I spent five long days locked away in the storage room, enduring relentless beatings from the guards at Jasper's command.

Not once did he check on me or even suggest they ease up; it was clear I meant nothing to him, and this cycle of humiliation seemed endless.

The only moments when Alpha Jasper shows me any kindness are when he desires something more intimate.

On those days, he gazes at me with a false sense of admiration, but I’m exhausted from being treated like a mere option.

It’s time to file for divorce, end this ridiculous contract, and escape with my children.

“Susan, tidy yourself up and come downstairs to prepare breakfast for Zara. She prefers black coffee and scrambled eggs without any spices. Hurry, don’t keep her waiting,” Jasper's voice cut through my thoughts, laced with impatience, but I chose to ignore him.

“Did you hear what I said, or do you want me—”

“To hit me, to kick me? That’s all you seem capable of. You’re supposed to be my mate, yet you’ve turned me into your punching bag. What have I done to deserve this, Jasper? Is it a crime to have been chosen to bear your children?” I shot back, my voice icy as tears streamed down my cheeks.

He scrutinized me from head to toe, his silence heavy as he hissed, ignoring my words.

“By the time you finish embarrassing yourself, you’ll head downstairs to make breakfast. And just so you know, you’ll be warming my bed tonight since Zara is off on a business trip for a few days,” he said, turning to walk away.

“I’m not a prostitute, Alpha Jasper,” I shot back, my teeth clenched as he turned his back to me.

“What did you say?” he asked, eyebrows raised and fists clenched.

“I said I’m not a prostitute, Jasper. I’m meant to be your wife, not just a fallback for your desires when the woman you love is gone. I’m exhausted, Alpha Jasper, and I want a divorce.” I paused, locking my gaze with his.

“It’s been nearly five years. I haven’t broken any vows; I’ve given myself completely to you. But you’re the one who hasn’t upheld your part of the deal, so I want out.”

Alpha Jasper opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Zara walked into the room.

“Babe, why are you taking so long? I'm really hungry… When her gaze met mine, her expression twisted into a frown. “Don’t tell me this hideous scarecrow is causing you trouble again!” she shouted, and Jasper shook his head before planting a wet kiss on her lips.

“No, babe, I was just telling her what to whip up for breakfast.”

“No, sweetheart, I don’t want you talking to this local nuisance. It’s my responsibility, and since my gig got canceled until next month, I have all the time to handle her!”

“Now listen, you better go out there and whip me up something to eat before I lose my patience!” Then she turned to Jasper. “Babe, let’s go for an early morning run in our wolf forms. I’ve missed our time together.”

She giggled, casting me a look of disdain before strutting out of the room. I sank to the floor, overwhelmed, and began to cry.

After breakfast, which turned into yet another round of humiliation courtesy of Zara, who claimed she disliked the meal I prepared, Jasper insisted I whip up dish after dish until she was finally appeased.

It was all a charade; I knew my cooking was excellent. Zara simply aimed to undermine my efforts, and I was at my breaking point.

Seeking a moment of tranquility, I locked myself in the storage room and quickly fired off an email to the law firm managing my divorce.

I attached various pieces of evidence detailing the domestic violence I had suffered at the hands of Alpha Jasper and his girlfriend.

The lawyer assured me that the divorce agreement would be finalized in two weeks, and I had a solid chance of gaining custody of my children.

I also took the opportunity to look into an apartment in a quieter part of town.

Thankfully, I had managed to save a decent amount during my four and a half years as Alpha Jasper’s mate.

Just then, Jasper stormed into the room, and I hastily concealed my phone among the pile of clothes beside me.

“I have to head to the pack house for a meeting with the elders. It might take a while, so I need you to look after Zara until I get back,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow, confusion lacing my voice. “Look after her? How exactly? Is she incapable of taking care of herself? Does she need a babysitter?”

I had always followed his orders without question, but everything changed the moment Zara threatened to take my children, and he stood by her side.

His expression darkened, and his voice turned low and menacing.

“Susan, you’re crossing the line! You’re testing my patience, and I swear on my deceased parents, I’ll kill you if you provoke me again! No more questions—just do what I say, or I’ll show you why I’m feared!”

I swallowed hard, the pain bitter in my throat, and nodded, albeit reluctantly. Before he left, Jasper delivered one final warning, his tone laced with authority.

