Alexander’s impatient voice echoed through the mind-link, sharp and cold as soon as it connected.

His indifference was nothing new to me, it had become the norm. There was a time when I might have been hurt by it, but that time, I was too exhausted to care.

I did not have the energy to argue or plead, not when I felt like I was drowning in invisible waters, struggling to breathe as if my lungs were filling with water.

"Alex," I whispered weakly, my voice trembling, "I... I feel really uncomfortable. Can you...."

Before I could finish, another voice invaded our mind-link, pushing me out of the connection like I did not matter.

Her sly, fox-like tone dripped with mockery as Ashlee spoke, "Ruby, do not bother him anymore. He has been taking care of me all day, and he is already tired. As his current Luna, you should understand him."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. The coldness in her voice felt like icy waters engulfing me, dragging me deeper into despair.

If I had been drowning before, now it felt like I was sinking into a frozen sea. My entire body felt paralyzed, the cold seeping into my bones until I could not even fight to save myself.

Before I could muster a response, the mind-link was cut off abruptly, severing the connection as if I no longer existed.

It was in that moment that the final thread of hope snapped. There was no point in asking Alexander for help anymore.

He no longer cared. He had chosen Ashlee, and in doing so, he had abandoned me.

I was nothing but a shadow to him, someone who had outlived her purpose.

Gathering what little strength I had left, I reached for the one person I could still trust. It was Richard.

He arrived in a rush, as he always did, loyal and devoted.

The door to my room swung open, and his eyes immediately widened with shock when he saw me.

My body was drenched in sweat, the bed beneath me soaked as though I had been pulled from the depths of the ocean.

"What happened, Luna?" he asked, his voice filled with concern as he knelt beside the bed, his hands hovering over me as if afraid to touch.

I was too weak to answer, my breath shallow and labored.

He took one look at me and reached for his phone, ready to call Alexander. But I stopped him, shaking my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "No, Richard. I already told him."

His face twisted with confusion, as if he could not comprehend why Alexander had not come. "But, Luna…."

"It’s fine," I said, though my voice was far from convincing. "Can you... bring a healer for me? Please."

Without hesitation, Richard nodded. "Of course, Luna. I will bring the family healer immediately."

"No," I gasped, summoning every ounce of strength I had left. "Not the family healer. I... I do not trust them anymore. Take me... somewhere else."

His eyes softened with understanding, and he nodded again.

The Munoz family had hurt me too deeply. I could not trust any of them anymore, not even the healers who might have been loyal to Alexander’s cold command.

I feared that if I allowed them to treat me, they’d finish what Roger had started. They would let me die.

"Sure. I will prepare a car to take you to the nearest clinic. We will leave immediately," Richard promised, his voice steady and sure.

It was not long before we were at the clinic, and a healer arrived to assess my condition.

When he saw the wound on my stomach, his face paled in shock.

"Luna," he breathed, his voice trembling. "With a wound like this, why didn't you come to the clinic immediately? Why were you treated at home?"

I was too exhausted to answer, so Richard stepped in. "The wound had appeared to improve earlier, so Luna Ruby decided to stay at home," he explained.

The healer’s frown deepened as he carefully examined the wound. "This is not an ordinary injury," he said gravely. "It was caused by silver equipment. Wounds from silver are slow to heal and dangerous to werewolves."

He sighed; his voice heavy with concern. "And the wound closure is far from optimal. If it is not treated properly, the infection will spread, and it will attack your organs, Luna. You were very close to irreversible damage."

His words sent a shiver through me. If I had waited even a few more hours, it would have been too late.

So, it seemed Roger had known exactly what he was doing. He wanted to kill me.

Richard, sensing the gravity of the situation, turned to the healer, his voice filled with urgency. "Please, save her. You can do it, right?"

The healer nodded; his expression determined. "I will do my best."

