On the day I was about to give birth, a pack of rogue wolves surrounded me. They tore open my belly and shredded my child to pieces.

My Alpha mate Marcus went insane, rushing me to the healing center and commanding the healers to save my life.

"If anything happens to my mate, you'll pay with your lives."

As they carried me to the operating table, I heard his conversation with his Beta.

"Alpha, those wolves disguised as rogues have already been secretly released from the Silver Prison."

"As long as we get her forgiveness letter, the Alpha Council won't pursue this matter further."

"It's just... both Luna and Miss Celeste are carrying your children. Isn't this treatment of Scarlett a bit cruel..."

Marcus's tone turned cold as he shot his Beta a warning glance.

"Scarlett cannot give birth to this child! My heir can only be born by Celeste. I promised her that her child would be my Alpha heir."

His Beta didn't dare resist, only suppressing his displeasure.

"But... there were other ways. We didn't have to let Miss Celeste hire rogues to literally tear apart Luna's child..."

"Luna's wolf has been dormant since pregnancy, leaving her without healing abilities. The healers say she might not survive."

Marcus became cold, mixed with helplessness.

"I didn't expect them to be so brutal."

"Keep watch. Make sure the healers save her. If anything happens to her, the healers know the consequences. This is all I can do now. Later, I'll give her all the pack's resources as compensation."

The healing center doors slowly closed, severing my love for Marcus forever.

When I woke up, there was only the stabbing pain in my lower abdomen and a pile of blood and flesh...

Marcus, my child is gone.

I wish you and Celeste a lifetime of happiness.

1

On the day I was about to give birth, a pack of rogue wolves attacked me and shredded my child to pieces. My Alpha mate Marcus went insane, rushing me to the healing center and commanding the healers to save my life.

But I unexpectedly overheard his conversation with Beta. It turned out that he had allowed his lover Celeste to plan the attack, just because he promised to let her child be his only Alpha heir.

The healing herbs helped my body recover somewhat, but they couldn't suppress the piercing pain or the agony of losing my child.

Every breath felt like swallowing glass. Every heartbeat reminded me of the tiny heart that would never beat again.

I closed my eyes, hoping this was all just a nightmare. But the physical and emotional pain kept me from sleeping.

The emptiness in my abdomen felt like a gaping wound that would never heal. I could still feel phantom kicks, phantom movements that made me reach down to comfort a baby who was no longer there.

Just then, Marcus and his Beta walked in.

I forced my breathing to remain steady, keeping my eyes closed.

"She's sleeping, but at least she's alive."

"There was a complication... The healer said although they saved her, but..."

Neil hesitated, glancing at my supposedly unconscious form.

"Spit it out!" Marcus snapped.

"How could there be complications? Do the healers have a death wish!"

The Beta's response made him explode with rage, his Alpha power filling the room with suffocating pressure.

"She's not in mortal danger, but Scarlett's wolf died. She's an Omega now..."

The words hit me like a physical blow. My wolf. The part of me that made me strong, that connected me to the moon, to the pack, to him. Gone.

I wanted to scream, to rage, but I forced myself to remain still.

Marcus let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Good, as long as she's alive. It doesn't matter if she can't bear Alpha children anymore without her wolf. Celeste is already carrying my child anyway."

The casual cruelty in his voice shattered whatever remained of my heart.

We used to be so in love. When I hit my head before, he'd let me rest on his lap.

He'd massage my temples with gentle fingers, whispering sweet reassurances. Breathing in his scent, I felt completely safe.

I remembered our grand mating ceremony. The way he looked at me like I was his entire world. The promises we made under the full moon.

I once thought we'd have our own children and live happily together for life.

Now I realize it was all just my foolish fantasy. A lie I told myself while he planned my destruction.

"What did the healer say? Did she injure part of her wolf's essence?"

"It's fine. I know the Silver Pack has premium healing herbs that can help restore core strength."

Marcus spoke calmly, as if discussing the weather rather than the death of my wolf.

But his Beta carefully reminded him, voice heavy with sympathy.

"Alpha, it's useless. The healer said there was no way to save her wolf at the time."

"The trauma was too severe. When they..." Neil's voice broke. "When they tore the child from her womb, the shock killed her wolf instantly."

Marcus was no longer calm. His eyes turned red, his tone extremely agitated.

