Category: English

My husband’s colleague called again in the dead of night. Another urgent body that couldn’t wait to handle. Liam hung up the phone and decided to leave at once. Even though he had been working non-stop for several days. “Olivia couldn’t handle it alone. Fortunately I was awake,” He said. I ignored him, staring blankly at the ceiling. Liam wrapped his arms around me from behind, his voice soft and coaxing. “I know I’ve neglected you lately, but it’s my job. I had to go.” “We’ll take a trip once all these work done, I promise.” I didn’t respond. I pulled away from his embrace and spoke coldly. “I want a divorce.” Liam froze and forced me to turn around and gripped my hands tightly. Dark circles shadowed his eyes from weeks of sleepless nights. “Emma, please don’t do this… I know you’re tired. I’m tired too.” “But this is my responsibility. You can understand that, right?” I pulled my hands free and looked away. His voice began to tremble, but he kept it gentle. “Is this because I haven’t been home for dinner? Or I forgot your birthday last week?” “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I promise once I finish this rush, we’ll take a long vacation. Just the two of us, okay?” He reached for my hand again, stroking it the way he used to after every argument. I remembered our first year of marriage when I struggled with work and insomnia. He’d sit beside me just like this, never complaining and just saying, “Emma, I’m here.” Now it felt like a sick joke. “Don’t touch me,” I said. His hand froze. “What’s wrong with you? Is this really about me leaving for work in the middle of the night?” “Emma, death doesn’t wait. What was I supposed to do, just leave a bead body alone?” “I don’t care what you say. I want a divorce.” I repeated it, my voice low but final. His eyes turned red instantly, like he was seeing me for the first time. “Are you serious?” I turned away from him, enunciating each word. “Tomorrow morning. 9 o’clock. My lawyer’s office. I will have him draft the divorce agreement.” Liam let out a bitter laugh, his voice breaking. “Emma, you owe me a reason. Is it because I am too busy? Or do you think Olivia and I—” “Leave her out of this,” I cut him off. “It’s you! You disgusts me.” His face went white. His lips trembled, but no sound came out. “Is that really what you think of me?” His voice was hoarse and strained. “Olivia and I are just colleagues.” I didn’t want to hear another word. I got up and walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind me. He didn’t follow and didn’t try to explain. I heard the sound of glass shattering inside, followed by a muffled curse. Then my phone rang. It was Olivia. She was Liam’s college ex and his partner at the funeral home. The phone rang for a long time before I finally answered. Her voice sounded tired. “Emma, Liam just called me in tears. Let me explain for him.” “We’ve been followed up cases from the Park Avenue lately—” I hung up before she could finish. I sat on the couch, thinking back to six months ago when he came home late from a night shift. He was so exhausted he collapsed beside me without even changing. Eyes closed, he touched my face and whispered, “Emma, thank God you’re here.” Back then, I thought we’d last forever.

By the time I woke up, Liam was already gone. The living room was spotless. Even his coat from last night was neatly hung back on the rack. There was a breakfast prepared by Liam on the table. Next to it was a sticky note: Wait for me to come home. I’ll make your favorite steak. I picked up the plate, walked to the kitchen and poured the breakfast into the rubbish bin. My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text from him. Emma, I’m at the funeral home. Did you have the breakfast? I didn’t reply. A few minutes later, another message came through. Once I finish this week, I’ll spend more time with you. Olivia and I really are just colleagues. I stared at the screen for a long time before finally typing back one line. 9 AM. Don’t be late. Then I blocked his number. At eight-thirty, I stood outside my lawyer’s office. People came and went. Most were couples, some clinging to each other sweetly, others staring ahead with cold indifference. I leaned against a pillar, watching the street. Nine-thirty. He didn’t show. I pulled out my phone, unblocked him, and called. It rang three times before he declined it. Rage flared in my chest. I called again. This time, it went straight to voicemail. I waited another half hour. Just as I was about to dial again, an unknown number called me. I answered. A young woman spoke rapidly on the other end. “Mrs. Vance? This is City General Hospital. Your husband Liam was in a car accident and is currently in the emergency room. We need you to come at once.” I froze, unable to process it. The voice on the line grew more urgent. “Mrs. Vance? Can you hear me? Mrs. Vance!” Before she could finish, I hung up and flagged down a cab. By the time I arrived, Liam had already been moved out of emergency surgery and into a private room. The hallway was packed with people. Several figures in dark funeral home uniforms stood in a cluster, speaking in low voices. One of them, a young woman, looked up and saw me. Her eyes immediately turned red as she rushed over. “Where the hell have you been?! Do you know Liam was calling your name the entire time he was being wheeled into the OR?!” “How is he?” I asked, looking toward the room. The woman’s eyes went wide with fury, tears streaming down her face. “What are you planning to do?!” I ignored her and walked steadily toward Liam’s bedside. He didn’t look too bad. One eye was swollen shut, but the other stared directly at me. “You came… Don’t worry. I’m okay.” I clenched my fists, pulled a manila envelope from my bag, and took out the divorce settlement and a pen. “Sign this, or I won’t pay a single cent of your medical bills.” My voice was cold and detached, drawing shocked stares from everyone in the room. The woman from earlier lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face. “Liam got into that accident because he was distracted answering your call while working!” “And you have the audacity to threaten him with this?! Are you even human?!” Olivia’s face was grave. She put a hand on my shoulder. “Emma, Liam and I really are just colleagues.” “If you truly don’t believe us, I’ll resign. But you can’t treat him like this. You’re the only one in his heart.” My cheek stung with pain. I shoved her hand off. “It’s none of your business.” I walked back to Liam’s bedside and spoke again. “Sign the papers, or you may be kicked out of this hospital.” Liam’s open eye overflowed with tears. “Why?” he whispered. I looked down at him and said flatly, “Because you are so disgusting.” Liam cried harder, his chest heaving with sobs. “I won’t sign. I’d rather die than sign. I love you, Emma. I haven’t done anything to betray you.” “I already bought tickets to Hawaii… You said you wanted to go diving…” Several of the women in the room began crying softly. A sharp pain flared in my chest, but it faded just as quickly. I gritted my teeth and gripped the settlement papers even tighter. “Sign it.”

Olivia snatched the divorce settlement out of my hand and tore it to shreds. “Emma! How can you do this?! Liam just got out of surgery. He’s still weak and you can’t do that now!” I turned and glared at her. Before I could speak, Liam cut in weakly. “Olivia, don’t talk to Emma like that. This is my fault. I wasn’t a good husband.” He reached out with trembling fingers and tugged at the hem of my coat. I stepped back. “Don’t touch me.” Liam’s face went even paler. “I’ll never divorce over something this small. I already requested time off to stay with you…” Olivia stepped forward again. “We have nothing to hide. There’s absolutely nothing between us.” Her words made her sound noble and righteous, casting me as the hysterical, unreasonable wife. The others in the room looked at me with anger. I suddenly found the whole scene absurd. After a long silence, I finally spoke. “Fine. You two have nothing. But I still want to divorce.” Liam stared at me, tears sliding silently down his cheeks. Olivia lowered her voice, sounding almost pleading. “Emma, can we talk about this after he recovers? Please. I’m begging you.” I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Liam. “Sign it, or I walk out right now. Your choice.” The young woman who had slapped me earlier tried to charge at me again but was held back by someone nearby. “How can you be so cold-blooded? He just barely survived!” “”It’s his own life,,” I said evenly, almost wearily. “It has nothing to do with me.” Liam suddenly began coughing violently, his chest jerking with each breath. Olivia immediately pressed the call button. A nurse hurried in, frowning as she scanned the room. “The patient needs rest. Family members need to stay calm.” The room fell into silence again. Liam bit his lip and stared at me, but he still didn’t give in. “I’m calling our parents,” I said. “Whatever.” I turned and walked out.

I wandered aimlessly until I found myself standing outside the funeral home where Liam worked. “Mrs. Vance?” An older man approached me, though I didn’t recognize him. “Do you know me?” I asked. He scratched his head, his tone hesitant. “Your picture is on Liam’s phone case. I’ve seen it before.” I pulled out a cigarette and offered him one, forcing a smile. “Could you show me where Liam usually works?” He took the cigarette and sighed. “Come on. I’ll take you.” The room was cold. I looked around, tapping on surfaces. Accidentally, I kicked something—a Zippo lighter. I remembered Olivia had one just like it. Just then, the older man spoke up. “Last night, Liam really was handling an urgent case. I probably shouldn’t say anything, but Liam is a good kid.” I didn’t respond. Then my phone rang. It was the woman from the hospital. “Emma! Where the hell did you go?! Your parents are here now! Get back now!” “Do you hear me?!” I clutched the lighter tightly in my hand, my heart hollow and numb.

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Soldiers hurled my sister into a tub of pearls. Her tail glowed faint blue. They shoved their hands all over her, ripping off scales. Shimmering blue scattered across the floor. Then they cut her open and pulled out her heart. The Queen had heard rumors of sirens in the Southern Isles. That their princess carried a Siren’s Heart inside her body. Swallow it, and you’d have eternal beauty. An allure no man could resist. The Queen wanted it. So the King sent soldiers to slaughter us and gut my sister for her heart. That day the sea ran red. Everywhere I looked, my people lay split open. I hid beneath a reef, blood clouding my vision, tears rolling down and hardening into pearls. Every one stained red. My sister’s last words echoed in my ears. *”Elara, stay alive.”* The world knew our colony had one princess, one Heart. No one knew this generation, there were two. And one wasn’t just beautiful. She was a witch. That one was me. I dragged myself ashore and cast the old spell to trade my tail for legs. Then I summoned a familiar. It took shape of a snake. I fed it my blood and bound it to me. It coiled around my wrist, teeth glinting, and I named it Malice. Three months. That was all it took. I made my way to the capital, slipped into the palace as a dancer, and traded a pouch of siren tears for the King’s whereabouts. —

Moonlight spilled across the lake. I danced on the water, toes skimming the surface, ripples spreading silver beneath me. A sweet fragrance rose from my skin. Fireflies drifted in from the reeds, circling me, refusing to leave. Alaric stood on the bank, frozen. When I finished and turned, my eyes met his. I feigned surprise, slipped on my shoes, and made to leave. “Wait.” I stopped. “You’re a palace dancer? I’ve never seen this dance before.” I kept my head down. “It’s from my homeland, Your Majesty. Few have seen it.” The spring night was cool. I let myself shiver. He noticed. He took off his pale robe and draped it over my shoulders. I looked up at him, let my cheeks flush pink. The fragrance thickened. The air turned warm. I saw the flash of want in his eyes. He cleared his throat. “The Queen loves dancing. Her birthday approaches. You will perform this for her.” I dropped to my knees. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn’t know who you were.” He waved his hand, but his gaze lingered on my face. “Rise. No offense taken. Don’t disappoint me or the Queen.” I thanked him and accepted the task. As he walked away, I flicked my fingers. A tiny leech burrowed into his skin. It would feed on his thoughts, bend his feelings toward me. By the next morning, the whole palace was talking about the dancer who’d caught the King’s eye. Someone knocked on my door. A woman I’d never seen before. —