Moments later, I felt the sting of anesthesia as it was injected into my bloodstream. My body grew numb, but my mind remained alert, replaying the events that had led me to that point.

Roger cut me open with no care, no hesitation. All for a pearl. The memory made my skin crawl, and I closed my eyes, willing myself not to relive it.

As the healer worked to reopen the wound, I let the darkness take me. Sleep was a welcome escape, and when I finally awoke, morning light filtered through the window.

Poppy’s soft voice was the first thing I heard. "Hi, Ruby. How are you feeling? Last night, I thought we were on the verge of death."

I managed a weak smile, both for her and for myself. "I feel better, Poppy. Much better."

Her voice was gentle but tinged with frustration. "We should have gone to the healer sooner. We underestimated what Roger did to us."

I could sense her anger simmering beneath the surface, an anger I shared.

Before I could respond, a nurse entered the room, carrying a tray of food and drink.

She greeted me warmly, her eyes kind and filled with sympathy. "Good morning, Luna. How are you feeling?"

"Good," I rasped, and she immediately helped me drink from the glass she had brought.

"Does the wound still hurt?" she asked gently, concern evident in her tone.

I shook my head slowly. "No, it is... much better now. Thank you."

The nurse nodded with a smile, placing the food on the table beside me. "I will leave this here. Please, call me if you need anything."

As she left the room, I sighed deeply, allowing myself a moment of peace. The pain had dulled, and though my heart still ached with the weight of betrayal, my body was healing.

But Poppy was right. We had underestimated Roger’s cruelty, and we had been far too trusting of the family that had nearly destroyed us.

I had given so much to them, but all I had received in return was pain. So, starting from that day I had to stand on my own.

A few days passed, and it seemed that Alexander finally remembered I still existed within his house.

His sudden presence in my room, however, was not one of concern but confusion, because I was gone.

I imagined his face twisting in frustration, his temper flaring as he yelled at Richard, demanding to know why he had not been informed of my whereabouts.

In the end, Richard could only bow his head and apologize. He explained that I had been taken to the clinic because my surgical wound had worsened.

But I knew the truth. Richard had not forgotten to tell Alexander about my condition, he had kept it from him deliberately.

After all, Alexander had not cared about me since Ashlee’s return. Perhaps, even if I had died that night, he would have been indifferent.

Richard’s mind-link came just moments before Alexander and Ashlee entered my room.

Actually, it was my last day and I had already decided to return to my Pack the next morning.

I was ready to be free from Alexander’s grasp once and for all.

But fate had a cruel sense of humor, it was not ready to release me yet.

"Ruby," Alexander said, his voice unusually soft as he approached me. "I did not know you were here."

There was a flicker of worry in his eyes, but I was not fooled.

Why was he worried? He should be happy with how things turned out, right?

After all, he had been the one to order Roger to dissect me like I was nothing more than an object, all for that damned pearl.

With indifference, I replied, "What’s the matter? We have nothing to do with each other anymore. I do not think I need to report to you wherever I am."

A brief flicker of guilt crossed his eyes, rare and fleeting, but I caught it.

Perhaps, just perhaps, a part of him regretted rejecting my mind-link that night. Maybe he realized how close I had come to death because of his indifference.

But before he could say another word, Ashlee, who had been clutching his arm the entire time, smiled at me with that sickening sweetness that only masked her true nature.

"I am sorry, Ruby," she cooed softly, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "Lex has been taking care of me these past few days, so he did not have time to check on you."

She tightened her grip on Alexander’s arm, pressing it into her chest as she continued. "But you know, we grew up together. Our bond is so strong.

“Of course, his attention was on me when I returned. If only you had let us know how you were, we would have come to see you right away. Is everything okay now?"

Her act was nauseating. She was no longer the sly fox she had been in our mind-link but played the role of the innocent, harmless white cat.

But I was not fooled, not for a second. Ashlee knew exactly what she was doing, and I refused to be taken in by her little game.

