The second day after Theodore Hawthorne snapped back to his senses, he slapped a bond-breaking letter in front of me, Lillian Prescott.

"Either break the bond, or step down as my mate and let Sophia Ellsworth take her rightful place as my chosen," he said, his voice sharp as a blade.

I stood there, frozen, my fingertips trembling. "Take her place?" I echoed, barely a whisper.

Theodore's eyes flicked up, cold as a winter frost. "You've been sitting in a spot that was always hers. Don't you think it's time to give it back?"

Each word stabbed into my heart, like an invisible hand was squeezing it until every beat felt like it was tearing me apart. Just a few days ago, he couldn't get enough of me. At night, he'd cling to me, refusing to sleep unless I was in his arms, whining "Sis" in that playful, needy way, swearing he couldn't live without me.

Now? His eyes looked through me like I was a stranger.

God, how I wished he was still that sweet, simple pup, the one who only had eyes for me. But he's awake now, and there's no going back.

"Made up your mind yet?" Theodore's patience was wearing thin, his brow furrowing. "Step down as my mate, or break the bond?"

"I'm heading to the Ellsworth den today with gifts to make it official. Sophia and I were always meant to be bound, destined from birth. You need to know your place, Lillian, and stop chasing things that don't belong to you."

His words cut deeper than any knife. I almost laughed at the irony. Me, chasing things that don't belong to me? Me, delusional?

Wasn't it him who clung to me, who wouldn't let me out of his sight, who swore he couldn't breathe without me?

I took a deep breath, forcing the ache in my chest down. When I opened my eyes, I felt a strange calm settle over me.

"I've decided," I said slowly, my voice steady.

Theodore, so sure I'd bend and choose to stay as his lesser mate, cut me off before I could finish. "Good. You're smarter than I thought."

With that, he turned and strode away, his broad shoulders straight as a pine, not sparing me a single glance.

I watched his back disappear, then whispered, "I choose to break the bond."

I closed my eyes, and memories flooded in like a tidal wave.

Everyone in Delmora Town knew Theodore, the heir to the Pack Beta, was the brightest wolf in the pack-bold, untouchable, a star. Every she-wolf in town was smitten, but his eyes were only for Sophia, his childhood mate. He doted on her. She loved peonies, so he filled the Hawthorne den with the rarest blooms. She hated the cold, so he trekked to the western territories for a fox-fur cloak. Before he left for battle, he stood before the whole town and vowed, "When I return, we'll form a sacred bond."

But no one saw it coming-that poisoned arrow on the battlefield that turned our brilliant young wolf into a pup, his mind stuck at seven years old.

His mother, Margaret Hawthorne, prayed to every spirit and healer, desperate for a cure. Finally, word came that a binding ceremony might bring him back.

The moment the news broke, Sophia broke the bond and ran. Every high-born she-wolf who'd once fawned over Theodore turned their backs, too.

Except me. Lillian, the hunter's daughter. I was the one who knocked on the Hawthorne den's gates.

"I'll form the bond," I said.

Years ago, in the dead of winter, my father passed. I sold myself to bury him, but the Hawthornes gave me silver without demanding I become their servant. I never forgot that kindness.

The binding day was nothing grand-no fancy gown, no feast, no guests. Just a small sedan chair carried through the side gate. That was the whole ceremony.

I didn't care.

I looked after him, the pup-like Theodore. I brushed his hair, dressed him, read to him, taught him to write. He grew to lean on me, curling up against me at night, calling me "Sis" in that soft, whiny voice.

One night, he stumbled in while I was bathing. He didn't understand what he saw, not really, but he clung to me anyway, his voice low and rough as he mumbled "Sis," saying he couldn't sleep, that he felt wrong.

My face burned, but I guided him that night, giving him my first. After that, he couldn't get enough, always pulling me close, whispering he wanted to feel that again. I'd blush, unable to meet his eyes, but I let him have his way.

I thought we could live like that forever, simple and quiet.

Until that fever hit. He burned for days, and when he woke, his mind was sharp again-but he didn't know me. He didn't remember Sophia abandoning him. All he knew was he was supposed to come back from battle and bond with her, but somehow, I was his mate.

