Category: English

The night I officially took over my family’s New Orleans operations was the wildest night of Mardi Gras. I stepped out of a formal dinner. A mob of drunk party idiots surrounded me. They blasted super soakers straight at my chest. The one shooting hardest was my fiancé’s childhood sweetheart. Daisy-Mae Thorne. My custom gown soaked through in seconds. The fabric clung to my body like a second skin. Humiliating. I stepped forward and smacked the water gun out of Daisy-Mae’s hands. My voice stayed level. “There’s a limit to partying.” I didn’t finish the sentence. Daisy-Mae’s face was already drenched in tears. “Avalon, don’t be such a killjoy. It’s Mardi Gras. Why do you always have a problem with me?” Preston Vance’s expression shifted instantly. He pulled Daisy-Mae against his chest. Shot a look behind him. In that moment, a dozen super soakers aimed at me. They opened fire. A dozen high-pressure streams hit my chest and stomach. The water blasted through the fabric. The lace outline of my bra was visible to everyone. *** The crowd of onlookers swelled. My eyes burned red. I screamed. “Preston, I’m calling the cops!” “Call the cops?!” Preston snorted. His grin got wider. “Avalon, get this through your head. This is New Orleans. Not New York. This is my territory. God himself could come down from heaven and he’d still have to answer to me.” A cold smile pulled at my lips. I reached slowly into my pocket and pulled out the encrypted satellite phone. I dialed the only number saved on it. “Notify the New Orleans grid control center. Cut all power to Bourbon Street, Star Sea Square immediately. Lock down the block. Send in the Cleaners.” The words barely left my mouth. The crowd erupted in deafening laughter. Preston lunged forward and snatched the phone from my hand. He was bent over laughing. He waved it around for everyone to see. “Avalon, did the water fry your goddamn brain?!” He shouted at the crowd at the top of his lungs. “Hey, everyone get a load of this! She’s holding some no-brand piece of junk and she’s gonna lock down the block! You believe this? I’m dying over here!” A louder wave of laughter crashed through the square. Preston caught his breath. The amusement in his eyes sharpened. He grabbed my chin and squeezed. “Avalon, save that New York act for someone who’s scared of it.” Daisy-Mae stepped forward, pressing herself against Preston’s chest. Triumph was written all over her face. “She’s right, Avalon. This is Preston’s territory. Nobody here buys your New York attitude.” “Baby, no point wasting words on someone like her.” Preston pulled Daisy-Mae tight. He pointed at me. His voice turned sharp. “Apologize to Daisy-Mae.” “Or you won’t be leaving here in one piece.” Dozens of men aimed their super soakers at me. Their eyes crawled over the curves of my body, clearly visible through the soaked fabric. Their faces wore lewd, hungry smiles. I scrambled to grab the shawl I’d dropped. Cover myself. Preston ripped it out of my hands. He locked his grip around my wrist. A brutal squeeze. He shoved me down. I hit the ground on my knees at Daisy-Mae’s feet. “Avalon, are you deaf?! I said apologize to Daisy-Mae!” Daisy-Mae stepped forward. Her stiletto heel came down on my hand. She ground it in with vicious pressure. But her voice came out sweet and wounded. “Avalon, I really was just being nice. Getting wet is the whole point of Mardi Gras. Why can’t you just take it in good fun? Preston, is she mad at me? I was only playing around. Before Preston really loses his temper, you really should just apologize.” The crowd pressed closer. Pointing. Commenting on my exposed body.

“Hey, check out the body on that one. Not bad.” “Curves in all the right places. Definitely got something going on.” “Look at that outfit. She was asking for trouble.” The whispers fed the smug satisfaction in Preston’s eyes. A cold wave of disgust washed through me. I had turned down every arranged match my family proposed. I stuck with Preston for eight years. Eight years. Three times the Vance family business faced collapse. Three times I begged my father to pull strings from New York to save them. Earlier this year, Preston proposed. I thought I had finally found my happy ending. The day after he put the ring on my finger, his childhood sweetheart Daisy-Mae came back from Europe. Everything changed the moment she returned. The reason I agreed to take over the family’s New Orleans operations was to give Preston one last chance. Give us one last chance. I didn’t need to anymore. “Avalon, if you don’t apologize soon, I’m going to be really sad.” Daisy-Mae pouted. Tears rolled down her face like pearls falling off a broken string. I swallowed the nausea clawing up my throat. I surged to my feet. I swung my arm. My palm cracked across Daisy-Mae’s face. I grabbed the super soaker from the man next to me. Aimed at Daisy-Mae’s chest. Pulled the trigger. Instantly, her thin dress was drenched in filthy water. Her hot pink bra was on full display. “Don’t run!” I kept the water gun trained on her. Didn’t let up for a second. “It’s Mardi Gras! Getting soaked is the whole point! Come on!” Daisy-Mae clutched her chest. She shrieked the whole way as she scrambled into Preston’s arms. My handprint was still bright red on her face. I ripped the shawl out of Preston’s grip and wrapped it around myself. I shot him a cold look. Turned to walk away. I barely took a step. A boot slammed into my lower back. Preston. A searing, bone-deep pain spread from my spine through my entire body. But it didn’t come close to the ache in my chest. Three years ago, Preston was kidnapped by a rival. I led my family’s elite team from New York to extract him. A knife stabbed straight through my lower back. Eighteen hours of surgery. Thirty-six titanium screws to barely hold it together. When I was discharged, Preston knelt in front of me. He swore he would spend the rest of his life repaying what I did for him. For three years, every rainy day left me paralyzed with pain. Preston canceled every meeting, every obligation. He stayed by my side and applied heat packs without stopping. And now, for another woman, he aimed his boot directly at that same spot. “Avalon, I told you. Apologize. Or you don’t walk away from here in one piece.” Preston’s cold voice snapped me back to reality. He pressed his foot down on my lower back. A sickening crack. An unbearable, numbing ache shot through my spine. A strangled sound escaped my throat. I knew something in my vertebrae had snapped. The doctors warned me after surgery. Another serious injury to my lower back, and I would be paralyzed. Not even a miracle could fix it. The pain turned my vision black at the edges. My father’s warning echoed in my ears. I gritted my teeth and forced the words out. “Preston. Stop now. And I’ll—” “What’ll you do?” He cut me off. Nothing but vicious cruelty in his eyes. “Beg? Too late.” “Avalon, these eight years, I’ve spoiled you rotten. Today, I’m going to teach you your place.” He glanced behind him. Dozens of water guns aimed at me in perfect unison. Instantly, the dense water streams hit me like whips.

The force slammed me to the ground. Preston took Daisy-Mae’s hand. He guided her water gun. Pointed it directly at my face. Water flooded my nostrils, my ear canals. A sharp, burning pain exploded through my head. I tried to get up. The pressure blurred my vision. I couldn’t even lift my head. I just lay there, letting the freezing water pound against my body. Every hit came with the agonizing pressure of those high-powered streams. Daisy-Mae watched me flailing on the ground. High, piercing laughter spilled out of her. Preston only stopped when he saw Daisy-Mae was satisfied. He wrapped an arm around Daisy-Mae’s waist. His voice dripped with tenderness. “Baby, you happy now?” “Preston, everything you do makes me happy.” Daisy-Mae’s coy reply pulled a smug laugh from Preston’s throat. But the laugh barely hit the air. Daisy-Mae’s expression shifted. Her voice went soft and wounded. “But…” Preston’s smile vanished instantly. His brow creased. “But what, baby?” “Daisy-Mae, you’re with me. Whatever you want, just say it.” Daisy-Mae took Preston’s hand from her waist. She stroked the back of it, slow and deliberate. Her voice turned sickly sweet. “My dress got all wet because of Avalon. I’m so cold.” “No problem. I’ll take you to get a new one right now.” “No.” Daisy-Mae pointed at me. She tugged on Preston’s arm, pouting up at him with pleading eyes. “I want the one Avalon’s wearing. Right now.” “Absolutely not.” My sharp voice cut through her whining. This dress was the sacred heirloom of the Romano family. My family valued this dress as much as our family honor. This specific gown had been altered to fit my body by my mother’s own hands. Stitch by stitch before she died. My father had kept it safe for twenty years. He waited for the day I would take over the New Orleans operations. This was that day. I wrapped my arms around myself. I stumbled to my feet. The cold, wet fabric against my skin made me shiver uncontrollably. Preston glanced in my direction. Something unreadable flickered through his eyes. A few seconds of silence. He pulled Daisy-Mae into his arms. His voice dropped low. “Baby, that dress isn’t even special. The style is outdated. And it’s soaked in dirty water. You’ll catch a cold if you put it on. Let’s not take that one. I’ll buy you a new one.” “No!” Daisy-Mae tore herself out of his arms. Tears flooded her face instantly. Her voice pitched into a tearful tantrum. “I want Avalon’s dress! If you won’t get it for me, is it because you’re protecting her? Is she more important to you than me?! Oh my God, Preston, you’re still in love with her, aren’t you?!” “No. I just don’t think it looks good. And it’s wet.” “I think it’s beautiful! I don’t care if it’s wet!” Preston froze for two seconds. “You definitely still have feelings for her.” “I don’t!” Preston’s denial came fast and sharp. He spun around to face me. His voice went ice cold. “Avalon, you heard her. Daisy-Mae likes your dress. Take it off and give it to her.” I swept my gaze over the dense crowd of men surrounding us. I stared at Preston in disbelief. I lowered my voice. “Preston. You want me to undress. Here.” “Take it off!” The moment I spoke, the mob erupted. They tightened the circle around me. Their eyes devoured every visible curve of my body. “Take it off! Preston told you to strip! What are you waiting for?!” “Preston, thanks man! Without you, we wouldn’t be getting this show!”