I forced a casual smile, one that did not reach my eyes. "It’s fine. From the very beginning, Alexander never loved me, and neither did I. Our marriage was simply a political arrangement between our parents."

I could feel Ashlee’s grip tighten around Alexander’s arm as I spoke, but I did not stop. I had to push her buttons, and had to remind her of her place.

"Even though Alex’s parents grew to like me and treated me like a daughter, I never really felt like part of the Munoz family. I imagine you know that feeling well, right? You must have felt like the stepchild they never acknowledged."

The words should streak her like a knife. Because right after I finished, I saw the flicker of pain in Ashlee’s eyes, and I knew I had hit a sore spot.

She had always been the outsider, the one who was never truly accepted by Alexander’s family. And then, after years of absence, she had returned, conveniently after her parents’ tragic accident.

Had they not died in that terrible crash, would Ashlee even be there, clinging to Alexander as if nothing had changed?

Ashlee’s eyes filled with fake tears as she turned to Alexander, her voice trembling with feigned sadness.

"Lex, I think Ruby is still upset about the pearl, so she’s bringing up your parents to attack me. I could not even come to their funeral because the academy would not allow me to leave before graduation."

I watched as Alexander’s face darkened, his features twisting into an expression of anger I had never seen him direct at me before.

He gently stroked Ashlee’s head with his free hand, comforting her while glaring at me with a mixture of disappointment and rage.

Facing his anger, I chose to ignore it.

When I turned around to leave, he quickly stood in front of me.

"How dare you talk about my parents, Ruby!" he growled, his voice harsh. "You do not deserve to discuss them. Besides, I am not here to visit you. I am here to discuss our divorce. I am marrying Ashlee soon."

The words were like a dagger, sharp and cutting, but I forced myself to remain calm. I had expected that after all.

My heart might have broken, but I refused to show it. I could not let him see me crumble.

"I see," I said quietly, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. "Let’s break the ties then, so you two can be together openly in the future."

The words left my lips with calmness, but beneath the surface, my heart twisted with pain and unwillingness.

Even though I had known for so long that Alexander would never truly be mine, some small part of me had still hoped that, one day, he would see me for who I really was.

But that day would never come. He had chosen Ashlee, just as he always had.

However, his response was not what I expected.

"This is not a discussion where you can immediately decide the answer, Ruby," he snapped. "We will talk about this later, when you have calmed down and recovered."

I shook my head, keeping my voice firm. "No, I am calm right now. I know exactly what I am saying. I, Ruby Stafford, break…."

"Stop it!" Alexander barked, his sudden anger making me freeze.

The intensity of his outburst left me momentarily confused.

Why was he so upset? Wasn't that what he wanted? To be free of me, to marry Ashlee?

But why did his eyes flared with fury when I was about to say it?

"If I say we will discuss it later, then it will be later!" he growled, his voice a mixture of command and frustration.

Without waiting for a reply, he stormed out of the room.

Ashlee was still clinging to him, her crocodile tears flowing as she pretended to be the wounded one.

As soon as the door slammed shut, I let out a growl of frustration. I was furious.

I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it as hard as I could at the door, the soft thud doing little to ease my rage.

I sat there, fuming, when I noticed something odd.

The door was being guarded by Alexander’s subordinates at that time.

“What is this?” I thought. “Was he afraid I would run away? Did he think I would just slip through his fingers after he refused to let me go?”

"What are you actually thinking, Alex?" I muttered bitterly to myself, confusion mixing with my anger.

*

After I was finally discharged from the clinic, Alexander did not come to pick me up. Instead, his subordinates showed up, their expressions cold and indifferent as they escorted me.

At first, I considered running. But I quickly realized I stood no chance against the men who had been sent to keep me in line.

So, I surrendered, allowing myself to be taken away.

In my mind, I told myself I would escape once we arrived at Munoz Manor. I would slip away, find a way to flee.

