I was laying subconscious, moaning in unbearable pain, desperately pleading for help. But, all the guests were busy taking care of Sophie, including my parents and Kaid, their care genuine and eyes showing hurt as if they were punched in the gust just by watching a few scratches on her wrist. Many were busy accusing me, while Kaid and my father were only staring at me, their expressions revealing their thoughts, they were also believing Sophie's words.

“I didn't do it…” I barely whispered, still lying on the floor, unable to move.

“Stop lying, Sarah!” Kaid snapped, “If you didn't hurt Sophie, then how come your nails are filled with Sophie’s hair? How are you going to justify it?”

It was a statement rather than a question, because he didn't even wait to let me explain. He pulled Sophie in his arms and said to her in a concerned voice, “Don't worry, Sophie. I’ll take you to my Pack's infirmary. We have the best healers in the kingdom. You will be absolutely fine. I’ll take care of you.”

“Kaid…” I called him, my voice trembling, only to be refused by my disloyal mate who just passed the judgement on me and proved me to be the guilty one without letting me explain myself. I put Sophie in his arms and left, showing his back to me.

His departure, without sparing a look at my wounds, enhanced the pain I suffered from the beating. I was slowly losing my consciousness and stopped feeling my limbs when I heard my mom's voice, laced with toxicity, “Stop pretending, Sarah!”

“It was just a little beating to put some sense to your mind. Laying there like that, do you want to make me feel guilty? If your fragile body can't even take a little beating, you are a disgrace to our Alpha family. I would better have only Sophie as my daughter than to have a disgraceful daughter like you!”

My mom's harsh words felt like a poison to my wounds, but she didn't care. She never did. While lying there, shivering in cold and pain, I remembered the countless incidents when I was beaten by my parents for Sophie's lies. Though it was the first time I was beaten in public and humiliated, when it comes to my parents, I was accustomed to it. Nothing new for me. Just the pain this time was unbearable because of finding out about my husband’s betrayal.

I kept laying there for what felt like eternity, everyone left for their destination, only I was left to shiver in the cold. Suddenly, I felt a pair of warm hands, holding me from either side and grabbing me up. I could feel this person’s heart beat as he had held me close to his chest, probably carrying me out. A familiar scent felt in my nostrils and I couldn't help but feel safe and secure before I finally closed my eyes.

***

When I opened my eyes, the white ceiling, and the smell of potions placed near my bed, explained to me where I was. I was lying on the bed of Pack's infirmary.

But, who took me to the infirmary?

I hesitated. A part of me, a small, fragile ember of hope, still clung to the memory of Kaid, of the life I had dreamed of. Maybe perhaps it was Kaid. But the image of his cold eyes, of his unwavering support for Sophie, extinguished that ember completely. There was nothing left for me to believe Kaid helped me out.

I lay in the infirmary’s bed, my body weak and my mind reeling. The events of the previous night were hazy, but the pain and betrayal were still fresh.

Suddenly Kaid's face appeared beside me, his eyes filled with concern and his hair disheveled. He looked like he hadn't slept.

"Sarah, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to leave you behind last night. Sophie was pregnant, and I had to take her to the pack's healer. She's having the pups—I had to make sure she and her children were safe."

I turned my head away, unable to look at him. The ache in my chest was unbearable, but I forced myself to stay calm.

"You know how important the bloodline is to the Nightshade pack," Kaid continued, his voice filled with emotion. "If something happened to Sophie's pup, their pack would blame you. Even your parents wouldn't forgive you. I was only trying to protect you..."

I knew he was lying. I knew he had chosen Sophie over me, just like he always did. But, I didn't respond. I didn't let him know that I could see through his lies. But, Kaid hesitated, a moment of uncertainty was visible in his eyes. He reached out to hold my hands. I didn't pull away, but I didn't look at him either. He continued, “I know you are angry at me because I didn't stop Lyra from beating you. I was helpless, Sarah.”

“Lyra was following your mother's command, who is my mother-in-law. I thought it was your family's matter and I shouldn't interfere in that. I’m sorry if my actions hurted you, Sarah. But I meant you no harm. Believe me,” he added.

Kaid waited for my response. He expected me to accept his apology or even thank him for saving my life on time, or just a word for him from my mouth. But, I said nothing. Instead, I turned my head away, not in the mood of even looking at his face. He sighed. Standing up from his seat, he walked out and came back with a bowl of poridge, saying, “Even if you are mad, you need food to recover, Sarah.”