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Declan Vance has worked in Chicago for eight years. Every time he drives back to our home in Naperville from downtown, I have dinner ready and waiting. Even though I know he always stops to see his “first love”—Sienna Miller—before coming home to me. Every time he visits her, he promises me some kind of compensation. It became a routine. A transaction. Until last month, when he gave the company’s only transfer slot for the Chicago headquarters to Sienna. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I just calmly presented him with my 100th request. Seeing my rare “understanding” and “generosity,” he signed the document without hesitation. He even promised to take me to see a Broadway tour as a bonus. But he didn’t know what he was signing. Sandwiched inside that file was our divorce application. When you save up enough disappointment, it’s time to leave. Chicago, November. The sun was setting, casting a lead-gray shimmer over Lake Michigan outside the window. The steak on the dining table had gone cold hours ago. This was the sixth time I’d taken it to the microwave to reheat it. Six o’clock. Seven o’clock. Eight o’clock. The clock hands spun round and round, but Declan still hadn’t returned. Finally, the phone rang. “Elena.” Declan’s voice sounded tired, but mostly entitled. “I’m not coming back for dinner tonight. There’s an issue with Sienna’s transfer paperwork. I need to help her handle it.” My grip on the phone tightened. Today was our eighth wedding anniversary. But clearly, he forgot. Or rather, he remembered, but he just didn’t care. “The slot has already been submitted,” he continued, his tone like he was reporting to a subordinate. “Her family really needs her back in Chicago to take care of her parents. Whatever compensation you want, just tell Marcus.” This wasn’t a discussion. It was a notification. To him, my feelings never mattered. “Okay,” I said. My voice was terrifyingly calm. Declan paused, seemingly surprised by how agreeable I was. “So… I’ll be back late. You go to sleep first.” After hanging up, I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at my reflection. Eight years. For eight years, I forgave, I compromised, and I waited. And what did I get? Broken promises, constant absences, and him choosing someone else—always choosing her. The phone rang again. This time it was Declan’s assistant, Marcus. “Elena, I’m so sorry,” Marcus said, his voice full of apology. “Declan asked me to pass on a message. He said you can raise the ‘price’ for the compensation this time. He’ll agree to anything.” I was silent for a moment. “No need to trouble yourself, Marcus. I’ll talk to him myself this time.” “Really? That’s great. Declan will be relieved—” I hung up. I walked to the study, opened the safe, and took out the manila envelope. Inside was a property transfer agreement regarding Declan’s grandfather’s abandoned auto repair shop. And, clipped to the last few pages— Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois The divorce papers. I opened the notes app on my phone and looked at the list I had maintained for eight years: The Compensation List Thanksgiving 2017: He went to Sienna’s parents’ house, leaving me alone—Tiffany bracelet. Valentine’s Day 2018: Cancelled dinner to take Sienna to the doctor—Weekend spa trip. My 30th Birthday 2019: He “forgot”—Dinner the next day. 2020 Pandemic: I had a fever at home, he went to deliver food to Sienna—Apology + Cartier bracelet. … November 2025: The only Chicago HQ transfer slot given to Sienna—TBD. Tomorrow, I will ask for the 100th compensation. Then, this eight-year farce can finally end.

The next afternoon, I put on that emerald green cashmere coat—the one Declan said made me look too aggressive. Good. Today, I intend to be aggressive. The offices of Vance & Associates were in the Loop, on the 27th floor of a glass-walled skyscraper. The receptionist looked stunned to see me. “Elena… you’re here to see Declan?” “Yes.” “He’s in a meeting—” “I know. I’ll let myself in.” I walked through the open workspace. A few employees recognized me, their eyes filled with subtle pity. The whole company probably knew the boss and his “first love” Sienna were transferring to Chicago together. As for the boss’s wife? Who cares. I knocked on Declan’s office door. “Come in.” Declan sat behind his massive mahogany desk, staring at three computer monitors. Hearing the door, he looked up. Seeing it was me, he frowned slightly. “Elena? Why are you here?” His tone held a trace of impatience. “Didn’t Marcus tell you? Whatever you want, just tell him and—” “I want the old auto repair shop,” I interrupted, placing the file on his desk. “The one your grandfather owned in Pilsen. It’s closed, but the land has value. I can redevelop it.” Declan paused, then sighed in relief. “That’s it?” He almost eagerly pulled the file toward him. “You should have said so. It’s just a run-down garage.” He didn’t even read it. He flipped directly to the last page, the signature block. “Anything else?” he asked while signing. “The dividends from the Lincoln Park project just came in. You want a new car? A new house? Jewelry? Just tell Marcus—” “No need.” I took the signed document back and carefully placed it in my bag. Declan looked to be in a good mood, probably thinking this “crisis” had been easily resolved. “Seriously, Elena,” he leaned back in his chair, his tone bordering on lecturing. “The things you’ve received in these eight years are more than most people get in a lifetime. You should be grateful.” “I am grateful,” I smiled. “Alright, I have a conference call.” He waved his hand. “You go home. I might be late tonight. Sienna still has some paperwork to finish.” “Okay.” I turned and left his office. I walked into the elevator and watched the doors slowly close, shutting out that space filled with hypocrisy. Declan didn’t know that from page 15 of the document he just signed, it was our divorce application. He also didn’t remember that when we got married, he gave me 99 gifts and said the 100th gift would be growing old together. Now, my 100th “gift” has arrived. It is freedom.

I sat in my car but didn’t start the engine immediately. Instead, I opened my phone and dialed a number. “Elena?” A gentle female voice answered. “It’s Vivian, HR from the Department of Commerce.” “Vivian, I’ve decided,” I said. “I accept the offer.” “That’s wonderful!” Vivian’s voice was full of excitement. “Public Affairs Specialist, GS-11, starting salary $75,000. When can you start?” “Is two weeks okay?” “Perfect! I’ll email you the offer letter and onboarding documents immediately. Welcome to D.C., Elena!” I hung up and dialed my lawyer. “Harper, I got the papers.” “He signed them?” My lawyer, Harper, sounded surprised. “He really didn’t read the content?” “Not a single word.” Harper sighed on the other end. “Men.” “I’m taking them to the court now,” I said. “According to Illinois law, in 60 days—” “In 60 days, you will be legally single,” Harper said. “Elena, are you sure about the asset division? That house has at least $150,000 in equity. You deserve it.” “I don’t want it,” I said. “I just want a clean break.” “Alright, your choice,” Harper paused. “By the way, what if he finds out and causes trouble?” “In 60 days, I’ll be in D.C.,” I said. “He won’t be able to find me.” Back at the house in Naperville, I started packing. We lived in this four-bedroom colonial-style house for seven years. I planted the maple tree in the front yard. We painted the deck in the back together. I picked the backsplash in the kitchen. But none of that mattered anymore. I opened the closet and packed my clothes into boxes one by one. Those designer bags, the jewelry, the luxury goods he “compensated” me with— I didn’t want any of them. They could stay, or be donated. I only wanted the things that were truly mine: photos, books, my mother’s jewelry box, and my vintage Canon camera. Halfway through packing, my phone buzzed. It was an Instagram notification. Sienna had posted a photo: She and Declan standing in front of Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, with the Chicago River nightscape in the background. Sienna was wearing a black Hervé Léger bandage dress, linking arms with Declan, smiling brightly. Caption: “Celebrating new chapters with my favorite person 🥂✨ #ChicagoHereWeCome #DreamsComeTrue” I tapped on Declan’s profile. He had reposted Sienna’s story, adding: “Proud of you. Cheers to new beginnings.” The comments were full of congratulations: “You two are perfect together!” “When’s the wedding? 💍” “Power couple alert! 🔥” I stared at those comments for a long time, then calmly closed the app. New beginnings? Yes. For me, it’s a new beginning too. Only my new beginning doesn’t include Declan Vance.

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At the welcome party, a wolfsbane-laced arrow tore through my shoulder and buried itself close to my heart. Before the healers could act, the healer on duty looked between the two men who had rushed in and asked for next-of-kin to authorize emergency treatment. Both men shoved forward at the same time, nearly coming to blows. One was my mate. One was my brother. “I’ll authorize — but first you consents to the severance. Say the words in front of me, Elaine. Wren needs to hear the bond is broken before she’ll calm down.” “Authorize it or don’t. I’m authorizing.” “Elaine.” Cole’s voice dropped. “All you have to do is swear before the Pack that you won’t pursue the arrow incident. Wren panicked after you cornered her. It wasn’t intentional.” I laughed, though it cost me everything I had left. I used my last thread of strength to pull the healer close. “Don’t treat me.” Alive or not, it didn’t really matter anymore. …… The argument outside the infirmary doors wasn’t about who had the right to authorize as next of kin. It wasn’t about the fact that I was bleeding out and needed treatment immediately. Evan Holt and Cole Voss stood on either side of the gurney. Each had planted a hand on one of the wheels, stopping it from rolling forward. The infirmary doors were one step away, and yet they might as well have been across an ocean. I was never going to make it through. The arrow that had entered my right shoulder was no ordinary piece. It was wolfsbane-laced, barbed, fitted with five curved hooks along the shaft. It had driven clean through my body and come to rest near my left shoulder, dangerously close to my heart. The healer was sweating through his clothes. He knew better than anyone what every passing second was costing me. With wolfsbane flooding my bloodstream, my body’s ability to heal itself had been stripped away completely. He opened his mouth to intervene, and nearly got himself destroyed by both men at once. Miserable as it was, no matter how much his healer’s instincts screamed at him, there was nothing he could do. This was Holt Pack territory. No one dared act against the next Alpha’s will. Evan wanted me to speak the words of severance to dissolve our bond before the Pack’s law made it binding. Cole wanted me to swear a public oath of pardon, witnessed and irreversible. Both of them were waiting for me to open my mouth. Like a competition, each desperate to hear his demand from my lips first. So they could run back to Wren and claim their prize. Looking at the two of them looming over me, I smiled — weak, hollow. Then I asked them something that had nothing to do with any of it. “Tonight you threw a welcome party for Wren.” “Why did it have to be tonight?” It could have been a day earlier. A day later. To them, the number was meaningless either way. So why did it have to be tonight? The wolfsbane was spreading. Every word I spoke drove the hooks deeper. But I lied to myself anyway. One more gamble. Just one more. Maybe — maybe one of them still remembered what today was. Evan said nothing. Cole’s fist dropped to his side, clenching and unclenching. A million shades of impatience. “We wanted Wren to be happy. That’s all there is to it.” “Can you stop stalling? What’s the point?” The laughter from that party. The blinding lights. The way my mate and my brother had smiled — warm, indulgent, unguarded. That was what broke me. I had stormed the party. Torn apart every moment of it. Everyone called me feral. Evan and Cole had stepped in front of Wren, shielding her with their bodies. “If you want to lose control, do it somewhere else! Stop embarrassing yourself!” I looked straight at Wren’s triumphant face. “You planned this, didn’t you?” “How pathetic.” She turned to face them without missing a beat, her expression collapsing into grief. “Why — why would she say that to me.” “Is it wrong to want to be with the people I love?” Both men’s ears went faintly red at being claimed so openly. “I thought I finally had a family. Why does she still reject me — why!” After that, using her breakdown as cover, she raised the ceremonial bow and loosed the wolfsbane-laced arrow straight at me. Even as the poison tore through my shoulder, Evan pinned me down. He was afraid I’d lunge at her. Afraid I’d hurt the one he treasured. He looked at me, and his eyes were full of disappointment. “Why.” “When did you become this kind of person.” “Disgusting.” When they lifted me onto the gurney, Wren insisted on coming to see me. What she actually did was lean close to my ear and laugh, soft and quiet. “Elaine. Today was actually a celebration for you.” “One year since yours and Evan’s pup died.” “It’s a shame they’ve both forgotten. Only I remembered — you should be thanking me.” I couldn’t lift my hand anymore. So I used the last thing I had left and bit down on her ear. Evan nearly crushed my jaw getting me off her. And that became the justification they used now, pressing me to speak the words, for why I deserved everything that was happening to me.