But that plan shattered when we pulled up not to the manor, but to a small pavilion, a secluded building with tight security, as if they were escorting a prisoner.

"Why are you bringing me here?" I asked, my tone laced with anger as I glared at the men. "Was that the thing Alex told you?"

They remained silent; their faces devoid of emotion. My question seemed irrelevant to them.

They simply pushed me inside the pavilion and locked the door behind me, leaving me alone.

"Damn it!" I shouted, my anger boiling over.

I slammed my fists against the door, then turned my fury on the household appliances, knocking over chairs and hurling objects across the room.

The sound of shattering glass filled the space as I released my rage.

The noise should have drawn Alexander’s attention, because not long after, the door opened, and there he stood, arms crossed, his expression cold and unmoved.

"Are you done acting crazy, Ruby?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension.

I smirked, still holding a vase in my hand. "Do you want me to break this vase over your head?"

He did not flinch. "Go ahead. If it will calm you down, do it."

Alexander was aware that Poppy, my wolf, would not allow me to harm my mate, no matter how angry I was. That was the only reason he was so bold.

Instead, I threw the vase to the floor, the shards scattering across the room.

Almost immediately, maids rushed in to clean the mess I had made, and Alexander simply sat on the sofa, watching me like I was a spectacle put on for his amusement.

"Sit," he commanded, his Alpha voice filling the room, making me bristle.

I could have resisted, since I had the strength to push back against his Alpha aura, but I was too tired running from him and fighting him. In the end, I obeyed and sat.

He leaned back on the sofa, his posture relaxed, his eyes studying me like I was a puzzle to solve.

"Ruby, I have no intention of breaking up with you. If you agree to my marriage with Ashlee, you can remain Luna of the Graycrest Pack. Everything will continue as usual. Nothing will change."

I stared at him in disbelief, my lips curling into a sneer. "So, who is the mistress in this scenario? Me or Ashlee?"

His face turned red with anger, his fist slamming against the table between us. "There is no mistress here! I am making things easy for you, Ruby.

“I know we are mates, and I do not want to break our bond for the sake of our wolves. But you cannot be greedy. You know where my heart truly lies."

His voice softened, and I saw the conviction in his eyes. "That promise I made to Ashlee, I will fulfill it. No matter how you act, I will always return to her."

I crossed my arms, staring him down, refusing to let him intimidate me. "From the start, our relationship was too crowded since there were three of us. So why do not you just choose, Alex? It’s either me or Ashlee."

His face hardened; the softness replaced with cold detachment. "You are still not calm, Ruby. I will come back when you have had time to think."

With that, he left the pavilion, his exit as cold as his entrance.

The room suddenly felt emptier than ever, with only the faint echo of our argument left behind.

*

That night, Richard came to visit, but he was not allowed inside. He could only speak to me through the small window that was prepared to give me food.

His voice was filled with regret, but he was powerless to help.

"Luna, I am so sorry. There is nothing I can do. Please… just eat regularly and take your medication so you can recover quickly."

He handed me a tray through a small opening in the door. My favorite food.

I could not help but feel a pang of gratitude for Richard. He was the only one who had ever shown me genuine kindness.

"Thank you, Richard," I said quietly, my voice trembling. "For everything."

But the next morning, Ashlee took advantage of Richard’s visit last night.

I had barely opened my eyes when the door to the pavilion creaked open, and there she was, her eyes red with crocodile tears, her voice trembling with manufactured sorrow.

"Ruby, please," she sobbed, rushing into the room with a whirlwind of emotion. "I beg you. I am about to marry Alexander, please just give me back my ring. It is the engagement ring he had custom made for me."

Her tears did not move me. I knew her games, her endless tricks.

But being woken up to this melodrama so early in the morning irritated me to no end. I sat up slowly, my exhaustion evident, and stared at her lazily.

"I did not take your ring," I muttered, trying to stifle a yawn. I just wanted her out.

