit of wine,looked at me with that familiar playful curve on his lips,and said,“Leona,I’ll find you someone better.Stop clinging to me,will you?” I answered calmly and obediently,“Alright.” [So you’ve finally let go.] My wolf soul,Aris,murmured deep in my mind,her voice hoarse and firm.[But why do I feel pain instead of relief?] I didn’t respond.Aris was right. In my last life,I had refused his suggestion and insisted on forming a bond with him.But after the ceremony,he had grown distant and cold. Even when I was seven months pregnant and severely injured in a winter patrol across the snow ridges—buried under an avalanche,bleeding out—he had been with the heartbroken Beta selene,listening to ballads sung by bards in the Moonsong Cavern at the border market,completely unaware of the life-or-death struggle of me and our Alpha pup. It was in that moment I truly understood—he might be someone else’s salvation,but he was never my fated mate. When I said“alright,”Alpha Nick froze where he stood.He hadn’t expected me to agree so easily. The shadows of wolves flickered beside the fire pit in the wind.His handsome face was tinged unnaturally red,but his eyes were sharp—clearly not drunk. I sat on the wolfskin rug,composed and poised,my lips curled into a faint smile as I looked at him. At that moment,all his laziness vanished.He straightened up abruptly,his tone serious.“Leona,did you hear what I just said?” I nodded.“I heard you clearly.” [You didn’t cry.] Aris’s voice softened slightly.[That’s not like you.Every time he hurt you before,you’d call me out at night,curl up in a cave corner and cry yourself to sleep.] I replied quietly inside,[I’ve cried enough.] In the past,whenever he said things like this,I would plead,act pitiful,beg him not to walk away.But now,my emotions were still as water,as if I were just an outsider watching someone else’s play unfold. “Leona,you—” He didn’t finish.My cousin,Alpha Roger,had returned,his hunting cloak draped over his shoulders,a familiar smirk on his lips.“Guess who I just saw at the northern watchtower?” He didn’t wait for our response.“I saw your ex-girlfriend.She was drunk and collapsed on the patrol trail.Two warriors carried her to the Moonshade Shelter—” Just before Alpha Nick could dash toward the mountain path,a deep voice rose beside the long ceremonial fire pit—it was Elder Rovan. “Nick,I heard there’s a young girl around you lately?The tribal council wants to confirm whether you’ve already selected a potential mate.” All eyes immediately turned to him. Alpha Nick frowned slightly.His gaze brushed past me,but then he chuckled and said,“It’s a misunderstanding.She’s just Roger’s sister—I see her like a sister.” My hand froze mid-air,crushing the orange segment between my fingers. “I see.”The elder smiled.“Then would you be willing to attend next month’s‘Mate Selection Ceremony’as a candidate?” He nodded.“Of course.” The entire gathering fell into stunned silence. Alpha Roger blinked,turned toward me,about to speak—but I raised a hand to stop him. I stood up,graceful and composed,and said,“Alpha Nick,I wish you the best in your selection.” {You’re still not giving up?}Aris growled low in my mind.{He denied you three times—in front of an elder—just to make it clear.What more proof do you need?} Before he finished,Alpha Nick had already rushed off into the mountain path. Soon,the forest corridors echoed with the sound of snapping branches and low,enraged growls.Someone must have crossed a line.His Alpha instincts had awakened—I knew his eyes must be glowing golden now,a sure sign that the wolf had surfaced. I remained where I was,unfazed,calmly picking up a peeled orange segment from the fruit basket and placing it in my mouth. Alpha Nick liked fruit but hated peeling.It had always been me—carefully removing the skin,placing it before him—only then would he eat a few bites,satisfied. Alpha Roger used to tease me,“You treat him too well.I’ve never seen you do that for me.What,do you like him or something?” Many times,I wanted to tell him the truth about me and Alpha Nick. But Alpha Nick would always beat me to it,ruffling my hair with a chuckle,“Maybe,in Leona’s eyes,I’m her real big brother.What’s wrong with a sister doting on her brother?” Eventually,I understood what he meant.He never wanted anyone to know what we were. So,I chose silence too. For nine years,no one knew the secret between Alpha Nick and me. Aris had warned me many times,deep in my heart: [Do you really believe he’s your mate?You’ve never once felt his wolf soul resonate with yours.You’ve never truly completed a soul merge.] I gave a bitter smile.[I was too stubborn.] Now,Alpha Roger stood at the edge of the mountain path,watching the chaos unfold in the distance. I popped the final orange slice into my mouth and shook my head.“My arms are thin,legs weaker—I’d only get in the way.” Alpha Roger raised an eyebrow,said nothing,and walked off. I stayed in place a long while,until the forest quieted again.Then I rose slowly,making my way north along the Moonshade Corridor. Just as I crossed the stone bridge,I saw Alpha Nick—carefully cradling another woman in his arms. It was his ex-girlfriend,Beta selene. She was dead drunk,her limbs limp as if she had no bones,completely leaning against his chest. Alpha Nick didn’t push her away.Instead,he held her tighter,as if afraid she might slip from his arms. Aris let out a long,heavy sigh inside me. [He chose her.Not you.Do you understand now?]