“Let me feed you, honey,” he said while taking a spoon filled porridge near my lips. I didn't refuse him and let him feed me in silence. He mistook the gesture as my forgiveness and a sweet smile appeared on his lips. But, he didn't know, he didn't matter to me anymore, nor were his actions.

As Kaid fed me the porridge, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. His smile, his gentle touch, it all seemed so...insincere. I knew he was trying to make amends, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was only doing it to ease his own guilt.

I took another spoonful of the porridge, my eyes fixed on Kaid's face. He seemed so sincere, so genuinely concerned for my well-being. But I knew better. I knew that beneath that charming smile, he was still the same person who had chosen Sophie over me, who had stood by and watched as I was beaten and humiliated.

As I finished the porridge, Kaid set the bowl aside and took my hand in his. "Sarah, I know I hurt you," he said, his voice low and husky. "But I promise to make it up to you. I'll do whatever it takes to regain your trust."

I looked at him, my expression neutral. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he had hurt me. I didn't want to give him anything.

"Thank you for the porridge, Kaid," I said, my voice flat. "But I'm tired now. I need to rest."

Kaid's face fell, but he nodded and stood up. "Of course, Sarah. I'll leave you alone for now. But I'll be back, and we'll talk more about this."

As he walked out of the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I was glad to be rid of him, glad to be alone with my thoughts.

I had just laid on the bed and my phone buzzed. I picked up my phone only to find Sophie's message teasing me. Her words were a reminder to me, a mock, as she wrote [Have you seen the truth, sis? No one wants you, neither Kaid nor our parents. Just a word from me was enough to get you humiliated in front of the public. Guess what would they do if tell them I lost my child because of you?]

I clenched my fists reading her texts, wanted to shut it off but she again texted me, this time along with a picture. She was eating icecream, wearing Kaid’s jacket over her shoulders while Kaid was stroking her hair. She wrote [To ease my mood, he took me to ice parlour at the midnight. The shop was closed, but that didn't stop him. He sent his beta to get the shop owner and forced him to prepare a ice cream for me, and when I was feeling cold, he gave his clothes to me, rubbed my hands and feet. So sweet. Has he ever done something like this to you?]

[After that, he took me home and stayed by side the whole night. He only left when someone notified him that were opening your eyes.] She added, [You see your worth in his eyes now? It's nothing!]

Just then Kaid walked up inside. He came closer to me, wanting to reach out to my hair to stroke, but I stepped back, not letting him stroke me like he did the whole night for Sophie. He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Are you still tired?”

I didn't say anything. He let out a sigh from his lips before he walked up to the window and lighted a cigarette. Just then the door of the infirmary ward opened and a tall and strong man walked inside. His gaze swept at me, then fixed at Kaid.

“Alpha Kaid, We-” he instantly stopped, shooting another glance at me he began, this time in ancient language, “We have won the challenge. Gareth is defeated and his Nightshade pack is ours now.”

A flicker of smile appeared on Kaid’s lips. He Immediately said, “That's great! It will be the perfect b’day gift to Sophie. I’ll soon hand the ownership of Nightshade pack to her.”

“But, Alpha,” Kaid’s beta continued, “The Alphas of the alliance pack who fought with our knights are demanding something in return.”

“What are they demanding?” He asked, his voice careless, “Give them whatever they want. I just want Nighshade pack for Sophie and let her know I can give her what her husband can't.”

“They are demanding Silver Wing Pack, a pack Luna brought along with her as her dowry.” Kaid's beta said. A lump was formed in my throat. It was the closest thing to my heart and I gave it to Kaid on our wedding night, thinking he would take care of it better than me. But he didn't even hesitate for a second before he added, “It's a pack of old wolves who are good at nothing but some healing techniques. Just give it away.”

After throwing out these words without empathy, as if recalling something, he added, “Just tell Luna that we lost that pack in a rebellion if she ever asks about it.”

His beta nodded in agreement while Kaid walked up to me. While sitting beside me, he said, his voice sweet and gentle, as if he had never said those cruel words just now, “Honey, I got some urgent work to handle. I have to leave now. You take good care of yourself, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

I stared at him in disbelief as he placed a kiss on my forehead and left with his beta. How could a person be this fluent and confident in lying?

I didn't see a single curl on his forehead while cheating me. I now understood why I couldn't doubt this man’s true intentions even after living years with him. But not anymore!

I rubbed the skin harshly on my forehead where he had kissed me just now. It was disgusting to me. Later on, I took out our wedding ring that has his claw inserted on it, a symbol of our bond. I placed it on the side table, picked my phone and blocked him, my sister and my parents.

With a calm, calculated fury, I stood up and walked out of the ward, leaving Kaid and his pack behind.