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My late mother’s hairband appeared as a prize at the pack’s ice hockey tournament. My mate，Westridge pack’s next Alpha, had promised to win first place and bring it back for me. But he broke his word. He deliberately lost to the alpha’s son of the Northern Border pack, just to claim the second-place prize — a flowing celestial gown. It was something my omega-blooded half-sister had been coveting for a long time. My mate said with a helpless, indulgent smile, “Lily’s wolf awakening ceremony is coming up. It’s the only thing she wants, and I promised to give it to her.” My half-sister slipped into the gown, smug and coy as she turned to me. “Elder sister, isn’t it bad luck to keep things that belonged to a dead woman?” My mate tried to soothe me. “When I come to propose, I’ll have a custom piece made for you at the Silver Moon Jewelers — even more beautiful than your mother’s.” It was too late. Because before she died, my mother had said: whoever presented the hairband as a betrothal gift would have my hand in marriage. Three days later, I would be the wife of the Northern Border alpha’s son. ……….. “Second place in the ice hockey tournament — Nathaniel Voss, alpha’s son of the Westridge pack. His prize: one flowing celestial gown.” I stood on the viewing platform, watching a servant present the gown to Nathaniel, and felt as though I had been plunged into ice. He had finally broken his word. The scene I had witnessed before the match was still vivid in my mind. It was my half-sister, Lily Harmon, who had intercepted Nathaniel near the locker room, pulling at his sleeve with a pitiful expression. “Nate, my wolf awakening ceremony is in three days. Could you please give me that gown as a gift?” “My elder sister is the alpha’s daughter, born of the luna. Her awakening ceremony will be grand and celebrated. I’m only omega-blooded — I can’t compare to her. But I want beautiful things too.” “My mother is a mistress. People look down on us. If I could wear the prize gown gifted by the lycan king’s daughter herself to my ceremony, people would finally see my mother differently.” “I’m asking for just this one thing. Will you do it, Nate?” “I have nothing. Just this once, I want to win something.” Her eyes glistened with tears, and one fell — landing directly on Nathaniel’s outstretched hand as he moved to wipe it away, burning him with something he mistook for tenderness. “Don’t cry. I’ll do it.” “It’s just — I already promised your elder sister I’d win back that hairband for her. She said it was her late mother’s keepsake.” Lily quickly dabbed her eyes and smiled. “It’s fine. All the men in the tournament know Nate. Once one of them wins the hairband, which man really wants a piece of jewelry? We can buy it back for my sister with moonstone afterward.” “I’ll give every moonstone I’ve saved to buy it back for her.” Her careful, timid manner stirred Nathaniel’s pity beyond reason. “All right. I’ll win that gown and give it to you.” I closed my eyes and pressed my fists together. I heard their exchange before the match started but had no time to intervene before it began. I still held on to a thread of hope. After all, Nathaniel and I had been promised to each other since childhood — our two families had a verbal agreement. Three days from now was when the Voss family was due to arrive with a formal proposal. I thought that, at the very least, as my intended mate, he would honor this one wish of mine. I was wrong. He deliberately lost to Ethan Calloway, the Northern Border alpha’s son, just to win that gown for Lily Harmon. “Oh dear, sister — Nate lost! He let someone else take the hairband.” “Isn’t that your mother’s keepsake? What will you do? The Northern Border alpha’s son and Nate have always been rivals. Do you think he’d ever sell it back to Nate?” So she already knew. That’s why she had suggested buying it back — she had already calculated that Ethan would never agree. I looked at her steadily. “Sister, with a heart like a viper, does your precious Nate even know what you truly are?” Her expression shifted, but before she could speak, Nathaniel arrived with a crowd of people bearing the gown. Lily flung herself at him. “Thank you, Nate!”

The alpha daughters around them surged forward with envious sighs: “That gown was made by the most renowned seamstress in the pack — it took her three full months. And Nathaniel won it just for you, Lily!” “Nathaniel cares so much about you.” “I heard the Harmon and Voss families go way back. They were going to arrange a match between their children.” “So the Voss family had their eye on Lily all along? How enviable.” Lily accepted the gown with a triumphant smile and disappeared to the back to try it on. Nathaniel watched her go with that familiar indulgent expression, then turned to me. “Evelyn, I know I broke my word to you. But Lily said it was the only thing she wanted for her awakening ceremony, and I couldn’t refuse her.” “As for the hairband — I don’t know why the Northern Border alpha’s son won’t part with it. But it doesn’t matter. When I come to propose, I’ll have one custom-made at Silver Moon Jewelers — even more beautiful than the one your mother left you.” I blinked back tears, my eyes burning. “I only fear there may never be another chance.” Nathaniel looked regretful but stood there, unable to find the words. My half-sister emerged in the gown, tugging at Nathaniel’s sleeve with a bright laugh. “Thank you, Nate. This is the best awakening ceremony gift I’ve ever received.” Then she tilted her head at me, her voice dripping with mock comfort. “Sister, some things are over — why hold on? That hairband is beautiful, yes, but it’s a dead woman’s possession. Isn’t it bad luck to cling to it?” “Would you really have Nate commission an exact replica of a dead woman’s token as a proposal gift? Wouldn’t that be terribly unlucky?” Nathaniel stepped in to smooth things over. “All right, it’s my fault entirely — it’s just a hairband. I’ll have several made. When I come to propose, I’ll bring them all as an apology to Evelyn.” On the way back, when I stayed silent, Nathaniel finally lost patience. His expression hardened. “How long are you going to sulk over an object? The dead are gone. Aren’t the living more important?” “Is your mother’s old hairband worth more than Lily’s awakening ceremony? She is your sister.” “This behavior today — this pettiness — it’s unworthy of an alpha’s daughter. Think about that.” “If you keep acting like this, I’ll have to reconsider whether you’re fit to be the luna of the Voss pack. This match — I may need to think it over.” And with that, he mounted his horse and rode away. Three days later came Lily Harmon’s wolf awakening ceremony. Her mother, the mistress Gloria Harmon, had been preparing for months. After my mother died, my father had showered his mistress and her daughter with favor, moving Gloria into my mother’s quarters. Lily had always been treated as if she were an alpha’s daughter by birth. If not for the influence of my maternal grandfather, my father would likely have made Gloria his new luna long ago. So for Lily’s awakening ceremony, invitations went out to every luna and alpha daughter in the pack. And this same day was when the Voss family had agreed to arrive with their formal proposal. The hall was full of guests. Someone joked about when they could expect to toast both unions. Nathaniel caught my eye, looking slightly uncomfortable, then smiled. “Our families’ match was always meant to be settled — I was thinking three months from now for the wedding date. Evelyn, does that suit you?” One of the lunas who knew both families spoke up. “Wasn’t the original date set for one month from now?” Nathaniel lowered his gaze, his voice quieter. “Evelyn, we discussed this. Because your maternal grandfather won’t allow Lily’s mother to be formally recognized, Lily is still considered omega-blooded — it makes it harder for her to find a match.” “Her situation is difficult. I truly feel for her.” “I spoke with your father. He agreed that Lily should enter the Voss household first, one month from now, and then I would welcome you three months later.” A hush fell over the entire room. Someone drew a sharp breath. “He’s asking the omega-blooded daughter to take the luna’s place — and sending the alpha’s daughter in afterward?” I held Nathaniel’s gaze and asked clearly, “Is this the decision of both the Voss family and my father? That Lily Harmon should be the Westridge alpha’s son’s luna?”

Nathaniel waved his hands quickly. “It’s not a matter of luna or mistress. Lily said herself — even if she enters the household first as my mate, she will defer to you in all things once you arrive. She won’t compete with you.” He stepped toward me, urgent. “Evelyn, you are the lycan council elder’s alpha daughter, and the granddaughter of a great general. Your standing in the pack is unquestionable. No one would dare look down on you, no matter what.” “But Lily is different. She was born omega-blooded. Every step of her life has been a struggle. I only want to make things a little easier for her.” “You’ll only be two months behind, and Lily has already said — when you arrive, she won’t ask you to take suppressants. She’ll allow you to conceive and bear your own children. They can even be registered under her name and raised as alpha-born.” He spoke with such feeling, seeming genuinely moved by Lily’s so-called generosity. The expressions on the guests’ faces said everything: “Has the Voss pack lost their minds?” “What is Elder Harmon thinking — sending his alpha daughter in as a second wife?” “If the General hears about this, he’ll ride back from the Northern Garrison and tear this place apart.” Nathaniel’s face cycled between pale and red. Lily drifted over in her celestial gown, voice soft as silk. “Sister, please say yes.” “Nate has such a kind heart. He pities my circumstances — that’s why he thought of this.” I let out a cold laugh. “You call your circumstances pitiful? Your mother moved into my mother’s quarters three days after her death. My mother’s jewelry was claimed by her. And you took over my rooms — the most comfortable in the house — claiming you preferred them.” “Your food, your clothing, your jewels — you always had the first pick of everything, and better than what I had as the alpha’s daughter. Tell me, sister — where exactly is the hardship you speak of?” The guests looked her over. The celestial gown she wore was the very prize Nathaniel had won for her at the tournament. Its value needed no explanation. On her head sat a jeweled crown from Silver Moon Jewelers — their signature piece, worth a hundred moonstones. Her embroidered slippers were adorned with Eastern pearls, impossibly opulent. By contrast, I stood in clean, simple attire — and somehow appeared more plainly dressed than she did. “That outfit costs a fortune. Even the most celebrated alpha daughters in the pack don’t dress like that. She has the nerve to call herself an unloved, omega-blooded girl?” “Just that crown alone is worth a hundred moonstones.” “Even her mother’s cloud-silk robe is worth thousands. Those two dress grander than most lunas.” “The actual alpha’s daughter here looks positively understated by comparison.” Lily retreated a step, tears clinging to her lashes, looking at Nathaniel. “That’s not true, Nate. Father only asked me to dress this way today, for the ceremony, so as not to lose face in front of guests. These clothes aren’t really mine.” “This crown and the jewelry — Father said they were meant for my sister.” I smiled softly. “Father said they were meant for me? Pearl — make a note. After the ceremony, please go to the second young miss’s room and collect all the crown jewels and accessories for return to my quarters.” My maid Pearl pressed her lips into a smile. “Yes, Miss Evelyn.” Nathaniel snapped, “Enough, Evelyn — it’s just a crown. Why must you back your own sister into a corner? All this petty bickering — it’s completely beneath an alpha’s daughter.” “I had my doubts about whether you were treating Lily poorly. Now I’m starting to wonder just how much you’ve been bullying her when I wasn’t around.” He stepped in front of Lily, clasping her hand tightly. “She will be the future luna of this house. She doesn’t stoop to counting jewelry.” “Besides, when Lily is formally wed, your father has agreed to send her off with a hundred-box dowry. She couldn’t care less about a few pieces of jewelry.”