There was a flicker of something in Alpha Nick’s dark,deep-set eyes—concern,maybe even a trace of anger.Perhaps even he didn’t realize it. Alpha Roger strolled over lazily,raising an eyebrow as he joked,“Leona,you think the two of them might rekindle something?” He didn’t speak loudly,but it was more than enough for Alpha Nick to hear clearly. Alpha Nick abruptly looked up at Roger,then his gaze quickly fell on me.Guilt flashed in his eyes. “I never meant to get back together with her,”he explained in a rush.“She was just drunk…” I gave him a faint smile and shook my head.“Alpha Nick,I understand.Selene really is quite drunk.You should take her home.” [Listen—“she was just drunk.”How familiar.] Aris,my wolf soul,let out a cold laugh,her tone thick with mockery. [Every time he betrays you,he coats it with calm logic.As if your pain only matters when it’s inconvenient enough.] I didn’t respond.But Aris was right. In my previous life,I had married Alpha Nick,thinking I had finally won the bond I longed for—thinking the Moon Goddess had blessed us.But there was never peace. At my eighteenth birthday ceremony,standing before the sacred Moonstone Circle,I saw him for the first time.My wolf soul trembled.I thought it was the call of fate. [It wasn’t fate.] Aris’s voice dipped,as though sparing me shame. [That tremble wasn’t joy.It was instinct.I sensed a strong Alpha’s presence,and you twisted that into meaning.] I froze for a beat,then chuckled softly.[You never said that before.] [You wouldn’t have listened.] She huffed,a touch of exasperated anger lacing her tone. On my birthday,I just wanted to spend a quiet day with him during my ritual season.But he said coldly,“Celebrating birthdays is a waste of time.I’m busy.” That same night,Selene’s spirit message appeared—pictures of them camping in the silver fir forests of Northridge. [Do you remember what you told me that night?] Aris asked suddenly. [You said,‘Maybe if I try a little harder,he’ll remember my birthday.’There was still light in your eyes then.] My throat tightened.I had said that. When my stomach ulcer flared up,I asked him to go with me to the Sacred Well Healing Hall.He replied impatiently,“I’m not a healer.Even if I went,I couldn’t cure you.Stop bothering me.” Later,I found out he had taken Selene to a high-ranking pack healer for a mild fever—and even gifted her a custom-forged purification crystal. At seven months pregnant,I was in a car accident.Bleeding heavily,the pack doctors called him to authorize the emergency spell-signature.His response was icy:“Is she dead?If not,don’t call me.” The call hadn’t even ended when I heard Selene’s cheerful voice through the spirit link:“Alpha Nick,the Moonsong Cavern performance was so worth it!The soul-chanting heir finally took the stage!” The connection snapped.Blood surged like wildfire through my body.The silver-etched spellmat beneath me soaked through,turning crimson. Even now,I remember the despair of that moment. [You nearly died that day.Do you even realize that?] Aris’s voice crashed through me like thunder. [I was at the edge of your soul.I felt the silver poison block your transformation path.I thought I’d never see you again.] In my past life,I finally realized—he had only ever seen me as Selene’s substitute. “Alpha Nick,we need to talk.” “What is it?” He looked impatient,and his eyes flicked toward the distance,as if hoping to be anywhere but here. I took a deep breath,forcing down the storm churning inside me. “All these years…everything you did for me—was it just because I reminded you of Selene?” “What nonsense are you talking about?” “Stop pretending!”I suddenly raised my voice,my eyes welling up. “On my birthday,you left me to go find her.When she got sick,you panicked.But when I was bleeding out,you didn’t even flinch!Looking back now,all your tenderness toward me…was just because I reminded you of her!” Alpha Nick turned his face away,silent for a long while before finally speaking. “You do look a lot like her.The way you smile,the way you speak…seeing you brought back memories—of the time I had with her.” His voice was low,tinged with a trace of something like nostalgia. “So my years of love meant nothing to you?It was all just a joke?” My voice trembled as tears finally spilled over. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?Why did you have to hurt me like this?” “What difference would it have made?” He snapped his head back toward me,frustration flashing in his eyes. “Selene was gone.And you—”his tone turned cold—“you were there.You filled the void she left behind.Isn’t that good enough for both of us?” I lowered my head,pressing my hand against my chest.A bitter smile escaped me. That night,Alpha Roger carried me home silently.We crossed through the moon gate just before the curfew bells rang—set by my mother for all unmated females returning to the pack. The next morning,groggy and bleary,I instinctively reached for my communicator crystal—only to find a message from Selene waiting. It was a picture of Alpha Nick sleeping in her home,with a caption: [Alpha Nick spent the night with me.] [Such a bold challenge.] Aris scoffed. [She knows you’re still waiting.That’s why she sent it—to make sure you give up.] I stared at the photo without emotion.I replied with a single word:“Oh.” Then she sent another photo—breakfast. [He made me my favorite heart-shaped pasta today~] Alpha Nick never once set foot in a kitchen with me.He always said an Alpha had no business in a cooking space—it was Omega territory. For him,I learned to cook.I learned lunar diet balance,ceremonial recipes,fire invocation spells.As long as I was home,he never missed a hot meal. But now,seeing him cook for someone else—remember her favorites—I finally understood. I had never been his mate. Only a habit. I glanced briefly at her message.I didn’t reply.Calmly,I continued eating my breakfast. Two minutes later,Alpha Nick sent a spirit message too. He didn’t mention the night before.He simply wrote: [The corn soup you made last time was pretty good.Make another and bring it to the council spire.] [And this time,don’t add onions.]

When I saw the message,my expression darkened slightly. Alpha Nick wasn’t someone who avoided onions.In fact,he’d always said onions enhanced flavor—especially in soup,where they were essential. I hesitated for a moment,then sent a simple reply: [Okay.] Without a second thought,I opened the food delivery app and randomly ordered a corn chowder.I added a note—”no onions”—and had it delivered straight to his office in the Council Tower. That evening,I went out to dinner with Alpha Roger. Just as we arrived at the restaurant,I saw Alpha Nick and Selene walking in,arms linked,laughing sweetly. The moment Alpha Nick saw us,he instinctively let go of her hand and walked toward us. [See that?That wasn’t guilt.It was instinct.] Aris let out a scoffing breath. Selene smiled brightly.“We’re late,and it looks like there are no empty tables left.Mind if we join you?” She hadn’t even finished speaking before Alpha Nick had taken the seat right next to me. Alpha Roger’s eyes went wide.He immediately stood up and yanked him to another spot.“Are you insane?Sitting next to her—does that seem appropriate to you?” Reluctantly,Alpha Nick moved to the seat across from me.His Alpha gaze held shadows,like he was waiting for me to say something. I avoided his eyes,handed the menu to Selene.“Go ahead and order whatever you like.My brother and I already chose ours.” “Leona,your corn soup is amazing—better than anything you can get from restaurants,”she said with a smile. That one line confirmed what I’d suspected:the soup Alpha Nick asked me to make was meant for her. [How does it feel,being used?] Aris said coolly. [Every spoonful you made for him became her badge of victory.] I didn’t reply.I just smiled faintly. Alpha Roger chuckled.“She suddenly wanted to learn how to cook a while back.I thought she’d blow up the kitchen,but she surprised me.Honestly,I keep wondering who the lucky guy will be that gets to eat her food every day.” Alpha Nick had been smiling,but at that moment,the smile disappeared from his face.He slowly sipped his tea,his voice casual but tight:“Leona,are you thinking about dating lately?” I blinked,not immediately understanding why he asked. Remembering what he’d said the other day—”I’ll find you someone better”—I nodded.“I’m twenty-seven.It’s time I started thinking about it.If you know someone suitable,feel free to introduce us.” “You’ve finally come around!”Alpha Roger was more excited than anyone.“I’ve wanted to set you up for ages,but you always refused.Now that you’re open to it,I’ll find you the best.” Alpha Nick’s jaw visibly tightened,his sharp gaze locked on me. Selene,noticing the tension,laughed.“Leona,your brother’s wonderful—I’m jealous.But I actually think Alpha Nick is amazing too.What if—” “Don’t say things like that.Leona is my sister,”Alpha Nick cut her off,frowning. I nodded with a light smile.“Exactly.Alpha Nick is like a big brother to me.Don’t joke like that,Selene.” I paused,then added,“Honestly,I think you and Alpha Nick are a better match.” His expression darkened instantly.A cold laugh slipped out:“Is that so?Then how about I set you up with someone?Would you go meet them?” “Of course,”I said brightly.“Thank you,Alpha Nick.” As we were leaving the restaurant,Selene suddenly stepped in front of me,smiling sweetly as she handed me a black velvet box. “Did you leave this on Alpha’s office desk?He said it might be yours.” I took it with a puzzled expression.When I opened it,inside was the silver double-moon pendant I had custom-made two months ago—the one I had prepared as an anniversary gift for us. Beneath the pendant lay a handwritten note: “Nick,I know you’re not into flashy things,but this design is from the day we first met.You drew it in my palm.I remember.” My face went pale. That note—I had burned it long ago. I looked up sharply.“How did you get this?” Selene feigned innocence.“It was in the second drawer of Alpha Nick’s desk.There was no name on it,so I thought maybe it was mine.The moment I opened it,I thought it was just so pretty—I wanted to try it on.I had no idea you made it.” She gave a light laugh.“Don’t worry,I didn’t take it out…I just snapped a quick photo and shared it in the group chat.” My head buzzed. {She did it on purpose.} Aris growled through gritted teeth.{She wanted you to see it—wanted you to know that even your most private feelings meant nothing to him.} I tightened my grip on the box,my gaze calm as the sea.“Thanks.I’ll remember to put my name on it next time.” I returned alone to the house Alpha Nick and I once shared. As I pulled into the driveway,I spotted his car immediately—parked crookedly,its windows fogged. I quickened my pace.The sound of ragged breathing filtered through the glass—Alpha-level rut breathing.Heavy.Primal. I reached for the door handle,my hand trembling. The moment the door opened,the world stopped spinning. Selene’s head was tilted back,her face painted with satisfaction.Alpha Nick sat beside her,expression void of emotion—as if I didn’t exist. [Now you see it clearly.] Aris growled low in my mind. When they stepped out of the car and fixed their clothes,Selene looked straight at me and smirked. “Sorry,Leona,”she said mockingly.“I’ve always wanted to try it in a car.Alpha Nick was kind enough to help.Still as incredible as ever.” She tossed a crumpled tissue to the ground at my feet.“You should probably clean that up.We made quite a mess.” My cheeks burned with humiliation.My fingertips went numb from the cold in my blood. Alpha Nick’s voice sliced through the silence,detached and cruel.“While you’re at it,go inside and make us dinner.I’m hungry.” [He’s still giving you orders.You’re not his Omega.You were his mate.But he’ll never admit it.] Aris rasped,sharp and firm. I turned without a word,climbed into my car,and drove off. In the days that followed,I didn’t reach out.He didn’t either. But Selene showed up. That day,Alpha Roger and I were both at home. As the door opened,Alpha Roger stepped forward,gripping his Alpha token,and said coldly,“Speak.Now.”

