I stood frozen at the top of the stairs, staring at Talia’s lifeless body twisted unnaturally at the base. The sharp scent of blood hit my wolf senses before Marcus’s anguished cry broke through the silence.

“Mommy!” he wailed, clutching her limp hand as his small claws protruded in panic.

Alpha Kale’s amber eyes snapped to mine, blazing with fury. His voice was a low growl, filled with venom. “If anything happens to Talia or my pup, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”

With that, he scooped her into his arms, her head lolling against his chest. Marcus trailed behind them, sobbing, his small wolf whimpers echoing through the hall. Kale’s mother turned on me, her upper lip curling.

“I curse you, demon child! The Moon should’ve swallowed you in your mother’s womb.”

They vanished, leaving only the cold scent of betrayal behind.

I collapsed onto the steps, numb. No one asked if I had pushed her. No trial, no pack council, no justice. Just accusation, because that’s what Talia wanted.

I was still there when the guards came. They didn’t speak. Two massive wolves in human form grabbed me with claws out and zero regard for rank.

“Let me go! What are you doing?!” I cried, but their grip tightened. They shoved me into a black SUV and drove through the woods to the Hallowfang Pack’s private infirmary.

Inside, the antiseptic stung my nose as they dragged me into a sterile room. Alpha Kale was already there, his face a mask of barely contained rage.

“Kale, I swear I didn’t-”

A sudden slap knocked my head sideways. The taste of blood filled my mouth. My wolf growled beneath my skin, but I forced her down.

Not now…

“I’ve had it with your lies, Alina,” he snarled, his aura pressing down on me like a storm cloud. “You pushed Talia, and now you’ll give her your blood. She’s carrying my heir.”

His words struck like claws to my gut.

“I didn’t touch her, and she’s not getting my blood,” I hissed through clenched teeth, though my voice trembled.

Kale’s hands closed around my neck in a flash, fangs bared in a cruel snarl. “You’ll obey.”

I kicked and clawed at his wrists, gasping as my vision blurred.

“You’ll kill her!” The doctor shouted, rushing forward.

Kale released me, and I collapsed to the floor, coughing and choking as air rushed back into my lungs. My heart pounded wildly as I looked up at the man I once called mate.

“You’re not off the hook,” he growled. Then he turned to the doctor. “Drain her. Every last drop, leave just enough for her to crawl.”

The doctor hesitated. “She’s too weak, Alpha. She lost a lot of blood the other day during the-”

Kale seized the man by the collar, lifting him off the floor like he weighed nothing. “I said drain her!”

The doctor paled, then nodded quickly. Kale stormed out while his enforcers restrained me again. I thrashed, but the needles pierced my arms, and the blood began to flow.

Darkness swirled as I slipped under.

--

A bucket of icy water yanked me back to the waking world. Shivering, soaked, I blinked against the harsh light. My body screamed in pain.

Kale stood before me, rage still simmering beneath his cool tone.

“Done pretending now?” he asked, sneering.

“I’m cold,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “Please…”

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me to my feet. Pain tore through my scalp.

“Where’s Marcus?” he snapped. “You sent someone to take him, didn’t you?”

“What…? I don’t understand.”

“You had him kidnapped,” he snarled. “To punish me!”

I stared at him, my heart beating wildly. “You’re losing your mind.”

His claws dug into my arm as he shoved me back against the wall. “You’re a jealous, barren she-wolf who couldn’t stand the fact that Talia gave me what you couldn’t!”

“I gave you everything,” I whispered. “You took my child. You let them carve him out of me while I screamed. And now you accuse me of harming another pup?”

Kale’s face darkened. He motioned, and two guards dragged in a disheveled man. He fell to his knees and pointed at me.

“She paid me! I didn’t know the boy was yours, I swear!”

I stared in disbelief. “He’s lying! I don’t even know him!”

“You always lie!” Kale roared, grabbing my arm. “You’ll confess if it’s the last thing you do.”

He dragged me through the hallway and out onto the landing strip. A private jet waited, its engines humming.

“Kale! Wh-what are you doing?!” I shouted as he shoved me up the ramp.

The jet soared into the night sky. My wolf was pacing now, sensing danger. Kale stood in front of me as the wind roared. The cabin door unsealed with a hiss and swung open, revealing nothing but clouds and death beneath.

“Admit what you did or you’re going out that door,” he said, his voice void of mercy.

Terror struck me like lightning. “You know I’m afraid of heights, Kale, please! Have mercy!” I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks.

“I warned you,” he said.

And then he shoved me.

The roar of the wind swallowed my scream as I plunged into the abyss.

I woke up with a strangled scream, my claws scraping the hospital mattress as I bolted upright, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. My skin was slick with sweat, my wolf thrashing beneath the surface, responding to the phantom fall from the skies that had haunted my dream.

“Easy, Luna Alina,” came a calm, rehearsed voice. A hand gripped my wrist lightly, checking the pulse that thudded too fast. “You’re safe now.”

I blinked away the haze, the sterile scent of antiseptic surrounding me as the beep of the EKG machine echoed steadily. My vision cleared to reveal the doctor standing beside me. But we weren’t alone.