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On the day of our mating ceremony, Silas Blackthorn broke his promise in public, bonded with another woman, and had me thrown out of the ritual hall. He looked at my heartbroken, confused eyes and said coldly, “Serena is carrying my pup. I won’t let my child be mocked because of his status, so I’m bonding with Serena first. That way, the pup can be registered under the Blackthorn bloodline.” “After I dissolve the bond with her, I’ll give you a grand mating ceremony.” Everyone thought I would wait for him again. After all, I had already waited seven whole years. From the boy he used to be, to the Alpha heir he had become. But I was done waiting. That very night, I accepted my family’s arrangement, left the Southern Territory, and went north to marry into the Greystone Pack. From then on, I vanished completely from his world. Three years later, I had to return to Blackthorn Pack. I never expected to run into Silas at the airport. He had no idea I was now the most honored Luna of Greystone Pack. He still thought I was the same miserable woman from three years ago, someone he could mock and humiliate whenever he wanted. He stood in front of me, arrogant as ever. “You’ve made enough of a scene.” “It’s time to come back.” He paused, then added as if it were only natural, “Serena’s child is starting at the pup academy. From now on, you’ll be responsible for picking him up and dropping him off.” … His absurd words almost made me laugh. But the people around him were still sneering. “Look at you. Bare-faced, no fitted dress, no expensive makeup. Looks like these three years have treated you badly.” “You used to care so much about how you looked. Now you show up like this? Don’t tell me that after leaving Silas, you can’t even afford a decent dress.” They burst into laughter. In the past, because Silas liked it, I paid attention to everything. I wore perfect makeup. I chose the most delicate dresses. Because I loved him, I wanted to give him the best version of myself. But now, none of that mattered anymore. Because I was pregnant, my mate, Adrian, wouldn’t let me wear heavy makeup or tight gowns. He said comfort and safety mattered most during pregnancy. The soft dress I was wearing had been custom-made for me by the Greystone Pack tailor. I had no interest in their meaningless mockery. The welcoming banquet for Greystone Pack was about to begin. As Greystone’s Luna, I had to arrive on time. I looked at the name board in their hands. It said Helena. That was the name I used in Greystone Pack. So Silas and Serena had brought these people here to welcome me. They just had no idea that I was Helena. I didn’t want to waste any more time with them. I was about to reveal my identity when Serena spoke first. She looked me up and down, her eyes full of undisguised contempt. “Elena, don’t blame Silas. He’s only doing this to help you.” “After all, you disappeared for three years. Who knows what you went through out there? Who knows which rogues you mixed with?” She sighed hypocritically. “Now that you’ve fallen this low, even working as my nanny would be embarrassing. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” “As long as you take good care of my son, I promise no one will dare look down on you.” Her arrogance disgusted me. But Silas mistook my silence for jealousy. He thought I was still angry about what happened three years ago. A trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes. His tone became even more condescending. “You should know your place by now. After disappearing for three years, you can never be my Luna again.” He paused, then added lightly, “Serena is being kind. Don’t worry. There are plenty of servant rooms in the manor. You can choose whichever one you like.” As soon as he finished speaking, the people around him burst into malicious laughter. “Elena, see? Silas is so good to you.” “He’s afraid you’ve suffered outside, so he even arranged food and shelter for you.” “You’re only helping Serena take care of her child. Isn’t that better than living in poverty?” “Hurry up and thank Silas.” Serena touched her earrings and pretended to be gentle. “Elena, don’t worry.” “If my son is naughty or disobedient, I’ll discipline him for you. I won’t let you suffer.” Silas let out a low laugh and glanced at me casually. “What suffering could she have?” “She disappeared over one little thing back then.” “Now that she can’t survive outside and has come back, it’s only right that she suffers a little.” Even though I no longer cared about him, my heart still tightened when I remembered the humiliation from that day. So even after three years, he still thought abandoning me at our mating ceremony and bonding with another woman was just one little thing. So the Silas who once loved me had already become unrecognizable three years ago. He was no longer the wolf who had nothing, yet stood under the moonlight and swore he would give me everything. He was no longer the future Alpha who, after gaining power, would still cook soup for me with his own hands and brush my hair. But that was fine. It was all in the past. There was no point mentioning it anymore. After all, I was about to give birth to Adrian’s second child.

I pushed down the emotions surging in my chest. I had no interest in arguing with them. I looked at Silas and said calmly, “Aren’t you here to pick me up?” “Let’s go.” The scene fell silent for a moment. The others exchanged glances. Then, as if they had heard the funniest joke in the world, they burst into laughter. Serena sneered and looked at me with contempt. “Pick you up?” “Elena, who do you think you are?” She pointed at the sign with Helena written on it. “Look carefully. We’re waiting for Helena.” “Do you even know who she is?” Of course I knew. After all, Helena was the name I used in Greystone Pack. But Serena didn’t give me a chance to speak. It was as if she had finally found a way to crush me, and she lifted her chin eagerly. “Helena is the mistress of Greystone Pack.” “She is Alpha Adrian’s true mate.” “Alpha Adrian of Greystone is ruthless and decisive in both the Northern Territory and the business world. But when it comes to his wife, he is completely devoted.” “They say he refused to bond with anyone for years because he was waiting for Helena.” “Everyone in the werewolf world knows that pleasing Alpha Adrian is nothing compared to pleasing his Luna.” “Because Lady Helena is the one he truly holds in his heart.” Listening to their excited discussion, I couldn’t help but smile. In the three years since our mating, Adrian’s power had only grown stronger. Greystone Pack had expanded from the Northern Territory into the South. Even many ancient wolf packs had no choice but to avoid challenging him. But what was even more famous than his power was his reputation for spoiling his wife. Serena had always wanted to show off in front of me. Naturally, she would not miss this chance. She deliberately raised her voice. “I heard that to please Lady Helena, Alpha Adrian once bought a bracelet called ‘Eternal Heart’ at the Black Moon Auction.” “It was worth twenty million.” She paused deliberately, as if afraid I would not understand, then added, “It was made of moon silver and deep-sea sapphires. The entire bracelet is engraved with ancient werewolf protection runes.” “Lady Helena is the envy of every she-wolf in every pack.” At that moment, Serena’s gaze suddenly landed on my wrist. The next second, her voice turned sharp. “That’s the one!” The whole place fell silent. Everyone’s eyes landed on my bracelet. Silas suddenly stepped forward and grabbed my wrist, lifting my hand. His grip was strong, almost painful. He lowered his head to examine it, then sneered. “It’s a pretty good fake.” “Which rogue gave this to you?” “Even his gift is counterfeit. How pathetic.” His eyes were full of mockery. “Trash.” I yanked my hand free, curled my lips, and gently stroked the bracelet on my wrist. It was indeed from Adrian. He had put it on me himself when I was pregnant with our first child. It was his protection charm for me. When Silas saw the faint happiness on my face, his pupils tightened. For some reason, he seemed stung by it. Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist again and tore the bracelet from my arm. I didn’t expect him to attack so suddenly. Before I could react, he had already taken it. “Silas!” My face darkened. But Serena had already stepped forward and taken the bracelet from his hand. She held it in her palm and examined it carefully, greed flashing in her eyes. “It really is more delicate than the fake one I bought.” “But I would never wear a counterfeit in public and embarrass myself.” Then, as if she had thought of something, she laughed mockingly. “Don’t tell me you’re Helena.” “Are you saying you’re the legendary Greystone Luna?” The moment she said that, everyone around us burst into laughter. To them, it was simply too ridiculous. Adrian’s power made every werewolf pack fear him. He was undoubtedly the Alpha King of the entire werewolf world. And I was nothing but the woman who had been abandoned by Silas at the mating ceremony three years ago. A joke who had left in disgrace. No matter how they looked at it, I could never be connected to the mistress of Greystone Pack. Serena hooked the bracelet around her finger and swung it carelessly. “Elena, give me this bracelet.” “I’ll pay double.” Afraid she would drop it, I immediately said coldly, “Give it back.” “Adrian gave that to me.” Before I could finish, Silas slapped me hard across the face. Slap! My face snapped to the side. The taste of blood filled my mouth. Silas glared at me, his expression dark and furious. “Shut up!”

Silas glared at me, furious. There was even a trace of fear in his eyes. “Elena, do you think Greystone Alpha’s name is something you can say whenever you want?” “How dare you spread rumors that you have anything to do with him? Are you trying to get me killed?” His friends immediately surrounded me, glaring at me as if I had committed some unforgivable crime. “Elena, do you even know how hard Silas worked to get this chance to welcome Greystone Luna today?” “The Blackthorn family’s businesses were taken over by Greystone Pack last year. We all depend on Greystone Alpha now.” “And you’re here talking nonsense, claiming you’re connected to Greystone Alpha?” “Are you trying to destroy Silas?” I raised my hand and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. Then I slowly lifted my head and met Silas’s gaze. Maybe my eyes were too cold. Silas frowned, and for a brief second, panic flashed across his face. When Serena saw the way he looked at me, she immediately glared at me with hatred and pointed at my nose. “Elena, you bitch!” “Silas already agreed to take you in. Don’t repay kindness with betrayal.” “Even if you still resent him for not sealing the mate bond with you back then, you can’t use this kind of lie to get revenge.” Silas frowned and muttered in disappointment, “Jealous woman.” After a moment of silence, he took a check worth two hundred thousand from his pocket and placed it in front of me. “For the sake of what we once had, I won’t punish you.” “Take the money. Buy yourself some decent clothes.” “If you don’t want to take care of the child, I’ll arrange a respectable job for you in a few days.” He paused. His tone was full of condescending charity. “Don’t worry. Since Greystone Pack took over my company, this amount of money means nothing to me anymore.” His charity made me sick. It seemed he really had been doing well these past three years. No wonder he was still so confident when he saw me again. No wonder he still believed I would return to him like before. Under everyone’s shocked gaze, I did not take the check. I only pushed away the hand Silas was holding it with, then took my bracelet back from Serena. After that, I looked at him and smiled faintly. “No, thank you, Mr. Blackthorn.” “I don’t accept things from strangers.” I ignored Silas’s instantly darkened face and turned to leave. But before I could take more than a few steps, Silas grabbed my wrist. His face was cold as he questioned me. “Elena, I’m giving you money, and you still refuse?” “What do you mean by that?” “I’m a stranger to you?” I lowered my eyes and looked at his hand on my wrist. My voice was cold. “We ended three years ago.” “It’s better if we don’t have anything to do with each other.” “Otherwise, people might misunderstand.” I thought of a certain man who got jealous far too easily. If Adrian found out Silas was holding my wrist like this, the entire Blackthorn Pack would probably pay for it. But Silas glanced at Serena, as if he had suddenly understood everything. “I see. You’re still jealous of Serena.” He released me, and his tone became arrogant again. “But do you even know what’s happening tonight?” “The Southern branch is hosting a welcome banquet for Greystone Alpha.” “I was going to take you there to broaden your horizons, but you need to buy a proper gown first.” “Don’t embarrass me.” Before he could finish, I rejected him directly. “No need. Thank you.” When Silas heard me refuse again, his face turned completely cold. His hand froze in midair with the check still between his fingers. His knuckles tightened little by little, as if he had never imagined I would reject him again and again. “Elena, you really have become bold.” “Looks like the poorer you are, the worse your temper gets.” He sneered, anger rising in his voice. “In that case, I really should take you to the banquet.” “I’ll let everyone see how cheap and pathetic you look.” “And I’ll let you stand next to elegant Serena, so you can understand the difference.” He forced me into their car. Since we were going to the same place, I didn’t struggle too much. When the car arrived, Serena’s mocking voice rang out loudly.

