••• Victoria's POV •••

I didn't hurt Evelyn.

My wolf, Leia, was gone, and I couldn't release my Alpha pheromones. I was certain this was just another one of Evelyn's traps. She couldn't wait to get rid of me, desperate to take the Luna's seat.

I didn't care about being Luna. She could have it. But I would take back my Alpha title.

Now, I had to leave. The pitying looks from the rest of the pack stung like slaps across my face. I didn't need their pity. I would fight back. I would reclaim everything that was mine.

I walked to the driveway, opened the car door, and slipped inside. The moment all those eyes were shut out, a single tear fell onto the back of my hand. I kept trying to tell myself Elijah didn't deserve my love, but two years of marriage and the love I'd poured into it still coiled around my throat like vines, strangling me.

How many sleepless nights had I spent in the lab perfecting perfume formulas, just to make our pack stronger? And Elijah-he had no leadership. I could admit he had strength, yes, but no strategy. He was impulsive. Yet when you dealt with packs, every Alpha was arrogant. To do business with them, you had to know when to bow your head.

I had given everything. And Elijah wanted to strip me of it all, cast me out, leave me with nothing. I would never submit.

Back at the packing house, the mark on my neck exploded with pain again. My stomach clenched like a fist had punched through it. I rushed to the toilet and vomited. Why was the Moon Goddess so unfair? Why was the betrayed one punished by the bond?

When I opened my eyes again, morning light was filtering in. I'd fainted from the pain last night. Now I looked like a wreck. Elijah could return any time-I couldn't let him see me defeated.

I showered, put on makeup, and the mirror reflected once again a confident woman. I had to try calling Leia again.

"Leia?"

"Leia?" I called once more, but still no response.

Panic gnawed at me. Had Leia abandoned me? Because of Elijah's betrayal? I clenched my fists. I had to face Elijah.

I didn't need to ask anyone-I knew he'd be at the hospital. I prayed Evelyn's child was safe. No matter how she had hurt me, the child was innocent.

At the hospital, I pushed open her room's door. Elijah wasn't there-only Evelyn. She looked radiant, untroubled by pain. When her eyes met mine, there was not the slightest trace of surprise.

"Oh, Victoria, you're here. Come see the designer bracelet Elijah bought me." She flaunted her victory without restraint, twisting her wrist so I could see better. "You're not jealous, are you? After all, Elijah said he never gave you gifts."

I laughed coldly inside. That bracelet was a fake. Evelyn couldn't even see the obvious flaws. I sneered, "I almost pity you, Evelyn. If you take that to an authentication agency, you'll be in for a surprise."

"What do you mean?" she screeched.

I covered my mouth, feigning shock. "It looks like life hasn't been kind to you these past two years. You can't even tell such a blatant counterfeit. Don't worry-I'll send you a real one."

Her expression quickly smoothed, her hand drifting to her belly. "It doesn't matter. You know you'll be thrown out in the end. I'm sure Elijah was just careless, that's why he didn't realize it was fake."

She shot me a glance, then added, "Besides, my pup is healthy. He'll be the next heir of this pack. And you-soon you'll be thrown out like a mutt." Her words dripped venom.

That would never happen. Without my warriors, my Betas and Gammas, without my inheritance, the Golden Claws would never have grown so powerful. I would never let a useless Alpha lead my pack.

"Then try me," I shot back. I didn't believe Elijah had that much sway. I had earned the trust of every pack. Getting my rightful share wouldn't be hard.

Elijah wasn't here, and I had wanted to discuss divorce with him. With him absent, I had no reason to waste words on Evelyn. But she wouldn't stop trying to provoke me.

"I hope this is the last time we meet, Victoria," she taunted. "After all, what woman with any pride would stay by a husband who spat on her?"

"You're right," I said coolly. "A woman with pride wouldn't tolerate her lover gifting her counterfeit jewelry-unless, of course, he sees her as cheap. Evelyn, you're truly cornered, aren't you? And are you so sure Elijah will actually agree to divorce me?"

"Why not? He loves me. You heard it yourself, how much he despises you," she sneered. My heart was already too numb from the pain.

"Our marriage has to go through the pack council. If the elders judge Elijah at fault, then perhaps he'll be the one cast out of the pack." My voice was icy. I trusted the council to make a fair decision.

The air froze solid.

In that silence, Evelyn suddenly cried out and flung herself into Elijah's arms. She buried her face in his chest, shoulders trembling, playing the perfect victim.

"Elijah, I'm so scared." Her voice quivered, tears dripping down his shirt. "She just slapped me. Look."