Selene put on a shy little act,glancing at me from the corner of her eye before turning to Alpha Roger. “Alpha Roger,you know Alpha Nick and I grew up together.We’ve always had feelings,even if we’ve broken up a few times.” “It was impulsive of me to end things last time.But this time,I want to confess seriously.I want us to get back together.Will you help me?” If it were the old me,I might’ve jumped up and said,“Impossible!He’s my Alpha!” But now,I simply smiled—faint,indifferent. I had already survived a marriage without blessing,without bond resonance,without even a whisper from our wolf souls. I knew very clearly—Alpha Nick did care about her.He might not admit it aloud,but there was a primal compatibility between them.Maybe that was what others called being fated mates. [No.] Aris cut in sharply from the depths of my mind. [Fate isn’t about instinct.It isn’t Alpha lust.It’s the merging of spirits,the moonlit link between wolf souls.If you’ve never felt Selene’s wolf,it’s because she doesn’t have the right to stand in that bond.She’s a thief.Not fate.] “Of course,”Alpha Roger said easily.“Come on—who hasn’t noticed Nick still has feelings for you?If you confess,he’s bound to say yes.” The triumphant gleam on Selene’s face was clearly meant for me.She even raised an eyebrow slightly,as if to say,“See?You were never the one.” I remained still.No emotion.Only a strange sense of clarity rising in me. Two days later,Alpha Roger and Nick’s friends organized a dramatic“crisis confession”scene—whitewater rafting in the Northern Highlands. The scenery was beautiful.The river was fierce.The kind of setting where Alphas could show off their strength and protective instincts. I hadn’t planned to go in the water.I can’t swim.But Selene grabbed my arm. “Leona~We’re sisters,aren’t we?Just once!I’m scared to go alone—you wouldn’t let me shiver in the raft by myself,would you~?” [She’s baiting you.] Aris’s voice dropped into a deadly chill. [She knows you can’t swim.She also knows exactly where the deepest bend in the current is.Don’t fool yourself—this isn’t innocence.It’s intent.] The raft surged downstream.Selene clung to Alpha Nick the entire way,her nails digging into his skin like she was trying to brand him with her Alpha’s authority. Alpha Roger,knowing exactly what was happening,stayed beside me and gave my shoulder a friendly pat.“Don’t worry,I’ve got you.” But just as we were nearing the rapids,Selene suddenly turned—and threw herself at me,feigning a loss of balance. I wasn’t ready.The raft jerked violently. Before Alpha Roger could react,I was hurled into the freezing water. As I plunged into the river,I clearly heard her whisper: “Oops.Sorry,Leona.” She did it on purpose. Cold water flooded my nose and throat.I struggled,desperate,unable to stay afloat. I saw Alpha Nick dive in after us.A spark of naive hope flared in my chest. I reached out—maybe he’d see me.Maybe he’d pull me to safety. But I watched,with horrifying clarity,as he swam right past me.Straight toward Selene. Leona.What are you still hoping for? [You saw it,didn’t you?] Aris growled,a snarl scraping across my thoughts. [You are not his first choice.You never were.You were just a convenient Omega—never his Luna.Never his match.Never his fate.] I stopped struggling. Thank the Moon,Alpha Roger dove in and pulled me out in time. I collapsed on the shore,soaked and shaking,gasping for air. Alpha Roger gave my shoulder a gentle pat.“Don’t dwell.The confession scene’s ready.Come on,let’s watch the fun.” I stood up,head still spinning—not just from water,but from that voice,that whisper:“Oops.Sorry,Leona.” Selene wanted to hurt me. She wanted me gone.Out of the way.So she could monopolize every bit of Alpha Nick’s attention.His guilt.His comfort. And I— I had no words. On the lawn,the pack’s friends had arranged a massive heart of flowers,filled with shared memories:handwritten letters,photos,holiday gifts,birthday tokens. Alpha Nick stood in the center,dripping wet,staring blankly at it all. Selene,bouquet in hand,walked toward him,eyes shining with tears. A breeze passed across the lake.The surface rippled—and so did something inside me. [If you turn away now,I won’t blame you.] Aris’s tone had softened. [But if you stay—if you watch this—then do it for yourself.Clap for your own freedom.] People shouted,“Say yes!Be with her!” I clapped too.Loud and bright. “Say yes!Be with her!”I cheered. Alpha Nick turned sharply toward me,shock twisting his face. “Leona,are you insane?Have you forgotten you’re my—” “No,Alpha Nick.” I cut him off gently,clearly. “I,Leona,rejected you,Alpha Nick,as my mate.” “Our bond died the moment you swam past me.”

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After my husband gives away our tenth child to his mistress, I marry his childless godfather. I give Damien St. Clair nine babies. Every single one of them disappears before their first birthday. Nine kids. Nine empty cribs. Nine times he kneels in front of me, swearing he’ll find them. Nine times I shatter into pieces and have to glue myself back together. By the seventh, I stop eating. By the eighth, I stop sleeping. By the ninth, I’m popping three different pills just to keep myself from losing my mind completely. But Damien never leaves. Every panic attack at 3 a.m., every time I scratch my own arms bloody because the pain has nowhere else to go, he’s right there. Red eyes, shaky voice, holding me so tight like if he lets go, I’ll fall apart for good. “We’ll try again,” he whispers. “I’ll love you forever.” And I believe him. God help me, I believe every word. I let him back into my bed. I get pregnant for the tenth time. When that baby turns one, I show up at his private lounge to surprise him. That’s when I hear everything. His boys are drinking, laughing, kicked back on leather couches like kings. And Damien is standing right in the middle of them, handing MY child to some woman I’ve never seen before in my life. One of his buddies smacks his shoulder. “Bro, your wife’s basically a baby factory. You’re living the dream.” Another one cracks up. “Dude’s out here gifting whole ass kids to his side chicks. A car, a condo, AND a baby? Instant mom, zero labor pain. What girl says no to that?” Damien laughs, lights a cigarette, blows smoke at the ceiling. “Come on, they’re young girls,” he says, like it’s nothing. “You think I’m gonna let pregnancy wreck their bodies? Nah. Leave the heavy lifting to the specialist.” The whole room roars. And me? I’m standing right outside that door. Six months pregnant. Ice cold from head to toe. …… His newest fling, Sophia Mercer, is holding my baby. She looks down at the little face and scrunches up her nose. “Ugh, another girl? I already have one of those.” She tugs on Damien’s sleeve, full pout mode. “Babe, I want a new one. Something different. I don’t do hand-me-downs.” Damien wraps his arm around her, all smiles, all warmth. “Whatever you want. I’ll have her make as many as you need.” The baby starts squirming, fussing in Sophia’s arms. Sophia pinches the kid when no one’s looking. The baby screams. Sophia slaps a hand over her mouth. “Shut up,” she snaps. My heart stops. My nails dig so deep into my palms there’s blood running down my fingers. I can’t feel it. My whole body is shaking. Sophia keeps whining. “A whole year before I even get her? Obviously she doesn’t know me. Next time, I want one fresh out of the delivery room.” Damien tips his head down, smiling at her like she hung the moon. “Babe, babies under one are a nightmare. Let Claire deal with all that mess. Why would I let you suffer through it?” He leans in close to her ear. “If I ever saw a single wrinkle on you, I’d lose my mind.” Sophia giggles and slaps his chest playfully. One of his friends shifts in his seat. “But real talk, man… your wife keeps having these kids, and they keep vanishing on her. Isn’t she gonna snap at some point?” Damien goes quiet for half a second. Then shrugs. “She pops ’em out easy. Giving away a few, what’s the big deal? Worst case, I settle down in a couple years, let her keep a few. Call it even.” The room gets louder. Filthier. One guy actually says he wants me to have a baby for HIM so he can bring a grandkid home to his parents. Damien laughs and nods. Every single request, he agrees to. Like he’s passing out party favors. My legs give out. My brain goes blank. I press both hands against my belly and run.