"Did the healers not try their best! How is this possible!"

"At the time, Luna's body was already extremely weak from pregnancy. After Celeste and her people tore out the child, they didn't stop there..."

The Beta's voice carried pity and dissatisfaction with Celeste.

"Alpha, Celeste did far more than what she told you! They didn't just kill the baby. They made sure Scarlett would never bear children again."

My blood turned to ice. Never bear children again. The words echoed in my mind like a death sentence.

Marcus's expression didn't change. He spoke coldly to his Beta.

"Suppress this information. If it leaks, the healing center staff know what their Alpha is capable of."

"Arrange for all healers who know about this to transfer to other packs. Publicly announce it as an exchange program."

His voice was efficient, businesslike. As if covering up the murder of his own child was just another administrative task.

The Beta was silent for a long time, then sighed helplessly.

"These arrangements won't help much. As a werewolf, you know she'll sense her wolf is gone when she recovers."

"The bond between a werewolf and their wolf... when it's severed like this, the pain is indescribable."

Marcus's tone became firm: "Before then, I'll consult the elders, search ancient texts, try everything to restore her. Even if I have to find witches and trade my own power."

The Beta was quiet for a moment, glancing at me with genuine concern.

"Alpha, I hope Luna can fully recover too. After all, she's your true mate."

"She deserved better than this."

Neil left, his footsteps heavy with disapproval.

Only Marcus remained in the room.

He stood there blankly for a while, then quietly walked to my bedside, resting his head against my hospital bed.

His closeness brought his scent.

That wonderful smell I once loved most, like fresh grass after rain.

That scent that captivated me when we first met at the inter-pack gathering five years ago.

Before, this smell could relax me, make all discomfort disappear. It was home. It was safety. It was love.

The pain in my heart from losing my child remained unbearable.

"Scarlett, I didn't expect these consequences. I didn't want this either."

Liar.

"You're still my mate. I'll use all the pack's resources to compensate you. Whatever you want, I'll give you. I hope you can forgive me."

His words brought me no comfort. Only rage.

I had wanted my own child so desperately. Had dreamed of tiny hands and feet, of teaching them to shift, of watching them grow strong.

Only to lose him right before birth to the woman who would replace me in every way that mattered.

Marcus, how I wish I could forgive you.

But forgiveness was a luxury I could no longer afford.

I'll never forget this for the rest of my life. The sound of my child's cry. The feeling of my wolf dying. The moment I realized the man I loved had orchestrated it all.

Since you already promised Celeste's child would be the pack's next heir, you don't need to talk about compensation now.

You made your choice, and now I'll make mine.

I'll leave the pack and stop being your mate.

I wish you and Celeste a lifetime of happiness.

Because you'll never see me again.

2

During my recovery, Marcus completely abandoned his pack duties, leaving everything to his Beta while he cared for me at the healing center around the clock.

Even the young she-wolves at the center envied me, saying, "The Alpha treats his mate so well. He rented out the entire floor and personally prepares gourmet meals for her every day."

When I recovered enough for him to bring me home, the house was filled with my favorite moonflowers - the ones he had personally climbed the cliffs to pick for me.

His kindness during this time almost made me believe the conversation I'd overheard was just a hallucination.

"Scarlett, your body has mostly healed. There's something I need to discuss with you."

He pulled me into his embrace, his familiar scent of fresh grass lingering around me.

This used to be my favorite smell in the world.

"We found the three rogue wolves who attacked you. As the pack's Alpha, I'm hoping you can forgive them."

"They claim they drank too much wolfsbane vodka that night, which clouded their judgment. They mistook you for someone else, which is why they attacked you."

"They're willing to offer premium gemstones as compensation in exchange for your forgiveness."

"Do you think I need their compensation?"

I struggled out of his warm embrace. His arms had always been my sanctuary, but now his words sent an icy chill through my bones.

I stared at him coldly.

He rushed to explain: "Those three rogue wolves are quite pitiful. They survive by hunting alone near pack territory. Without a forgiveness letter, the Alpha Council won't spare them."

"You've mostly recovered, and as the pack's Alpha, I need to consider the unity of our community."

He pulled out a pre-prepared forgiveness agreement and pushed it toward me.

On the document, Celeste's name stood out like a burning brand.

I fell silent for a long time, remembering when I studied at another pack years ago.