"Why would I bind with her?" he'd demanded, glaring at me like I was an intruder, while the pack stayed silent. The healers warned he couldn't handle the truth, not yet. So, they let him believe I'd been forced on him.

Fine. I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face. These past years? Just a dream. A hunter's daughter and a broken Beta heir-we were perfect together.

But the high-and-mighty Beta heir he is now? I'm not good enough for him anymore.

My hand shook as I picked up the pen, signing my name on the bond-breaking letter, pressing my thumbprint beside it. I carried it to the enforcers' hall myself.

The enforcer scanned the document, frowning. "Pack law says if a she-wolf breaks a bond, she must roll the nail bed as punishment. It's three yards long, studded with iron spikes. Most don't survive it, Lillian. Think this through."

I almost laughed. That's why Theodore was so sure I'd never choose this.

But my Theodore-the one who needed me, who loved me-he's gone. What's left for me here?

"I'll take the punishment," I said softly.

"It's brutal. Most she-wolves pass out halfway, screaming-"

I shook my head, cutting him off. "I want to break the bond."

The enforcer sighed, seeing I wouldn't budge. "Fine. Ten days from now, you'll face the nail bed."

When I returned to the Hawthorne den, it was already decked out in celebration-lanterns glowing, red banners strung high, the air thick with joy.

I paused at the gate, my mind drifting back to the day I arrived. Theodore was a pup then, so I came through the side gate in a plain sedan chair-no gown, no feast, no toasts. Just me, pouring my own bonding wine.

Back then, I was over the moon just to be by his side.

Now, he's awake, ready to bind with the she-wolf he loves, dressed in the finest silks, throwing the grandest ceremony Delmora's ever seen.

I trudged to my courtyard, only to find it trashed-my clothes, my jewelry, my keepsakes strewn across the ground.

"What are you doing?" I snapped, rushing to block the servants hauling my things.

"Theodore's orders," the head maid sneered. "Since you're stepping down as his mate, you're moving to the side yard. This courtyard's for the new lady."

The servants kept working, their whispers cutting through the air.

"Heard Theodore's chopping down the willows in the back to plant plum trees for Sophia."

"Weren't those willows the ones he and Lillian planted together?"

"Shh, Lillian's nothing now. Sophia's the future lady of the Hawthorne den."

I froze, my heart ripping open. Those willows-we planted them together. He was a pup then, giggling as he dragged me outside, saying, "Sis, let's plant a tree! When it's big, we'll sit under it and stay cool!"

I'd laughed, my heart so full.

Now, he's tearing it all down.

I gathered my things, silent, and headed to the side yard. It was just a cramped, damp storeroom, no proper bed, just a hard wooden board. I set my stuff down and sat, staring out at the dark night, my eyes empty.

Ten days. Ten days, and I'll be free of this place.

I'll never look back.

The next morning, as the first light crept through the window, I woke up and realized it was my birthday.

In years past, Theodore would've been up at dawn, buzzing with excitement, planning something special. He'd insist on cooking me a bowl of longevity noodles himself, even if they turned out a gluey mess, and he'd hover until I ate every last bite. He'd surprise me with gifts-sometimes crates of gold and silver jewelry, sometimes quirky trinkets I'd never seen before, or even a whole sky lit up with lanterns that must've cost a fortune.

Growing up, no one but Theodore ever remembered my birthday. Those years with him were the warmest days of my life.

Now, I'm back to being invisible, forgotten.

My eyes stung as I got up and shuffled to the kitchen. I rolled up my sleeves and cooked myself a bowl of longevity noodles, just like he used to. As steam rose from the pot, I could almost see him, back when he was still my sweet pup, circling me on my birthday, calling me "Sis" and begging me to make a wish to "never leave him."

I took a bite, but a tear fell into the bowl, blurring the broth.

A commotion outside snapped me out of it. A group of delivery wolves hauled in stacks of ornate gift boxes, and the head merchant grinned at me. "Lillian, these are birthday gifts from Theodore, picked out special for you."

I froze, staring at the boxes, hardly believing my ears. "These. are for me?"

