I was left alone in the mansion, waiting on the terrace for Alpha Magnus to return. From a distance, I saw a figure approaching, and my heart leaped with excitement, thinking it was my mate. But that excitement quickly turned to dread when I recognized the familiar face of an enemy.

I turned to escape, but before I could move, the wolf reached me and grabbed my hair.

"So, you've been hiding in the den of our enemies, huh?"

It was my elder brother, Asher—the one who had always opposed my relationship with Alpha Magnus. I had abandoned our pack after discovering my grandfather’s dark secret: he had murdered my mother. For years, he had deceived us, making us believe that Alpha Magnus’s father was the real killer. But the truth had finally surfaced. That’s why I had sought refuge with the Shadow Pack.

"Brother! Please, don't kill me," I begged, terrified of what he might do, especially knowing that my grandfather had declared me a traitor and wanted me dead.

Asher’s gaze was cold. "I won't kill you, Astrid. But I will destroy the disgrace inside you!"

My eyes widened in horror as his claws slashed across my stomach, the very place where I had been protecting Alpha Magnus's baby.

Pain shot through me, and I collapsed, gasping for air. My hands trembled as I clutched my bleeding stomach, tears blurring my vision.

"This is your consequence, Astrid," Asher said, his voice devoid of sympathy. "You abandoned us for that damned Alpha, and he's been cheating on you with his Beta all along."

His words cut deeper than his claws.

I lay there, bleeding, my voice lost to agony. The world around me blurred, and all I could hear was the sound of my brother walking away, leaving me in a pool of my own blood.

That night changed my life forever.

I lost two things that could never be replaced: the innocent life of my child and my blind trust in Alpha Magnus.

After I recovered, I made my decision—I would return to the Crimson Pack. Even if they despised me for once choosing our enemy, I no longer cared. I had only one purpose left.

Revenge.

When Alpha Magnus finally returned, he showed no excitement upon seeing me after months apart. He had no idea I had been pregnant. I had planned to surprise him with the news. But Asher had stolen that dream from me when he murdered my child, claiming it was to protect me from execution by our grandfather.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to come back," Magnus said, though I hadn’t asked. "We got stranded in a snowstorm."

I remained silent. I was no longer foolish enough to believe his lies. I knew exactly where he had been and who he had been with. Asher had told me everything.

"Astrid? Are you okay?" Magnus asked, moving closer. "You seem distant."

"I'm fine. Just tired," I forced a smile, though inside, I wanted to scream at him.

"Then rest," he said, before pulling something from his pocket. "I have a surprise for you."

I stared at the necklace in his hands and arrow-shaped pendant.

I almost laughed at the irony. "Why are you giving me this? There’s no special occasion, right?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed his face. "I just thought of you when I saw it…, because I love you."

He reached out to place it around my neck, but I instinctively stepped back. His brows furrowed in confusion.

"You don’t like it?" he asked.

I clenched my fists, my voice cold. "Magnus, have you forgotten what that symbol means to me?"

He blinked, realization dawning on him. "Astrid, I—I'm sorry."

Memories crashed over me—memories of my mother’s death. I could still see the arrow piercing her heart, the blood staining the snow. And here Magnus stood, offering me an arrow pendant, as if he had never truly listened to anything I had told him.

How could he be so careless with my pain while so fiercely protecting Ingrid?

Asher had told me he had tried to kill Ingrid for my sake, but Magnus had fought to protect her. He had chosen her, defended her. Meanwhile, my suffering meant nothing to him.

"Astrid, why are you acting like this?" Magnus cupped my face, but I immediately pushed his hands away.

"I'm not angry," I said. My voice is void of emotion. "I just don’t feel well."

He looked confused, as if he truly didn’t understand what he had done.

"Come on, tell me what’s wrong," he insisted. "I haven't seen you in months. I had no idea what happened to you—"

"It’s fine, Magnus," I cut him off. "I can take care of myself."

I turned away, continuing to pack my things.

I thought he would notice. I thought he would ask why I was packing, why I was leaving. But instead, he turned a blind eye.

The door opened, and Ingrid stepped inside.

"Magnus, there's an urgent meeting with your father," she said, but her eyes flickered toward me, full of meaning.

My fists tightened at the sight of them together. They had been betraying me for so long—laughing behind my back, sharing moments I had once believed were meant for me.

Magnus looked at me briefly. "I'll be back later, okay? Wait for me."

I nodded, but I had no intention of waiting for him ever again.

As soon as the door closed behind them, I resumed packing, faster this time.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Asher’s number.

"Brother," I said, my voice steady, "come pick me up tonight. I'm leaving the Shadow Pack."

"Are you sure about your decision, Astrid? This is your last chance. If you betray us again, I won’t help you anymore," Asher said seriously.

He was surprised by my decision since I had always refused his requests to leave the Shadow Pack.