Back then, when they bullied me, you brought the entire pack's Gammas to defend me. You were even willing to risk our pack's future and go to war with them.

But now, even though Celeste murdered my child and caused me to lose my wolf, you want me to forgive her.

Marcus, you've truly changed.

"I won't agree to this."

I spoke each word slowly and deliberately.

He looked stunned, then his face darkened.

"I told you, as Alpha I must consider pack unity. They were just drunk, it wasn't intentional..."

"I am your mate!"

I glared at him and shouted, venting all the rage burning inside me.

He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.

After a moment, he relaxed again.

"Maybe hearing this from me makes you think I'm taking their side."

"Fine. I'll have them come apologize to you personally."

To my shock, he actually made the phone call.

Soon, that familiar and loathsome face appeared before me.

"Celeste..."

I gritted my teeth, glaring at her with pure hatred.

My mind flashed with images of her and the others tearing my child apart.

"Scarlett..."

She dropped to her knees with a loud thud.

Instantly, tears and snot streamed down her face.

"It's all my fault. We were drunk that night and mistook you for someone else. Hurting you like this... I'm so sorry..."

"Scarlett, please forgive me..."

She knocked her head against the floor repeatedly until blood splattered across the hardwood, blooming like crimson flowers.

"Look, she's already like this. Let's just sign the forgiveness letter."

"As my mate, you should show proper grace."

Marcus chimed in from beside her.

I remained coldly silent, noticing the necklace around her neck - the one Marcus said he was sending as a gift to another pack, the one I had personally helped him choose.

The gemstone on her hand was from Marcus's private collection of precious stones.

I forced myself to look away from these things. Marcus, do you know? Your kindness these past weeks almost made me willing to forget that conversation between you and your Beta.

If she had received the punishment she deserved from the Alpha Council, I might have continued loving you deeply.

But why did you have to bring her here, in front of me...

"Scarlett, just sign it..."

Marcus's urging made me open my eyes.

Celeste clutched his pants leg, leaning against him for support.

I used to be like that too. I only needed to stand behind him, and he would solve all my problems.

But things are different now. I'm not the one behind him anymore.

The tree I used to lean on has truly died...

I bit my lip, holding back tears, and said firmly:

"I will not forgive her."

3

Marcus said impatiently: "Scarlett, that's enough..."

His voice carried a warning edge, the same tone he used with disobedient pack members. Not the voice of a mate, but of an Alpha losing patience with a subordinate.

"I've been more than generous. I've given you time to heal, resources to recover, and now I'm asking for one simple signature."

He stepped closer, his presence intimidating in the small room.

"Don't test my patience any further."

Before he could finish his threat, Celeste suddenly gritted her teeth and grabbed the knife from the table.

The blade gleamed silver in the afternoon light streaming through the window.

"Scarlett, I'll atone with my death!"

Her voice cracked with theatrical desperation, but her eyes remained calculating.

She slashed viciously at her hand, cutting so deep the white bone was visible through the gaping wound.

Blood gushed out, splattering across the pristine white documents on the table.

The metallic scent filled the room, making my stomach churn.

But my heart felt nothing. I only wondered why she didn't aim for her throat instead.

If she really wanted to atone, that would have been more effective.

"Celeste!"

Marcus's roar of panic shattered the tense silence.

He quickly knelt beside her, pressing his hands against the wound to stem the bleeding.

"Get the healers! Now!" he shouted at the servants hovering in the doorway.

"Bring the highest grade healing potion we have!"

His hands were stained crimson as he cradled her injured arm.

The same hands that used to hold me with such tenderness now trembled with worry for another woman.

Celeste looked up at him with tears streaming down her face, the picture of fragile femininity.

"Marcus, I'm just a rogue wolf living day to day. How can I let my actions affect your relationship with Scarlett?"

Her voice was barely a whisper, designed to tug at his heartstrings.

"I'd rather die than cause problems between you and your mate."

She swayed dramatically, as if about to faint from blood loss.

Marcus caught her, his face a mask of fury and concern.

His protective instincts were fully activated, just as she'd planned.

Marcus's face turned red with anger as he looked between Celeste's bleeding hand and my unmoved expression.

He breathed heavily, his chest rising and falling with barely controlled rage.

Then he turned to me with venomous eyes, his voice dripping with accusation.