“Zara is my future Luna, and I expect her to be treated like royalty. If I hear anything from her, you’ll wish you hadn’t crossed me.”

He pressed a lingering kiss on Zara before departing, leaving her and me alone in the living room. The mood shifted as she sank into the sofa, a sly smile playing on her lips.

“How would you feel if something you cherish was snatched away right before your eyes?” she asked, her voice smooth and calculated.

“I have no idea what you mean, Zara,” I replied, shifting my weight nervously.

My gaze fell on the jar of peanut butter on the table, an odd sight since no one in this house consumed it due to my son’s severe allergy that could lead to anaphylaxis and even death.

“What have you done, Zara?” I gasped, my breath quickening as I gestured toward the bottle. She blinked at me, pretending not to understand.

“Oh, you’re talking about peanut butter! I love it, and your son does too—”

But before she could finish, I screamed and dashed to my son's room, only to find him lying on the floor, unconscious and foaming at the mouth.

Breathless and panicked, I dashed into the living room, only to find Zara nonchalantly filing her nails.

She looked up with a smirk and casually requested a glass of juice. In response, I hurled a sofa cushion at her while cradling my son in my arms.

“What’s wrong with you, omega? Have you lost your mind?” she shouted, her voice laced with irritation.

“What did you do to my son? Why on earth did you give him peanut butter when you know he’s allergic?”

I yelled, turning my son to face her. His breathing was alarmingly shallow, and I couldn’t bear the thought that something terrible had occurred.

I attempted to call the doctor multiple times, but the line was dead.

Frustrated, I decided to take him to the pack hospital. Just as I was about to leave, Zara stepped in my way.

“Where do you think you’re going? Didn’t Jasper tell you to look after me? I need fries and grilled chicken, no oil, just air-fried—”

I glared at her as she rattled off her demands, scoffing as I shoved her aside, causing her to stumble against a wooden chair.

“Zara, you better pray nothing happens to my son. I swear, I’ll make your life a living hell!” I shouted before bolting out of the house, flagging down a taxi and jumping in.

As soon as I arrived at the hospital, my son was rushed into the ICU, wires and monitors connected to him, I just stood shaking and crying non stop.

The doctor expressed frustration that I had brought him in too late, warning me that it would take a miracle for him to survive.

He instructed me to go home and retrieve his hospital card.

Reluctantly, I left my son behind, reassured by the doctor that he was being closely monitored.

However, chaos awaited me when I got home. The moment I stepped through the door, I was met with three hard slaps across my face, leaving me disoriented and struggling to see who had attacked me.

Before I could utter a word, I was lifted off the ground and slammed against the wall.

“So, you thought you could raise your hands against my woman, huh? I’ll make you pay for this!” he shouted, unleashing a flurry of punches to my face as I whimpered in agony, while Zara encouraged him to hit me harder.

After he had vented his rage and ripped my clothes, I managed to weakly plead,

“Jasper… your son… he’s in the hospital!” I cried out in pain, and he froze, his expression darkening, sweat trickling down his forehead.

“What do you mean my son is in the hospital? I left him in your care! What happened to him, you worthless Omega?”

I was about to respond when Zara interjected.

“Honey, your son was struggling to breathe, so I went inside to call Susan. She told me to leave her alone, and in a moment of panic, I grabbed her phone”

“What?” I asked, blinking repeatedly but she continued spitting out lies.

“That’s when I discovered she was chatting with her secret lover, and that’s what triggered her to hit me! It was me and the gateman who rushed the boy to the hospital hours ago,” She said, tears streaming down her face, leaving me speechless as I fumbled for words.

“Jasper, I can’t just stand by while my child suffers! I’m not that kind of person; I love my kids more than anything, and you know that. She’s lying, Jasper! She’s the one who gave him peanut butter, fully aware of his allergy. She’s doing this to hurt me!”

“Really? So you’re having an affair right under my roof? And you had the audacity to leave my son in his time of need! Can you hear yourself? Zara is always preoccupied, so she doesn’t keep track of his diet. I swear, I’ll make you pay for this!”

“He’s not just hers! He’s my son! Why are you defending her even when she messes up?”

Just as he lunged at me, ready to unleash another wave of violence, the sharp ring of a phone interrupted us.

He hesitated, answering the call, still seething with rage.

