Alpha Sean's scowl melted in an instant.

"Fine!" he said, voice suddenly warm. I

stood rooted, fingers clenched around the urn as I patted its cold surface, as if my pup could feel my touch through the porcelain.

Ever since Claire and Lillian returned from that northern territory, Alpha Sean had been theirs.

A single howl-text-no matter the hour or his "prior commitments"-and he'd drop everything.

Like now, in Joravia's tallest hospital, in the gold-trimmed VIP ward.

He shoved the door open, and Claire, who'd been crooning to Lillian, looked up, lashes fluttering.

"Alpha Sean? I thought you said-"

She cut herself off, shooting a sharp glance at the pup in the silk sheets. "Lily, did you sneak another call to Daddy?"

"Daddy!"

Lillian launched into his arms, her tiny fists clutching his shirt. "I'm scared without you. What if the healers' potions don't work?"

He hugged her close, rubbing her back.

"Lily's only four. It's natural to fear a hospital full of strange elixirs." His voice turned to honey. "I'll stay today. Ellie. we'll catch up later."

Claire's shoulders sagged in relief.

She traced Lillian's cheek with a manicured nail.

"If not for you pulling strings to find a heart donor for Lily, she." Her voice broke.

"She'll thrive." Alpha Sean's tone softened, and Claire threw her arms around his neck.

"I'm so grateful you're here." When she tried to nuzzle closer, he stood. "I'll grill the healers about her progress. Back soon."

"Daddy, hurry!" Lillian called after him.

The moment the elevator doors closed, another pair slid open. I charged out, eyes locked on Healer Brooks' office.

"Olivia, stop!" a nurse shouted, but I slammed the door open.

Staggering to Healer Brooks, my eyes bloodshot, I fell to my knees.

"Tell me who stole Ellie's heart donor! She'd still be breathing if they hadn't!"

Healer Brooks went ashen.

"Olivia, please rise." He reached to help, but I stayed rooted, fingers digging into the carpet.

He sighed, and I saw the truth in his eyes: Ellie's donor heart had been rerouted to some big-shot's pup at the last second. But he couldn't say it-not with Alpha Sean's shadow looming.

Defeated, I turned to leave.

Just as I passed the elevators, Lillian came barreling toward me.

Before I could steady her, Claire swatted my hand away.

"Don't touch my pup!" she hissed, stepping between us.

"If you're here for blood, come at me-not a child."

I smirked without turning.

I knew he was there before his voice boomed: "Olivia, what's your problem now?"

Alpha Sean stepped in front of Claire and Lillian, blocking my view like a wall of ice.

My fists balled at my sides.

I didn't have time for this charade.

But as I turned to go, Lillian grabbed Alpha Sean's leg, fake-tears spilling.

"Is Ellie mad 'cause Daddy spent my birthday with me? I'm sorry. it's all my fault!"

My blood turned to ice.

Flashbacks hit: Lillian "falling" into the pond, wailing, "Ellie, did I do something wrong?"-a cheap setup.

Alpha Sean had grounded Ellie for days, ignoring her cries.

That night, my pup spiked a fever from the cold, sobbing: "Why doesn't Daddy believe me?"

"Sweetheart, Mom believes you," I'd whispered then.

Now the memory burned like acid.

Lillian's wails grew louder.

Claire stepped forward again: "I said, take it out on-"

SMACK!

My hand connected with her cheek before I could think.

"Olivia, have you lost your goddamn mind?!"

Alpha Sean roared, lunging to snatch my wrist.

The world blurred as unshed tears stung my eyes, and a searing pain-hotter than wolfsbane-ripped through my chest.

Ten years of love-ten years of loyalty-flashed before my eyes like dying embers.

Staring at the wolf I'd once offered my entire soul to, a sickening ache ripped through my chest.

"Yeah? Well, I should've gone feral years ago!" I shrieked, voice echoing off the hospital walls.

With all my strength, I wrenched my wrist free and landed a stinging slap across Alpha Sean's face.

The crack of skin on skin reverberated through the tension.

"Alpha Sean-consider this our final howl. We're done."

From that moment, our paths split like rivers on opposite sides of a mountain-never to converge again.