But Ashlee was not about to let it go. Her voice rose, loud enough for the guards outside to hear. "Do not lie to me! Last night, you must have asked the butler to hide it, didn't you? Admit it, Ruby!"

I admitted she was too good. Deliberately raising her voice, playing the victim, all to make it seem like I had wronged her.

Her theatrics were becoming predictable, boring even. I could feel Poppy stirring inside me, her irritation rising as Ashlee’s accusations echoed through the room.

I slowly stood, staring her down with icy resolve. "I did not take it, and I do not want it," I said coldly. "Now, get out."

Ashlee’s eyes flashed with something darker as she leaned in close, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you can just kick me out like this? You will see, Ruby. You will regret this."

With that, she turned on her heel, her expression quickly shifting back to one of sadness and victimhood as the guards opened the door for her.

I knew her words were a promise. Ashlee was planning something, and it would not be long before she followed through.

Sure enough, Ashlee returned on her next visit with Alexander by her side. The game had escalated, and she had him involved.

All of Alexander’s subordinates filed into the room, their faces stern as they prepared to search every corner.

It was almost laughable. Alexander himself had prepared the pavilion, but then he was acting as if I could do anything as I wished there.

"There is nothing here, Sir," one of his subordinates finally reported after thoroughly searching the room.

But Alexander was not satisfied. He turned to me, his eyes narrowed, Ashlee hovering just behind him, playing the role of the wounded fiancée.

"Where did you hide it, Ruby?" he asked, his voice sharp. "This is not funny."

I said nothing. I refused to even look at him.

But what happened next was something I did not expect.

Without warning, Alexander advanced on me, his hands rough and unfeeling as they searched me, but it felt more like an assault.

His fingers moved over my body with cold detachment, touching every inch, his touch full of anger and coercion.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I forced myself to hold them back. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

But as Poppy stirred within me, I felt her sudden alert. "Ruby, he is in heat," she warned.

I stiffened, feeling a chill run down my spine. Alexander was in heat. His rough handling, his impatience, it all made sense then.

He was not just angry, but he was fighting his own urges.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Alexander stepped back, his expression unreadable.

"Fine," he said, his voice tight with frustration. "From now on, no one visits Ruby except for me, Ashlee, or Roger. Report anything suspicious immediately."

Without waiting for a reply, he quickly grabbed Ashlee’s hand, his focus clearly elsewhere.

"I will buy you another ring," he muttered, barely glancing back at me.

But Ashlee was not satisfied. I could see the frustration in her eyes, her plan having failed to deliver the desired result.

She still wanted Alexander to punish me, to humiliate me further. But he had no time for her games now. He was in heat, and his mind was only on one thing, it was to vent his urges.

As the door closed behind them, I felt my knees give out, and I collapsed onto the floor, hugging my body tightly.

Tears streamed down my face, since I felt trapped, completely helpless, a prisoner in a game I never asked to be part of.

Ashlee also did not stop there.

As if she could not stand that her earlier trick with the ring had failed, Ashlee came to me at night while I was fast asleep.

Her cold hands suddenly wrap around my neck. By gritting her teeth, she hissed in rage, her voice laced with venom, "Why didn't you die?"

Panic surged through me as I struggled for air and her nails digging into my skin.

Swiftly, I grabbed her wrist, forcing her to loosen her grip, but the look in her eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

"Have you noticed?" she spat, her voice low and seething with jealousy. "Since Alexander found you being treated at the clinic, he has changed.

“He was supposed to be happy about divorcing you and marrying me, but he is not. He is hesitant, Ruby. He asked me if we could postpone the wedding. Do you know how much he wanted to marry me before?"

Her words dripped with bitterness as she leaned closer, her face twisted in fury. "He wanted it so badly that he was willing to break ties with you. But everything changed!"

"Do you think you can hinder my happiness? I will kill you now!"

I felt her grip tightening again, I could hardly breathe...