I lock myself in the bedroom and shove my fist in my mouth. Not a sound. Not one. Every time I thought I was going crazy from grief, every time I wanted to die because another baby was gone — it was him. My husband. Their father. He planned every single one. New girlfriend, new baby. That’s how it worked. Every woman he moved on to, he took one of my kids as a gift. And now it’s Sophia Mercer’s turn. His childhood sweetheart. I cry until my voice breaks. Until I’m just choking on air. I beat my fists against my own stomach. I want this baby out. I want every last trace of Damien St. Clair scraped out of my body. I used to love being pregnant with his children. Now everything about him makes me sick. It’s past midnight when he finally comes home. He walks in already teary-eyed, drops to his knees, grabs my hands. “Baby, I’m so sorry. The nanny took her out this morning and she just… she’s gone.” I stare at him. He moves closer, squeezes tighter, eyes all big and desperate. “I’ve got people looking everywhere. We’ll find her. I swear.” Tenth time he’s fed me that exact line. Funny how he never once delivered. He’s waiting for me to fall apart. Screaming, sobbing, clawing at my own skin like I always do. But this time I just look him dead in the eye. “Okay.” His whole face goes blank. Before he can ask questions, his phone rings. He picks up, and I hear her. Sophia. That whiny little baby voice: “Babe, this little girl is SUCH a pain. I want the one Claire’s carrying right now…” I stop listening. I don’t need to hear any more. The second he leaves the room, I grab my phone. No hesitation. I book an appointment to erase my identity. Five days out. Then I dial the other number. When his voice comes through, I choke back my tears and keep my voice steady. “I’ll do it. But my condition is this — our baby will be your heir.” He says yes without blinking. I hang up. Almost right away, Damien comes back. Wraps himself around me from behind, nuzzling my neck, cooing like I’m a puppy. “There’s my good girl. See? No tears, no tantrums. That’s my Claire.” I let him hold me. My face is completely dead. Oh I’ll be good, Damien. So good you won’t even see me leave. Oh I’ll be good, Damien. So good that by the time you notice, I’ll be married to the most powerful man in London.

Next morning, Damien’s up early. That never happens. He takes my hand, all soft and sweet. “Hey, let’s go get you a checkup today. You’ve lost weight. I’m worried about you and the baby.” Before yesterday, that would’ve melted me. Now it makes my stomach turn. I let him lead me to the car. The second we get there, the passenger window rolls down and there she is. Sophia. Batting her lashes, whiny as ever. “Babe, what took you so long?” Then she turns to me, all sugary. “Oh, Claire! I haven’t been feeling great either. You don’t mind if I tag along, right?” I shoot Damien a look. He doesn’t even flinch. Just leans in close and whispers, “Let her come. Don’t make a scene. I’ll make it up to you later.” And just like that, it clicks. This whole checkup isn’t about me. It’s about Sophia getting a preview of my unborn child. Shopping before the delivery. I almost laugh. “Sure. I don’t mind.” Damien lets out a breath, lifts me into the back seat, buckles my seatbelt like the perfect husband. Sophia plants herself in the front. Shotgun. She throws me a little smirk over her shoulder and snuggles up to Damien, baby voice on full blast. I don’t say a word. Not in the car. Not walking into the hospital. Not when I sit down in the exam chair. The doctor runs the wand over my belly and asks the routine question. “How many pregnancies have you had?” I stare at the ceiling. “This is number eleven.” The doctor doesn’t react. But the women in the waiting room outside? They have plenty to say. I can hear every word through the thin walls. “You see how that man looks at the other girl? THAT’s the couple. The pregnant one’s probably the side piece.” “Eleven?! She’s gotta be popping them out for different rich guys. What a tramp.” Damien barely flinches. Doesn’t say a word to defend me. Sophia catches my eye and smirks. Then she spots the baby on the ultrasound screen. Her whole face lights up. She leans forward, can’t help herself. “So, doctor? What is it?” The St. Clairs own this hospital. So whatever Damien wants to know, he gets. He and Sophia follow the doctor into the back office. I’m left sitting alone on that exam chair. When they come back out, Sophia’s face is dark. She stares at me like I’m something stuck on the bottom of her shoe. Damien grabs my hand. Big apologetic eyes. Gentle voice. “Claire, I’m sorry. The doctor says there are serious complications with the baby. It’s not going to be viable. We need to terminate.” The doctor nods along right on cue. “It really is for the best. Carrying to term would only mean more suffering.” I look at the three of them. Here’s something Damien forgot. I was a med student once. Top of my class, actually. Until a one-night stand with him got me pregnant and I had to drop out. I saw that ultrasound screen. That baby is perfectly healthy. The only problem? It’s not what Sophia ordered. She already has a girl. She wants something new, something different. So Damien needs this baby gone so I can start over and try again. I look him dead in the eye. “What if I say no?”

Damien’s whole expression shifts. That fake softness vanishes. “Claire. You’re being ridiculous right now.” I’m done. I turn and head for the exit. But Sophia runs up behind me and grabs my arm, putting on her best worried face. “Claire, wait. Is this because I came? Are you mad at me? I’m sorry, I really am…” Her nails dig into my skin hard enough to draw blood. I try to shake her off. “Get your hands off me.” That’s when Sophia stumbles. Her body tips backward, she hits the floor. But as she goes down, she grabs my arm and shoves me forward with everything she’s got. I go down the staircase. My body flips, rolls, slams against every step until I hit the bottom. Damien sprints toward us. But the name he screams isn’t mine. “Sophia!” He drops to the floor next to her, hands shaking, checking her face. “Where does it hurt? Show me, baby, show me.” Sophia dabs at her tears, whimpering. “My ankle… I think I twisted it… it hurts so bad…” Damien’s eyes go red. He scoops her up and rushes toward the ER. Doesn’t look back. Not once. And me? I’m crumpled at the bottom of the stairs, both hands on my belly, shaking so hard I can barely see straight. Someone in the crowd yells out, “She’s bleeding! That woman is bleeding!” Pain tears through my lower belly. Something warm spreads between my legs. Bright red. Soaking through my white dress. Damien freezes. He turns around. Looks down at me on the floor. And his face isn’t panicked, isn’t guilty. It’s pissed off. “You know what, Claire? You pushed Sophia. YOU did this. So don’t you dare blame anyone else.” I shake my head, over and over, tears pouring. My voice is barely there. “I didn’t… it wasn’t me…” Damien pulls Sophia closer. His voice goes soft. Gentle, even. But what comes out is the coldest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. “Just deal with it. We were getting rid of that baby anyway. This just saved us a trip. But Sophia dances for a living. Her ankle actually matters.” Then he steps right over me. Like I’m a piece of furniture in his way. Carries Sophia into the ER and never turns around. I’m curled up in my own blood, screaming at the people staring down at me. “Help me… please, somebody help me… please…” They stare. They whisper. They pull out their phones and start recording. Not a single person moves. The last thing I see before everything goes dark is a doctor running out, shouting for a stretcher. …… Three days later, I open my eyes. The doctor is sitting at my bedside. She can’t look at me. “I’m sorry. We couldn’t save the baby. Please try to rest.” I smile. Gone. Good. My baby doesn’t deserve to be born into this family. And everything about Damien St. Clair makes me sick now. I check myself out. Go straight home. Pull together every document I need for tomorrow and shove them into a bag, hidden out of sight. One more day. And I’m gone for good. Then arms wrap around me from behind. My whole body locks up. “Get off me!” Damien nuzzles into my neck, voice dripping honey. “Hey, hey. You’re still mad? Babe, come on. I told you, there were complications. That baby was only gonna cause you more pain. I did it for you.” I laugh. Short. Ugly. “One baby after another after another. Gone. And you just shrug it off like it’s nothing?” He pulls me in tighter. His voice drops, and for the first time there’s a crack in it. “Babe… you make it look so easy. It’s never even hard on you. So we lost one. We’ll just make another one. What’s the big deal?” My whole body shakes. What kind of person says that? What kind of thing walks around looking human and says that to someone’s face? Before I can pull away, he grabs me by the waist, lifts me up, and throws me onto the bed. His eyes go dark. “Claire. Let’s try again.” I stare up at him. I can’t even process what’s happening. “Are you out of your mind? I just had a miscarriage!” He pins me down and kisses me. Hard. Like it’s not a question. “One more. Be a good girl. We’ll get it right this time.” I slap him across the face.