I jerked my hand back, palm throbbing from the impact.

His left cheek flared red; no she-wolf had ever dared strike him.

He let out a cold, scornful "Hmph," but I didn't spare another word.

Spinning on my heel, I stormed away.

I knew what he thought: that I'd tricked my way into his life.

For years, I'd stayed by his side without a proper mate bond.

Why leave now?

Because Ellie's empty crib haunted every corner of that villa-because his indifference had finally killed the last spark in me.

Five days later, at Royal Gardens... I imagine him dragging home, bone-tired, to find the place hollow.

I'd taken Ellie's urn and every trace of us-vanished like smoke.

When he pulled out that enchanted phone and sent his first message:

Come back.

The second it sent, a warning symbol flashed.

Message blocked by recipient.

When he tried calling, the line rang once before cutting off.

In the meantime, I'd settled into Maple Grove Haven. After fleeing Royal Gardens, I'd come to this cottage-the home of my foster mother, Helen Lawson.

Helen had once served the Jovia family, tending to Alpha Sean's grandmother, Eleanor Jovia.

I was eight when I met them: beaten, starving, escaped from that godforsaken orphanage.

It was Eleanor who saved me.

With Jovia pack influence, she shut down the corrupt place that had been my prison.

Homeless, I clung to Helen, who took me in.

I followed her to Jovia Manor, where she worked until her last days. When she passed, she left this cottage to me.

That afternoon, I'd just finished unpacking.

As I headed downstairs to take out the trash, a chill ran up my spine.

Turning to climb back inside, a vice-like grip clamped my wrist.

Alpha Sean's scowl melted in an instant.

"Fine!" he said, voice suddenly warm. I

stood rooted, fingers clenched around the urn as I patted its cold surface, as if my pup could feel my touch through the porcelain.

Ever since Claire and Lillian returned from that northern territory, Alpha Sean had been theirs.

A single howl-text-no matter the hour or his "prior commitments"-and he'd drop everything.

Like now, in Joravia's tallest hospital, in the gold-trimmed VIP ward.

He shoved the door open, and Claire, who'd been crooning to Lillian, looked up, lashes fluttering.

"Alpha Sean? I thought you said-"

She cut herself off, shooting a sharp glance at the pup in the silk sheets. "Lily, did you sneak another call to Daddy?"

"Daddy!"

Lillian launched into his arms, her tiny fists clutching his shirt. "I'm scared without you. What if the healers' potions don't work?"

He hugged her close, rubbing her back.

"Lily's only four. It's natural to fear a hospital full of strange elixirs." His voice turned to honey. "I'll stay today. Ellie. we'll catch up later."

Claire's shoulders sagged in relief.

She traced Lillian's cheek with a manicured nail.

"If not for you pulling strings to find a heart donor for Lily, she." Her voice broke.

"She'll thrive." Alpha Sean's tone softened, and Claire threw her arms around his neck.

"I'm so grateful you're here." When she tried to nuzzle closer, he stood. "I'll grill the healers about her progress. Back soon."

"Daddy, hurry!" Lillian called after him.

The moment the elevator doors closed, another pair slid open. I charged out, eyes locked on Healer Brooks' office.

"Olivia, stop!" a nurse shouted, but I slammed the door open.

Staggering to Healer Brooks, my eyes bloodshot, I fell to my knees.

"Tell me who stole Ellie's heart donor! She'd still be breathing if they hadn't!"

Healer Brooks went ashen.

"Olivia, please rise." He reached to help, but I stayed rooted, fingers digging into the carpet.

He sighed, and I saw the truth in his eyes: Ellie's donor heart had been rerouted to some big-shot's pup at the last second. But he couldn't say it-not with Alpha Sean's shadow looming.

Defeated, I turned to leave.

Just as I passed the elevators, Lillian came barreling toward me.

Before I could steady her, Claire swatted my hand away.

"Don't touch my pup!" she hissed, stepping between us.

"If you're here for blood, come at me-not a child."

I smirked without turning.

I knew he was there before his voice boomed: "Olivia, what's your problem now?"

Alpha Sean stepped in front of Claire and Lillian, blocking my view like a wall of ice.

My fists balled at my sides.

I didn't have time for this charade.

