Nivella's POV

When I called his nickname, his body eased at once, as if all was normal again.

His eyes softened as he walked toward me. He bent down to kiss me, but I turned my face slightly, letting his lips brush my cheek instead.

“I’m tired,” I said quietly, pulling the covers over myself. “It has been a long day.”

Razen’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he forced a small smile. “Of course. You should rest.”

There was a hint of annoyance in his eyes, but he said nothing more.

His crystal communicator buzzed again. He picked it up quickly, and the irritation on his face vanished, replaced by a bright smile as he replied.

The moment he finished, he got up from the bed and began dressing in a rush. “Something came up in the pack,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “I will be back in a few hours.”

“Of course. Take your time,” I answered calmly.

Razen looked at me, clearly surprised.

Before, I would have complained about him leaving late at night for sudden pack matters. Now I was telling him to go without question.

His crystal communicator buzzed once more. He shook off his confusion and hurried out.

“I love you,” he muttered as he left.

“And I hate you,” I whispered under my breath.

***

When I woke the next morning, Razen had not returned. He most likely stayed at Navielle’s place. But it no longer mattered to me.

I prepared for my visit to the healer’s hall.

As I sat on the bed inside the healing chamber, my heart tightened painfully. Could I really go through with this?

The healer stood beside me.

“Are you sure about this, Lady Nivella?” she asked gently.

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came. My hand moved to my stomach on its own.

I thought of Sven.

His bright smile… his small hands holding mine… the way he called me mother… the happiness he gave me…

Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t end this life.

“I… I have changed my mind,” I whispered. “I cannot do it.”

The healer nodded softly. “That is alright. Take your time. You may leave when you are ready.”

My pup deserved to live. No matter how dark my world had become, this pup was still a part of me. A part of Sven. I would not let anyone take that away.

As I walked down the hallway, lost in my thoughts, I heard a familiar laugh. I looked up and froze.

Razen and Navielle.

They were leaving the moon ward together, smiling at each other like nothing else existed. Razen’s hand rested on her lower back as he leaned close, whispering something that made her laugh softly.

My blood turned cold. Navielle’s hand rested on her stomach, and my eyes widened.

She was carrying a pup.

They saw me before I could turn away. Navielle’s face lost its color.

“Nivella,” she hurried toward me, her eyes wide with false worry. “I… I was just… Razen came to accompany me for my check.”

“Don’t apologize, Navielle,” Razen cut in gently, placing his hand on her shoulder. His eyes were warm as he looked at her. “You didn’thing wrong.”

I smiled at them. “Yes, you are right, Razen. She didn’thing wrong.”

I stood there, empty, watching them. The way he looked at her… the way he shielded her… it was everything he once promised me.

They both looked surprised. In the past, I would have reacted, would have shown my jealousy or complained. But every time, Razen would scold me for doubting my own sister.

“We were together before, but she’s married now, and so am I. We are only close, nothing more.” He always told me that.

Razen turned to me. “We will talk at home, Nivella. Let me take Navielle back first.”

I didn’t hesitate. “Please, take your time,” I said as I walked past them.

“And congratulations on your pup, Navielle,” I added coldly without turning back.

I left them standing there, both caught off guard.

***

Razen must have sensed something was wrong, because he returned early that night.

“You are back early,” I said, not lifting my eyes from the book in my hands as I lay on the bed.

“Yes. I finished early today. I came back to spend time with my lovely mate,” he said, leaning down to kiss me, but again, I turned my face, and his lips met my cheek.

Razen paused, watching me, but I kept my focus on the book I was not truly reading.

“I feel like we have not spent enough time together. I will take a few days off from pack duties,” he said softly, his eyes filled with concern.

I shrugged lightly. “You have been busy with the pack. I understand.”

Razen frowned slightly, surprised by my calm tone. He knew this was not like me. I had always wanted him to rest and stay with me.

“What’s going on, Nivella?” he asked. “Why are you acting like this?”

Nivella's POV

My eyes stayed on the book as I answered him. “Nothing.”

“Are you upset because you saw Navielle and me together at the healer’s hall?” he asked. “I have told you many times that…”

I cut him off before he could continue his lies. “I said I’m fine. You and Navielle are close, or whatever you call it. I don’t care about that. Now can you let me have some quiet. This book is getting interesting.”

Razen’s jaw tightened, and irritation flashed in his eyes before he stood and walked into the bathing room.

I got up from the bed and went to the kitchen for water.

As I stepped inside, I leaned against the counter, breathing slowly to calm the storm inside me.

Then I heard his heavy steps behind me.

“You have been acting strange all day, Nivella,” Razen said, his tone sharp. “If something is wrong, say it.”

I turned to face him, keeping my face steady. “I already told you. I’m fine. No need to worry about me. Why don’t you go check on Navielle and her pup instead?”

His eyes darkened as his jaw clenched. “What do you mean by that?”

I shrugged and moved away from the counter. “Nothing. Just that you seem more concerned about her than your own mate.”

His patience snapped. “You are being unreasonable again, Nivella. Navielle is your sister. Stop this pupish jealousy.”

I rolled my eyes. “I am not jealous. You two suit each other.”

“Enough,” he growled, and suddenly his hand shoved me hard.

My back hit the edge of the counter, and pain shot through me. I gasped as I lost balance.

I fell, my stomach striking the floor as a sharp cry left my lips.

“You know what? I have matters to handle in the pack tonight. Don’t wait for me,” Razen said coldly.

The door slammed as he left.

Pain spread through my body as I lay on the cold ground. A deep fear rose inside me. My hands moved to my stomach, and panic took over when I felt something warm running down my legs.