“Who the hell is this?” he barked, his gaze still locked on me. Moments later, I watched as the color drained from his face and his hands began to tremble.

“W…what do you mean my company has been shut down by officials for fraud and I’m being summoned to court?”

I caught his words, and in an instant, Zara leaped away from him as if she had been burned.

He didn’t utter another word; instead, he snatched his car keys and sped out of the house.

Despite the fresh bruises marking my skin, I trailed after him, but he didn’t acknowledge my presence.

Just as I was about to retreat indoors, I heard Zara giggling softly to herself. I halted, pressing my ear against the door to listen closely.

“This is merely the start, Jasper Grey. I haven’t even begun to deal with you yet.”

I burst into the living room, my heart pounding with fury. Zara lounged on the couch, a smug grin plastered across her face, and I was still reeling from the terrible words I had overheard her muttering to herself. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the calculating glint in her eye, and I knew I had to confront her.

"Zara, how could you say such terrible things about Jasper?" I demanded, my voice trembling with anger. "You say you care for him, but it sounds more like you're just manipulating him. What’s your game? Are you planning to harm him, or maybe hand his pack over to rogues? What’s your scheme, you deceitful little idiot?”

In a heartbeat, Zara's smugness shifted to a facade of innocence. "I have no idea what you mean, Susan," she replied, fluttering her eyelashes. But I wasn’t fooled. The stench of her lies was palpable, and it churned my stomach.

I stepped closer, my fists tightly balled. “Don't try to deceive me, Zara. I’m not naive! I heard everything. You’re just biding your time, waiting for the right moment to pounce, aren’t you? I sensed something was off about you the instant I laid eyes on you!” My voice escalated, and I could feel my fury reaching a boiling point.

Zara's eyes blazed with indignation as she rose to her feet, hands firmly planted on her hips. "You’re just envious, Susan. Envious that Jasper cares for me and not you. You should really focus on your sick child at the hospital because, at this rate, you might just lose him!" Her words struck a nerve, and a wave of fear washed over me for my child's well-being.

I let out a chilling laugh. "So this was your scheme all along, huh? Not only are you barren, but you’re also malicious? You intended to harm my child, didn’t you? I hope nothing happens to him, and just wait until Jasper arrives. I’ll tell him everything I overheard, and I’ll ensure you pay for this!"

My words lingered in the air, and for a brief moment, Zara appeared stunned. But then her expression contorted with fury, and she lunged at me. We tumbled to the ground, exchanging punches and kicks. The room echoed with the sound of crashing furniture and our grunts of pain.

I managed to land a few solid hits, but Zara was unyielding. She scratched and clawed at me, and I could feel the sting of her attacks on my skin. Just when I thought I was gaining the upper hand, Zara snatched a nail file from the table and drove it into my flesh. I cried out in agony as blood seeped from my injury.

The metallic scent of my own blood made me feel lightheaded and unsteady. I turned to Zara, my gaze filled with rage, but before I could lunge at her again, I noticed Jasper in the doorway, his expression seething with anger.

"Susan, how could you dare to fight my Luna? Have you lost your mind?" he snarled, advancing toward me. Despite the throbbing pain from my wound, I attempted to defend myself, but Jasper's strength was overwhelming. He struck me repeatedly, his fists crashing into my face and body.

I felt myself being lifted off the ground, my head spinning wildly. The surroundings began to fade, and I feared I might lose consciousness. Just when I thought it was all over, a deafening crash resonated through the room, followed by the thud of Jasper hitting the floor.

I looked up to see Lord Alpha Christopher, the ruler of the largest and most powerful pack in the country, looming over Jasper's fallen form.

He was a towering figure, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul.

His dark hair was messy, and his jaw was set in a firm line, giving him an air of rugged intensity.

As the leader of the Moonlight pack, Christopher was a household name.

His pack's dominance and his own fearless leadership had made him a legend in his own right.

He was always featured on TV, his chiseled face and imposing presence commanding attention and inspiring awe.

"Back off, Jasper," Christopher growled, his voice low and authoritative, sending chills down my spine. Jasper pushed himself up, fury etched across his features.

"What are you doing here, Christopher? This is my territory, and you're merely a guest. I have every right to deal with anyone I choose!" He snapped, showing his teeth in a fierce display.

Christopher's wolf let out a deep, threatening growl. "Mate," he hissed, his gaze fixed intently on mine.