I walked out of the infirmary's ward, my heart pounding with a mix of emotions. Anger, sadness, and a sense of betrayal swirled inside me, but I knew I had to keep moving forward. I couldn't let Kaid's lies and deceit hold me back any longer.

As I stepped into the bright sunlight, I felt a sense of freedom wash over me. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs, and began to walk away from the pack's compound. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had to get away.

The trees seemed to blur together as I walked, my feet carrying me farther and farther away from the life I thought I knew. I felt a sense of numbness spreading through my body, as if I was leaving behind a part of myself.

After what felt like hours of walking, I finally reached the edge of the forest. The trees gave way to rolling hills and a small village in the distance. I squinted, trying to make out the details, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw a figure standing outside the village entrance.

It was a woman with long, curly hair and a warm smile. She beckoned me towards her, and I felt a sense of hope rising up inside me. Maybe, just maybe, I had found a new beginning.

As I approached the woman, she introduced herself as Elara, a healer from the village. She looked at me with kind eyes and asked, "Child, what brings you to our village?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Elara's gentle demeanor put me at ease. I took a deep breath and began to tell her my story – a story of love, betrayal, and survival.

***

The same day, Kaid called an urgent gathering at his pack. Sophie and my parents received a special invitation, feeling proud and showing off their relations to others. The gathering was held for the announcement to be made.

At the pack gathering, the air vibrated with tension as Kaid stood on the stage beside Sophie, a victorious smile spreading across his face. The pack members howled and cheered as he announced Sophie as the Alpha of Nightshade Pack, the wealthiest pack in the Kingdom. Sophie feigns a surprised expression on her face, as if she only heard it now that Kaid was going to do something as extravagant as this for her.

With a fake smile, she complained, “Nightshade pack is such a precious tertiary in our kingdom and you earned it by your sweat and blood, Kaid. How can I accept it? What if Sarah dislikes it? After all she is your wife and can get jealous.”

“I never intended to keep the pack for myself, Sophie. I won it for you. Since you like it, you keep it.” He said, his voice laced with love and longing as he continued, “Besides, you know your sister’s situation, Sophie. She can't even shift to her wolf, how will she rule over a pack?”

“Kaid is right,” My mom jumped in the conversation, “She is a good-for-nothing. It's a blessing that she got married to an Alpha like Kaid who accepted her knowing all her weaknesses. How can she ask for more?”

“If I were at her place, I would follow my husband's wish blindly and would never demand anything from him.” She added.

“You are right, Mom.” Sophie smiled, her gaze shifting at Kaid’s strong muscles. While biting her lips seductively, she said, “Sis is really lucky to get married to Kaid. He is so strong and powerful, no Alpha would ever dare to challenge him after his victory over Nightshade pack.”

"This marks a new era for our pack," Kaid declared to the Alphas of allied packs, his voice strong and assertive. The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause, their voices echoing through the forest. Among them, my parents, the pack's elder members, beamed with pride, their eyes shining with approval.

As the ceremony concluded, Kaid offered to take Sophie on a celebratory run through the forest, to let her watch the beauty of the newly gained tertiary. She clung to his side, her eyes gleaming with excitement, but just as they were about to depart, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.

"Long time no see, Kaid," Liam, Kaid's friend, greeted, his tone laced with a hint of challenge. "Taking your sister-in-law out for a run again? Why didn't you invite your true mate and our Luna along? I don't think it will affect her health in any way. There is no need to shift to our wolves while running in a forest, do we?”

Liam’s words hung in the air like a sarcasm, “ I'm sure she'd love to join in on the celebration, only if she is aware of it.”

Kaid's expression shifted from triumph to unease.

"What are you talking about, Liam? Why would I hide anything from my wife? It's just she wasn't feeling good since the morning and was tired. She wanted to take a rest. That's why I didn't tag her along." he said, his voice low and cautious.

Liam's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. " Was she? As far as I know she was quite excited the other day I saw her in infirmary. She was so excited to surprise you with the certificate of her masters in ancient language that she received from Pack’s elders. She told me she was going to surprise you with a speech written by her in the ancient language.”

The pack's murmurs grew louder, their whispers spreading like wildfire. But, Kaid's face darkened, his eyes flashing in shock.

"Wh-What did you say?" his voice trembled, “Sarah… she can understand ancient language?”

“ Not just understand it but can also speak fluently, didn't she tell you yet?” Liam asked, his voice carrying the weight of deepness as he added, “She told me everything after showing me her newly found wolf.”

“A… a wolf?” Kaid stuttered, “She regained her wolf… and all her powers?”