Alpha Kale. Talia. And his mother, Elder Luna Sasha Hallowfang.

All three stood at the foot of my bed, reeking of false sympathy and concealed contempt. My wolf snarled internally.

“How are you feeling, Alina?” Talia’s voice broke with practiced sobs as she clutched a tissue.

I ignored her, turning my eyes to the doctor instead. “What happened?”

Kale stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with fury beneath the false calm. “Ungrateful bitch,” he spat. “Talia saved your life. When I shoved you out of the jet, she threatened to jump too if I didn’t catch you. So I did. You were unconscious. She hasn’t left your side for two days.”

I looked at them blankly. Then a laugh bubbled from deep in my chest, turning into hysterical cackles that drew alarm from the heart monitor. My wolf rose with me, baring her teeth in laughter.

“She set me up. You almost killed me, Kale,” I hissed. “Should I give you a fucking medal for saving the life you tried to take?”

Kale’s mother sneered. “You should’ve let her fall, Kale, you are an Alpha. Might’ve finally shut her cursed mouth.”

My eyes locked with hers, burning. “Maybe you should’ve let me die the day you all conspired to kill my pup.”

Silence fell, thick as smoke. Kale’s jaw ticked, then he scoffed. “You’re still high on medication. Come on, Talia.”

Talia leaned in suddenly and took my hand. Her claws dug in lightly, just enough to pierce. Her tear-filled eyes were all a show. “I’m so sorry, Luna Alina. Please forgive me. It was never supposed to go this far.”

“Stop pretending,” I snapped, yanking my hand free. “I don’t need your fake remorse.”

She stumbled back theatrically, caught by Kale’s swift hands. His glare was a blade.

“You’re lucky Talia’s merciful,” he growled. “If she weren’t, I’d break every bone in your body.”

And just like that, they left, trailing the stench of lies. The doctor lingered awkwardly.

“I want to leave,” I said, my voice hoarse.

As if sensing my fury, the doctor didn’t argue.

--

Back home, I collected the mail sitting on the foyer table. The divorce papers were finally here, heavy with finality. My resignation letter was next. The only remaining task is to get Kale to sign them without reading.

Fate didn’t delay. Kale appeared in the doorway, tossing a bag at me.

“Dress up. We’ve got a business event,” he said.

“Take Talia,” I replied flatly.

“She’s coming,” he said, his tone clipped. “But you’re still my assistant. It’d raise eyebrows if you’re absent.”

I didn’t argue. Instead, I grabbed the documents, flipping them to the last page and offering a pen.

“Sign these. Hospital discharge papers,” I lied.

He frowned, flipping briefly through before Talia called sweetly from the hallway, “Alpha Kale, come see how I look!”

Kale’s attention shifted in an instant. With a smitten smile, he scribbled his signature on both documents and left. My heart didn’t flinch. I was grateful, so grateful that his obsession made him careless.

I dressed in the black sheath he had chosen, tight and elegant, hugging my curves, masking the storm within. When I descended the stairs, Kale’s gaze lingered a second too long. But the moment Talia stepped into the room, all attention vanished.

The ride to the event was hellish. Talia kept tossing memories like daggers of trysts with Kale in this very car. I clenched my jaw and stared at my phone, confirming my one-way flight for tomorrow.

Kale watched me through the rearview mirror. “Who are you texting?” he asked sharply.

He snatched my phone, but his attempts to unlock it failed.

“What’s the password?” he asked.

“My birthday,” I said coolly.

He tried. It didn’t work. He returned it, flushed with shame.

At the event, Talia slipped into Kale’s arms, basking in the murmured praises of those calling her futurre Luna Talia of Hallowfang pack. I played the dutiful assistant, staying behind them, unseen, unfelt.

His gaze found me often, guilt flickering behind his amber eyes, but I offered nothing in return.

Then, without warning, gunfire shattered the evening.

Chaos erupted. Guests screamed. Shifters shifted. Humans ducked for cover. Bullets sprayed the marble walls.

Alpha Kale’s first instinct was to shield Talia with his body, throwing her down and covering her. I remained standing, frozen, watching him protect her. That hesitation cost me.

A hot sting ripped through my side. Pain bloomed like fire as I gasped, staggered, and fell.

“Kale…” I croaked. “Help…”

In an instant, he was there. He scooped me into his arms, his hand pressing against the gunshot wound. “Stay with me, Alina. You’ll be okay. I’ve got you.”

We neared the door. Then…

“Kale! The baby… I- I can’t move!” Talia wailed.

And just like that, he stopped.

I felt his arms tense. Then he turned back.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You’re strong. You’ll make it. I can’t risk Talia… or the baby. I will send someone to help you. I promise.”

He set me down gently, as if I were made of porcelain, fragile, breakable.

Then he turned and ran.

Not to safety. Not to me.

He ran to her.

Through the blood, the smoke, and the screams, I watched him choose. I watched as Talia smirked over his shoulder, triumphant, claiming a victory that shattered me. Again.

And he never looked back.

Not even once.