It sounds almost funny, looking back. Wren Voss was my twin, the sister who had been seized by a rival Pack at birth and only recently returned to us. Our parents had spent half their lives tracking her down. They died still searching, and from their deathbeds they made Cole and me swear an oath. If we ever found her, we would spend the rest of our lives making it up to her. When we finally brought Wren home, that was exactly what I intended to do. She had suffered so much. I would give her everything I had. But she looked at me with hostility from the very first moment. In the beginning, Evan had seen it clearly enough. Every time I asked him to come with me to visit the Voss house, he’d drag his feet — sullen and reluctant, needing three rounds of coaxing before he’d agree. And when we got there and Wren was in the room, he wouldn’t spare her a glance. “Baby, I’m not going to waste a good mood on someone who doesn’t like my mate.” Cole caught in the middle, always awkward, always smoothing things over. Then somewhere along the way, it became — “Elaine, Cole and I are taking Wren on a run through the Cascades for a few days. You’ve been through that territory so many times — maybe just stay home this trip?” “You know how sensitive she is. She’s always felt like you don’t like her. You’ve been too hard on her — if you come, she won’t be able to enjoy herself.” “Cole feels the same way. He didn’t want to upset you, so he asked me to say it.” “I honestly don’t understand you. You got a sister back — that should be a good thing. But you act like you’d rather she’d never been found.” “If Wren hadn’t told me, I never would have believed you’d been treating her like that in private. Telling her to go back where she came from.” “I’m leaving. Think about what you’re doing.” When Evan walked out, his eyes were full of the same disappointment he always wore when he looked at me now. I held myself together anyway. I didn’t pull all four of them into a room and demand Wren explain exactly how I had supposedly mistreated her in private. Let it go. Don’t ruin the mood. Just endure it. It’ll pass. I never forgot the oath my parents had made me swear alone, separate from Cole’s. Wren had suffered. I had been given twenty years she hadn’t. I owed her. If I couldn’t give way for her, my parents would never forgive me. These were small things. What did it cost me to give way? Then one day, I walked in and found her in bed with Evan. The blood drained from my body. The room tilted. I was beyond rage. I slapped her across the face. What came back was one slap from Evan, and one from Cole, who had come running at the sound. Cole was the angriest. “Wren told me from the beginning — that you’d been tormenting her in secret, shutting her out, making sure she never got any of my attention. I didn’t believe her.” “Guess today you finally showed your real face.” “She survived twenty years of suffering and finally made it home, and the first thing she gets is a sister like you. Elaine — aren’t you afraid of what Mom and Dad would think if they could see this?” “If I could go back — I’d rather it had been you they took.” I stood there and couldn’t move. The tears wouldn’t stop. Evan was holding Wren, murmuring gently, calming her down. He glanced at my tears, his expression completely cold. “Stop crying.” “Wren isn’t crying. What gives you the right.” “The bond between us was never real — I see that now. We were placed together young and I mistook closeness for fate.” “If it had been you who was taken and came back — I still wouldn’t have bonded with someone like you.” “So don’t blame Wren.” “She did nothing wrong.” “I should be grateful I finally saw who you really are.” I watched Wren’s eyes find mine — that flicker of victory she couldn’t quite hide — and suddenly I understood. She didn’t love Evan. She didn’t love Cole. She just hated me. She hated that it hadn’t been me who was taken. She hated that I’d had twenty years she hadn’t. My pain was the only thing that made her happy. And she had the most powerful weapon in the world, their guilt. I had no right to fight back. So on that day, I lost my mate and my brother at the same time.

If tonight hadn’t happened, I probably would never have seen the two of them argue over me again. Though the old arguments were about who got to spend time with me. Now they were arguing over which oath they could press out of me first — so they could get back to Wren faster. Both their phones went off at the same time. “Evan. Cole.” Her voice came through the speaker, trembling. “I’m so scared. The blood got on me and I can’t get it off—” “I wanted to come with her when they put her on the gurney, but Elaine said the moment she recovered she’d kill me first. I don’t know what to do. I really didn’t mean to hurt her. I’m so worried about her—” She cried herself breathless, then caught herself — put on a show of pulling it together, just in time for the two men on the other end of the line who were already aching to shift and run back to her. “Sometimes I think Elaine is so lucky. Evan and Cole care about her so much. I don’t have anything. And whenever I get even a little — she finds a way to take it back.” “It’s okay. You don’t have to rush back. I’ll be fine on my own—” “I’m going to prepare a hundred arrows for when I accidentally hurt Elaine. She said when she recovers she wants every one of them loosed into me. If that’s what it takes to make her feel better, then that’s what I’ll do.” By the time the call ended, both Evan’s and Cole’s expressions had gone dark enough to draw blood. Cole was the first to break. Without any warning, he wrapped his hand around my throat. “Why. Just — why.” “Why can’t you just let Wren be?” “It was an accident. A hundred arrows — do you want her dead?” “Elaine Voss. How did I end up with a sister like you? How did our bloodline produce something like you?” The pressure shifted the arrow inside me. The hooks turned. The wolfsbane surged with every movement, coursing deeper through my veins. This was no ordinary ceremonial arrow. I choked up blood. Evan reached over and stopped Cole’s hand. “Calm down.” “Were you actually going to choke her out?” Something in my chest, something that had already gone cold and dark — flickered with a secret, shameful hope. Maybe. Maybe he still couldn’t let go of me. Maybe his wolf still recognized mine. “If you kill her now, she can’t speak the oaths.” “Were you planning to go back to Wren or not?” “If she dies here, Wren will blame herself. You want her carrying that for the rest of her life?” Once he’d talked Cole down, Evan finally spared me a glance. I was still coughing up blood. It had spread across half my face. The blood was clotting in my throat, and every cough dragged the hooks further, the wolfsbane burning through every attempt my body made to close the wound. Over and over. Relentless. He frowned. His voice went flat. “Enough.” “Stop performing.” “Is that a blood pack you’re hiding?” “I inspected those arrows with Wren myself. They’re thin. Flexible. She’s a kind girl — she specifically ordered them that way so no one would get seriously hurt.” “The impact drove it into your shoulder, that’s all. Your wolf should be able to handle a graze like that.” “Stop being so dramatic. We’re not idiots.”

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After returning from studying abroad, I applied for an internship at my father’s company without telling him—it was supposed to be a surprise. But on my very first day there, I found out that everyone in the company was calling an intern “Princess,” as if she were some kind of heir apparent. I stood there, dumbfounded, and even asked my colleagues again to confirm that the young woman in front of me was really my father’s publicly recognized daughter. But as an only child, I never had a sister! With a cold smirk, I sent my father a message. [Dad, I’m going to intern at our company after graduation.] As always, he replied instantly. [Sweetie, you don’t need to work. Just stay abroad and enjoy yourself after you graduate. I’ve earned more than enough for you to live a carefree life!] I immediately got in touch with a lawyer. [Please help my mother with the divorce proceedings.] *** Employees buzzed around Pearl Edith like bees around honey, flattering her incessantly. I pushed my way through the crowd until I reached her. The middle-aged woman, Norma Sidney, hovering protectively near Pearl, paled the moment she saw my face. “Ahem, everyone, back to your desks. No chatting during work hours.” The staff scattered in an instant, like mice fleeing from a cat, grumbling under their breath, “I thought having the ‘Princess’ here meant we’d get a break, but why’s the lady boss yelling at us?” Hearing them call that woman the “lady boss” only fueled my anger. My mother had no interest in business, and I’d been away for years. It seemed that a mistress had quietly entrenched herself in my family. Pearl looked annoyed. “Mom, didn’t you promise to help me make a show so I could take over Edith Group sooner? I haven’t even had enough time to show off yet.” I let out a laugh. “You want to take over my mother’s company?” Pearl shot me a glare. “Of course. This is my dad’s…” She didn’t get to finish before the so-called “boss lady” shoved her aside. “Shut up and get back to work!” Then, with a tense, sweat-beaded face, Norma growled through clenched teeth, “Shall we talk outside?” Seeing how rattled she was, I casually pulled out a chair and propped up my legs. “Why outside? Is it because you know you’ve done something disgraceful?” Norma gasped, nearly collapsing on the spot, her voice turning to a plea. “Th… This is the office area!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me out, shutting the door on the curious onlookers. That was when I noticed the nameplate on her chest. [Norma Sidney, General Manager’s Secretary] Leading me to an empty hallway, she finally let out a sigh of relief. “You must be Mr. Edith’s daughter, Ms. Daisy Edith. I’ve heard so much about you.” “It was my mistake,” she went on. “I was worried my daughter might be bullied during her internship, so I had her pose as Mr. Edith’s child. Please don’t expose me. Considering all those years I’ve worked here, please do me a favor.” Her expression was so full of maternal worry that it was almost convincing. But I didn’t buy a word of it. Around her neck hung the necklace I’d recently gifted to my mother. I reached out with one finger, hooked the deep green gem, and eyed her with mockery. “Seems your overstepping goes beyond just pretending, Ms. Sidney.” My mother had been raised like a princess, pampered and shielded from the world, with a passion only for collecting jewelry. This necklace had cost me a fortune. My father had promised to personally bring it back from abroad as a gift for her. Now, however, it appeared my gold-digging father had forgotten who my real mother was! I gave the necklace a sharp tug, leaving red marks on Norma’s neck. She instantly burst into tears, looking helpless and pitiful. “Ms. Edith, please, you’ve misunderstood. I’m just a poor mother looking out for her daughter.” I gave a cold sneer and yanked harder, snapping the chain, causing her to lose her balance and collapse. Without another glance, I contacted the lawyer. “I need you to handle my mother’s divorce case.” “Yes, you heard me. I’m calling the shots on this.”