"Scarlett, she's atoning with her death and you still won't forgive her?"

The disappointment in his tone cut deeper than any blade.

"What exactly do you want from me? From her? She's already suffered enough!"

His voice rose with each word, filling the room with Alpha dominance.

"Even a rogue wolf knows to consider the pack's welfare. Your body has mostly recovered, so why must you send her to Silver Prison?"

His tone grew more poisonous with every syllable.

"Is your heart made of stone? Can't you see she's genuinely sorry?"

As if I was the only one wrong in this entire situation.

As if I was the monster for not forgiving the woman who had my child murdered.

I stared at the blood on the floor, feeling dizzy and nauseous.

The sight of it brought back memories I'd tried to suppress.

Blood on my thighs. Blood on the forest floor. Blood where my baby should have been.

In my daze, that pool of blood seemed to gather and form into a tiny baby, reaching out tender hands toward me.

The hallucination was so vivid I could almost hear a whispered cry.

"Mama..."

The word echoed in my mind, breaking what remained of my resolve.

I couldn't hold back anymore. My tears burst forth like a dam breaking.

Sobs wracked my body as months of suppressed grief came pouring out.

"Fine," I whispered through my tears.

"Take her to the healing center. I'll sign when you get back."

I choked out my answer to Marcus, my voice barely recognizable.

The defeat in my own words made me hate myself.

But I was tired. So tired of fighting, of hurting, of being the villain in everyone else's story.

Marcus's relief was immediate and obvious.

He immediately lifted Celeste in his arms, calling for servants to surround them.

"Prepare the car! Move quickly!"

His urgency for her wellbeing was everything he'd never shown for mine.

They headed out the door without a backward glance, leaving me alone with my demons.

I collapsed to the floor, my knees hitting the hardwood with a sharp crack.

The phantom sensations returned - the feeling of my child moving in my belly, the warmth of my wolf's presence in my soul.

But I knew it was just wishful thinking. They were gone forever.

Both my child and my wolf, murdered by the woman Marcus just carried away like a precious treasure.

I cannot get past this.

The realization hit me like a physical blow.

Marcus, goodbye.

Never again will I see you.

---

Hours later, under the moonlight streaming through the bedroom window, Celeste looked completely satisfied in Marcus's arms.

Her earlier wound was perfectly healed, not even a scar remaining.

Convenient how quickly she recovered when she wanted to.

"You've worked so hard these past weeks, taking such careful care of Scarlett every day."

She moved behind him with practiced seduction, her fingers working the tension from his shoulders.

Her touch was possessive, marking her territory.

Marcus pulled her waist closer to him, his hands spanning her slim figure.

"Wasn't it because you went too far that time? You gave the Alpha Council leverage against you. Otherwise, would I have had to endure this charade for so long?"

His voice carried exhaustion and irritation.

The mask of the caring mate had finally slipped away.

Celeste kissed him deeply, then placed his hands on her small but growing belly.

"Baby, say hello to daddy."

Her voice was sickeningly sweet as she played the devoted mother.

"Your daddy has sacrificed so much for you. You must be a good child and take care of daddy when you grow up."

She smiled up at Marcus with practiced innocence, nestling deeper into his embrace.

Marcus's eyes sparkled with genuine happiness for the first time in weeks.

His smile was tender and warm as he caressed her stomach.

This was the look he used to reserve for me.

BANG!

The bedroom door flew open with such force it hit the wall.

Neil burst through the doorway in a panic, his clothes disheveled and his face pale.

"Alpha! Something terrible has happened! Scarlett, she..."

He was breathing hard, as if he'd run all the way here.

Celeste acted as if the sudden commotion startled her, pressing closer to Marcus for protection.

"Scarlett isn't going to cause trouble for me again, is she?"

Her voice trembled with fake fear, but her eyes held satisfaction.

Marcus shot up from the bed, grabbing Neil's arm with bruising force.

His naked chest heaved with anger at the interruption.

"Neil, how many times have I told you not to mention that woman in here! Whatever happened, you handle it yourself."

His dismissal was cold and final.

But Neil's face remained stricken, his eyes wide with horror.

He stared at Marcus with bloodshot eyes, his voice breaking.

"Scarlett was in an accident on her way to another pack. The car exploded!"

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

"She's dead! Burned to death!"