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.”

Nivella's POV

I had just arrived home when Razen rushed out of the pack house, panic clear in his eyes. He looked at his carriage parked outside, then at me. He quickly forced a relieved smile, but I could still see the fear beneath it.

“Nivella,” he called, walking fast toward me. “Where have you been? I was worried.”

Worried? I almost laughed at how fake it sounded.

I gave him a gentle smile. “I went to get an anniversary gift for our celebration next week.”

Razen blinked, caught off guard. “Anniversary celebration?”

I tilted my head slightly. “Yes. Ours. Did you forget?” My voice stayed calm, but I held his gaze, waiting.

He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair. “No, of course not. How could I forget?” He let out a light laugh that felt forced. “I have just been busy with pack matters. You know how it is.”

Liar.

I nodded slowly. “I wanted it to be a surprise, so I will not tell you what I got. You will have to wait.”

Razen smiled awkwardly. “I am looking forward to it. You didn’t need to go through all that. You could have called me. I would have gone with you.”

“It is fine,” I said softly. “You have been busy. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Guilt flickered in his eyes as he leaned in and kissed my cheek. It felt empty. “I am glad you are back.”

“Me too,” I said, even though it was a lie, and walked past him into the house.

Behind me, Razen let out a quiet breath, relieved that I had not seen him with Navielle when I came for the keys. If only he knew.

I went upstairs and stepped into the master bedroom. The same place he had stained with betrayal. My stomach turned.

The door opened behind me. I turned, expecting Razen, but it was Navielle.

She leaned against the doorframe with a smug smile, her eyes gleaming.

“You saw us, didn’t you?” she said, her voice teasing.

I kept my face blank. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Navielle laughed softly and stepped inside, closing the door. “Don’t pretend. I saw you standing there.”

I looked at her without emotion.

“You should have stayed longer,” she went on, her smile growing. “You might have learned something.”

I shrugged lightly. “Alright. Are you done? I think Razen is waiting for you. I want to rest.”

That was not the reaction she wanted. Her smile faltered for a moment before she hid it again.

“I will go finish what we started. You are welcome to watch,” she said before walking out.

I picked up my crystal communicator and sent Keegan a message.

[Phase one is done. Get ready.]

He replied with a heart symbol.

***

Razen stayed close to me for the next two days. He barely left my side, which made it harder for me to continue my plans.

Maybe his wolf sensed something. Maybe he suspected I had seen him with Navielle, even though I acted like everything was normal.

At last, I grew tired of waiting. I sent Navielle a message.

[Looks like Razen is tired of you. He has not left my side. Keep lying to yourself. He is mine.]

I knew it would provoke her.

Soon, Razen’s crystal communicator began ringing again and again. Messages kept coming in, but he ignored them at first.

Just as I started to lose patience, he finally stepped away to answer one of her calls.

A few minutes later, he came back, his face serious.

“My love,” he said gently, “something urgent came up. I have to leave for a meeting tonight. It may take three days.” His eyes showed guilt.

“Oh,” I said quietly, sounding disappointed. “But our celebration is in four days.”

“I know, and I am sorry,” he said quickly. “But I promise I will be back. I would not miss it.” He kissed my forehead.

Inside, I felt a quiet thrill. Three days. I didn’t expect that much time. It was perfect.

***

The next three days passed quickly. I finished everything I needed.

Navielle made it easier. Every time I doubted myself, she sent me pictures of her and Razen, thinking it would hurt me. But each one only made me more sure.

I saved every picture. Soon, she would regret sending them.

At last, the day of the celebration arrived. The same day Razen was meant to return.

I stood in the living room, my thoughts racing. Then I took out my crystal communicator and sent him a message.

[Happy anniversary. Your gift is on the table.]

I placed the signed bond severance on the table beside the photos I had taken, along with the ones Navielle sent me.

Then I blocked both his number and hers.

I took a deep breath and walked out with my suitcase. Keegan was already there, waiting with a faint smile.

“Are you ready?” he asked, holding out his hand.

I took it without hesitation.

A private jet waited for us, prepared to take us to Ironvale. I glanced at him, curious about how he arranged it, but I was too tired to ask.

As the jet prepared to leave, I gave a small nod.

Keegan’s smile widened as he sent out a message to the news networks.

Let the game begin.