Blood.

“No… no…” I whispered, tears falling as I tried to sit up, my vision shaking from the pain.

With trembling fingers, I pulled out my crystal communicator and called Razen. It rang, once, twice, then he answered.

Relief filled me.

“Razen…”

“Don’t call me until you stop acting like a pup,” he snapped, then the call ended.

“No… please…” I whispered, trying again, but his crystal communicator was already off.

A cry broke from me as the pain grew worse. I quickly called for help. I couldn’t lose this pup.

As darkness began to take me, one thought stayed in my mind. If I lose this pup, Razen will pay for it twice over.

Then everything faded.

***

When I opened my eyes, I was lying on a bed in the healer’s ward. A healer stood beside me, her face filled with concern.

“Lady Nivella, you are finally awake,” she said gently.

I blinked, trying to remember. Then it came back.

The kitchen… the blood… the pup….

“My pup…” My voice broke as fear rose inside me.

The healer’s face turned heavy with sadness. She placed her hand over mine. “I am sorry. You lost the pup.”

A scream tore from my throat as my heart shattered. This couldn’t be real. I had lost everything. My son. My unborn pup. All because of Razen.

Tears streamed down endlessly as I cried. Why was everything taken from me? Why was my life falling apart like this?

I cried until I had no strength left. Then I lay there, staring at the ceiling, empty and hollow.

It would have been easier if I had died too, instead of living through this nightmare.

The door opened, and someone stepped in. I didn’t even turn to look.

“Hello, Nivella.” A deep, calm voice spoke.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Keegan Thunderhowl, Navielle’s mate, standing beside me. His gray eyes were cold and unreadable.

I had no strength to answer him.

He walked closer and sat beside my bed.

“I heard what happened. I am sorry,” he said quietly.

Seeing him only reminded me of Navielle and everything she had done. I didn’t want him here.

“Navielle is not here,” I said weakly, my throat dry.

His eyes darkened with anger.

“I am not here for that unfaithful woman,” he said, his voice low.

I frowned slightly, surprised. “You know?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“For how long?”

“A week. You?”

“This week.”

“That’s why I came,” he said, his gaze fixed on me.

“For what?” I asked, my pain briefly forgotten.

“I have an offer for you,” he said. “Do you want revenge?”

My heart began to race.

Nivella's POV

“Revenge?” I asked, my heart beating fast.

Keegan lowered himself into the chair beside me, his gray eyes dark and sharp.

“Yes, revenge. Think about it, Nivella. The two people who should have stood by you betrayed you instead. They deserve to pay.”

A strange spark rose inside me. Something cold and dangerous, the ones definitely what I needed.

I pushed myself up, ignoring the pain in my body. “So you want revenge on Navielle?”

Keegan smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. “I gave her everything, and she threw it away. So yes, I want revenge on her. She may be your sister, but…”

“Why come to me?” I cut him off. I didn’t care about that anymore.

A cruel look crossed his face. “Because I don’t want to enjoy this alone. You will have a key role in what I am planning.”

I crossed my arms. “What exactly are you planning?”

“Be my mate,” Keegan said simply.

***

After I was released from the healer’s ward, I took a carriage home. I looked at my crystal communicator and let out a bitter smile. No calls. No messages. Nothing from Razen. I had been gone for two days, and he didn’t even notice.

I stared out the window, lost in thought. Keegan’s offer was madness. I refused it right away.

I wanted revenge, but I would not trap myself in another empty bond. I was done with that. He even gave me his number in case I changed my mind, but I had no plan to use it.

When I arrived, I saw Navielle’s carriage outside the estate. That explained everything. Razen had forgotten I even existed.

I stepped inside the house. Then I heard it. Strange sounds.

I froze for a second, then slowly followed the sound toward the master bedroom. The same room where Razen and I once shared everything.

The door was slightly open. I could see inside.

My breath stopped.

Razen had Navielle pressed against the bed. His hands moved over her, his lips locked with hers. Their clothes were scattered across the floor.

I already knew they were together, but seeing it with my own eyes was different. It cut deeper. Tears filled my eyes as I stood there, unseen.

“Oh, I always miss you, my Navielle,” Razen murmured.

“Really? Then what about my sister?” Navielle asked with a soft laugh, her hands moving over him.

“She has never meant anything the way you do,” Razen replied. “When I take my place as Alpha, I will give you everything.”

For a moment, I couldn’t move. My body felt frozen. Then something inside me broke.

I pulled out my crystal communicator with shaking hands and quietly took several pictures.

Without a sound, I turned away, grabbed Razen’s carriage keys, and left.

I sat inside his carriage and stared at the images for a long moment. Then I opened my messages, attached them, and sent them to Keegan with a short line.

[I accept your offer.]

My crystal communicator buzzed almost at once, as if he had been waiting.

Keegan: [Good. I will contact you soon. This will be interesting for both of us.]

I leaned back and let out a quiet, bitter laugh. It felt like I had just handed my soul to something dark, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was revenge.

I drove straight to the law firm Keegan had mentioned earlier.

The receptionist looked up with a polite smile. “Good afternoon. How can I help you?”

“I am here to see Edgar Feralwood. Tell him Keegan Thunderhowl sent me,” I said.

Her expression shifted slightly in surprise before she nodded. “He is available. I will take you to him.”

A few minutes later, I stood inside his office.

“Lady Nivella Bloodwyn,” he greeted, offering his hand. “Welcome. Please sit. What can I do for you?”

“I want to end my bond with my mate, Razen Blackspire.”