She lifted her face, revealing one flushed cheek, pitiful and fragile.

"I didn't!" I roared, fire surging in my chest. "You did that to yourself!"

But Evelyn didn't even acknowledge me. Instead, she clung tighter to Elijah's sleeve, sobbing, "She insulted you too. She said you had no leadership, that the whole pack only stands because of her."

My heart lurched. It was the truth-but out of her mouth, it became venomous slander.

Elijah's face darkened instantly, fury blazing in his eyes. "Victoria!" He ground my name between his teeth like it was something to be crushed. "How dare you belittle me?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but Evelyn cut me off, voice sharp and trembling. "And. she threatened me. She said she'd kill my baby!"

The air split open. Every eye swung toward me.

"Bullshit!" I roared, my chest heaving. "I never said that!"

But Elijah's expression had turned to steel. He lowered his head, stroked Evelyn's stomach with a tenderness that was cruel in itself, then lifted his gaze to me-sharp as ice blades.

"You dared to threaten my child? Then you have no right to remain here."

His voice was the sound of judgment.

"Put her in the dungeons."

••• Victoria's POV •••

Two warriors immediately strode toward me, their hands clamping down on my arms.

I thrashed violently, glaring at Elijah, my voice erupting like fire. "On what grounds?!"

He advanced step by step, eyes sharp as blades. "On the grounds that you harmed Evelyn's child. Didn't you?"

The words pierced straight through my chest like a dagger. I could barely breathe, my heart crushed in his fist.

"That's not true!" I roared through clenched teeth. "You know damn well I didn't touch her! She's using you!"

"Victoria," he sneered, gaze cold, as if staring down prey that was already dead, his voice low and merciless.

"Don't forget-I am still your Alpha. Under pack law, no one can stop me from punishing you. One word from me, and you're guilty. Your title, your wealth, even your freedom-stripped away."

Fury surged hot through my veins. I locked eyes with him, unyielding. If Leia were here, I'd already have leapt and ripped his throat out. But I couldn't let anyone know. Not now.

"Elijah, the council will condemn you for this. They will," I warned.

His pupils narrowed, killing intent flooding his gaze. He lifted a hand and gave the cold command:

"Drag her away."

"She may be strong," he announced to the gathered crowd, "but Luna Victoria has never given us an heir."

"And now, she dares attempt to kill the only heir we have."

The wolves gathered at the hospital began to murmur their judgment. I recognized most as Elijah's loyalists. My eyes swept to my former Beta and Gamma. Anger burned in their eyes, but I ordered them silently not to move. Elijah would seize on any excuse to punish them.

Guilt washed over me in waves. I hadn't protected them long enough.

"No one is to approach her. No food, no water. She tried to kill the heir of the Golden Claws-this will be her punishment!" Elijah's final order cracked like a whip.

I stared at him in disbelief, for the first time realizing just how cruel he truly was. I tried to run, but it was already too late. Elijah had bonded not only with Beta Hendricks, but with his Gamma, Mason, and several warriors as well.

Mason and the others seized my arms and dragged me. I struggled, but without Leia and against so many stronger males, resistance was futile. I let them haul me along.

Then I looked at the warriors gripping me, and remembered-they had once been mine. Members of White Claw. Loyal to me. I shifted tactics, speaking to them instead.

"You were White Claws once. You swore loyalty to me. Why betray me now? Why follow Elijah, a useless Alpha?" My voice rose with every word.

Behind me, Elijah's laugh cracked like a whip. "You care so much for my pack, Victoria? The Golden Claws see how pathetically you cling to me. Now both packs despise you!"

His words hit me like a blow to the skull. I had been foolish-abandoning my own wolves for a man. Now ignored, humiliated, punished-it was what I deserved. But by my father's name, I swore I would earn their respect again.

I let them drag me into the dungeons.

Mason and the warriors shoved me forward roughly. Suddenly, one of them sneered and swung his fist toward my face.

I snarled, jerking my head aside. His blow grazed me, splitting my lip. Rage erupted in my chest. I lashed my elbow back, slamming into his jaw. He grunted, stumbling away. I couldn't shift, but I was still Alpha-blood. My strength was undeniable.

"You're weak," I taunted, my voice dripping with contempt.

He flushed with fury, hand flashing toward the blade at his waist. But another warrior-Jax-caught his wrist in a crushing grip.

"Enough!" Jax's voice rang like iron. "The Alpha ordered her locked up, not butchered. Cross that line, and you'll face his punishment."

The air tightened, warriors glancing at each other. The attacker's face went ashen, but he released the blade.