I returned home with the lawyer, who had rushed straight over, and dropped the divorce papers in front of my mother. She stared at us, stunned. “Daisy, are you crazy? Your father and I get along fine. Why divorce?” “Did your dad cut your allowance? Oh, my dear, don’t throw a tantrum. Here, take Mom’s card.” As she pushed a black card across the table, tears spilled down my cheeks. I just couldn’t help it. My mother came from the richest family in Kingsport, raised in silk and shielded from every ugliness the world had to offer. How could I possibly tell her about the despicable things my father had done? Seeing my tears, she quickly moved to comfort me. As she bent down, a fake emerald necklace slipped from her blouse. Catching my stare, she offered a reassuring smile and tucked it away. “Your father said this was the gift you picked out for me. I adore it and keep it with me all the time.” At that moment, I felt a sudden sense of relief. My mother, who’d seen the finest treasures in the world, couldn’t possibly mistake a fake for the real thing. Dad had indeed swapped the gift I gave her. It was just that she thought I’d been tricked, so she still wore it close to her heart, happy and unsuspecting. But the image of Norma wearing the genuine necklace flashed in my mind. Without hesitation, I told her, “Mom, Dad is having an affair.” “And not just that, their daughter is even a year older than me.” My mother’s face drained of color. Her eyes reddened. “Daisy, do you realize what you’re saying?” Clenching my teeth, I slammed a stack of photos onto the table. She picked up the first. When she saw the necklace around Norma’s neck, she froze, then looked at me, pale and shaken. Taking a deep breath, she flipped to the next. As she focused on the second photo, I sighed. “That’s their daughter, Pearl.” “If I hadn’t shown up at the company unannounced today, I never would’ve known there was already a mistress and a so-called princess in our company.” My mother’s tears fell as she reached for another photo. I clenched my teeth. “This is the share transfer agreement. The stocks you entrusted to Dad, you let him manage them, but he handed them over to his lover and their illegitimate child long ago!” She stiffened again, but then her eyes landed on the next photo: a college acceptance letter. Seeing the seal of the medical university, she thought of something. She stopped crying, her expression darkening. I gave a bitter laugh. “That’s true. I was told I’d failed the SATs back then, which is why I had no choice but to study abroad.” “But after my recent investigation, I found out I never failed. It was Dean Edith, that traitor, who switched my scores with Pearl’s!”

As Mom took in my words, her grief slowly gave way to fury. She slammed the table. “That monster! How dare he do this to you!” I let out a breath, glad I’d guessed right. At her age, she might be able to forgive many things, but I could never tolerate a traitor as a father. If I only proved that he had cheated, Mom might be uncertain. But finding out he’d stolen my future was something she could never accept. Gently wiping away her tears, I shook my head. “We can’t change that already. Let’s focus on our situation now.” “Mom, you inherited billions and several public companies from Grandpa. I suspect that while you handed control over to Dad, he used the time to seize everything. That’s why he dares to act so brazenly, parading his mistress in our company!” I expected her to be nervous, but to my surprise, she just smiled knowingly. “Relax, these matters are tightly restricted by the prenuptial agreement. Everything I have is merely managed by Dean. If we divorce, he’ll have to return it all.” “In this case, let’s strip that unfaithful man of everything and leave him utterly humiliated!” Just then, my phone vibrated incessantly. I realized I hadn’t checked the employee notification group, which had already flooded with over 999 messages. [To celebrate the Princess’s successful entry into the company and the upcoming IPO, a banquet has been reserved at Maine Restaurant. Dear employees, all of you and your families are invited!] [Mr. Edith is incredibly generous. I heard the minimum spend per person in Maine is twenty thousand. We’re finally going to see what luxury looks like!] [All thanks to the Princess! Wishing her a long and prosperous life!] Pearl joined in, too, sending her best wishes to the group and stating her ambitions for the company’s future. Watching the cheerful chaos, I curled my lips into a cold smile. What a perfect chance. I’d been wondering how to handle the situation, and Dean had the gall to host a welcome banquet for his illegitimate daughter. Well, if that was the case, I absolutely had to attend the party. I tapped open Dean’s contact and sent him a private message. [Dad, I’m planning to return home today. Will you come to the airport with Mom to pick me up?] His reply came instantly. [Why are you coming back now?] [I mean, do you miss home so much?] [You know what, your mom is going to book a ticket and go keep you company. And I’ll visit after this busy period. Be a good girl and take pretty photos for your mom when she gets there.] I arched an eyebrow and held the phone up for my mother, urging her to take note of Dean’s hypocrisy. But Mom had already recovered from the initial shock. She sat down in front of her vanity, picked up her custom-made, high-end makeup brush, and motioned for me to come closer. “Come on, let’s get you dolled up.” “Time to meet your father and his little family together!”

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It happened again. Suggestive sounds once more came from the neighboring hut. The incessant clatter of heavy objects falling proved how intense it was. Covering my ears, I curled up under the animal skin blanket. After what felt like forever, a warm body settled beside me. The moment I felt a touch on my head, I quickly burrowed deeper into the blanket to avoid the approaching hand. “Don’t touch me.” Kane stiffened. Pursing his lips, he said with a cold voice, “Iris, you’re giving me the cold shoulder again.” “It was just to have an heir. Why do you make such a fuss?” “You are still my only true woman.” Clutching the blanket tightly, I refused to answer. Kane’s expression instantly became sombre. He ran a hand through his hair in irritation. “Once Liana gives birth next spring, I will send her away.” “In this way, the tribe will be satisfied.” “Don’t be stubborn. We’ll raise the child together, and he will only call you mother.” With that, Kane rose and walked out. Not wanting to face my coldness, he went back to Liana. Such scenes repeated daily since he had brought Liana home. I touched the tear stains on my face and sat up. The bonfire still radiated residual warmth, yet my body felt utterly cold. I had lived three years in this unfamiliar world. Backward and cold, it was scarcely fit for habitation. Had I not met Kane, I would not have missed the full moon and stayed here. As the tribe’s most valiant warrior, Kane offered me his sincerest vow. Pulling off the tiger-tooth necklace around my neck, I had the impulse to cry. However, he broke his vow and betrayed me. I remembered the day I chose to stay, he handed me this necklace. “Iris, thank you.” “Whether you have a fertility mark or not, I will have only you in this lifetime.” “Even without children, I accept that.” Yet after just three years, he brought home his father’s woman. The tribe had a custom. Sons could inherit their fathers’ women, except their biological mother. Liana Reeves, Kane’s stepmother, rightfully became his possession. Kane had to care for her. And Liana had to bear him offspring in return. I once believed Kane had severed ties with those tribal customs for me. But it seemed he hadn’t changed at all. I snorted derisively and tossed the necklace into the bonfire. In the flickering glow, the tiger-tooth gradually turned to powder, merging with the dark ash on the ground. I no longer wanted his tainted love. Liana’s soft and seductive laughter drifted faintly from the next hut. I rubbed the bone ring on my right hand, and then looked at a corner of the stone wall. There were marks drawn in animal blood only I could understand. The next full moon was almost there.