I waited in silence, hidden behind the shattered remnants of a fallen pillar as gunfire echoed through the shattered ballroom. The scent of blood mixed with the sharp tang of silver and gunpowder, thick in the air. My wolf whimpered within me, wounded and weak, her strength ebbing as the bullet lodged in my side burned like fire.

No one came. No pack, no mate. Not even a whisper of help.

By the time the attackers finally fled, leaving behind their trail of chaos and shattered bodies, I was barely clinging to consciousness. The pain was blinding, but I dragged myself from the ruins, bleeding, broken, betrayed. My body shifted halfway, claws scraping the pavement in desperation, fangs bared in agony. I shifted back only when I stumbled into the pack’s private hospital.

The doctor greeted me, his eyes wide with disbelief, as he quickly began treating me. He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t have to. The scent of betrayal clung to me like death.

When I returned to the Packhouse, my home for years, I expected… something. But all I saw was a warm hearth and laughter. Talia, Alpha Kale, little Marcus, and Elder Luna sat at the long stone table, feasting on roasted venison and red wine as though they hadn’t just left their Luna to die among silver-laced bullets and feral rogues.

Kale met my gaze, and his smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of guilt. “Alina… I’m so sorry. Talia was in critical condition. I had to shift to save her. I couldn’t-”

“Yes. Critical,” I replied, my voice cold as ice, my wolf stirring with quiet rage.

Without another word, I ascended the stairs, I ripped open the trunk of memories I had sealed away, and dragged it out under the moonlit sky. The night air was thick with the scent of ash and betrayal as I set fire to the box. Flames consumed wedding photos, blood-signed mating papers, and the pendant Kale had given me on our bond-night.

I watched it all burn. No grief. No tears. Just… satisfaction. One memory after another, gone.

The fire danced, reflecting in my amber eyes when I heard the heavy thud of boots behind me.

“What the hell are you doing?” Kale snarled, his voice laced with dominance.

He stormed toward the fire, shifting partway in anger, his claws bursting through his skin. He grabbed a nearby extinguisher, dousing the flames just in time to save a charred corner of our mating certificate and part of a photograph. “Are you insane?! Why would you do this?”

I stared at him, unfazed. “Because I’m done, Kale. I want a divorce.”

His expression morphed into something cruel. “You can’t divorce an Alpha. You’re my bonded mate. You have no pack, no wealth, and no strength without me. You’re nothing without this union.”

I turned, heading back inside. “Then I’ll be nothing. But at least I’ll be free.”

That night, I ignored the endless knocking. He slipped apology notes under my door, something we once did after petty arguments. But now they meant nothing. Since the moment that silver bullet struck me and he chose another, I had no heart left to break. Only a frozen shell remained.

The next morning, I woke up with a strange lightness in my chest. My escape was hours away.

As I opened the door, Kale stood there like a ghost of the past, holding a single white rose, my favorite.

“Forgive me, Alina,” he murmured, his voice low, soft. “Let me take you out. Just one last day. I found the perfect sundress for you.”

He handed me the yellow bag like it was a peace offering from a war he started. I accepted it.

He smiled. “It’s the place where we had our first moonlit run, remember?”

I said nothing, but my wolf, despite her pain, flicked her ears in recognition.

After he left, humming like an idiot, I texted Magnus.

‘I’m not backing out, Magnus. I’ll see you soon.’

Then I packed three boxes, one for each year of our doomed bond, and left them on the bed. Today was our third mating anniversary, though Kale had clearly forgotten. Not that it mattered.

I slipped into the sundress Kale gave me, adjusted my hair, and was fastening my necklace when the door slammed open. Kale stormed in, followed by Talia and his ever-snarling mother.

“You set it up, didn’t you? The attack last night, just to test me?!” Kale shouted, his claws out, eyes glowing with fury.

Before I could respond, his mother slapped me. Then another. Talia pretended to sob, hiding behind Kale like the helpless little she-wolf she loved to play.

“You wanted to see who I’d save?” Kale accused. “What if she’d lost the baby?!”

“I don’t know why you hate me so much, Alina,” Talia sniffled. “If you want me dead, just kill me, but spare my children.”

Kale’s mother growled, “You’re unfit to be Luna. You need to be flogged.”

They spat venom, but I stayed on the ground, unmoving. It was useless. I could shift right there and tear them all to pieces, but that wouldn’t give me peace.

Alpha Kale turned away. “Stay in this house. When I return, we’ll discuss your punishment.”

The moment they were gone, I called Magnus Vale.

“Release the video,” I said calmly. “Let the kingdom see what their noble Alpha has done.”

“Done, princess,” he said. “Your ride’s waiting.”

I didn’t waste another breath. I walked out with my small bag, passed the gates for the last time, and slipped into the waiting sedan.

The driver bowed his head. “Welcome, Luna. Or should I say… Mistress of the Northern Fangs?”

I smiled. For the first time in years, it felt genuine. The Northern Fangs, King Magnus’s royal pack, awaited me. A new future. A new identity.

The driver drove me to the airport, and as the wind rushed past the window, I watched the Alpha mansion fade into the horizon.

Suddenly, my phone started vibrating.

Dozens of calls. All from Alpha Kale.

I sneered and turned my phone off, without any hesitation.