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I grabbed my phone to call my husband when I was trapped in my car during a massive highway pile-up. Then an urgent voice rang out: [Mommy, don’t call Daddy!] I froze. The only other person in the car was my newborn baby. Where was that sound coming from? Just as I was wondering, the sound rang out again. [Daddy’s assistant told him she’s having a mental breakdown. She’s on a rooftop, threatening to jump. If Daddy comes for you right now, she’ll actually do it!] My phone connected. Julian’s voice came through the speaker. “Aren’t you tired of using the same pathetic excuse? If I show up and find out you’re just faking it, Claire, you’re finished. I won’t let you go!” [Mommy! Don’t let him come!] I became clear-headed at once. “I can handle it,” I said firmly. “Don’t come.” I hung up. Baby. It’s just you and Mommy now. A second later, something slammed into my rear bumper. Then another hit. Then another. My car was sandwiched from both sides. The doors weren’t just jammed — they were crushed completely shut. I pulled my baby tight. [Mommy, run! Daddy lent this car to his assistant Vanessa. She cracked the fuel line and the chassis and never got it fixed. It’s going to explode!] I grabbed the emergency hammer and swung it at the windshield. I clutched my baby and crawled out, rolling behind the highway guardrail. The moment I hit the ground, the screaming started. “That car’s on fire! Get back!” Flames were already tearing through the undercarriage. Black smoke swallowed the sky. My whole body screamed in pain. Blood soaked through my clothes from a dozen places at once. [Mommy… it hurts. Am I going to die?] My baby’s voice was tiny and terrified. I held her still and pressed her close. I fumbled for my phone with bloody fingers and dialed 911. “Interstate pile-up, multiple vehicles. I have a baby. We’re both bleeding—” “Ma’am, stay calm. Your exact location?” I told him. Every word cost me something. “Copy. Dispatching the nearest unit now. Keep this line open.” My shoulders dropped half an inch in relief. Then my phone rang again. “Hello? How far out are—” “Claire.” Luke. Julian’s best friend. Head of local emergency dispatch. “Julian already called me,” he said flatly. “It’s a holiday weekend. First responders are slammed. Stop tying up the emergency line.” The bottom dropped out of my stomach. Everything my baby had said — it was all true. “Luke, listen to me.” My voice cracked raw. “My car is actively on fire. It could explode any second. My newborn and I are both injured. Please—” He actually laughed. “Give it a rest, Claire. Julian warned me you’d try something like this. We don’t have time for your drama. Handle it yourself.” I sat there in the smoke and heat, phone in my bloody hand, flames roaring twenty feet away. [Mommy!] I tried to stand. Made it two steps. The world tilted hard and I hit the asphalt, curling my body around my daughter on the way down. Someone nearby said quietly, “She’s losing too much blood. I don’t think she’s going to—” No. My baby already had a father who failed her. She was not going to lose her mother too. I forced myself up, shielding my baby in my arms. I didn’t even make it two steps before my legs gave out and collapsed.

[Mommy! Ask someone for help!] The voice cut through the darkness just as I was about to go under again. I dragged myself to the guardrail. “Please—” My voice came out in a ragged whisper. “Please. Someone help my baby.” Heads turned. Within seconds, strangers were running toward me. “There’s a woman down over here!” “She’s got a newborn — the baby’s head is bleeding! Someone call 911!” “She’s still breathing! Help me move her!” More people came. Then more. “I have a first-aid kit in my car!” “Get them away from the wreckage — it’s not safe here! Anyone know first aid?” “I do!” A young woman shoved through without hesitating. “Let me through!” Tears ran down my face before I could stop them. In my worst moment, it was strangers who came. They carried us carefully to an open stretch of road away from the flames. “Ma’am, can you hear me? Can you tell me how you feel?” A calm voice. Close. I managed a nod. “She’s conscious!” he called out immediately. Someone ran back to their car for a first-aid kit. A young woman knelt beside me and began checking my wounds, then the baby’s. “Don’t be scared,” she said softly. “Your little girl looks okay. Just surface cuts. She’s tough.” The people around us moved with quiet efficiency. Some passed supplies. Others held back the gathering crowd. Then an older woman crouched down beside me, holding something small between her fingers. “Sweetheart — is this yours?” A ring. My engagement ring. I stared at it. I remembered the night Julian proposed — how nervous he’d been. He knelt down. When I said “I do,” tears streamed down his face. His hand trembled as he put the ring on my finger, vowing to love me for the rest of his life. [Mommy. He’s not worth it.] My baby’s voice was gentle. Heartbroken for me. I turned my face away from the ring. A man nearby was already on his phone, furious. “Hello? 911? Interstate pile-up — multiple vehicles! I’ve got a woman here who just gave birth and her infant — both seriously injured, both bleeding! When are you people getting here?!” The voice that came through the phone made me utterly desperate. It was Luke. “Claire.” His tone was bone-dry. “Wasn’t I clear enough the first time? Stop wasting emergency resources. We’re busy.” The man stared at his phone and then exploded. “Who the hell are you talking to?! What do you mean you’re busy?! There are people dying out here — doesn’t that mean anything to you?! You’re supposed to prioritize!” Luke paused. Then, dripping with contempt: “Nice try, Claire. Hiring actors now? I’ll admit, this one’s convincing.” “You—” Before the man could fire back, a thunderous crash shook the interstate. A heavy freight truck had lost control and plowed into the wreckage ahead of us. The sound roared through the phone. Luke finally realized the seriousness of the situation. “That sound… how bad is it over there? Everyone hold on — I’m redirecting units to your location right now.” The people around me exhaled in shaky relief. But I heard something no one else could hear again, and those were my baby’s mind voices. [Mommy, he’s lying. He still thinks you’re faking. He didn’t send anyone.] [Tell everyone to run. That freight truck — it’s about to explode.]

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My cousin Lily had been taken by the Black Rock pack. Their alpha, Valeria, had one demand: the head of the Frost Moon war general. I was strapping on my armor, ready to lead the rescue, when my eldest brother Cassian slipped something into my drink. I woke up bound in silver chains on the pack’s ceremonial altar. My three brothers — Cassian, the pack Enforcer; Julian, the Beta Treasurer; Killian, the Sentinel Commander — had once been my greatest shield. Now Julian and Killian pinned me down while Cassian raised a silver-spiked rod, his eyes full of a pain he had no right to own. “Elena, don’t hate us. Lily is too fragile for Black Rock’s dungeons.” The rod came down and shattered my wolf core. Through the agony, I finally understood. They hadn’t come to let me fight. They had come to trade a broken war general for their precious, unscarred girl. — The drug was still bitter on my tongue, blood rising in my throat. “Lily is delicate,” Cassian said, eyes cast down, a faint tremor in his voice — but the hand gripping the rod didn’t waver at all. “She wouldn’t survive the dungeons.” “So I’m the one who suffers for it?” I said, holding his gaze, each word deliberate. Julian crushed my shoulders into the stone, his face turned away. “Elena. We’re doing this for the pack.” Killian held down my legs, her usually warm eyes flat and cold. “You’re the war general. They probably won’t kill you. You’re more useful alive.” “Alive?” I laughed, the sound scraping out of my chest. “This is how you keep me alive.” The rod rose again and fell. The crack of shattering bone was obscenely loud in the silence. Cold sweat soaked through my shirt instantly, darkness eating the edges of my vision. The pain was a tide. It swallowed me whole. Through the blur, I watched Cassian drop the rod and wipe my blood from his face with his sleeve — slow, careful, thorough. He came to the altar and looked down at me. “Sleep, Elena.” His voice was unbearably gentle. “When you wake up, Lily will be home.” I dug my fingers into the stone, pulled every last scrap of air into my lungs, and forced out three words. “Cassian. Ashford.” He went still. Shame flickered across his face before he buried it. I smiled. Blood frothed at the corner of my mouth and stained my lips red. “You will all regret this.” Julian and Killian released me and stepped back behind Cassian. Three faces — same bone structure, same carved-in resolve. Not one of them looked at me again. They turned and left. The bolt slid home the moment the door closed. I had become a prisoner in my own room, a war general who could no longer run. —

They loaded me into a crude iron cage and drove me toward the border — toward the Pale Ridge crossing. My legs had been roughly bandaged, but silver poisoning kept the wounds from closing. Blood soaked through the wrappings and fused with the fabric; every lurch of the road sent a fresh spike of agony up my spine. The guard assigned to transport me was one of Killian’s own men. He kept his head down the entire ride and only passed a water bottle through the bars when my thirst became impossible to hide. “General. Forgive me.” He said it every time. I took the bottle and drank in silence. I had no hatred left for him. I was saving all of it. Seven days later, the cage stopped at Pale Ridge. The handoff was staged in open ground between the two packs’ front lines. Two Black Rock soldiers yanked me from the cage and dropped me in the dirt. I lifted my head and found her — the reason I was here. Lily. She wore clean clothes and a heavy fur-lined coat, cradled at the center of my three brothers like something irreplaceable. Her face was pale but unmarked. Not a scratch. Black Rock’s alpha, Valeria, sat astride her black war-wolf, staring down at me with open contempt. Her pack had been crushed beneath my command — twice. “Elena Ashford.” Her voice carried the pleasure of someone who had waited a long time. “Look at you now.” I didn’t look at her. My gaze pushed past her and locked onto my brothers. Cassian stepped forward and dipped his head toward Valeria. “Alpha Valeria. The exchange is complete. Release Lily now.” His voice carried a careful deference that made my stomach turn. Valeria laughed and pointed her riding crop at me. “This is the Frost Moon war general? Can’t even stand. Pathetic.” Her wolves laughed with her. My brothers’ faces tightened with brief shame, but none of them spoke. They only pulled Lily closer. Lily leaned out from behind Cassian and looked at my shattered legs. Those wide, always-glistening eyes held no guilt — only a bright, unmistakable glint of triumph. She curved her lips at me. Just barely. A silent gloat. A winner’s smile.

Valeria waved her hand and two soldiers released Lily. She gathered her coat and ran straight to my brothers, shaking. “Cassian!” She threw herself into my eldest brother’s arms, trembling like she’d barely survived the end of the world. Cassian stripped off his own fur coat and wrapped it around Lily, murmuring softly. “You’re safe now. We’re going home.” Julian and Killian crowded in, fussing over every detail. “Are you hurt anywhere?” “Those savages didn’t touch you, did they?” Three people formed a wall around one girl, as if she were the most precious thing under the sky. No one looked at me again. I, the one they had broken and used as currency, had become a discarded object the moment the trade was done. Valeria finished savoring the scene and drove her wolf toward me. “Take her.” Two soldiers hauled me up and dragged me forward; my shattered legs carved two red lines through the gravel. As I was pulled past my brothers, I wrenched my head around. “Cassian. Julian. Killian.” All three went rigid at once. The hands sheltering Lily stilled. Lily twisted in Cassian’s arms and smiled at me — wider now, brighter. “You traded Frost Moon’s war general for someone who can’t even howl.” My voice was wrecked, but every word landed. “One day, this pack’s territory will be a graveyard because of what you did today.” Cassian’s face went iron gray. He clenched his fist. Julian’s eyes slid to the ground. Killian’s face — for the first time — showed something close to fear. “Get her out of here!” Cassian nearly screamed it. The soldiers quickened their pace and dragged me behind enemy lines. The border sealed at my back, cutting off everything I’d ever known. They brought me to Valeria’s command tent. She sat in the alpha’s chair and cleaned her riding crop with a silk cloth, unhurried. “Three years ago at the Hollow Gorge, you destroyed ten thousand of my wolves and took my best lieutenant’s head.” She looked up. “I swore that day I’d make you beg for death.” She rose, crossed to me, and used the crop to tilt my chin up. “I kept my promise.”