Staring at the drowned seedlings in the fields, I trembled with rage. Beside me, Liana, still holding a wooden bucket, flinched in fright. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked pitiable. “Iris, I didn’t mean to.” “I just wanted to help you. I didn’t know that just a little extra water would kill them all…” She began to sob. Her uncovered neck was dotted with swollen red kiss marks. I averted my gaze, feeling sad and angry. When I was about to open my mouth, I didn’t know what to say. The seedlings were already drowned. What use were more words? Slowly unclenching my fists, I stepped forward to see if any seedlings could be saved. Suddenly, Liana’s expression changed. She swayed and collapsed to the ground. Before I could react, I was shoved. My knee struck a stone, and the pain sent a cold sweat in an instant. Looking up, I saw Kane in hunting attire. He seemed just returned to the tribe. His eyes were frighteningly red. Wrapping his arms around crying Liana, he looked at me with reproach. “Iris, can’t you accept Liana?” My lips trembled, then I offered him a disappointed smile. “Did you see me do anything to her?” “Or do your eyes only see what you choose to believe?” Kane froze. He looked up at the flooded field and fell silent. “They were just seedlings. Liana meant well. Don’t make this a big deal.” “Just seedlings.” The thought drew a sarcastic laugh from me. With this sentence, he dismissed all my efforts. Before I came, the tribe subsisted only on hunting. Eating the meat without proper preparation led them to suffer from diarrhea and sickness. Over time, children grew weak, and the mortality rate remained high. It was I who found vegetable seeds and taught them farming. Gradually, this situation changed. That was why Kane was acclaimed by the people as their chieftain. Yet just now he said they were just seedlings, constantly making excuses for Liana’s mistake. “Kane, my belly hurts a bit.” Liana whimpered and buried her head into his chest, clinging to him tightly. She pressed against him, her eyes red and swimming with tears—a delicate, clinging thing playing the victim. Kane was indeed drawn to this scene. Without a word, he gently placed his large hand on Liana’s belly and then softly rubbed. He moved with careful tenderness, like she might break. Kane was never an attentive man. He learned all these details bit by bit after we were together. Whenever I felt unwell, he stayed close to me and refused to leave. However, I was watching him giving his care to another woman. Suddenly, I felt a pang of sadness. A dull ache throbbed from my injured knee. Lowering my gaze, I dug my nails into the soil. Their intimate moment stretched on. Liana continued to whimper weakly about the pain. Hearing this, Kane scooped her into his arms. Then he turned to me with a complex expression. “Iris, I’m taking Liana to the medicine woman. You…” “I’m in pain too,” I told him. Kane paused. I stared at him stubbornly, and my hand pressing the wound trembled slightly. “I’m in pain too, Kane.” Silence hung in the air. Kane hesitated, his mouth opening then closing. He took a step toward me. The next moment, Liana wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “Blood…” Fresh blood trickled down Liana’s thigh. Kane’s face changed instantly. Without further hesitation, he hurried towards the medicine woman’s hut with Liana in his arms. Watching their receding figures, the ghost of a smile tugged at my lips, leaving only a vast emptiness behind. My last feelings towards Kane vanished in this instant.

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The day the avalanche swallowed me, my own brother, Norris Burgess, cut the safety rope at my waist—to save the fake princess, Sadie Burgess, who had stolen my place. Snow rose past my face. My body heat bled away. With frozen, trembling lips, I called out to Norris. “Norris! Don’t leave me here… If you do, my adoptive father’s men will flatten this mountain!” I’d been back with my birth family for a year, quiet and obedient, never once mentioning my adoptive parents overseas. They had no idea—the couple who raised me commanded one of the most feared mercenary units in the world. My adoptive father was a legendary sniper. My adoptive mother, a demolition expert. And I was their only princess. But my brother just sneered, pulling the rope away. “Stop lying!” “You’re nothing but a hillbilly with a big mouth. I brought you skiing despite the embarrassment you cause, and now you dare compete with Sadie? Don’t you know how fragile she is ?” With that, he turned and walked away, holding the impostor’s hand. “If your adoptive parents are so impressive, let them send a helicopter for you!” As the light above me disappeared, I pressed the red button on my satellite locator with the last of my strength. What Norris didn’t know was this: Once that signal went out, this entire mountain would become his grave.

Norris’s figure vanished completely into the blizzard. Only the howling wind remained, mocking my foolishness. I struggled to open my eyes. Beside me stood only Norris’s personal assistant, Azrael Benton. He looked at me, his gaze complicated. A flicker of hope ignited within me—the instinct of fighting to survive. “Save… save me…” Azrael’s hand extended halfway, hovered in the air, then withdrew. “Miss Delilah Burgess, I’m sorry.” “Mr. Burgess said Miss Burgess is in shock. Everyone must escort her down the mountain now.” “Mr. Burgess also said the avalanche has stopped, you’re not buried deep, and with your rural upbringing, a little snow won’t kill you. He wants you to… cool off and think things over.” After speaking, Azrael guiltily averted his eyes. If he had just reached out and pulled, I could have climbed out. But he didn’t. He chose to obey that fool of a CEO and left me in this ice tomb. The sound of footsteps faded—that distinct crunching on snow. I was officially discarded. I strained to bend my fingers, reaching toward the hard object hidden inside my innermost layer of clothing. My adoptive mother had slipped it to me before I returned to the Burgess family. She said, “Delilah, this is your lifeline. Don’t use it unless you have absolutely no other choice.” Because once used, it meant the end of peaceful life. Back then, I laughed and said, “With my birth parents and brother, why would I ever need this?” Now, thinking back, it felt like the biggest joke in the world. Using the last of my strength, I slammed the red button. Beep. The tiny indicator blinked twice, weak and stubborn, then went dark for good. The satellite signal had been successfully sent. Signal sent. I didn’t know if I could last until they crossed the border and reached me. This place was a no-man’s land, sealed off by an avalanche. Then the phone pressed to my chest lit up. A unique vibration pattern. It was a message in the “Happy Mercenary Family” group chat. Even with the weak signal, texts still pushed through on this dedicated channel. Damian sent a picture. He was cleaning a heavy sniper rifle, its barrel pitch-black and gleaming coldly. The caption was simple. [Delilah, got your coordinates.] [Perfect timing—we’re on a mission near the border, only 120 miles from you.] [Scenic spot. Perfect for digging holes.] I tried to smile, but my lips wouldn’t move. Tried to type back, but my fingers were too numb to tap the screen.

Consciousness began to blur. Drifting, I seemed to return to those years abroad—chaotic yet pulsing with life. At five, after being trafficked, I ended up on the border. It was Hawk who dug me out from a pile of bodies. He scowled at how filthy I was, yet gave me half a ration bar. My adoptive father, Hawk, was a man of few words and one of the world’s top snipers. He taught me how to assemble a Glock in under three seconds. “Your gun is your partner. More reliable than people,” he said. My adoptive mother, Shera, was an elegant madwoman. She showed me how to make liquid explosives from supermarket detergent. “If anyone bullies you, blow them to hell. No need to explain,” she smiled. And then there was Damian. My sworn brother, who also crawled out from a grave of corpses. He always saved the choicest cut for me, smiling as he broke the bones of anyone who made me cry. That life—walking the knife’s edge yet wrapped in fierce loyalty—was one I walked away from myself. I’d been chasing the myth of “blood ties.” Foolishly thinking sharing DNA would give me a real family. So I put aside the mantle of “Red Fox” and slipped into the role of the timid, obedient long-lost heiress of the Burgess family. Once, when I was burning up with fever, Norris passed me a glass of water. Tears welled in my eyes, mistaking that small gesture for the warmth of home. Life soon delivered a stinging wake-up call. I later learned that water was Sadie’s leftover—too hot for her liking, so she’d tossed it my way. A jolt of raw pain tore me from the memory. Not the warmth of rescue, but the sharp, metallic bite of something hard striking bone. Crunch. A rescue worker’s shovel had slammed into my thigh. A choked gasp escaped me as awareness flickered back. I was dragged roughly from the snowbank—no stretcher, no emergency care in sight. The rescuer looked down at me, his expression pure disdain. “Still breathing after all that? Lucky you.” “You just cost us half an hour. Mr. Burgess is furious.” He didn’t bother with basic bandages, just tossed me onto a supply sled like a sack. The ride back to camp was a jarring, bone-rattling haul. Up ahead, the medical tent glowed warm against the cold, the hum of a space heater drifting out. Two guards hauled me inside. Warm air washed over me—but not for my sake. Sadie sat wrapped in a cashmere blanket in the only padded chair, surrounded by anxious nurses and a doctor. “Does it hurt, Miss Burgess?” “Bring the medicated cream, now!” I forced my eyes open. All Sadie had was a faint scrape on one finger—not even a drop of blood. Yet the camp’s only heater was aimed right at her hand. Meanwhile, I lay soaked and shivering, the gash on my thigh raw and exposed, curled on the muddy ground in a corner. Invisible. Azrael passed by, paused at the sight of me, then tossed a grimy, mud-stained towel in my direction. “Clean yourself up. Don’t stain the rug.” “Mr. Burgess is with Miss Burgess. Stay out of sight and keep quiet.” I clenched my jaw, staring at that soiled towel. And just like that, the last flicker of light inside me went out.

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I am the Alpha king, the strongest werewolf in existence. I took the last purebred Silver Wolf as my mate. But the child she bore wasn’t a Silver Wolf. Wasn’t an Alpha either. It was an omega that couldn’t even shift. Still, my Luna cradled it lovingly. Asking me if we should name our son Kane or Raven. I stayed silent for a long moment. “Rejection.” My Luna froze. “What did you call him?” “I said,” I raised my voice, “I’m rejecting you as my mate!” The room erupted. Elena was the Silver Wolf Princess, highest bloodline in existence. Outside the hall, Alphas and Elders from every pack filled the space. Elena’s expression twisted. “Slade, if you don’t like so many guests, I’ll send them away. Don’t joke like this, please.” I stood, grabbing her arm to drag her outside. “I’m not joking.” “We’re going to the Moon Altar right now to break the bond.” Humans get married with papers and divorce with signatures. Werewolves are more complicated. On mating day, names are carved into the Moon Stone, sealing the bond. To reject your mate, you need to erase the names on the Moon Stone. But it isn’t just erasing two names. The one at fault gets punished by the Moon Goddess. Elena looked hurt. “Slade, you can reject me if you want, but tell me what I did wrong first.” I said nothing, glancing at the pup in her arms. After years as mates, one look was enough for her to understand. Elena’s eyes widened. “It’s because of the pup? Just because I gave birth to an omega pup?” When she first got pregnant, I’d said every day our child would be a Silver Wolf or an Alpha. Not just me. Everyone thought so. My father was the strongest Alpha. My mother was the Moon Priestess. Both bloodlines were legendary. Elena’s lineage needed no explanation—there wasn’t a creature alive that could harm her except the Moon Goddess. Our child was famous before it was even born. But when she finally gave birth. It was just a weak omega. No shift ability, no inner wolf. Its tail was even half-formed. Seeing I didn’t deny it, every guest stared in shock. They say Alpha king should love all pups, even others’ children, treating them like their own. The first to call me out was my beta, Jax. “Alpha Slade, Luna Elena is about to cry. Apologize to her.” “Don’t forget Luna Elena went to the Northern Wastes to find the Fertility Herb, and she got attacked by rogues. She fought them off, but the wound on her shoulder still hasn’t healed.” “She nearly died giving birth. Almost lost her life. How can you break her heart like this?” Elena was a Silver Wolf, but she had trouble conceiving. We’d had a few pregnancies before. All miscarriages. To carry this pup to term, she went to find the Fertility Herb herself. I glanced at him coldly. “I didn’t even know about her shoulder wound. How did you?” Jax’s face went pale, stammering without an answer. “My Alpha, don’t blame him.” Elena stepped forward. “When I came back that day, I collapsed at the door from blood loss. Jax found me.” She finished. A few more pack members stepped forward, saying they witnessed it too. Their words made me look jealous and petty. The other Elders didn’t approve of my behavior either. “Alpha Slade, you’re the king of all alphas. How can you still be this jealous?” “Everyone knows how much Luna Elena loves you. Back then, she endured silver burns for you. How can you doubt her like this? It’s hurtful.” “And about the pup. Just because you’re an Alpha doesn’t mean your child has to be one too, right? ” “Enough.” Elena looked displeased at them defending me. “Thank you all for your concern, but this is pack business. Please say no more.” Her words. Made everyone resent me even more. When Elena turned back to me, her tone softened. “My Alpha, I know you wanted an Alpha heir. It’s okay. We can have another.” “You’re upset the pup isn’t strong. It’s fine. If he’s not, we’ll make him one. With your power and mine, we can make it.” The other Elders offered solutions too. Some promised rare herbs to boost power. Others recommended sacred training grounds. As if with one nod from me, this runt would transform into a legendary alpha tomorrow. Seeing I was unmoved by their suggestions. Elena grew more anxious. “My Alpha, just tell me what you want! I can give you anything!” I stared at her for a long moment. “You’ll give me anything I want?” Elena nodded firmly. “I want my pup.” Each word sharp. “Give me back my real pup.”