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Alpha Damon stood before me,his towering presence as commanding as ever.His jaw clenched in barely suppressed anger. “Slave?”he barked,his voice echoing through the dilapidated walls of the rogue den. I flinched,but only a little.“Yes,that’s what I am now.A rogue slave.Isn’t that what everyone’s been calling me?” His amber eyes flared,his wolf not far from the surface.“Nina,you’re our sister!Who told you to call yourself a slave?” “You sent me to the Rogue Den to atone for Audrey’s sins,didn’t you?Did you really think a sinner would be treated well?” Damon’s fists curled at his sides,and for a moment,I thought he might punch me. “You were just about to agree to come home with us—you even got into the car!”he snapped,his frustration finally breaking through.“Why did you suddenly change your mind?” My lips curved into a bitter smile.“Perhaps this is where I truly belong.You were the ones who sent me here,remember?”” Beta Egbert,my former fiancé,stepped forward.“Nina,don’t say such things in anger.We’ve investigated what happened five years ago.You didn’t harm Audrey on purpose that day.” I scoffed.“Wow,five years to figure that out?Must’ve been a really tough case for you.” Egbert winced but pressed on.“We wronged you,Nina.And we regret it deeply.That’s why we came all the way from the Blue Moon Pack to take you home from this…this rogue den.” “This place is too desolate,”Alpha Damon cut in,his tone softer now,almost pleading.“Too broken.It’s no place for someone like you—a young lady who was raised in comfort and love for over a decade.” Comfort and love?I nearly laughed out loud.The only love I’d felt in that house was from my wolf,and even she had grown quiet after years of being suppressed by silver chains and wolfsbane. Egbert’s gaze flicked to my hands,and I caught the flash of pity in his eyes as he saw the rough,misshapen fingers I’d earned from years of hard labor.He spoke gently,as if trying to soothe a pup.“Nina,you don’t belong here.Come back with us,and we’ll make things right.” My vision blurred for a moment,but I forced the tears back. Five years.Five years of endless torment,of dreaming about the day my family would come for me.And when they finally did,when I climbed into that car with my heart pounding in hope… I heard the whispers. “She’s just a backup for Audrey.Don’t know why Alpha Damon is wasting time on her.” “She should be grateful we’re even bringing her back.After all,rogues don’t get second chances.” The joy that had bloomed in my chest froze into something cold and brittle.Shock gave way to disappointment,and disappointment twisted into something darker. My heart ached,but not from longing.No,this was the sting of betrayal. The family I had waited so long to see again wasn’t truly remorseful.They didn’t want me back because they loved me or missed me.They wanted me because Audrey had screwed up—again.

I jumped out of the Bugatti’s back seat,the cold air biting through the thin fabric of my dress. My voice,no longer trembling with emotion,had settled into a dead calm.“Alpha Damon,Beta Egbert,you must have had a hard time traveling all this way.”My gaze dropped to the filthy hem of my dress,stained with the dirt of this rogue den. “Five years is a long time.I’ve gotten used to it.” “This place suits me just fine.I don’t miss home anymore.” Damon’s lips pressed into a thin line,his wolf’s energy crackling faintly in the air. “And besides,”I continued,glancing at the sleek,spotless car beside us,“I’m covered in dirt and filth.Wouldn’t want to stain your precious Bugatti.” Alpha Damon’s chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath,trying to leash his growing anger. “Nina Barrett,”he growled,his voice low and threatening,“what exactly are you trying to say?” “I think I’m saying it pretty clearly,”I replied,crossing my arms. Damon’s composure finally snapped.“Are you still blaming us?We came all this way to bring you home,and you’re still throwing a tantrum?How much longer are you going to act like this?” His wolf flared just beneath his skin,his tone harsh and unrelenting.“Yes,we made mistakes five years ago,but were you completely innocent?Audrey spent years wandering outside before finally returning to Blue Moon Pack.If you hadn’t constantly bullied her,gone against her in secret—” “Would we have ever suspected you?” A loud bang echoed as Damon slammed his fist against the car door.His voice turned icy,each word cutting like a blade. “If you don’t want to come back,then don’t!”he snapped.“I no longer thought of you as my sister.” My heart should have cracked at his words,but all I felt was a distant numbness. “I’ll tell Mom and Dad you died in the rogue den,”Damon added coldly.Without waiting for my response,he got into the car and slammed the door. The Bugatti roared to life,leaving me standing in the cold. The winter wind wasn’t nearly as frigid as Damon’s words. Even after five years of false accusations,exile,and suffering,they still couldn’t see past Audrey’s inveracious mask.It didn’t matter anymore.Five years had hardened me.My heart was little more than a calloused wound,so numb that even a blade wouldn’t cut deep enough to hurt. Beta Egbert lingered,sighing softly like a man forced to deal with an unruly child.He reached into a bag they had brought from Blue Moon Pack and pulled out an ornate gift box. “Your parents still care about you,Nina.Blood ties don’t break so easily,”he said,holding the box out to me like some peace offering. I stared at it,unimpressed. Egbert’s voice softened.“Nina,don’t be stubborn.These pastries—Luna Felicia made them for you herself.And inside this bag is a dress they picked out just for you.” A small laugh escaped me,sharp and bitter.My mate—Beta Egbert Dolton—was Blue Moon Pack’s most talented warrior,the future Beta,and,once upon a time,my fated mate. The memory of my first shift at eighteen surfaced unbidden.The strong scent of mint and pine had filled my senses,and my wolf had howled with joy in my mind.Mate. Egbert had always been the golden boy of Blue Moon Pack,a prince among wolves.And for a short,fleeting moment,I had thanked the Moon Goddess for blessing me with him as my partner. But everything changed when Audrey appeared. The day she collapsed,coughing up blood,Egbert had cradled her in his arms,glaring at me like I’d personally poisoned her.The bond we shared—the one I thought was unbreakable—frayed and snapped in that single moment. I swallowed hard,forcing the memory away as my gaze fell on the box of pastries.Inside were dainty little macarons,each molded into the shape of a kitten. Cute.Except I hated macarons.They were too sweet,too perfect.Audrey’s favorite,not mine. Then there was the dress—a soft pink monstrosity made of the finest silk.Audrey’s favorite color.Mine love was midnight blue,the color of the sky just before it gave way to the stars. Noticing my lack of gratitude,Egbert’s expression turned cold,tinged with impatience. “Nina,don’t be greedy,”he said,his tone sharper now.“Alpha Kenelm and the others have done their best to make it up to you.Audrey was their real daughter!” I stared at him,incredulous.“Greedy?I never asked you for anything.”?” His jaw tightened,but he said nothing. “You have two days to think about it,”Egbert continued,his tone dismissive.“After that,Damon and I are leaving.It’s your last chance,Nina.” Chance.That was rich coming from him. As Egbert turned and walked away,I stood there in the cold,the box of unwanted pastries still in my hands. They all thought I was ungrateful.That I was insatiable.