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On the eve of Thanksgiving, my husband, Eugene Green, had promised to accompany Tyler and me to my parents’ house for the holiday. Halfway there, he suddenly received a message that his mother was seriously ill and wanted to see her grandson. “Helen, I have to take Tyler back to see my mom. We won’t be able to go with you this time,” he said. Tyler Green, ever the well-behaved son, offered me comforting words. Considering the urgency of his mother’s condition and her longing to see her grandson, I felt a pang of disappointment but did not object. Watching their retreating figures, I curled my lips into a cold smile. Had Thanksgiving turned into Halloween? Had my mother-in-law, who died ten years ago, somehow risen from the grave? I called my father—the man who had never failed to solve a problem. “Dad, Eugene is having an affair. You and Mom should come over with our men. We’re going to catch him red-handed!” I followed the car’s tracker to the company. Laughter echoed from the conference room. Through the window, I saw the company’s ditzy beauty, the finance officer, Gloria Grant, leaning in Eugene’s arms. She was about to blow out the candles. Tyler stood beside her, singing the birthday song along with the other employees. When the song ended, Tyler shouted excitedly, “Dad, give my mom a birthday kiss!” The other employees joined in the teasing, chanting, “Kiss her! Kiss her!” Amidst the excited cries, Eugene held Gloria tightly and kissed her passionately, oblivious to everyone around them. Without a word, I pushed through the crowd and slapped Eugene hard. He looked up, about to explode in anger, but his eyes turned frantic when he saw me. “Why are you here?” Tyler, bewildered, hid behind Eugene, not uttering a sound. Only Gloria remained unfazed, even smiling slightly. “Ms. Belle, Mr. Green is just celebrating my birthday. Would you like a piece of cake?” She held out the entire large cake to me. But in the next second, she slipped and, before I could react, she somehow flung the entire cake into my face. Before I could react in anger, she feigned tears. “I’m sorry, Ms. Belle. You know I’m always clumsy.” Silently, I grabbed her new dress and wiped the cream off my face. Gloria screamed, looking at Eugene with an expression of grievance, “This is the birthday gift you gave me, worth hundreds of thousands!” My heart turned to ice. A shameless parasite, using my money to support his mistress? Eugene snapped, “Helen, are you crazy? Can’t you just wash your face in the restroom instead of soiling Gloria’s dress? How vicious! It was an accident!” “Didn’t you say you were going to see your sick mother? Why here? Is Gloria your new mother now?” Before Eugene could explain further, my colleague Oscar interrupted me discontentedly. “Ms. Belle, how dare you speak like that? What’s wrong with a husband celebrating his wife’s birthday? Why do you care? And you even dared to hit the boss and ruin Gloria’s clothes. You should apologize already, or we’ll call the police!” I stared at Eugene with a sardonic smile. “Celebrating your wife’s birthday, huh? What a devoted husband you are.” Oscar snorted coldly, enviously. “Of course. Mr. Green is famously a doting husband. Everyone in the company knows it. It’s just that they prefer to keep a low profile.” A chill ran through me. So these two had been carrying on right under my nose, while I was kept in the dark. “Are you going to explain to me about this mistress of yours?” Upon hearing this, the crowd burst into an uproar, looking at Eugene and Gloria in disbelief. Eugene’s lips turned dry, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, but he couldn’t utter a single word. Hearing the increasing murmurs around her, Gloria began to sob. “Ms. Belle, I know you’ve always wanted to climb the social ladder by seducing Eugene. But Eugene only has eyes for me. I beg you to stop haunting him. If you continue like this, I’ll have no choice but to ask him to have you fired.” Eugene didn’t expect Gloria to say that. He glanced at me furtively, guilt written all over his face. Instead of getting angry, I laughed. “Gloria, didn’t you mess up the client contract and cost the company tens of millions? Isn’t the dismissal process complete yet?”

As soon as my voice fell, Teresa from HR splashed a faceful of alcohol on me. “I guess you’ve got cake frosting on the brain. Let me help you sober up! This is Mr. Green’s company. Even if Gloria loses a hundred deals, so what? Everyone knows she’s the boss’s woman! As for you, thinking you can control Mr. Green with a few big clients? Dream on!” The others chimed in one after another. “Just apologize to Mrs. Green already!” Earl Lew, the bald driver, leered at me greasily. “Ms. Belle, if you’re really that desperate for a man, how about me? Forget the wedding gift. I’ll even accept a few hundred thousand as a dowry from you. That’s all I need, easy deal.” Everyone burst into laughter at his words, and someone even suggested that I get engaged to Earl on the spot. I wiped the alcohol from my face and spoke slowly, “Eugene, I suggest you tell the truth before you regret it.” Seeing that I was all alone, Eugene became more confident. “Gloria is my wife! What do I have to regret? You asked for all this!” “And you should apologize to Gloria!” Gloria threw herself into Eugene’s arms, whispered, “Honey, never mind. I’m such a clumsy person. Even if I’m bullied, I won’t hold a grudge.” “I’d never slap you in front of everyone and humiliate you the way Ms. Belle did.” As expected, Eugene held Gloria even tighter, his eyes filled with tenderness. I looked at Gloria and curled my lips into a cold smile. “I almost forgot. I only slapped him, not you!” In the next second, I pulled her out of Eugene’s arms and slapped her hard twice! Gloria screamed in shock, “You’re crazy! How dare you hit me!” Before I could continue, Eugene stepped forward and grabbed my neck tightly, pressing down. “Go to hell!” His strength was immense, and despite my struggling, I couldn’t break free. At that moment, Gloria raised a bottle of wine and smashed it fiercely against my head. Blood mingled with the wine and flowed down. Seeing my icy gaze, she tried to explain, “Ms. Belle, I was trying to help you, but I’m just clumsy and missed…” She then looked at Eugene with tears in her eyes. “Honey, don’t blame me. I was just afraid you’d get into trouble.” Eugene didn’t even glance at me but held Gloria tighter. “How could I blame you? You’re just too kind-hearted.” Our marriage lasted for over a decade. In that instant, it just crumbled into dust. I clutched the wound on my head and said, word by word, “You may not acknowledge me, but my own flesh and blood can surely vouch for my identity!”

Upon hearing that, the employees’ gazes shifted towards Eugene, now tinged with suspicion. Some even whispered to each other, “Judging from their conversation, Ms. Belle seems much more confident than Mr. Green. Is Gloria really the mistress?” “It’s likely. Mr. Green’s son, Tyler, is already ten years old and looks much more like Ms. Belle’s child. Gloria is only in her twenties. Could she have a child that old?” “But would Mr. Green really dare to cheat so blatantly?” Tyler, who had been hiding behind Eugene, suddenly stepped forward and shouted, “Don’t you dare judge my mom!” I had hoped to shield Tyler from the adults’ mess. But now, I silently prayed he would speak up for me. “My mom is Gloria! She’s my dad’s legal wife! Helen is just crazy!” These words felt like a plunge into an icy abyss. I was jolted back to the birthday song he had led. I looked at my son in disbelief, my voice hoarse. “Tyler, don’t you remember how I signed you up for a European summer camp last summer, but Gloria, being so ‘clumsy,’ sent you to Africa instead? Or last month, when she drove you to school and, in her confusion, lost your lunch, leaving you hungry? And…” “Stop it!” he interrupted furiously. “You don’t understand! Mom didn’t mean it! She’s just a bit clumsy, but she’s incredibly kind-hearted, nothing like you! You wanted me to go to Europe just to force me to attend a German-language program! The so-called nutritious meals you made were all things I hated. Mom is different. She says I don’t have to do homework and can buy snacks from street vendors. I love her! She’s my real Mommy!” After a decade of toiling for this family, I felt utterly disheartened, drained of any strength to argue. Gloria looked at me triumphantly. “Ms. Belle, what else do you have to say? Kids don’t lie.” The driver Earl Lew, confirming that I was “indeed” the fake, stopped pretending and draped his arm over my shoulder, showing his true colors. “Helen, if you’re horny, just say so. Why steal Gloria’s husband? That’s just low.” Teresa chuckled. “Earl, you’re so lucky! Why not just skip the engagement and sleep with her already? She’ll be yours then.” I stared at them in shock, clutching my clothes tightly. The others joined in with taunts. “Earl, share the spoils. It’s not nice to hog her all to yourself. Helen is a bit older, but she still has her charm.” I looked at Eugene. After ten years of marriage, even a stranger wouldn’t be so heartless. But he just waved his hand in disgust. “Take her to another office. Don’t ruin Gloria’s birthday party.” Gloria’s eyes gleamed. “We’d better film this. Otherwise, if she goes to the police…” Eugene pinched her cheek affectionately, nodding with a sly smile. “And you said you’re clumsy? I’d say you’re the smartest girl here.” I was furious. “Don’t you dare!” Gloria slapped me hard twice. “What’s there to be afraid of? Once we film you, let’s see how defiant you can be!” As soon as she finished speaking, dozens of hands reached for me, trying to drag me to another room. I struggled desperately. Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the door. “Gloria, sweetie, I’m here!”