A flicker of panic crossed Elena’s perfect face. She pushed the pup forward. “My Alpha, this is our pup.” I looked at the pup coldly. “This isn’t my pup. This is someone else’s.” Elena looked shocked. “My Alpha, what do you mean? Did someone switch the pups during the birth?” Before I could respond, she called out urgently: “Someone! Bring me the midwife who delivered my pup. I need to question her about what she did.” In less than 10 minutes, the midwife appeared. After hearing the situation, she dropped to her knees. “I’m innocent! This is the pup Luna Elena gave birth to! And I wasn’t the only one there that day. Many pack members were present during the delivery.” The midwife quickly named several witnesses. All were Elena’s close friends who’d stayed in the room during labor, worried something might go wrong. Now, they stepped forward to confirm they’d seen this pup come from Elena’s body with their own eyes. Everyone’s gaze fell on me again. Their expressions seemed to say how could there be a father like me in this world? Just because the pup didn’t meet my expectations, I wanted to abandon my mate and child. Some hot-tempered wolves openly cursed me for being ungrateful. I bit my lip. “Just because it came from her body means it’s mine?” “Slade, are you accusing Elena of infidelity?” Even the High Elder couldn’t stand it anymore. “If that’s the case, we’ll use the Blood Stone. Let’s see whose pup this really is.” The High Elder gave the order, and someone immediately retrieved the stone from the vault. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Elena cut the pup’s paw and let blood drip onto the stone. Then she cut her own finger and added her blood. The two drops made the stone glow red. This proved a blood connection. After Elena’s test, it was my turn. I did the same. After a moment, the Blood Stone glowed red. Seeing this, Elena breathed a sigh of relief. “My Alpha, now do you believe this is our pup?” I stared at the stone in disbelief. “No, that’s impossible…” No werewolf can fail to sense whether a pup is their own. This weak pup had no trace of my scent. Why didn’t anyone else notice? Even the Blood Stone confirmed it was my pup. Was I wrong? “How is it impossible?” Jax spoke up. “Everyone knows the Blood Stone never lies. Alpha, have you been too exhausted lately? Are you hallucinating? Let me take you back to rest. Stop slandering the Luna.” His hand barely touched my arm. I shoved him away hard. “This isn’t my pup! It’s not! Stay away from me!” Elena helped Jax up, then yelled at me: “Slade, how long are you going to keep this up? We have witnesses, we have the Blood Stone—why won’t you believe this is our pup? Have you lost your mind?” Not just her—everyone looked at me like I was insane. I wasn’t insane. But panic was drowning me. To find the truth, I’d have to go there.

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The day I accompanied my fiancé for our premarital checkup, his nominal sister, Verna Carllyle, a doctor in that hospital, strode into the corridor and let out a shrill, deliberate yell, “Chloe Kent partied with five men at a nightclub just last night. She’s even kept by an old geezer! She’s carrying a severe infection—discharge, inflammation, the whole mess, yet she still has the audacity to show up for a premarital checkup?” Pregnant women waiting in line gasped in shock, their ultrasound reports slipping from trembling hands and scattering across the floor. Without hesitation, they scrambled to put distance between themselves and me. In my past life, I had been on the verge of confronting Verna, but my fiancé, Ivan Tracy, dragged me away in a hurry. “Verna’s just throwing a childish tantrum. Don’t let her words get to you. You’re marrying me, and my trust in you is all that matters.” However, word of the incident soon leaked online. The backlash was so vicious that my parents were literally angered to death, and I myself was hounded to my last breath by radical netizens. When I opened my eyes once more, I found myself right back on the day of the checkup, with Verna’s venomous voice still ringing in my ears. “I fixed you up with that repair surgery just last month, and you’ve already ruined it again this time? With a private life this sordid, do you really think you deserve to marry Ivan?” Ivan shot Verna a helpless look. “Verna, that’s enough. Hurry up with the checkup. Chloe and I have a marriage license to collect afterward.” A cold sneer tugged at my lips as I stepped back. “Marriage license? When did I ever agree to marry you?” Ivan froze in place, then reached out to drag me towards the exit. “Chloe, what’s gotten into you? Today’s the day we get our license. Don’t be so childish.” Verna ripped off her face mask, jabbing a finger at me as she shrieked. “People may see you as the respectable heiress of the Kent family, but they have no idea how filthy you really are behind closed doors!” “Everyone in this hospital has heard about your sordid escapades! It’s only because Ivan’s got a heart of gold that he’s willing to take you in, you slut!” My mind went blank for a split second, and then it hit me—I had gone back in time. Meanwhile, disgusted murmurs rippled through the crowd around me. “Girls these days have no shame at all. They put on such innocent faces, but they’re nothing but cheap whores underneath. Who knows how much they charge for a night?” In my past life, shame had overwhelmed me completely. After Ivan pulled me away, I had made no attempt to defend myself, making myself seem guilty. This time, however, a cold laugh escaped my lips. “Everyone in the hospital knows? Are you from the obstetrics and gynecology department… or the STD clinic?” I retorted. “My checkup hasn’t even started yet, so how is your mouth spouting results like a diagnostic machine?” Verna froze, clearly caught off guard. She’d never expected the mild, meek me to talk back, let alone in front of such a crowd. Ivan frowned and reached out to grab my arm. “Chloe, you’re Verna’s future sister-in-law. With so many people watching, show her some respect.” I dodged nimbly to the side, brushing off my sleeve with a look of disgust. “Respect? Did she show me any respect when she made up such horrible lies about me?” “And what about you, Ivan?” I turned to Ivan, my gaze cold as ice as I stared at the man I’d once loved with all my heart. “When your fiancée is publicly humiliated, your first instinct is to tell me to stay quiet, all to protect this nominal sister who shares no blood with you?” Ivan’s patience wore thin. “Verna was originally the one my mother approved of as my wife. Now she’s acting as my sister just to avoid gossip.” “She meant no harm. It’s just a girl venting her frustration. Besides, if you haven’t done any of it, you have nothing to fear. Just get the checkup, and everything will be cleared up.” “Hurry up. We have real business to do later.” He was still clinging to his delusion of getting his way. In my past life, he’d used this exact line about proving my innocence to coax me into the examination room. What followed was Verna producing a fake STD report. Ivan had then put on a show of heartbreak, claiming he didn’t care about my “past” before pressuring me to sign a prenuptial agreement. The document forced me to transfer all my assets into his name for management. After my death, he’d wasted no time using my wealth to hold a grand wedding with Verna. Now that Ivan defended her, Verna’s arrogance swelled. “Chloe, you’re scared to get checked because you know you’re guilty, aren’t you?” “Everyone, look! This is the woman who seduces old men! She’s diseased, and she intends to hurt more!” The crowd of patients and their families swelled. Some even pulled out their phones to record the commotion. Ivan squirmed under my gaze, forcing an awkward smile. “Chloe, we…” I cut him off coldly, shifting my focus to Verna. “Who ever said I’m your sister-in-law?” “Verna, you’re an intern in this hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology department, aren’t you?” Verna’s expression flickered. “You… What are you up to?” Without hesitation, I dialed the police. “Nothing, just a friendly reminder that public defamation is a criminal offense.” “Tell me, when the police arrive, do you think your internship will still be intact?”