I lifted my eyes to Jax. He didn't look at me again, only turned coldly and continued the march. But my chest warmed faintly-because I remembered. His wife had been dying of illness, and it was I who saved her.

Maybe that was why he stopped the blade. He said nothing, but I knew: not everyone had forgotten what I'd done. Even shackled and disgraced, I still held a shard of respect in some hearts.

I would remember this moment.

--

I don't know how long it was. In the dungeon, silver shackles cut into my wrists, draining me of power. I wasn't even allowed to sit. Elijah meant me to suffer.

The air was damp, cold, lightless-like a coffin swallowing everything. With nothing to do, I could only lick the wounds of losing my mate, of losing Leia. If she were here, at least I wouldn't feel so utterly alone.

Time shredded apart. I couldn't tell night from day. No one came. No food. No water. Hunger and thirst sliced my insides. The silver drained me, and days of forced standing pushed me to collapse. I thought I was dying. I even wondered if death would be a mercy.

But just as I was ready to give in, a spark reached me-someone trying to connect. Familiar. Warm. Not malicious. I opened my barriers.

Felix. My old Beta. After White Claw merged with Golden Claw, he became Elijah's second Gamma.

"Luna, I can help you." His voice pierced the darkness, and I nearly cried. He'd sworn loyalty to Elijah, but now-I knew he hadn't forgotten our bond.

"Allison knows what's happened to you," he added.

Allison. My dearest friend. We'd met at a business summit, both heirs to our packs. Both bound by responsibility. We became allies. Sisters in spirit.

She was Evelyn's cousin, but always stood with me. She despised Evelyn, despised those shallow she-wolves who married Alphas just for bloodlines. She knew I could have survived alone, that I'd been heiress to a famous perfume empire. That I'd abandoned it all for love. For Elijah. Foolish, blinded.

But Allison had never doubted me.

"She's called on her father's pack," Felix whispered, voice burning with suppressed fire. "They're sending warriors to Golden Claw's borders. Demanding Elijah answer for this."

My heart clenched. Allison had chosen not to wait. She would tear the situation open with force.

And I knew what that meant-the council would be forced to intervene. Elijah would no longer be free to do whatever he pleased with me.

••• Victoria's POV •••

Hearing his words, I should feel happy that I could finally escape this hellhole, but I didn't.

"I'm sorry, Felix, but I couldn't let you and Alison do that," I refused his plan. Alison's pack was ranking in 10 and they were no match for the GoldClaw Pride Pack. I didn't want to cause them unnecessary trouble.

"But Luna-"

"I do not want you and Alison to be entangled with my problem," I cut him off. "Elijah is cruel. I can't drag you and Alison down with me. Who knew what he would do to the two of you if he found out you helped me escape? I thank you and Alison, but I can't take the risk."

Before Felix could reply, I heard footsteps coming toward the dungeon, so I forcefully closed our mindlink.

To my surprise, it was Elijah who came to see me, the last person I thought would visit me.

He approached me and used gloves to free me from my shackles so his hand wouldn't touch the silver, which would weaken him too if he touched them.

Once my hands were free from the shackles, I slid to the dirty ground, but I didn't care since my knees were already too weak to help me stand.

Elijah looked down at me; the disgust in his eyes was apparent. "Have you learned your lesson?"

I wanted to shout at and curse at him, but my throat was too dry to say anything. So, instead, I just looked at him, not even able to glare because of how weak I was.

He bent down and pinched my chin hard until I winced, and he chuckled, seeing my pain.

"I came here because I have a proposition for you," he started saying.

I tried to free my chin from his grasp, too disgusted to see him by now, but his grip just got stronger. He wanted me to see him while he was talking to me.

"So, here is my proposition: if you could accept Evelyn's presence, I will let you stay at my side, and you can keep being the Luna of the Goldclaw Pride Pack. I will keep bringing you to functions and meetings and make sure you look good as a Luna with gifts I usually give you."

While he was talking, as if the proposition he offered me was a great thing for me, his expression remained cold.

Now, I had no more doubt that I was so blind to have fallen in love with him and, as everyone said, kept clinging to him. If I thought he was cruel before, now I realized his shamelessness knew no bounds and shocked me even more. He dared to ask me to accept him having a mistress and their child, who would be the Alpha of the Goldclaw Pride Pack in the future, while I became what?

A Luna that was just a tool for him to maintain his reputation? A Luna that he needed to solve the pack problems? Just how low was I in his eyes and heart?

"Come on, Victoria, you know this is the best for you. "I know you love me so much and want to keep staying by my side. With this, you can get what you want."