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Everyone in Suncrest Bay knows I have a wife that makes other men jealous. She’s not just an heiress to a wealthy family, she’s also the legal world’s infamous ice queen, the kind of woman everyone admires from a distance. But around me, she turns soft and sweet, like the perfect wife from a fairytale. I’d been planning to wait until our anniversary to tell her the truth. I wanted to reveal that I’m the Northhaven heir and take her home to meet my family. Then her birthday came, and I walked in on her new assistant forcing himself on her against a car. Pieces of torn clothing were scattered everywhere on the ground. I lost it. I went after him like a madman, and the assistant ended up in the ICU while I ended up in court. But here’s what I never saw coming. My own wife stood up in that courtroom as my defense attorney and turned on me. She accused me of malicious assault and never said a single word about that bastard trying to rape her. The judge gave me three years. I confronted her in the visitation room, demanding to know why. She just sat there looking calm as ever. “You’re my husband. Even if you go to prison, I’ll still love you. But Ryan’s different. He comes from nothing, and if he gets a rape conviction on his record, his whole life is over.” That’s when something inside me just died. Fine then. If she doesn’t want to be the lady of the Martinez family, I’ll take back everything I was going to give her. *** On the day I get out, Amanda Kane is standing outside the prison gates in a wedding dress. The second I see her, a wave of hatred hits me. If she hadn’t lied on the stand, I never would’ve rotted in that cell for three years. Three years, and she never once came to visit me. So what’s with this act now? “What are you doing here?” She smiles at me despite my cold stare and walks toward me, holding up the hem of her dress. “I’m here to pick you up, of course. My dear husband.” She stops right in front of me and reaches up to smooth out the wrinkles on my collar. “Today’s a special day, and I’m here to take you home so we can celebrate together.” I’m about to refuse, but she lifts her hand. Two bodyguards in black suits step out of the car and flank me on both sides. “Please, honey,” Amanda says with a sweet smile. I know I don’t have a choice. I take a deep breath and get in the car. During the drive, Amanda keeps her head down, glued to her phone, and doesn’t utter a single word to me. I’m fine with the silence though, and I spend the time figuring out how I’m going to divorce her. But when we pull up to the villa, I see the front lawn is covered in flowers and decorated with wedding arches. There’s a giant welcome photo by the entrance, and it shows Amanda and her assistant, Ryan Sanders. So this special day she mentioned is her wedding to Ryan? Rage explodes inside me, and I can’t hold it back anymore. I let the hatred take over. “Amanda, what the hell is this?” Amanda gives me a cold, mocking smile. The warmth on her face disappears and gets replaced by pure contempt. “Preston Martinez, you can’t seriously think a convict like you deserves to be the husband of a Suncrest Bay princess, can you?” The bodyguards drag me out of the car, and suddenly, everyone’s eyes are on me. “Oh wow, isn’t that the convict? They actually let him out?” “Ugh, seeing trash like that on such a nice day really kills the mood.” Ryan walks up to me in his sharp tailored suit with a smug look all over his face. “Well well, Preston, you’re being so generous. Fresh out of prison and already rushing over to attend my wedding with Amanda. That’s really considerate of you.” Staring at that vicious face, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I raised my fist and slammed it into him, knocking him flat to the ground. “Ryan!” Amanda screams and shoves me hard, then she drops down next to Ryan looking all concerned and helps him up. “Preston, listen to me. Ryan is my husband now, and if you lay another hand on him, don’t blame me for what happens next.” “Husband?” I sneered and shake my head. “Amanda, do I need to remind you? I spent three years in prison, but we’re still married. We never got divorced.” But when I say that, Amanda doesn’t look embarrassed at all. She actually smiles like she’s mocking me. She waves her hand and an assistant immediately walks over with two booklets. She throws both marriage licenses in my face. “Preston, open your damn eyes and look closely. This one’s fake, a piece of garbage.” Then she takes the marriage license Ryan’s holding out to her like it’s some precious treasure and waves it in front of my face. “Let me show you what a real one looks like, so you don’t get fooled by other women in the future.” “Think about it, Preston. I’m the top lawyer in Suncrest Bay and the Kane family heiress. Why would I ever marry a loser like you?” “Back then, I only married you because you had a pretty face. I wanted to play around with you for a while. But now that I get it. A puppy love is nothing compared to what a real man can give you.” She pressed herself against Ryan’s chest. Seeing them like that hurt to watch. Ryan wraps his arm around her bare shoulders. “Honestly, if it wasn’t for you, Mandy and I might never have ended up together. When you attacked me three years ago, that’s when she finally realized how she really felt about me.” He pulls out a business card and holds it up. “But hey, call me a generous guy. Since I’m taking your wife, let me set you up with someone. Paradise City has plenty of girls, and every one of them knows her shit. You’ll love it. Just choose one and I’ll hook you up.” Something inside me snaps. I punch him square in the face. “You two are disgusting…” The rage takes over completely. I lunge at them, ready to rip them both apart. But this is Kane family territory. Two bodyguards grab my arms and wrench them behind my back. My eyes are burning as I scream at Amanda, “He tried to rape you that night! I’m the one who saved you! Is this how you repay me?”

Amanda laughs softly. She leans in and kisses the blood at the corner of Ryan’s mouth, then turns to look at me while holding his hand. “Who said he was a rapist? What happened three years ago was completely consensual. You just happened to walk in on us. And then you had to go and attack him like an idiot. I couldn’t even pull you off.” My chest tightens. I can’t breathe. The memory of her face that night is burned into my brain—the pain, the fear in her eyes. “But you were begging me for help. You looked like you were in pain. You clearly didn’t want it.” She laughs harder, almost maniacally. “Preston, this is exactly why you’re such an idiot. Ever heard of roleplay?” All the strength leaves my body at once. My legs go limp, and without the table behind me, I would fall right there. But she’s not done twisting the knife. “You probably felt like some kind of hero that night, didn’t you? Protecting your wife, feeling all proud of yourself? I guess when you’re a total loser, you have to take your wins wherever you can get them.” “So now you understand, don’t you? I didn’t flip my testimony three years ago. Ryan was never the guilty one to begin with.” Classic move from my wife. She knows exactly where to twist the knife. I close my eyes and try to breathe, but in the end, I just grit my teeth and ask, “Amanda, are you really going through with this? You’re actually marrying Ryan?” She glances at Ryan, and they both burst out laughing at the same time. “What, you think I should marry you instead? A convict? Preston, you’re pathetic,” she sneers. “Fine.” My voice comes out flat. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I pull out the phone someone gave me three days ago and dial the only number saved in it. “Master Martinez, you’ve finally decided to call home.” “Tell Dad I’m ready to come back and take over the family business. But I have one condition.” The autumn wind cuts through my shirt as I lock eyes with Amanda and Ryan. “I want the Kane family empire destroyed before sunset.” The second those words leave my mouth, Amanda, Ryan, and every guest watching this train wreck explode into laughter. “Did he just say he wants the Kane family destroyed before sunset?” “Man, I don’t care how broke you are, drinking cheap booze will rot your brain. Listen to this guy.” Ryan grins wide. “Well, since today’s my wedding day with Mandy, I’m feeling generous. Let me treat you to all the drinks you want, buddy.” Before I can react, the bodyguards swarm me again and wrestle me down. They wrench my jaw open, and Ryan grabs a wine bottle from a server’s tray. He’s got a twisted smile on his face as he smashes the bottle against the table and pours the sharp alcohol mixed with broken glass straight down my throat. Dark red wine explodes out of my nose, but Ryan clamps his hand over my mouth and nose, cutting off my air. “Mandy picked this wine herself. You better not waste a drop, or you’re shitting all over her hard work.” The wine burns down my throat and floods into my lungs. My face turns purple and my vision starts going white around the edges. Just when I think this is it, Ryan finally lets go. He tosses the bottle aside and it shatters across the ground. Then he kicks me hard in the back. I stumble forward and crash down onto my knees right in the pile of broken glass. Amanda sits across from me, sipping red wine from a crystal glass. “Consider this payback for what you did three years ago. Ryan’s upset, so you deal with the consequences.” Then she notices blood on Ryan’s finger. She rushes over and kisses it. “Ryan, oh no, you’re hurt.” Her hand cracks across my face. The sting burns hot, but it’s nothing compared to what her next words do. “No wonder your mother’s dead, you piece of trash! How dare you hurt Ryan?”

People online are right. Never show anyone your scars. I never celebrated my birthday until Amanda threw me one. When she asked why I didn’t celebrate, I thought she loved me enough to trust with the truth. I told her about the wound I’d carried for over twenty years. “My mom died in childbirth. I’ve always felt like if it weren’t for me, she’d still be alive.” I never imagined she’d use those words as a weapon. My cheek still burns from her slap, but she doesn’t even glance at me. She’s already holding Ryan’s hand again, fawning over him. “Baby, be careful when you’re teaching him a lesson. Don’t hurt yourself. You’re going to make me worry to death.” They flirt behind me while hatred builds in my chest until I want to tear them both apart. Finally, Amanda sits back down in her chair. Ryan spits at me, crouches down in front of me, and grins. “You already drank the wine. Seems wrong not to let you taste how sweet our love is.” The crowd around us starts jeering. “There you go, Ryan!” Before I can react, the bodyguards grab me and hold me up. Ryan picks up a chair and slams it into my lower back. I fly forward like a dying dog being kicked aside. But he’s not done. He has them drag me back up and hits me again. And again. Until my back won’t straighten anymore. Amanda suddenly perks up like she just remembered something fun. She walks over looking excited. “Oh my god, I almost forgot.” “You used to say you’d love me forever, remember? And even though I don’t love you anymore, you still love me, don’t you?” I force out a harsh laugh through clenched teeth. I gave her too much freedom, too much affection. She’s so far up her own ass she actually believes this garbage. Someone needs to fix that. She waves her hand, and a servant hurries over carrying a pregnant dog. “I paid a fortune teller good money to pick today. You should feel lucky.” She smirks at me. “Ryan and I got this dog when we first started dating. Marrying into our family, even if it’s just to our dog, is better than you deserve.” She pulls out two rings and signals to her people. They grab my arms and pin me down. I realize what she’s planning, and I thrash against their grip, but there are too many of them. One of them wrenches my hand open while another forces a ring onto my finger. The servant holds the dog’s paw out, and Amanda slips the other ring around the dog’s leg like a bracelet. Amanda throws her head back and laughs. “There! Now this bitch is officially your wife. Make sure you take good care of her and those puppies in her belly.” My stomach turns. I can taste bile rising in my throat, and I double over and retch onto the ground. Amanda frowns at the bodyguard, and his fist crashes into my face. “How dare you act disgusted by my dog? You filthy convict.” Her voice drops to something cold and sharp. “Beat him. Don’t stop until Preston calls this dog his wife.” She knows exactly what she’s doing. I’ve always valued dignity above everything else. It’s how I was raised. She’s trying to break me completely. The blows rain down. At first, each impact brings sharp, blinding pain. I feel bones crack. But the longer it goes on, the less I feel. My body goes numb, mirroring a heart that already died. Ryan grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks my head up. “Well? You gonna say it or not?” I force my split lips into a grin. Maybe if the pain gets bad enough, I’ll feel something again. “Kill me now if you’ve got the balls. Otherwise, I swear I’ll make every single one of you suffer a thousand times worse than this.” Ryan’s smile twists into something vicious. “What was that? Did I hear you right?” He looks over at Amanda. “Mandy, your ex isn’t just broke and useless. He’s delusional too.” Amanda suddenly raises her hand. The beating stops. For one pathetic second, warmth floods through my chest. Does she still care about me, even a little?

