Still useful…

It wasn't a lie.

Was that all I was to Cayden now?

The moment the silver door slammed shut, I finally broke. Tears streamed down my face as the overwhelming pain pulled me into unconsciousness.

When I came to, I realized the sting of silver in the air was gone.

I opened my eyes to see ancient runes carved into stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of dark magic.

I’d been moved to the pack’s secret chamber.

I struggled to sit up, only to find my limbs chained down with silver.

The restraints hissed as they burned my skin.

I heard arguing outside the door.

"Most of her wolf soul's energy has been drained. Now is the perfect time," Seraphina said, her voice laced with excitement.

"Mother, this is too dangerous," Cayden sounded hesitant. "The soul transfer ritual... she could die."

"All the better," Seraphina sneered. "She's useless now anyway. Instead of letting her live to cause trouble, we should give all of her power to Lilith."

My heart seized.

A soul transfer?

That was forbidden black magic.

It would erase my very existence.

"Her gift has helped you immensely over the years," Seraphina continued. "I don't know how she does it, but you always knew your opponent's bottom line in every negotiation. That barren she-wolf's only value is her gift, and it's tied to her wolf soul."

I heard Cayden take a sharp breath.

"She's definitely not going to stay now," Seraphina's voice grew urgent. "You can't afford to lose her power. Transfer her wolf soul to Lilith, and our child will have the strongest gift, becoming the most powerful Alpha in history."

Silence.

A long, drawn-out silence.

"Cayden, what are you waiting for?" Seraphina's voice turned sharp. "She's just a tool! A tool that has now betrayed you. Are you still trying to protect her?"

"I..." Cayden's voice trembled.

I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

Waiting for the man I’d loved for eight years to make his choice.

"Tonight," Cayden finally said, his voice turning to ice. "We'll perform the ritual tonight."

My weakened wolf howled in agony.

I could feel it. This wasn't a lie.

Every move he made to hurt me was intentional.

Eight years of love meant less to him than a tool.

I was no longer Becca. I was just a useful energy source.

The footsteps faded away.

I summoned every last bit of strength I had and pulled against the chains.

The silver restraints left deep, bleeding gashes on my wrists.

But the emotional agony dwarfed the physical pain.

I had to escape.

I had to get out before they erased my very being.

The chains finally snapped.

I stumbled toward the chamber's back door—a seldom-used exit that led straight into the forest.

The moment I pushed it open, a blast of cold wind hit me.

Outside was a vast, dark night.

I dragged my broken body into the deep woods.

No goal, no direction. Just the desperate need to get away from that place. Away from the man who wanted to obliterate my soul.

I ran until I collapsed in a valley.

I was covered in blood, every inch of my skin on fire.

Just as I thought I was safe, heavy footsteps echoed from the shadows.

Three burly men emerged.

Rogues.

The dangerous outcasts, banished from their packs.

"Well, look what we have here," the bearded leader licked his lips. "The Silver Moon's Beta? Looking a little weak."

They surrounded me.

"Heard there's some serious drama in the Silver Moon pack," another man with a scarred face sneered. "Heard Alpha Cayden traded you in for a newer model, huh?"

I tried to run, but my body had reached its limit.

"Grab her," the bearded one ordered. "She could be very useful to us."

They pinned me to the ground.

"The Silver Moon pack owes us," the scarred man said, pulling out a silver dagger. "Time to collect. Starting with her."

The silver blade plunged into my shoulder.

I screamed, a raw, piercing sound.

Silver poison began to spread through my veins, a torture worse than any pain I’d ever known.

"Scream!" the bearded one stomped on my chest. "Scream louder! Let's see if your Alpha can hear you!"

My vision started to blur.

The silver poison was devouring my already weak wolf.

I was dying.

Maybe this was for the best.

At least my soul wouldn't be annihilated. At least I wouldn't have to watch my fated mate destroy me with his own hands.

"Silver Moon patrol!" the third rogue suddenly yelled.

A wolf howl echoed in the distance.

"Damn it!" the leader cursed. "Grab her! Let's go!"

They dragged me deeper into the forest.

The silver dagger was still in my shoulder, sending jolts of agony with every movement.

"Stop!"

The voice of a Silver Moon guard rang through the night.

They’d found me.

But for me now, being caught by rogues or being taken back by Cayden was the same agonizing fate.

No, I couldn't go back. They must not find me!

In the chaos of their escape, my head slammed against a sharp rock.

Warm liquid streamed from my scalp.

My vision grew dimmer.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, I saw a huge black shadow descend from the sky.

A giant black wolf, as majestic as a king of the night.

He lunged at the rogues, his claws and fangs glinting in the moonlight.

Blood sprayed through the air.

I tried to see his face, but my eyelids were too heavy.

Darkness swallowed me.