But as I turned to go, Lillian grabbed Alpha Sean's leg, fake-tears spilling.

"Is Ellie mad 'cause Daddy spent my birthday with me? I'm sorry. it's all my fault!"

My blood turned to ice.

Flashbacks hit: Lillian "falling" into the pond, wailing, "Ellie, did I do something wrong?"-a cheap setup.

Alpha Sean had grounded Ellie for days, ignoring her cries.

That night, my pup spiked a fever from the cold, sobbing: "Why doesn't Daddy believe me?"

"Sweetheart, Mom believes you," I'd whispered then.

Now the memory burned like acid.

Lillian's wails grew louder.

Claire stepped forward again: "I said, take it out on-"

SMACK!

My hand connected with her cheek before I could think.

"Olivia, have you lost your goddamn mind?!"

Alpha Sean roared, lunging to snatch my wrist.

The world blurred as unshed tears stung my eyes, and a searing pain-hotter than wolfsbane-ripped through my chest.

Ten years of love-ten years of loyalty-flashed before my eyes like dying embers.

Staring at the wolf I'd once offered my entire soul to, a sickening ache ripped through my chest.

"Yeah? Well, I should've gone feral years ago!" I shrieked, voice echoing off the hospital walls.

With all my strength, I wrenched my wrist free and landed a stinging slap across Alpha Sean's face.

The crack of skin on skin reverberated through the tension.

"Alpha Sean-consider this our final howl. We're done."

From that moment, our paths split like rivers on opposite sides of a mountain-never to converge again.

I jerked my hand back, palm throbbing from the impact.

His left cheek flared red; no she-wolf had ever dared strike him.

He let out a cold, scornful "Hmph," but I didn't spare another word.

Spinning on my heel, I stormed away.

I knew what he thought: that I'd tricked my way into his life.

For years, I'd stayed by his side without a proper mate bond.

Why leave now?

Because Ellie's empty crib haunted every corner of that villa-because his indifference had finally killed the last spark in me.

Five days later, at Royal Gardens... I imagine him dragging home, bone-tired, to find the place hollow.

I'd taken Ellie's urn and every trace of us-vanished like smoke.

When he pulled out that enchanted phone and sent his first message:

Come back.

The second it sent, a warning symbol flashed.

Message blocked by recipient.

When he tried calling, the line rang once before cutting off.

In the meantime, I'd settled into Maple Grove Haven. After fleeing Royal Gardens, I'd come to this cottage-the home of my foster mother, Helen Lawson.

Helen had once served the Jovia family, tending to Alpha Sean's grandmother, Eleanor Jovia.

I was eight when I met them: beaten, starving, escaped from that godforsaken orphanage.

It was Eleanor who saved me.

With Jovia pack influence, she shut down the corrupt place that had been my prison.

Homeless, I clung to Helen, who took me in.

I followed her to Jovia Manor, where she worked until her last days. When she passed, she left this cottage to me.

That afternoon, I'd just finished unpacking.

As I headed downstairs to take out the trash, a chill ran up my spine.

Turning to climb back inside, a vice-like grip clamped my wrist.

Caught off-guard, I stumbled backward, my wolf instincts flaring at the familiar scent.

"Olivia, who the hell do you think you are, blocking my mindlink?"

Alpha Sean's growl rumbled, vibrating through the porch.

Regaining my stance, I lifted my chin to meet his gaze.

My eyes must have been as cold as the moonless night, because his brows furrowed.

Ignoring his snarl, I kept my voice flat: "Let go of me, Alpha."

His eyes darkened.

"You forget your place."

Instead of releasing me, his grip on my forearm tightened.

That's when I slammed my heel down on his instep, channeling every ounce of wolf strength.

He winced, grip faltering.

I wrenched free and bolted up the stairs.

"Olivia!" His voice dropped to a predatory growl.

"Don't you dare-"

"Touch me again," I snapped, ducking his grasp.

Alpha Sean watched me dodge him like his touch carried silver poison, a mocking smirk twisting his lips.

"Olivia," he purred, "is there a single inch of you I haven't marked with my alpha scent?"

My expression iced over, nails digging into my palms hard enough to draw blood.