The next second, I understand what’s really happening, and I hate myself for being stupid enough to hope. “Oh! How could I forget?” Amanda claps her hands together. “Every wedding needs a cake.” She and Ryan exchange a look. They’re both smiling now, satisfied. The bodyguards haul me up. I’m too beaten and bloody to fight back anymore. A massive wedding cake appears in front of me. I realize what they’re about to do right before they hurl me into it. Frosting swallows me whole. It’s sickeningly sweet, coating every inch of my skin in thick, sticky layers. The top tier crashes down. Everything goes dark as the cake buries me underneath. The thick frosting covers my nose and mouth. I can’t breathe. My lungs burn as the oxygen slowly runs out. I close my eyes, and for a second, I let myself give up. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn when I was younger. I shouldn’t have left my family and come to Suncrest Bay alone to prove myself. But my biggest regret is falling in love with Amanda. Maybe leaving home wasn’t the mistake. Maybe Amanda was always the mistake. She’s a monster, and I was stupid enough to think I could turn her into something good. My whole life flashes through my mind, and the memory that sticks is being a kid on the beach building sandcastles with my father. The regret hits me like a wave. I used to imagine taking Amanda home one day. Holding her hand and introducing her to my father, telling him she’s the one I love. I never imagined the woman I love would be the one to kill me. No. I can’t die yet. Not before I make these two pay for what they’ve done. The thought jolts me awake. I shift my left hand slowly and push the frosting off my face. Air rushes into my lungs, and my head clears instantly. The crowd’s laughter and insults pour into my ears. The sky’s getting darker. Almost there. Just hold on a little longer and I’ll win this. I already lost once. I’m not losing again. “Preston should look in a mirror. Like he ever had a chance with Amanda. Crazy.” “Don’t even talk about him being a convict now. Even three years ago, a worthless pretty face like him could never be worthy of someone like Amanda.” “Amanda and Ryan are perfect together. She was just messing around with Preston all those years. Who knew he’d actually take it seriously?” It’s almost funny how blind I was. She’s been sleeping with Ryan this whole time, and I never noticed. Ryan sees my head emerge from the cake and grabs my collar, ready to shove me back down. I catch his wrist. “Try it. We live in a civilized society, asshole. I die, and you go down too.” “Oh really?” Ryan looks at Amanda. She just shrugs with a smile on her face. “Oh? Mr. Martinez gets out of prison, can’t handle his ex getting married, and kills himself. What does that have to do with us?” She turns to the crowd. “Did anyone see Preston here today?” Everyone laughs and shakes their heads. “Preston? Who’s Preston?” “Nope, didn’t see anyone. We were at Amanda’s party after the wedding until sunrise. Never saw the guy.” Amanda smirks at me. “You see? Three years ago, I erased the garage surveillance footage, and three years later, I can erase the villa footage just as easily. You’re a convict. Nobody’s going to care if you’re dead.” The party keeps going around me like I’m not even there. At that moment, sirens split the air. Car doors slam in perfect unison. “Everyone freeze!”

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The Rogues circle the Stronghold like death itself. I watch the last child die—his intestines torn from his belly while he’s still screaming. The warriors around me collapse. These are grown wolves. Battle-hardened males who’ve ripped throats and survived pack wars. Now they weep like cubs. “Alpha Kade!” Jakob grabs my shoulder, his claws digging into my flesh. His two-month-old daughter is somewhere in that carnage. “You told us Luna Selene was lying! You said she was jealous, that we should guard you and Lola at Starfall Ridge!” His voice cracks like breaking bone. “Why is my baby missing her face?” Kade stands frozen. His golden Alpha eyes are empty. Hollow. I stare at the carnage and my heart shatters. I’ve lived this moment before. — In my Previous life, the Rogues attacked during Lola’s birthday. My husband—the Pack Alpha—took every warrior to the ridge so his “true love” could watch the Starfall Ceremony. He said I was paranoid. Jealous. A bitter Luna who couldn’t accept that he loved someone else. I begged them to return. I screamed through the Mind-Link until my throat bled. They came back to corpses. But Lola wandered into the woods—sulking because Kade kept checking the Mind-Link during “her special night.” The Rogues found her. Dragged her screaming into the darkness. By the time we arrived, nothing remained but her left femur. Kade held that bone for six hours. Didn’t speak. Didn’t shift. Didn’t breathe. Then, the day I gave birth to our son, he severed my hands with silver. My feet next. He threw me into a Rogue feeding pit and healed me. Over and over. Letting them tear chunks from my flesh while the mate bond forced me to feel his hatred burning like acid through my chest. “You killed her,” he whispered while I screamed. “So You must be suffering more than she was. ” I died on day seven. I woke On the day when the Rogues launched the attack. — The howling hits me first. Not through the Mind-Link—that’s filtered, controlled. This is raw. A thousand feral throats shrieking hunger across the mountains. I’m out of bed before conscious thought. My bare feet slap stone as I sprint toward the control room. The Stronghold is three stories of timber and reinforced steel, built to withstand siege. I take the stairs three at a time. The broadcast panel glows blue. I grab the mic, hands shaking. “All pack members, this is Luna Selene.” My voice doesn’t waver. It can’t. “Massive Rogue surge from the northern pass. Get to the Panic Room. Now!” I slam the alarm. Red lights flood the corridors. Doors bang. Footsteps thunder. Outside, someone screams. I grab the emergency rifle—silver bullets, blessed by our Shaman—and run. The courtyard is chaos. Mothers clutching cubs. Elders stumbling. The air reeks of fear-sweat and the rot-stench of Rogues. Three crash through the east fence. They used to be wolves. Now they’re things. Fur matted with dried blood and filth. Eyes milky white. Jaws unhinged, hanging at grotesque angles. They don’t hunt for territory. The madness ate everything else. I fire. Silver tears through the first one’s skull. It drops, convulsing. “MOVE!” I scream at a frozen teenager. I shove him toward the Panic Room—a reinforced bunker built into the ground. “Get inside!” More Rogues pour through. I shoot until the clip runs dry, then shift. Bones crack. Fur erupts. My wolf is smaller than the males’ but faster. I slam into a Rogue mid-leap, jaws closing around its rotten throat. The taste is rancid decay. I rip and spit and move. Someone yanks a child from snapping teeth. Someone else seals the hatch. The heavy locks clang shut. Silence. I shift back, naked and trembling. Blood—mine, theirs—drips down my ribs. We’re in the Panic Room. Concrete walls. Air filtration. Supplies for two weeks. But the Wards are failing. I feel it. The electric hum that usually surrounds the Stronghold is stuttering. Dying. Mary—an Omega whose son is four—grabs my wrist. Her hands shake. “Luna, you have to Mind-Link the Alpha. Tell him to come back. Tell him to activate the Wards!” I close my eyes. The cruel truth breaks my heart, yet I cannot lie. “He can’t,” I say quietly. “Alpha Kade took every warrior to Starfall Ridge. He’s protecting Lola during the Ceremony.” The room erupts. “The Ceremony? Are you serious?” “He left us to die for some lights?” “She’s not even his real mate!” BANG—— The steel door buckles. Metal shrieks. A dent craters the center. BANG—— Another hit. These Rogues are stronger. Evolved. We have minutes. I look at Elder Martha—Kade’s mother. Former Luna. Seventy-three with silver hair and a wolf that can still kill. She meets my eyes. “The Silver Wards,” I say. “If we activate the backup grid, it’ll fry everything within a hundred yards.” Hope flickers across faces. Martha pulls out the Alpha emergency comm—satellite link that bypasses Mind-Link. She dials. The line clicks. “Mom?” Kade’s voice is annoyed. Distracted. In the background: music. Laughter. Lola’s giggle. “Kind of busy.” Martha’s jaw clenches. “Kade. The Stronghold is under siege. Rogue surge. We’re in the Panic Room, Wards are failing. Activate the Silver Grid. Now！” Everyone holds their breath. Kade laughs. “Mom, seriously? The Grid pulls power from the Starfall lights. We’re thirty minutes from peak display. I can’t shut it down.” His tone shifts. Suspicious. “Is Selene there? Did she put you up to this?” Martha’s hand shakes. “Your Luna just saved twenty—” “My Luna is jealous,” Kade cuts her off. “She’s been pulling this for months. ‘Lola’s dangerous.’ ‘Rogues are coming.’ It’s pathetic.” He scoffs. “Tell Selene if she keeps trying to ruin Lola’s night, there’ll be consequences. I’m not falling for fake emergency bullshit.” The line goes dead. Mary’s face drains white. “He thinks we’re lying?” Samuel—former Beta—slumps against the wall. “We’re going to die. For a light show.” Martha stares at the comm in her hand. Then she looks at me. Her eyes burn. “Service tunnel,” she says slowly. “Runs from here to the old mining roads. Six miles through Rogue territory to Silverpine Base. They have warriors. ” She grips my shoulder. “You and I go. We shift and run.” The door splits. A rotting paw shoves through. Claws scrape metal. A pup was frightened and she started crying. Martha doesn’t flinch. “We leave in sixty seconds. Barricade after we’re gone.” She doesn’t finish the sentence. She doesn’t have to. I nod. Because if we don’t make it, everyone here dies.

Hope flickers in my chest as Martha speaks. “Wait for me,” she says, slipping through the side door. One hour later, the Panic Room door tears open. A rotting arm reaches through, grabbing for the baby in Mary’s arms. The infant’s cry cuts off mid-scream. The mother collapses. Her eyes go empty. Despair floods the room—then a figure rushes through the side entrance. Martha! “Did you bring the warriors back?” voices cry out. She’s covered in blood. “Barricade that gap!” I rush to steady her. Martha’s voice shakes. “That bastard.” She’s trembling with rage. “Kade set up blockades on every path. Every single one. All to make sure no one could interrupt Lola’s precious birthday fireworks.” Her eyes are bloodshot. The room goes silent. Cold dread creeps up my spine. I stumble backward. He blocked even his own mother. “We can’t just sit here and die!” I force myself upright. “If we can’t reach the warriors, we call for backup!” I frantically adjust the radio frequency, cycling through nearby pack channels. I explain our situation. Beg for emergency aid. Silence on the other end. Then: “We’re sorry. We can’t help.” My blood runs cold. “An hour ago, Alpha Kade personally warned us that someone in your pack might file false distress calls. He ordered us to ignore all requests for aid tonight.” He planned this. All of it. He cut off every possible escape route to ensure Lola’s birthday wouldn’t be interrupted. He calculated every path, blocked every exit. Martha’s face goes white. “I’m Kade’s mother, I’m begging—” “Elder Martha,” the voice interrupts, cold as ice. “Alpha Kade specifically mentioned you.” “Unless you come in person to request aid, we will not respond.” The line cuts. In person? Through miles of Rogue-infested territory? It’s suicide. The gap in the door holds—barely. But we all know it won’t last. I steady Martha. “Mom, I’m coming with you.” I turn to face the blood pooling on the floor. My voice hardens. “Everyone’s counting on us. If we break through, there’s still a chance!” Martha looks at me for a long moment. Finally, she nods. Two hours later,I half-carry Martha through the darkness. Her left arm was torn off by a Rogue—fresh blood still streams from the wound. “Over this mountain… we’re almost there…” From halfway up the slope, we see the outline of Silverpine Base. Hope sparks in our chests. Then— A firework shell explodes directly in front of us. The blast wave throws us backward like ragdolls. Martha’s blood was splattered on my face.