"Yes, I've thought this through carefully," I replied, my voice firm. I was resolute in my decision, and I wasn’t going to back down. There was no reason for me to stay by Magnus’s side if the one he truly loved was Ingrid.

When I first joined their pack, I knew Alpha Magnus had feelings for Ingrid, but she had rejected him because she was engaged to another Alpha. I had only been his last resort.

I had truly believed Magnus loved me. I couldn’t forget how he fought for me, how he accepted me into their pack, despite the fact that I came from the Crimson Pack—the very pack that had once destroyed their lives.

"I don't care where you come from, Astrid. I love you for who you are."

Those were the sweetest words I had ever heard from him.

For a time, I had been the happiest person in the world, pouring all my love into Magnus. But deep down, something had always felt off—an unexplainable worry I had ignored. I hadn’t realized it at the time, but it was a warning. A sign that my heart was bound to be shattered.

I foolishly believed in a fairytale romance when, in reality, my mate was nothing more than a cheater.

"How could you not realize Magnus was cheating? Are you really that blind, Astrid?" Asher pressed.

"I trusted him," I cried. "I thought he was different."

Suddenly, a painful memory surfaced—the day Ingrid’s mate died. It had happened on my birthday. The worst part? Magnus had abandoned me that day to comfort her.

Every year, when my birthday came around, instead of celebrating with me, Magnus would visit Ingrid and her late husband's grave.

And I had been so naïve—so understanding, even when I was neglected.

It's true what they say. Kindness only leads to being taken advantage of.

"You know we can’t trust anyone, Astrid," Asher reminded me. "Your mother trusted them, and look what happened to her. She’s dead. You’re lucky to be alive—so don’t waste your life on that idiot."

My mother had once been involved with the Shadow Pack’s previous Alpha. She loved him. But my grandfather, Harold, dragged her back and killed her for having an affair with his mortal enemy.

After our conversation, I hung up the phone and continued packing my things.

I was caught off guard when the door suddenly opened, and Magnus walked in.

"Darling, we need to leave soon. Some wolves went missing during the snowstorm, and we had to find them," he said.

"Sure, no problem," I replied emotionlessly.

Before leaving, he leaned in and kissed my forehead. "When I get back, I promise I’ll take you out on a date. I want to spend some time with you."

Instead of feeling happy, I remained unmoved. The anger in my heart burned stronger than ever.

"Me too," I murmured, knowing deep down that there was no longer any time left for us.

That evening, I was ready to leave, but Asher called with bad news.

"I can’t pick you up yet. There are patrols everywhere, hunting for intruders. If I try to enter the town now, I’ll be caught."

I clenched my jaw in frustration. I had no choice but to stay in this miserable house for another night.

Days passed, and I endured Magnus and Ingrid’s presence, even though every moment around them felt unbearable.

Currently, Ingrid was staying in our home—our home—because hers had burned down. Asher had been the one to set it ablaze, and I didn’t blame him.

Tonight, we all sat at the same table for dinner. I watched in silence as Magnus served food onto Ingrid’s plate. She had a burn on her hand from the fire, and he was tending to her like she was the most fragile thing in the world.

Jealousy clawed at my insides. I was his wife, yet he treated me like a stranger.

"You’re so sweet, Magnus," I said sarcastically. "Taking such good care of her."

Neither of them seemed to notice my bitterness.

"Of course, she’s my f-friend," Magnus stuttered, avoiding my gaze.

"You know, Astrid, I'm very thankful to Magnus," Ingrid chimed in, smiling smugly. "He’s saved my life so many times."

I bit my lip, swallowing the rage rising in my throat.

"Really?" I said sweetly. "Aww, I’m so relieved you didn’t die."

As I cut into my steak, I imagined I was slicing them both apart instead.

That night, I went to bed without a word. Magnus lay beside me, but I turned my back to him, refusing to face him.

"Darling, why aren’t you facing me?" he murmured, but I stayed silent, pretending to be asleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night, my throat dry. I got out of bed and made my way to the kitchen for a drink.

As I walked down the hall, I heard something—soft noises coming from the guest room.

I stopped, my body was still going.

The sounds became clearer.

Moans.

A deep sense of dread settled over me as I stepped closer.

Slowly, I pushed the door open.

And then I saw them.

Magnus was on top of Ingrid, his body moving against hers.

I stumbled back, my breath catching in my throat.

The sight of my husband, buried between another woman’s legs, tore through me like a dagger to the chest.

A pain unlike anything I had ever felt. A pain I knew would never heal.

I turned and walked away before I could torture myself any further.

I returned to my room, but I didn’t cry.

I refused to cry. I refused to let Magnus have any more of my tears.

Instead, I picked up a pen and paper.

If Magnus wanted Ingrid, he could have her.

But not without a final farewell.

And so, I wrote a letter—one last goodbye to the man who had broken me.

The night air was cold against my skin as I packed the last of my belongings into a small bag. My hands trembled, not from fear, but from the sheer rage coursing through my veins. I had endured enough.