Ivan’s face drained of color instantly. He lunged forward, trying to knock the phone out of my hand. “Since when have you become so confrontational, Chloe? Family matters shouldn’t be dragged into public. Why call the police over something so trivial?” “Verna was only looking out for your health. Instead of being grateful, you’re threatening her future?” I stepped back quickly, avoiding his spit. “Family matters? Are we married? Am I part of her family?” “If we’re not family, what right does she have to slander me in front of everyone?” Ivan’s hand froze mid-air, caught off guard by my retort. Verna, however, was too impulsive to hold back. She shrieked, “Fine, call the police! Even they can’t change the fact that you’re a tramp!” Murmurs of disapproval rippled through the crowd. “She looks decent enough, but she’s shameless, and she’s here bullying an intern like that.” “Her reputation’s already in the gutter, and she still has the nerve to kick up a fuss. That man’s pitiful, almost becoming a cuckold.” Tears welled up in Verna’s eyes on cue. “Ivan, did I do something wrong? I shouldn’t have said it in public. I should’ve helped Chloe cover it up…” “But I’m a doctor. It’s what I do. I can’t stand by and let her deceive you into marriage, putting you at risk of catching some nasty bug!” Feeling sorry for her, he pulled her into a hug, patting her back gently. “Verna, sweetie, come on. I know you meant well.” When he turned to me, his gaze had turned icy. “Chloe, apologize to Verna.” “Apologize, and we’ll drop this. No more premarital checkup. I’ll trust you.” “And we’ll go get the marriage certificate right away.” Their hypocrisy made me snort softly. How had I been so blind in my past life? I’d actually believed their so-called “deep sibling bond.” I stepped forward and grabbed the collar of Verna’s uniform. “You claim I’m rotten and oozing pus, that I’ve had repair surgeries. Where’s the evidence?” “Where are the medical records? The surgical notes? Did you see it with your own eyes?” Verna gasped for air, struggling to push me away. She then fumbled in her pocket, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, and waved it wildly. “Everyone, look! This is the proof! Chloe’s had repeated intimate repair surgeries!” “She got a postoperative infection with pus discharge, and they even had to remove foreign objects during surgery! She’s completely ruined down there!”

The crowd erupted into chaos instantly. Some even hurled rags at me. They jabbed me with mops, shoving me roughly in an attempt to drive me out. “That’s revolting! Foreign objects? You filthy creature, get out of here!” “Don’t you see there are pregnant women here? What if you infect them with some disease?” Ivan wore a look of heart-wrenching sorrow, reaching out as if to cover the paper. Yet he deliberately let the key details peek through for the onlookers to spot. “Chloe, I know you played wild in the past, but I don’t mind. I mean it. As long as you turn over a new leaf, that’s all that matters.” Ignoring the slanderous shouts, I snatched the paper from Verna’s hand. Panic flashed across Verna’s face immediately. “You can’t destroy the evidence! I’m telling you, there are backups in the system! Tearing it up won’t do a thing!” I held the paper high and moved closer to the camera of a passerby who was live-streaming. “Everyone, take a good look at this so-called ‘evidence’ from Dr. Carllyle.” “It claims I underwent intimate repair surgery and foreign object removal last Friday.” As my words fell, a murmur swept through the crowd. Ivan buried his face in his hands, his expression agony-stricken. “Chloe, stop reading… I know you’re doing this to get back at me, but there’s no need to broadcast such things. I told you. I don’t mind…” A cold laugh cut off his dramatic act. “Ivan, why don’t you tell everyone where we were last Friday?” Ivan froze, his eyes darting away nervously. “That day… I was working overtime at the company. Who knows where you were fooling around?” Typical Ivan, lying through his teeth to protect his nominal sister. I pulled out my phone and opened a video without hesitation. On screen, Ivan and I sat on a plane cruising in the air. The background carried the flight attendant’s announcements of the time and destination. “Excuse me, Dr. Carllyle, how exactly did you perform surgery on me while I was on a flight to the Maldives for vacation?” “Or does your scalpel have the power to stretch in the air and operate remotely?” Verna’s face blanched completely. She stumbled over her words for a moment before sputtering. “Well… Maybe I mixed up the date! But I did perform the surgery. I could never forget a patient like you!” Ivan rushed to back her up. “Verna sees dozens of patients every day. Mixing up dates is only normal.” “Chloe, don’t fixate on this tiny discrepancy. The truth is, you did have…” I cut him off, pointing to the surgeon’s signature at the bottom of the paper. “The operating doctor’s signature here is Chief Bell’s.” “Verna, didn’t you just claim you performed the surgery?” “Now you can not only operate remotely but also forge the chief’s signature?” At that moment, a stern, furious voice boomed from the back of the crowd. “Who dares to forge my signature?”

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On my wedding day, Stella’s childhood friend Marcus crashed the ceremony and announced that the baby in her belly was his. She took his hand. Didn’t deny it. Canceled the wedding right there in front of everyone. “Julian needs this child for his green card application,” she said, calm as ice. “Once he gets citizenship, then I’ll marry you.” Everyone assumed I’d wait for her like a pathetic fool. They had no idea that same night, I accepted my family’s arranged marriage and left New York. Vanished from her world completely. …… Five years later, I’m back in the city to finalize a major acquisition. My wife—renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Charlotte Reed—is here to perform a groundbreaking surgery. She’s three months pregnant. Exhausted from the flight. So I personally prepare her a gourmet lunch and bring it to the hospital. That’s when I run into Stella for the first time in five years. Her expression shifts from disbelief to arrogance in seconds flat. “You actually came back?” Her voice drips with superiority. “It’s been five years. Marcus’s kid is in kindergarten now. If you behave and take care of him properly, I might let you back into my life.” Her gaze holds absolute certainty. Smug satisfaction. She thinks one snap of her fingers and I’ll come crawling back. Five years ago, she would’ve been right. Not anymore. “Stella, isn’t that Julian Smith? The guy who used to worship you?” “Told you. No matter how long it’s been, he’d come crawling back eventually.” Stella looks at me with triumph and confidence. Like she predicted this exact moment. Three of her friends surround her. Their eyes scan me up and down without shame. Judging. Mocking. “I remember Julian threw a tantrum and stormed off back then, right? Now he sees Stella made Chief of Surgery and comes back with his tail between his legs?” “Look at this elaborate ‘coincidence.’ What’s he even wearing? Ratty clothes to meet our Stella?” “Just look how pathetic his life is now. Without Stella, who’d treat him this well?” Their mockery washes over me. I don’t care. I’m wearing a loose T-shirt and comfortable jeans. My hair’s a bit messy—I didn’t bother styling it. Nothing like the old me who’d dress up meticulously just to see Stella. Can’t help it. My wife’s pregnant. As her husband, I handle everything personally to make her comfortable. “Stella, weren’t we supposed to meet Dr. Reed? Let’s not waste time on him.” The reminder makes Stella snap to attention. She gives me a dismissive look. “Stay close. You’ll be taking care of me and Marcus’s son from now on.” She assumes I’ll follow her around like a trained dog. But five years changed me. I’m not the fool who loved her enough to tolerate anything. Now? Every extra second near her feels suffocating. Like talking to an idiot. I tighten my grip on the insulated lunch box. This is for my wife. Ever since she got pregnant, she’s been obsessed with my cooking. If I wait any longer, it’ll get cold. I turn to leave— Marcus bursts out of the hospital entrance. Sees Stella at the door. His face lights up. Then he sees me. The smile vanishes. “Well, well. Julian Smith. After all these years, you finally came back?”

There’s surprise in his voice. But I catch the flash of disgust in his eyes. Before I can speak, he continues: “You heard our son was sick, so you came to bring food? How thoughtful.” His gaze lands on the thermal container in my hands. Pride and smugness flash across his face. Like he’s reading my mind. “Hand over the food. Then go wash the kid’s clothes.” He doesn’t just order me around—he reaches out to grab the container from my hands. I step back instinctively. “What are you doing?” Stella frowns at this. Then her expression smooths. “Fine. Since you brought food anyway, take it inside.” “Take good care of our son.” “Five hundred dollars a month salary. More than enough for a single guy like you.” Her words make her friends burst out laughing. Their eyes fill with mockery. Like they’ve found a fun new toy. “See? Five hundred! Better than whatever you’re making now—can’t even afford decent clothes!” “Right! At least you’ll get some meals! If you’re willing, maybe Stella will let you earn extra on the side.” Their gazes crawl over me without restraint. The discomfort makes my skin crawl. Marcus flashes the Rolex on his wrist. “Julian, see how good Stella is to you? Five years later, she still wants to help you out.” His voice turns cruel. “Just take care of our kid. Don’t worry about anything else. You’re not going to bully a little boy, are you?” Stella laughs coldly. “Grown some backbone, haven’t you? ” “Got your feelings hurt over nothing and ran away like a baby.” “Now you can’t make it on your own and want me to bail you out. Of course there’s a price.” Her words hit like a punch to the chest. Nothing? At our wedding, my bride announced she was pregnant with another man’s child. Humiliated me in front of everyone. Canceled the ceremony. Made me wait. That’s nothing? The Stella who once loved me is dead. She’s not the girl who’d rush over in a thunderstorm to take care of me when I had a cold. Not the one who confessed her love to me on stage at the school festival, telling the whole world I was the only one she’d ever love. Not the one who’d learn nutrition and plan my meals because she cared about my health. But that was five years ago. Time to let it go. Especially since my wife and I are about to have our first child. I step back to walk around them— But they block my path. “Where do you think you’re going? Aren’t you here to bring food to my son?” Marcus grabs my arm. The sudden movement nearly makes me stumble. I jerk away from his touch, disgusted. That’s when he spots the label on the container—For my darling Dr. Reed. “Dr. Reed? You’ve got some nerve! Everyone knows Dr. Reed just got back to the States. Already trying to suck up to her?” Marcus puts two and two together. There’s only one Dr. Reed at this hospital. Charlotte Reed. “Everyone knows Dr. Reed is married. And you’re still trying to get close to her?” Stella’s face darkens. Anger flickers in her eyes. “Have you no shame?”