I look up, dazed. Through the smoke, I see Kade with his arm around Lola. Then his voice booms through the ridge’s speaker system, dripping with mockery. “Selene, I knew it. You realized your lies wouldn’t make me cancel the party, so now you’re trying to force your way through?” His voice turns ice-cold. “I knew you’d try to sabotage Lola’s birthday. I won’t let you succeed!” The bombardment intensifies. “Mom, tell him it’s you!” I scream. Martha uses every ounce of strength to roar toward the peak: “KADE!” The ridge falls silent for a heartbeat. Then Kade’s laughter echoes—crueler, louder. We’re too far. He can only see a silhouette. “Selene, you’re really committed to this act! First you had my mom lie over the comm, now you hired an actress?” “My mother has two arms, but the actress has only one! Stop trying to fool me!” Martha trembles with rage. “I am your mother! Can’t you even recognize my voice?!” Kade hesitates. Lola immediately tugs his sleeve, her voice dripping false hurt. “Kade… I know Selene hates me. Maybe we should just cancel tonight. Go back.” “It’s okay. I’m used to being treated like this…” Kade’s face hardens. He pulls her close. “Continue!” More shells rain down. Our path is sealed. The moon rises higher. “There’s no time.” Martha grabs my shoulders. “I’ll distract them. You run. Get that rescue back here!” “Everyone’s counting on you!” She shoves me away and limps toward the peak. I try to grab her. “Mom, they don’t recognize you—you’ll die!” Kade’s voice cuts through the air again. “Selene, if you’re willing to throw your life away to ruin Lola’s party, I’ll grant your wish!” He hoists a rocket launcher onto his shoulder. Aims directly at me. The massive shell screams through the air. “SELENE, DOWN!” Martha throws herself on top of me. Her broken body shields mine. BOOM— The explosion tears through my eardrums. Hot blood sprays my face. Martha’s body collapses onto mine. Her back has been obliterated—a gaping hole where her spine should be. Blood pours like a river. My hands shake as I touch her. Warmth. Sticky warmth everywhere. I shake her gently. No response. I scream. “MOM!” Lola’s saccharine voice floats through the speakers. “Selene, you should throw that corpse off the cliff. The Rogues will smell the blood and come for you too.”

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I watched my eight-year-old son die on the execution platform. My mate Kael’s last words weren’t for us. They were for Seraphina—the Alpha King’s Luna Queen. “Your Majesty, please take care of Seraphina!” Then the silver chains tore me apart too. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day it all began. *** My mate—Alpha Kael and Luna Queen Seraphina were childhood sweethearts. This was a thorn in the Alpha King’s heart. Even after Kael mated me, the two remained as close as ever. When Seraphina was punished to kneel, Kael held an umbrella over her for a day and night. When Kael was injured, Seraphina knelt to dress his wounds herself. I knew the Alpha King’s rage could destroy entire packs. I warned him many times, but Kael thought I was petty and jealous. Every time he visited the palace, he’d lock me in the shed. Later, the Alpha King took a new mate and demoted Seraphina. Seraphina refused to eat or drink. She even requested to be sent to the outer pack. At the Council meeting, Kael publicly denounced the Alpha King for abandoning his first mate. The Alpha King was enraged. He ordered our entire pack executed. On the execution platform, I begged Kael to apologize to the King and save our pup’s life. Kael ignored me. He continued his defiance until death. “Your Majesty, my pack’s death means nothing!” “I only beg you treat Luna Queen Seraphina well!” “Seraphina is delicate, she’s cried since childhood. Please take care of her, Your Majesty! I die without regret!” I watched helplessly as my eight-year-old pup was ripped apart. Then I was torn apart too. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Seraphina was punished. …… “Elara, don’t stop me!” “Seraphina is being punished—the King must have misunderstood her!” “You know her personality. She’d rather die than defend herself.” “If I don’t help her, who will stand by her side?” Kael shoved me hard. I fell to the ground, my forehead hitting the stone steps. Blood everywhere. I was dazed for a moment, then realized—I’d been reborn. The Moon Goddess must have seen how unjustly I died and given me another chance. Before I could get up, Kael looked at me strangely. “Elara, even if you fake unconsciousness, I won’t stay.” “A little bump—what’s the big deal?” “Seraphina would never be so dramatic.” Thinking of Seraphina, Kael’s eyes softened. She was stubborn since childhood. Right now, suffering punishment, she must be gritting her teeth to hold back tears. His heart ached at the thought. He mounted his motorcycle. I scrambled up and blocked his path, blood covering my face, looking ghastly. “Kael, Seraphina is the Alpha King’s mate now! Their relationship is none of your business!” I glared at him. Looking at his face now, I felt no warmth from our early days. Only hatred. At the execution ground in my past life, I’d knelt to him. I’d even smashed my forehead bloody. Just begging him to submit to the Alpha King. The King was merciful. If Kael had just backed down, he would have spared our young pup. But Kael ignored me. He kept provoking the King’s authority. To him, our pup and I weren’t worth a single strand of Seraphina’s hair. I could never forget Ash’s screams and pain before death. This time, I would protect Ash. As for Kael—if he wanted death, I’d help him get there. “Kael, I know you and Seraphina were childhood sweethearts!” “After all these years, you still haven’t let her go?” “Seraphina is the country’s Luna Queen now!” “Your obsession with her—where does that leave the Alpha King?!” The moment I finished speaking, Kael’s face changed. Pack members watching nearby began whispering, pointing at Kael. “Elara, how dare you slander Seraphina?!” Kael’s eyes were bloodshot. His hand gripped the handlebars, veins bulging. I saw the murderous intent in his eyes. If we weren’t in front of so many witnesses, his wheels would have already crushed me into pulp. Ten years as mates. He’d never once truly seen me as his mate. The pain spread through my chest. Tears blurred my vision. Heartbreak and hatred intertwined. But I held back the tears and dropped to my knees in front of him. “If you must go, then drive over my corpse!”

“Mom!!” Ash ran out too, kneeling beside me, looking at Kael with tearful eyes. “Dad, don’t you love me and Mom anymore?” Ash’s small body curled into my arms. My nose stung. Tears I’d held back finally fell. Seeing Ash, Kael’s tense body relaxed slightly. The coldness in his eyes softened with reluctance. “Ash, Dad loves you and your mom, of course.” “But right now, Aunt Seraphina is in trouble. Dad has to help her.” Ash frowned in confusion, tears still on his face. “But Dad, doesn’t Aunt Seraphina have her own mate? Why does she need Mom’s mate to help her?” Kael’s face paled. The surrounding pack members echoed the sentiment. “Alpha Kael, you have a devoted mate and smart pup. What more could you want?” “The King is merciful and treats Luna Queen Seraphina well. This is probably just a small punishment. You don’t need to worry so much.” “What do you know?!” Kael suddenly exploded with rage, glaring at the well-meaning pack members. “What about Seraphina’s pain?!” I laughed coldly. All these years, Seraphina’s act of being gentle and yielding—only Kael believed it. Kael turned to look at me, his eyes full of disappointment. “Elara, I’ve been mated to you for ten years. Is this how you raised our pup?” “I’ll settle this with you when I return!” Before he finished speaking, Kael gunned the engine. The motorcycle roared and leaped directly over me and Ash’s heads. The wheels grazed my hair as they passed. For that instant, I truly thought I’d die under his wheels. Ash fainted from shock in my arms. “Kael!” I turned, screaming at him with a voice like torn flesh. “If you insist on this, then give me rejection papers! Let me and Ash go!” The engine noise faded into the distance. From start to finish, Kael never looked back once. I pulled at my cracked lips and laughed bitterly. The last thread of hope in my heart died with that engine sound. Only hatred remained. Kael, since you’re seeking death, this time, my pup and I won’t accompany you. Ash and I knelt there in misery. Rain poured down, washing away the blood on my forehead. I looked up at the foggy sky. Right now, Kael was probably holding an umbrella over Seraphina, shielding her from the storm. His umbrella had never once tilted toward me and our pup. I sighed softly. My handmaid Ember ran out with an umbrella, covering me from the rain. “Madam, you’re weak. Please take the young master inside!” “I’ll notify you the moment the Alpha returns!” I shook my head. I only handed Ash to Ember and had her take him back. I continued kneeling at the gate. After today, everyone in the territory would know—the Silver Moon Luna knelt in the rain all day to stop her mate from going to the palace. This time, I’d make Kael the target of everyone’s scorn! I don’t know how long passed. A sliver of light broke through the eastern sky. The rain gradually stopped. Kael’s figure appeared in my view. He glanced at me once. His tired face showed impatience slowly covered by guilt. He bent down, pulling my arm to help me up. “Elara, I was too impulsive today. I didn’t consider you and Ash.” “Don’t be angry, okay?” I pulled at my cracked lips. Looking at him, my eyes were calm as still water. I used my last bit of strength to say: “Kael, let’s reject the bond.”

When I opened my eyes again, Kael was beside me. Seeing me awake, joy flashed in his eyes. “Elara, you’re finally awake!” “Don’t be so willful again. Do you know you had a fever all day?” “I was worried sick!” He gripped my hand and brought over a bowl of medicine, gently feeding it to me. “You know Seraphina’s father saved my life.” “Before he died, he made me promise to take care of Seraphina.” “She’s alone in the palace, struggling at every turn. If I don’t help her, she’ll truly have no one.” “You’ve always been kind and understanding. Why are you so stubborn about this?” He frowned slightly, as if every word was sincere. If I hadn’t lived through this once, I might have believed him. “Seraphina asked me to thank you yesterday. She praised your generosity!” Kael said with a smile. But those words stabbed into my heart like a sharp needle. Could Kael really not hear that this was a challenge? I slowly closed my eyes, no longer listening to anything he said. After that, I stayed home to recover while secretly tallying my dowry and assets, transferring them out of the pack. A few days later, Kael was sent to the southern border to fight rogues. The house was quiet for over a month before Kael returned injured. At that time, I was having tea with several pack officials’ mates. The moment I heard the news, I brought everyone to his study to check on him. “Quickly, get the premium healing herbs from my vault!” “I hope he’s not badly hurt and everything is fine!” “Otherwise I don’t know how I’ll go on!” My expression was anxious, tears on my face. Reaching the study door, I took a deep breath and pushed it open. “Kael, are you alright?!” My voice stopped abruptly. In the study, on the couch, Kael wore only underclothes, half-reclining. Luna Seraphina, dressed in men’s clothes, knelt at the couch examining his leg wound, carefully applying medicine. Her eyes were red with distress. “Seraphina, it’s just a minor injury. Nothing serious.” Kael held Seraphina’s hand tenderly. The two gazed at each other deeply, as if no one else existed. All of this fell into my and the officials’ mates’ eyes. “The Luna Queen and a pack commander, so improperly dressed… What a scandal!” Seraphina looked mortified. Kael’s gaze cut toward us like a knife. “Get out!” I turned hurriedly and closed the study door. Tears streamed down my face. My lips trembled. “Sisters, today isn’t convenient. Please go home. I’ll visit to apologize another day.” Everyone consoled me briefly before leaving. After they left, the tears on my face vanished instantly. Everyone I’d invited today was a notorious gossip. And several had mates who worked in the Council—upright officials who spoke truth to power. Rumors on one side. Petitions on the other. Let’s see if Kael could withstand both attacks for Seraphina’s sake. Back in my room, I told Ember to fetch a silver blade. Ember looked terrified. “Don’t worry. I survived this far. I won’t die easily.” Ember brought the blade. I dismissed everyone and held it to my throat. Timing it carefully, I pressed the blade against my neck.

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