Magnus and Ingrid had taken everything from me—my love, my trust, my child. I had planned to leave silently, but after witnessing their betrayal firsthand, I knew I couldn’t just disappear like a wounded animal. No, they needed to know that the Astrid they had broken would rise again, stronger than ever.

I left my letter on the bedside table, the ink still fresh.

To my dearest husband,

I wish you and Ingrid all the happiness in the world. You deserve each other—two backstabbers bound by deceit. May your love be as strong as the lies you built it on.

Do not come look for me. This is the last time you will ever see me as the woman who loved you. The next time we meet, Magnus, I will not be your wife.

I will be your downfall.

—Astrid.

I slid my wedding ring off my finger and placed it on top of the letter. It gleamed under the dim candlelight, a final mockery of the love I once thought was real.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and slipped through the shadows of the house. My heart pounded as I reached the back entrance, my mind racing with the knowledge that if I was caught, Magnus would never let me go.

I stepped outside into the freezing night, and just as I was about to take another step toward my freedom—

"Going somewhere, Astrid?"

My blood ran cold.

I turned slowly, and there he was. Magnus stood in the doorway, his silver eyes gleaming like a predator who had just caught his prey. His shirt was disheveled, his hair a mess—clear signs of the betrayal he had just committed. Yet, despite everything, his expression held no guilt.

My pulse thundered in my ears. "Move," I said, my voice devoid of emotion.

But Magnus didn't move. Instead, he tilted his head, his sharp gaze raking over me. "Why are you leaving in the middle of the night?" His voice was low, almost dangerous.

"Because I don’t belong here," I replied. "Not anymore."

Magnus's expression darkened. "Who told you that?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "You did. Over and over again, every time you chose her over me."

His jaw clenched, and for the first time, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Guilt? Regret? It didn't matter anymore.

"I'm done, Magnus," I whispered. "You can keep Ingrid, keep your lies. But you will never see me again."

I turned to leave, but before I could take another step, a strong hand gripped my wrist, pulling me back with force.

"I'm not letting you go." His voice was firm, possessive.

A new kind of rage ignited inside me. I yanked my hand free, my eyes burning into him. "You don’t have a choice."

Magnus exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "Why are you acting like this? What happened while I was away?"

I nearly laughed. He still thought I was the same naive girl who would crumble under his touch, the same foolish mate who would believe his lies. Not anymore.

"Nothing happened, Magnus," I said coldly. "I just opened my eyes."

His brows furrowed. "Astrid, if something is wrong, just tell me. I—"

"You what?" I snapped. "You love me? Do you care about me? Save it, Magnus. I know everything."

He stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," I whispered, stepping closer, "I know where you were all those months. I know who you were with."

His eyes darkened. "You don’t understand—"

"I understand perfectly," I cut him off. "You left me alone for months, and when you came back, you still ran to her. How long have you been lying to me, Magnus? From the beginning?"

His silence was all the answer I needed.

I shook my head. "You didn’t even hesitate to betray me, did you?"

Magnus took a deep breath, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to reach for me. "Astrid, it’s complicated."

"No, Magnus. It’s simple." I stared him down, feeling the weight of my loss settle over me. "You never loved me."

His lips parted, but before he could respond, a sharp howl echoed through the night.

Magnus stiffened. His eyes darted past me, his body tensing as more howls followed—closer this time.

I smirked. "Oh, and one more thing, Magnus..."

His gaze snapped back to me, confusion evident.

I stepped back into the darkness, my lips curling into a cold smile.

"You should probably start running."

And then, the Crimson Pack emerged from the shadows.

Dozens of glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness as wolves stepped into the moonlight. Asher stood at the front, his expression unreadable, but his stance was firm. A warrior ready to strike.

Magnus inhaled sharply, his body going rigid as he realized what was happening. "You called them?"

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. "Why wouldn’t I? After all, they are my family."

Magnus’s eyes flickered with something close to panic. He knew what this meant. The Crimson Pack was ruthless, and Magnus had stolen one of their own. Worse, he had broken me.

Asher stepped forward, his voice cutting through the cold air. "Astrid, come here."

I walked past Magnus without a second glance, standing beside my brother as my true pack surrounded me. For the first time in a long while, I felt safe.

Magnus took a step forward, but Asher growled in warning. "You don’t get to touch her. Not anymore."

Magnus clenched his fists. "Astrid, don't do this. You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

I met his gaze with nothing but cold fury. "No, Magnus. You don't know what you've started."

With one last glance at the man I once loved, I turned my back on him—forever.

Asher raised his hand, and in an instant, the Crimson Pack lunged.

Magnus barely had time to react as the wolves descended upon him, forcing him to shift into his monstrous black wolf. A fierce battle erupted, growls and snarls filling the night air.

I watched, emotionless, as Magnus fought for his life.