When I returned to my drafty little shack,it felt even emptier than usual—probably because all my belongings were gone. The rogue overseeing my work leaned against the doorframe with a grin wide enough to show off his crooked fangs.“Miss Nina,no more mucking stalls for you.Fancy servants from Blue Moon Pack came by and cleared out your things.They’ve sent it all to the Allison Hotel.” “You should go stay there.” I glanced around the tiny shack one last time,taking in the broken window patched with cloth,the battered cot,and the faint stench of damp hay.This place had been my home for five long years. I whispered under my breath,“Good riddance.” As I walked through the cold,snow-covered streets of Rogue Den,memories of my life here replayed in my mind.For five years,I had woken up before dawn,shackled with silver chains like the lowest slave,braving the knife-sharp winter wind to cut grass and feed the Rogue King’s livestock.After an entire day of herding,I had to go to the mines to dig for ore. Rogue Den was nothing like Blue Moon Pack’s perpetual spring.For most of the year,it was battered by icy winds and covered in snow. These hands of mine—once soft,perfect for painting delicate strokes—were now a map of scars,callouses,and broken nails.Even my wolf,stayed quiet in the back of my mind,too weary from years of suppression to comfort me. Alpha Damon wasn’t wrong. The pampered princess of Blue Moon Pack had long since died. Not in the cold of Rogue Den,but the day Audrey was brought back. From that moment on,she took everything that had once belonged to me—my parents,my brother,the love and affection that had once been mine.Whatever she wanted,I had to give up. Because I wasn’t really their daughter. I was just the greedy maid’s child.My mother had switched us at birth,leaving Audrey to suffer in poverty for over a decade. When I finally reached the Allison Hotel,its warmth hit me like a slap in the face.The scent of lavender and vanilla incense made me wrinkle my nose.Everything about this place screamed luxury—a world I’d been forcibly ripped out of and left to dream about from the depths of Rogue Den. That’s when I saw her. Audrey. She stood at the top of the grand staircase,a vision of delicate beauty in a soft cream robe,her silky brown hair tumbling over her shoulders like some kind of goddess. My chest tightened.Not with envy—I’d been too broken for that—but with the stark reminder of how easily she’d taken everything from me. She wobbled slightly,clearly about to step down barefoot.Before I could even process what was happening,Damon shot forward,scooping her into his arms like she weighed nothing. “Are you out of your mind?”he growled,his tone soft but firm.“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?Rogue Den isn’t Blue Moon Pack—it’s freezing here.What if you catch a cold?You’re always so frail.” Beta Egbert—my ex-fiancé—appeared out of nowhere,holding plush slippers.He knelt down,gently cradling her ankle as he slipped them on. Audrey giggled,her voice light as air.“I didn’t think anyone would notice.You’re both too much.” I stood at the bottom of the staircase,watching this nauseating display unfold. My lips curled into a bitter smile. Neither Damon nor Egbert had mentioned she’d be here.Of course,they’d hidden her away,worried that the harsh winds of Rogue Den might harm her precious skin.Or worse,worried I might trouble her. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind,her growl low and dangerous.You’re better than this,Nina.Don’t let them see you crumble. I clenched my fists.“Crumble?Please.I’m practically a rock at this point.” My heart had long since gone numb,but at this moment,it was like a fishhook had pierced into my flesh,dragging out a sharp,tearing pain. My entire body trembled. The one person who owed me an apology the most—I hadn’t even had the chance to see her. Five years ago,Audrey had been found and brought back to Blue Moon Pack. That was when everyone realized the mistake. Seeing her malnourished and frail from years in the slums,my family couldn’t wait to make up for lost time,showering her with everything they had. Audrey didn’t like me. She deliberately tore her own clothes,then looked at me with hesitant,tear-filled eyes. She didn’t have to say anything. Everyone already knew what to believe. My brother forced me to yield to Audrey,claiming she was timid and pitiful. My parents silently bought her designer clothes and let her choose as she pleased. My fiancé,Beta Egbert,personally taught her combat techniques and grew closer to her. Audrey and I shared the same birthday. On that day,she suddenly said she wanted almond tea,brewed by me. But after a single sip,her face turned deathly pale,and she vomited blood. Damon,in his fury,struck me across the face. His words were the cruelest curses I had ever heard. “A bitched girl born of a bitch—just as vile!” “You switched the almonds for peach kernels,knowing she’s allergic!Did you want her dead so you could keep playing princess?” “I’m telling you now—Audrey is my real sister.If anything happens to her,you’ll pay for it with your life!” Because of that slap,I lost hearing in my left ear forever. My fiancéhad held Audrey in his arms,flustered and panicked. He didn’t say a word. But his accusing eyes cut me deeper than any blade,slicing me into a thousand pieces.

I still remember the day Audrey decided to become the poster child for ridiculous bravery.She stood before the Rogue King,her chin tilted in that defiant way that could only mean one thing—she was about to make a colossal mistake.And boy,did she deliver. She called him a”barbaric mongrel,”publicly scorning him in front of his own rogues.I swear,even the wolves watching from the shadows flinched at her audacity. The Rogue King’s golden eyes glowed with fury.”If Audrey isn’t sent to Rogue Den to answer for her insolence,Blue Moon Pack will face my wrath.My wolves will raze your lands until nothing remains but ashes and regrets.” That was the first time I saw Audrey lose her composure.Her face went pale,and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.”I don’t afraid going,”she whispered,her voice trembling in just the right way to tug at heartstrings.”But…I can’t bear to leave my brother,my father,and my mother.” Cue the dramatic silence as everyone looked at me like I was the answer to all their problems. Alpha Damon,who had been standing as still as a statue,finally spoke,his tone cold and detached.”Nina,you’ll go in Audrey’s place.” For a moment,I couldn’t breathe. “Rogue Den is harsh and far away,”Damon continued,as though justifying the decision.”Audrey’s body is too fragile to endure it.Blue Moon Pack raised you for over a decade—isn’t it time you repaid the pack?” Repay the pack?For what?Being a glorified punching bag and unpaid servant? My father and mother said nothing,their silence heavier than any words they could have spoken.My mother eventually sighed,placing a hand on my shoulder.”Nina…we can’t bear to send you away,but Audrey is our real daughter.” And there it was.The dagger twisted in my chest. Beta Egbert,my former fiancé,chimed in.”Nina,you’ve done too much wrong.You’ve hurt Audrey time and time again.It’s only right that you go to Rogue Den and make amends.” I wanted to cry,but my throat was too tight.Audrey cast me a triumphant look from behind her delicate mask of tears.She didn’t have to say a word—her victory was written all over her face. And so,I was shipped off to Rogue Den,a desolate wasteland where even the wolves looked more feral than civilized. The rogue overseers wasted no time reminding me of my new reality.”You think they sent you here to teach you a lesson?Nah,sweetheart.This isn’t punishment—it’s exile.They never wanted you to begin with.” He wasn’t wrong. For five years,I labored under the harshest conditions imaginable.My hands,once soft,became rough and calloused,every scar a testament to the endless work.Feeding livestock,shoveling waste,mining for ore—each task more grueling than the last. The winters in Rogue Den were unforgiving,the cold biting through even the thickest layers.My wolf,was my only companion in the long,silent nights. But now,after five years,they had the audacity to send word that it was all a mistake.That the almond tea incident had been an error.That I was innocent. They wanted me to come home. Home. The word felt foreign,like a language I no longer understood.What home did I have left?