"Furthermore, I know you can't survive without me," he kept looking down at me and then had the audacity to threaten me, "No one would accept you since you have nothing now, and if you leave, the rogues will surely kill you."

Suddenly, I felt such rage inside me. I had helped him so much, and this was how he thanked me?

"I'd rather be killed by the rogues than live with a pile of shit like you and Evelyn," I spat at him, not even censoring my declaration of how much I hated him so much right now.

Elijah released my chin, pushing my head away, and I felt the back banging against the wall behind me.

"You will regret saying those words to me once I really banished you and you got killed by the rogues," he snarled and turned away, leaving me alone again in my cell.

"You won't, don't forget the perfume company still needs me!" I said as I glared at him angrily.

"Very well, from now on you will be reflecting in the dungeon until you hand over the formula for your new product or you know I will kill your former beta," Elijah said with a sneer and left.

I heaved a breath of relief. Even though I was still imprisoned, at least I wasn't shackled anymore, and it felt good to finally stand up against my jerk of a mate.

After he left, I sat down and suddenly heard Lya's voice echoing in my mind.

"Victoria, you have to escape. Don't let them treat you like this. You deserve better. Please," she urged me.

Joy surged through me until I nearly cried. My wolf finally appeared again! I knew the Moon Goddess would not be so cruel to me, especially after making me go through this torturous situation alone.

"Lya, you are back!" I cried out. "You don't know how lonely I've been without you!"

I waited for her reply, but none came, and I knew she had gone into a deep slumber again. I hugged my knees and cried. Lya had disappeared again, leaving me alone in the darkness once more.

But then I remembered her words. Although in her weakened state, Lya still tried to force herself to talk to me. I knew it must have been hard for her, but she still tried.

Remembering Lya's overcoming her weakness to say those things to me, I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand and clenched my fists, and I felt a new strength course through my body.

Although I was the one who asked my warriors to serve Elijah's pack at first, I knew he must have said something to them, so they betrayed me.

"They have taken my pack away from me and also Ilya. I won't let them get away with it," I swore to myself through gritted teeth. "For Lya, I must survive and make those who made her disappear into a deep slumber pay."

Fortunately, when Elijah threw me into the dungeon, he didn't check my pockets. I had my phone and wallet with me.

With my newfound strength, I pulled out my thin wallet and shifted through some business cards I had kept inside it until I found a yellowed card I needed.

I caressed the card and, looking at it, brought back memories of before I married Elijah.

Five years ago, when I attended my best friend Alison's birthday party - the same Alison who was Evelyn's cousin - I gave her a one-of-a-kind perfume that I had concocted especially for her.

Alison was a she-wolf whose dream was to be a female Alpha. So, I created a bottle of perfume for her that could mask a werewolf's scent because I thought it would help her to avoid being forcefully marked by other Alphas.

I remembered she was so happy with my gift that she hugged me tightly and thanked me profusely for it.

But during some playful chaos, the perfume accidentally spilled on me, and I became a scentless she-wolf for that night.

Maybe it was fate, or perhaps it was just the Moon Goddess playing a prank on me, but that night, I met Alpha Damien Verlice, the Alpha of the Infernal Shadows Pack.

The Infernal Shadows Pack was a powerful pack, and although I was already in love with Elijah at that time, I still had eyes that could appreciate handsome men, and Alpha Damien turned out to be one of the most attractive men I had ever laid my eyes on.

His dark hair and eyes that seemed to be able to suck your soul, and the features of his face - straight nose, chiseled jawline, and not to mention his height and muscular body that could not even be hidden by his bespoke three-piece suit.

He was also charming and carefree. No she-wolves would be able to turn down his advances. Once, he had set out his sight on a she-wolf, and that she-wolf would not be able to escape from his charm. I was no exception, although we all knew he was known as a playboy.

And that night, I didn't know why he set his eyes on me. He approached me, and we chatted. One thing led to another, and we ended up sleeping together.

At first, I did feel a bit guilty since I wanted to give my virginity to Elijah, but I knew Elijah wasn't a virgin anymore as well, so my guilt lessened. And to be honest, Alpha Damien was a great lover. Although it was my first time, I enjoyed our time immensely.

The following day, before he left, he gave me his business card.

"Give me a call if you need any help or want a repeat." He winked at me, and those were his last words to me before he was gone.

I took my phone and dialed the number on the yellowed business card. I just hoped he still hadn't changed his number and still remembered me because this was my only hope. He was my only hope right now, as the Infernal Shadows Pack and Alpha Damien Verlice were more powerful than the GoldClaw Pride Pack and Elijah.