"Our mate bond snapped "

I spat. "Permanently."

Whirling, I sprinted up the stairs.

Behind me, he leaned against his enchanted cruiser, eyes tracking my retreat like a predator studying prey.

slammed the door on it.

On the third floor, my bedroom door almost closed before a boot wedged between the frame.

Alpha Sean shouldered his way in.

He flipped open an ivory gift box, the kind Jovia use for moonstone trinkets. "Ellie, look what Daddy brought you!"

Silence.

No pitter-patter of tiny feet.

No excited whine.

He paused, confusion furrowing his brow.

Ellie wasn't Lily-she'd never thrown herself into his arms.

But even so, her little voice would always call "Daddy!"

"Still napping?"

He set the box on the dresser, voice softening.

He headed for the bedroom, but his posture stiffen as he took in the empty space.

The bed was made, no sign of a pup.

Just our clothes hanging side by side in the closet, Ellie's tiny dresses next to my battle leathers.

"Where's Ellie?"

He turned, eyes narrowing.

I stood by the door, staring at that damned gift box-probably filled with the moonstone fashion he'd denied Ellie for years.

"Ellie," I said, voice as cold as the Arctic wind, "you'll never see her again."

His nostrils flared, picking up the scent of my grief.

"What the hell does that mean?"

Alpha Sean's face shadowed.

As if he'd ever cared enough to know where his pup was.

I didn't answer.

My feet carried me to the table, hands shaking as I lifted the Elsa princess dress from the box.

The silk felt like ice against my palms, and my vision blurred-this was the gift Ellie had begged for, the one he'd promised.

Instead, it had adorned Lillian's back at her island party.

Now he thought to pass along his cast-offs?

Did he see Ellie as nothing more than a receptacle for his leftovers?

"Alpha Sean," my voice cracked, "Ellie doesn't want your scraps!"

I hurled the dress and box across the room, not caring that they flew like garbage.

My pup's urn rested in the side room; I wouldn't let her "see" this mockery.

He lunged too late.

The box hit the floor, the custom dress spilling onto a smoldering cigarette butt-one of his, left from weeks ago. The silk caught fire, burning a ragged hole through the heart of it.

"Olivia, have you lost your mind?!"

His growl reverberated. But I stood my ground, the broken mate bond pulsing painfully.

"Get out."

Then his phone chimed-a custom ringtone I'd heard too often.

It was Claire.

He looked at me, eyes glacial, and answered the call.

"Claire."

His tone shifted instantly, soft as moonbeam.

"Did you find Ellie? The island service center just called, asking when you and Ellie would arrive so they could prepare."

"No, Ellie's not here."

His gaze bored into me like silver spikes.

His eyes turned colder still as he spoke into the phone: "Cancel island plan. I'm coming to you and Lily."

Before leaving, he tossed a final warning over his shoulder:

"If you have any spine, keep Ellie from mindlinking me."

The door slammed shut, and the next moment, my knees buckled.

I hit the floor with a thud, my back to him.

Dimly, I heard his scoff: "Olivia, quit these pathetic tricks."

His voice cut through the fog.

He thought I was faking-again.

In his mind, I'd always been the schemer: the she-wolf who drugged him on their anniversary, the mother who coached her pup to feign illness.

He'd believed Claire's story that I'd sabotaged their bond; he'd ignored Ellie's real coughs for Lillian's fake tears.

I tried to rise, to snarl at him to leave, but my body wouldn't obey.

Dizziness washed over me, bringing memories: Ellie's last birthday call, the sound of her wet coughs over the line, Alpha Sean's laughter in the background at Lillian's party.

Then I felt his hands-rough, familiar-yanking me up.

"Don't think Eleanor's protection makes you untouchable!"

His growl was cold, but it cut off abruptly.

When he released me, I slumped again, too weak to stand.

In the blur, I felt him catch me before I hit the floor.

His arms were strong, like they used to be when we'd run through the packlands at night.

But his scent now was different-tinged with Claire's and sweetness of Lillian's sickroom.

"Olivia..."

His voice was strange, as if he'd just realized the truth: my pallor wasn't an act.

For the first time in years, his touch wasn't laced with anger-but by then, I'd already slipped under.