Audrey descended the staircase,her mink-trimmed shawl bouncing with each step.Her feet were tucked into plush slippers,and the scent of something outrageously expensive perfume wafted toward me before she even reached the bottom step. When her gaze landed on me,her doe-like eyes widened in startled fear,the corners of her mouth trembling. “Big sister…”she said softly. I said nothing,my eyes trailing over her perfectly polished appearance—manicured nails,flawless skin,and the kind of Jewelry that screamed privilege. Meanwhile,my own cracked,frostbitten fingers curled into fists at my sides.The bitter cold of Rogue Den hadn’t just bitten at my skin;it had left marks that no amount of Skin care products could cover. Audrey’s eyes glistened,her nose reddening.A single crystalline tear rolled down her cheek. “Sister,”she whispered,her voice shaking just enough to sound vulnerable,“are you still angry with me?You haven’t forgiven me?” I raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. “It was my fault,”she continued,her hands clutching each other like a penitent saint.“The Rogue King…he was supposed to punish me.You suffered for five years because of me.”She paused.“We’re here to take you home.” Home?I let out a sharp laugh under my breath. Audrey approached me with a cup of tea.“If you drink this,”she said,her voice soft,“it means you’ve forgiven me.Okay?” Her hands trembled as she extended the cup toward me. Then,The tea spilled. The hot liquid splashed over my frostbitten hands,seeping into the cracks in my skin.The sting was immediate and sharp,an agony that triggered an instinctive reaction. Before I could think,I shoved Audrey back. She didn’t hit the floor. Beta Egbert—my former fiancé—was suddenly there,his arms wrapped around her like a protective cocoon.His glare burned into me as if I were some feral animal who had lost all reason. Then came my brother.His boot collided with my side before I could even brace myself,sending me sprawling to the floor.My head struck the ground with a dull thud,and warm blood trickled down my temple. “She didn’t mean to spill the tea!”Audrey cried,her voice trembling as she clung to Egbert’s arm.“She’s hurt…Please,don’t blame her!” But her words,of course,were drowned out by Alpha Damon’s thunderous voice. “Nina,after five years,you’ve learned nothing!You still dare to bully Audrey?” I bit down hard on my lip,willing myself to stay silent.What was the point of speaking?No matter what I said,I would always be the villain in their eyes. Damon’s face twisted into a mask of rage,and Beta Egbert tightened his hold on Audrey as if I might leap at her again. Slowly,I sat up,ignoring the ache in my ribs and the sticky warmth of blood on my forehead.I wiped the blood away with the back of my hand and bowed deeply toward Audrey. “I was careless,”I said,my voice calm and measured.“I apologize for pushing Miss Audrey.” Egbert’s brows furrowed,a flicker of guilt passing over his face.Audrey,looked horrified,on the verge of tears. “Sister!”she cried,her voice high and wavering.“How could you bow to me?You’re not my servant—there’s no need for this!” Alpha Damon with a cold,dismissive tone.“If she wants to act like a servant,so be it.Let her stay here and suffer.We’re leaving.” I stayed frozen in my bow as their footsteps receded,my wolf growling softly in the back of my mind.Good riddance,she snarled.They don’t deserve to call themselves your family. She was right,of course. For a moment,when I’d first seen them,I’d felt a flicker of hope—a stupid,naive hope that maybe they’d changed.That maybe they’d come to take me home because they finally cared. Good thing I overheard the servants talking. Good thing I had already given up on going back with them. Returning to Blue Moon Pack would mean returning to a place where I had no place. Returning to be mocked,humiliated. For just a moment,when I first saw them in Rogue Den,I had been happy. For just a moment,I had wanted to tell them. That I was getting married. That I wasn’t a slave anymore. That soon,the future Rogue King of Rogue Den would give me a home.

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Seven years of marriage. My husband ran from our wedding thirteen times. The first time, his personal assistant sprained her ankle. I stood alone under the flower arch, waiting from sunset until midnight. The second time, she had a migraine. He left the ring box on the altar and walked away. After that, every single time we set a wedding date, something happened to her. Food poisoning. Anxiety attack. A leak in her apartment. Thirteen times. Every single one. After the thirteenth, I finally decided to let go. But the moment I walked toward another man, he went insane trying to drag me back. … Seven years of marriage. Elliott Carrington and I never had a wedding. Today was our seventh anniversary, the day we’d stood in front of a city clerk and exchanged vows. It was also the day he’d promised, for the thirteenth time, to finally give me a real ceremony. At the anniversary party, I stood off to the side. Everyone was busy toasting Elliott and the woman who never left his side. I sat alone by the towering cake, drinking my own champagne. He didn’t look at me. Not once. The party was supposed to be mine. It ended with Elliott’s indifference and the guests’ carefully averted eyes. Afterward, he was supposed to come with me to the wedding studio and finalize Sunday’s ceremony. Instead, he left me on the curb. Outside the restaurant, his black Cadillac Escalade pulled up right in front of me. I reached for the passenger door. He spoke first. “Serena had too much to drink. I need to make sure she gets home safe. Handle the wedding stuff yourself.” “I won’t be back tonight. Don’t wait up.” He was already rolling up the window before I could even react. I pulled my gaze away from Serena Renée, sitting in the passenger seat where I rarely sat. Before the window closed completely, I said it. Calm. Level. “Sure. Drive safe.” Elliott had braced himself for her to scream, to cry, to demand why he was leaving again. Nothing came. She was so calm. Like she was saying goodbye to a stranger. It made something unfamiliar twist in his chest. But he was in a hurry to get to Serena. He shoved the unease down. His voice loosened, just slightly. “I’ll be there this time.” The window went up. He drove off without looking back. Late autumn in New York. The cold bit into me as I watched his taillights disappear. It wasn’t the autumn cold. It was the kind of cold that seeps out from inside your bones. Elliott rarely let me sit in his passenger seat. He never offered me that kind of careful, attentive escort. I used to think he was just a cold person. Now I understood. It was just the person in the seat who was different. I married him at twenty-two. Seven years of marriage. Not a single complete wedding. I’d known before we married that he had someone in his heart. Someone he’d loved since he was young. He agreed to marry me because his grandmother practically commanded it. And because that person had abandoned him and left for the West Coast. Now she was back. His personal assistant. Glued to his side day and night. I took a deep breath. Set my glass down. Some things need to end.