I shake off Stella’s hand. Marcus spots the watch on my wrist. Grabs it. “Patek Philippe?” He freezes for a second. Then immediately denies it. “Impossible! This particular Patek Philippe is called the King of Watches. The Reed family won it at a Christie’s auction.” “When the Reeds bid on it, they made global headlines. They said it was a wedding gift for their son-in-law.” “Worth three hundred million! A symbol of their marriage!” His voice gets shrill. Jealousy burns in his eyes. But he shakes his head. “Your replica is pretty good, I’ll give you that. But wearing it around like this? Aren’t you embarrassed?” “Feels real too. Almost perfect.” “But Julian, do you really think wearing a fake Patek Philippe will make you Dr. Reed’s husband?” Laughter erupts around us. They don’t believe for a second that I could be the legendary Mr. Reed. Charlotte Reed is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon. Five years ago, I was chasing after Stella like a lovesick puppy. Willing to do anything for her. I got humiliated at my own wedding. Became a joke. There’s no way someone like me could be connected to Charlotte Reed. “Nice work. I’ll buy it from you. Full price.” I don’t have time for this. I try to grab the watch back. “Impossible! Charlotte gave this to me!” Marcus deliberately yelps in fake pain. Then Stella’s hand cracks across my face. My ears ring. Burning pain spreads across my cheek. I clench my fists. My upbringing won’t let me hit a woman. “Are you insane? Dr. Reed isn’t someone you can just claim to know!” “You’ve got some nerve trying to associate yourself with her!” Stella’s voice shakes with fury. Her friends glare at me. Their contempt is palpable. “Julian, I’m asking Dr. Reed to help my son! You hear me?” “If you piss her off and she refuses to treat him, I swear I’ll make you pay!” “If something happens to my son because of you, I’ll kill you myself!” I narrow my eyes at them. Stella’s never seen this look from me before. She finishes her tirade, then suddenly looks uncertain. Scared. Marcus rushes forward. “Julian, you lunatic! You hurt me, fine. But now you’re trying to drag Dr. Reed into this to hurt us?” “I know you’re mad about Stella leaving you at the altar. But you can’t frame her like this!” “Our son is innocent! He never did anything to you! Why are you trying to destroy us?” Tears stream down his face. He looks pitiful.

Seeing Marcus like this takes me back five years. Back then, whenever he cried and played victim, everything became my fault. Even when he was always the one who started it. At first, Stella would take my side. But as time went on and her feelings for me faded, she’d turn on me too. Just like now. Stella’s face hardens. “You’ve really disappointed me. How did you become this person?” She doesn’t continue her verbal assault though. She glances at me. “Apologize to us now. We’ll forgive you. You can still be our son’s nanny.” “Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make sure you can’t survive in this city.” She stares down at me like I’m an insect beneath her feet. I frown. “I haven’t done anything wrong. And as for the nanny job? Find someone else. I’m not interested.” It’s not that I don’t want to fight back. But this is in front of Charlotte’s hospital. I don’t want to cause trouble for my wife. But I won’t let this slide. My phone buzzes. Charlotte’s message pops up—she’s got an emergency trip, won’t be at the hospital for two days. Don’t bother bringing lunch, save myself the trouble. Her words are so warm. My heart softens. I turn to leave. Marcus won’t let it go. “What? Not bringing food to Dr. Reed anymore?” His mocking tone makes me frown. “Don’t you know Dr. Reed’s out of town?” I throw it back at him. Stella’s eyes bore into me. “I don’t know where you got that information. But two days from now, the Reed family is holding a gala. They’re introducing Dr. Reed’s husband to everyone.” “Take this money. Buy yourself some decent clothes. Come with me to the event. See for yourself who Dr. Reed’s real husband is. Maybe then you’ll give up.” I shake my head. “No thanks.” She looks stunned that I’d refuse her. Offended that I’d embarrass her like this. She grabs Marcus. “Since you don’t know what’s good for you, I’ll take Marcus instead.” “Don’t worry, I’ll behave perfectly. I won’t embarrass you!” I’m done listening to this. I turn and walk away. Stella’s voice calls after me: “Two days from now, let’s see if you’re still so arrogant!” I ignore her. Get in a taxi. Five years ago, my family arranged a marriage for me. I begged them. They finally agreed to let me marry for love. They gave me three months. I convinced Stella to marry me. We rushed to plan the wedding. Then Marcus destroyed everything at the last minute. She wanted me to wait until Marcus’s child was born and registered for citizenship before marrying me. Left me alone at the altar. That night, my parents sent me overseas. Into an arranged marriage with Charlotte Reed. I threw myself into the family business. That’s why we waited five years to have a child. Five whole years before the baby in her belly now. If it weren’t for her mentor’s invitation, I never would’ve agreed to come back for this surgery. And I never would’ve run into Stella.

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I’m a transmigrator with a mission. My task is to marry Caden Holt. But the Holt pack has a bloodline law: only a she-wolf who bears a son can become Caden’s true mate. I carried nine pups over six years. Every single one was female. So every pup was ripped from me before six months. Forced termination, every time. When I fell pregnant with the tenth, a nurse pulled me aside and whispered congratulations. She said the scans showed a boy. I ran to find Caden. I was practically glowing. Then I heard him talking to the pack doctor through a cracked door. “You’re going to tell Lyra her pup is female again. Tell her it needs to be terminated.” The doctor’s voice cracked. “Caden, she’s already terminated nine pups. Her womb is tissue-thin. One more procedure could trigger hemorrhage. She could die. She might never carry again.” Caden’s voice was ice. “She has a system. She could carry a hundred pups and she’d be fine.” “But my sister-in-law only gets one shot at becoming Pack Mistress. I won’t let anything threaten her position. Once Sera takes over as Alpha of the Holt pack, I’ll make it up to Lyra.” I stood frozen in the hallway. My nine dead pups. All boys. Caden didn’t know. My system gave me exactly ten chances to carry. Ten. That was it. If this tenth pup didn’t survive, if I failed to marry him, the system would erase me. So when the system asked how I wanted to go, I had one answer. “Let me die on the operating table. When they take my last pup.” I wanted Caden Holt to spend the rest of his life regretting it. — Even the doctor, Marcus, who had been Caden’s closest friend for years, had finally had enough. “Don’t you think this is monstrous? Lyra would have waited for you. If you had just told her to wait, she would have agreed. You know she would have.” “I know.” Caden’s voice went quieter. Heavier. “But I couldn’t risk it.” “The Alpha Mistress position carries absolute power in this pack. You’ve seen what Lyra would sacrifice. She cut off her own birth family just to be with me. How am I supposed to trust she won’t secretly carry my pup to term the moment she thinks it gives her leverage?” Hearing that hollowed me out. I’m a transmigrator with a mission. If I marry Caden, my original body, dying in my home world, gets healed. But I hadn’t planned on falling in love with him. On day one of being with him, I told him everything. Every truth. I told him even after the mission ended, I would stay. He turned my honesty into evidence of an ulterior motive. And that evidence became the blade that killed nine of our pups. Marcus wasn’t done. “Even if you were scared she’d use the pup against Sera, why did you keep dragging it to six months? Gender can be confirmed at three or four months. Why wait until six?” “At six months the pup is fully formed. It’s not a simple termination. It has to be induced. Some of them come out crying.” His voice broke slightly. “Even with her system, the physical damage is irreversible. How could you do that to her?” My nose burned. My body still remembered every one of those procedures. The tearing pain. The sound of tiny cries. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out with bare hands. Caden’s voice came back rougher. “Every time, I was in agony too.” “But there was no other way. My nephew Eli has a heart condition. A specialist told me that a pup’s heart, extracted at six months of development, could be used in a treatment compound.” Marcus exploded. “What? You had those pups’ hearts cut out and fed to your nephew? Caden, what is wrong with you?” And then my legs gave out. I fell into the door. The two men went completely silent. I didn’t wait. I crawled back to my room before Caden could find me. By the time I was back in bed I was shaking so hard I couldn’t stop. Tears ran straight down into the pillow. No wonder Caden always told me not to think about the pups after each procedure. He said they didn’t count as ours if they never reached full term. I thought he was trying to comfort me. He just didn’t want me to mourn something he’d already decided were ingredients.

When Caden came back, my eyes were dry. He wrapped his arms around me tight. His voice was low and deliberate. “Lyra. Scans confirm it’s a female pup again. We need to terminate. I’ve already told the doctors to prepare.” “Caden.” I pulled back and looked at him. I kept my voice steady. “I want to carry this one to term.” He went white. “Are you out of your mind? You only become my mate if you birth a son.” The Holt bloodline carried an anomaly. Male pups born to Holt blood came out brilliant, powerful, exceptional. Female pups born to the bloodline didn’t survive past three days. It had happened enough times that the pack had made it law. Any she-wolf who wanted to bond with a Holt male had to first birth a healthy son. Because of this, Holt mates held extraordinary rank. They received major pack shares. The Alpha Mistress position itself was always filled by the bonded mate, not by blood. My silence made Caden go still. “Lyra. Did you hear something?” Part of me screamed to keep lying. If I could keep him from knowing the truth, my pup still had a chance. “No,” I said. “I just… find it hard to let go.” He pulled me close again. “Don’t grieve, Lyra. We’re young. I promise you, the next one will be a son.” He didn’t know there was no next one. If I failed to bond with him this time, my body in this world would be erased. I could accept dying. But this pup was innocent. I had to get him out alive. So when the nurses came to take me to the procedure room, I asked to stop at the bathroom first. Inside, I stripped off my jewelry and swapped it with a woman in the hall, trading for her clothes and a handful of cash. I was going to run. My system tried to talk me down. “Caden does love you, in his way. If you confronted him honestly, he might let you carry this pup to term. He might actually bond with you properly.” Before I’d heard that conversation, maybe I would have tried. But when it came to his sister-in-law Sera, I had never once won. From the beginning I noticed how Caden treated Sera. Every time we went out and I found something I liked, he bought two. One for me. One for Sera. He sent her flowers on my anniversaries with him. He delivered them personally. I made a scene about it once. Caden told me gently, “Lyra, don’t misread it. I love you. With Sera, it’s guilt. Nothing more.” That was when I learned Caden’s older brother had died years ago. He’d driven drunk after a fight with Caden and his car went off the road. Caden had spent every year since believing he caused his brother’s death. He’d made Sera and her son Eli his personal responsibility. I used to think that kind of loyalty was something to admire. I know better now. What Caden feels for Sera isn’t guilt. It’s something that rotted into obsession long ago. Enough to make him harvest our pups’ hearts for her sick child. Enough that if she asked, he’d probably cut out mine too. I thought I had time. I hadn’t even made it to the hospital entrance when his hand closed around my wrist. I turned. Caden looked at me. Then his face went rigid. “Lyra. Where are you going?” Before I could answer, he already knew. All the color left his face. “You were outside that door. You heard everything.”

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