The next afternoon, I went to the wedding studio alone to finalize everything. “Ivy, are you sure you want to cut all these elements? You really don’t want to discuss it with Mr. Carrington first?” Madeleine Shaw, the wedding planner, was asking me for the third time. She’d handled all twelve of my and Elliott’s previous attempts. We went way back. I let out a tired smile. “No need. Simple is fine. He won’t care.” “I still remember the first time the two of you walked in here together. The chemistry between you, the sparks. Like something out of a movie. Bright. Happy. I don’t know why your weddings never make it to the altar, but the state you’re in now, it looks like you’ve been drained dry.” The ache in Madeleine’s voice cut deeper than professional concern. She was right. Elliott and I had once shared moments beautiful enough to survive countless heartbreaks. That time was short, but it was enough to keep me going through all the pain. It was late when I got home. I collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. I looked around. Festive decorations everywhere. I’d put them up myself for Sunday’s wedding. White and champagne balloons floated in the living room. Eucalyptus leaves and ribbons draped the mantel. By the floor-to-ceiling windows stood the wedding dress I’d flown to Paris to commission for our first attempt. When I’d ordered that dress, my heart was so full. So hopeful. I’d poured every dream of our future together into it. That dress never made it through a single complete ceremony. The house was so quiet. All those thoughtful decorations, and it still felt empty. Just like my heart. I washed up, then opened a folder I hadn’t touched in a long time. My old design work. Sitting in the cloud, gathering digital dust. One by one, I looked at the jewelry designs. Some of my best work. Something warm stirred in my chest. Before the marriage, I was a jewelry designer. I had a name in the industry. After, he said he wanted me home more. I dropped everything. Poured every ounce of myself into him. Slowly, my sketchbook got shoved into a storage closet. Thinking back now, I realized what I’d lost wasn’t just a career. It was me. I wasn’t always like this. People used to say I was decisive. Efficient. Never dragged things out. These past years, I barely recognized myself. Once I saw it clearly, I made the call. I knew the number by heart. “I’ve thought about it. I’ll take the offer.” The voice on the other end paused, then lit up. “Great. I’ll book your flight right now.” I hung up. My fingers rested on the satin of the wedding dress for a moment. So smooth. And so cold. Sunday would be the last time. Two more days. Then everything would go back to where it was supposed to be. Elliott and I, we probably wouldn’t see each other again.

A little past three in the morning, my phone blew up with notifications. I picked it up. Over a dozen messages from Serena. All photos, short videos of her with Elliott, and a voice recording. I hesitated. Then I tapped the recording. The clink of glasses came first. Then Serena’s voice, tipsy and probing. “Eli, just admit it. You married her because your grandmother told you to. Right?” Long silence. Just when I thought no answer was coming, Elliott’s voice came through. Low. Rough. Not an answer. A warning. “Serena. Enough.” He didn’t deny it. She laughed. Smug. Knowing. My stomach seized. There it was. Thirteen times. It was over. I didn’t cry. I didn’t even feel sad. Just tired. Too tired to even be angry. I closed the recording. Shut out the sounds that were getting harder to stomach. I wasn’t going back to sleep anyway. I got up and started packing. There wasn’t much in this house that was truly mine. Seven years. Two suitcases was all it took. By the time I finished, the sky was starting to lighten. Elliott came home just as I’d drifted off on the sofa. I used to leave a light on for him, no matter how late he came back. Or if he came back at all. I’d hear his car pull into the driveway and walk out to the porch to meet him. Maybe time does that. Or maybe I just got used to it. This time I didn’t wait. And it turned out he’d forgotten his keys. I opened the door. His complaint hit me first. “Why did it take you so long?” “I fell asleep. Actually, you could have—” used the fingerprint lock. He cut me off. “Never mind. What are you doing? What’s with all the boxes?” He stared at the cardboard boxes in the corner. Gifts he’d given me over the years. His face flickered. “Oh. I’m going to East Hampton today to see Grandmother. Some things don’t fit here. I’ll store them at her place.” I shifted a box out of his way without a second glance. “Yeah. Give Grandmother my regards. And you know she’s older now. No need to go into details about everything.” His voice softened. I nodded. He exhaled, relief on his face, and headed for the study. I ignored him. Went back to sorting the gifts I’d once treasured. A few minutes later, Elliott came back out carrying two velvet jewelry cases. I recognized them instantly. The heirloom sets Grandmother had given me. One was an Edwardian diamond tiara. The other, an Art Deco emerald necklace. She’d said they were meant for the woman who would carry the Carrington name. Elliott had asked for them back a while ago. I understood now. They were always meant for Serena. He saw me glance at the cases. He hesitated. “Serena has a charity gala next week. She wanted to borrow these to go with her dress. She’ll return them after.” I nodded. “Whatever you want.” They belonged to that role anyway. Not to me. “You…” He stopped. Stared at me. Something flickered in his eyes. Unease. The old me would have screamed at him, fought him, forbid him from having anything to do with Serena. Would have dragged Grandmother into it. But these past two times, my reaction had been calm. Cold. Elliott felt something slipping out of his control. He just couldn’t name it. “After Sunday’s done, we could take a trip. Where do you want to go?” He said it at the door, glancing at the pile of his gifts against the wall. The words came out stiff. Forced. Then he shut the door and left.

I looked at what was left. The teddy bear had toppled over when Elliott slammed the door. I picked it up and just held it for a long time. My mother never believed in marriage. She wanted a child, not a husband. She found a sperm bank. Did IVF. I was sixteen when she landed a dream curatorial position in Paris and fell into a new relationship. She moved to Europe. Left me with her old friend, Eleanor Carrington. When I first arrived at the Carrington estate in the Hamptons, I was drowning in the grief of being abandoned. It was a warm afternoon. Seventeen-year-old Elliott walked up to me holding this teddy bear. The sun felt soft that day. He didn’t say a word. Just shoved the bear into my arms and walked away, cool and untouchable. That bear was the beginning of everything. I put the bear at the bottom of a box. On my way out, I stopped at a Goodwill donation bin by the curb. The metal lid was a little rusted. It creaked when I pushed it open. The teddy bear caught for a second, its head too big, tilting sideways before sliding silently into the dark. No echo. Nothing. Just like my seven years. “Ivy, are you sure about this?” Grandmother set a cup of Earl Grey in front of me in the old East Hampton house. Across from her sat Bill Carter, the divorce attorney she’d used for forty years. I flipped the thick prenup to the property division clause. When Elliott had me sign it back then, the terms were generous. A vacation house in the Hamptons. A substantial trust fund. “I’m sure, Grandmother.” I picked up the pen and signed my name on the divorce papers. “According to the agreement. The money and the house, I’ve authorized Bill to sell them. The proceeds go to my alma mater’s scholarship foundation.” Grandmother watched me do it all. Silent. She took my hand. Her eyes glistened. “You’re a good girl. He doesn’t deserve you.” “It’s not about deserving, Grandmother.” I held her hand, meeting those eyes that had seen so much. “These years, the problems between Elliott and me, you didn’t cause them. You’ve only ever been good to me.” “Four years ago, I saw hope. I thought he was finally getting serious about you. You two had a stretch of real marriage. And then Serena came back right at that moment. It’s my fault. I let you suffer all these years.” She was right. I’d spent three years trying. Slowly melted his ice. We’d had a brief stretch of something sweet. Something real. I thought everything was finally getting better. Then Serena returned from Los Angeles. Everything stopped. Elliott pulled away harder. Grew colder. More cruel. I promised Grandmother again and again that I’d visit. Only then did she let me go. I left the estate, her reluctant gaze following me out. At the end of the driveway, a black Escalade sat waiting. “The wedding’s tomorrow. I’m coming home tonight. Thought I’d pick you up.” Elliott rolled down the window before I could speak. I nodded. Got in. Said nothing. The drive back was dead silent. Elliott seemed to hate it. His fingers tapped the steering wheel, restless. He started to say something several times, then swallowed it. Finally, he broke. “How’s Grandmother?” “She’s fine. You should visit her more.” Silence again. Elliott pressed his lips into a hard line. He didn’t speak for the rest of the drive. When we got home, he went straight to the study and closed the door. Maybe I imagined it, but he seemed angry. The thought lasted about three seconds. Elliott never had much of an expression around me anyway. I showered and was about to say a final goodbye when he came to me first. “Serena’s not feeling well again. You know she doesn’t have many people here. I’ll go check on her. Try to come back soon.” Something was different. He sounded almost guilty. Almost like he was asking permission. I swallowed the words I’d meant to say. Put on a clean, practiced smile. “Okay. Drive safe.” Relief washed over his face. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry. I said I’d be there Sunday, and I will.” He grabbed his jacket. Changed his shoes. The promise fell with the slam of the door. I let out a bitter laugh. He wasn’t coming back tonight. I’d wanted to say goodbye in person. Guess that wasn’t happening.

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