"You bet!" he said, gesturing to the pile. "Finest silks from the southern packs, a pearl from the deep seas, a gold phoenix hairpin-every one chosen by Theodore himself. Said they're for his heart's mate. And all these years, he's been coming to us to pick out gifts for you, so that's gotta be you, right?"

My fingers trembled. Theodore had showered me with gifts like these before, back when I was his heart's mate. But now? This merchant must've gotten it wrong.

I opened my mouth to explain, but he was already gone, leaving the boxes behind.

Before I could process it, the courtyard gate slammed open with a bang. Sophia stormed in, flanked by a pack of maids and servants, her eyes landing on the gifts. Her face twisted into a scowl.

"Lillian, you've got some nerve!" she shrieked. "Stealing my stuff?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

She jabbed a finger at the gifts, sneering. "These are my birthday gifts from Theodore, and you've got the gall to snatch them? Know your place!"

I started to say it was a mix-up, that the merchant delivered them to me by mistake, but Sophia didn't give me a chance. With a snap of her fingers, her maids rushed forward, one of them pinning my shoulders.

Crack!

A slap landed hard across my face, the sting spreading like wildfire.

"You filthy she-wolf!" Sophia spat. "A hunter's daughter, thinking you can take what's mine?"

Crack! Crack! Crack!

More slaps, one after another, left my cheeks swollen and my vision swimming. Blood trickled from my lip, and the pain made my head spin.

"You think you can compete with me?" Sophia grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. "Theodore's heart is mine. You're just a lowlife who took advantage of him!"

I was dizzy, my face throbbing, blood dripping down my chin. But something in me snapped. I tore free from the maid's grip and swung back, my hand connecting with Sophia's face in a loud smack.

She screamed, stumbling back, a red handprint blooming on her cheek.

"Lillian! You dare hit me?!" she screeched, clutching her face, eyes wide with shock.

Sophia was shaking with rage, about to lose it, when footsteps echoed from the courtyard.

"What's going on?" Theodore strode in, his eyes flicking between us before landing on Sophia's swollen cheek. His brow furrowed instantly.

"Theodore!" Sophia threw herself into his arms, sobbing like a storm. "She stole the birthday gifts you sent me! I came to talk it out, but she wouldn't give them back-and then she hit me!"

Theodore's face darkened as he turned to me. "Lillian, you've got some nerve."

I clenched my fists, my voice hoarse. "She's the one who-"

"Theodore, look at my face!" Sophia cut me off, tilting her head to show off her red cheek. "I came here in good faith to get my gifts back, and she lashed out like this. Her face? She did that to herself, tripping or whatever. It's got nothing to do with me!"

Theodore's eyes went cold. Without even letting me speak, he snapped, "Lillian, you've gone too far."

"Take her to the shrine hall. She's to kneel and reflect."

My whole body stiffened. I stared at him, disbelief choking me. "You're not even gonna ask me? You just believe her?"

Theodore's expression didn't waver. "Sophia doesn't lie."

Sophia's eyes gleamed with smug triumph, but she put on a pitiful act. "Theodore, she hit me, and you're just gonna let her off with kneeling? Are you. still soft on her?"

"Soft on her?" Theodore's brow creased. "She's nothing to me but a stranger."

His words sliced into my heart like a jagged blade.

I flashed back to a time when I'd gone out to buy him some pastries and got held up for an hour. When I got back, he was curled up in a corner, eyes red, clutching my clothes in a trashed room. The second he saw me, he broke down, wrapping his arms around me and sobbing, "Sis, I thought you left me."

I'd held him close, my heart breaking, and promised, "I'll never leave you. Never."

But now.

He called me a stranger.

A bitter laugh escaped me, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

Sophia's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Since you've got no feelings for her, Theodore, I want her to pay for laying a hand on me."

Theodore's gaze flickered, but he didn't stop her.

My eyes widened. Before I could react, two burly maids grabbed my right arm and twisted it hard.

Crack!

Pain exploded through me, so intense my vision went black. Cold sweat poured down my face as I gasped.

I looked at Theodore, trembling, but his face was stone-cold, like none of this mattered to him.

"Take her to the shrine hall," he said flatly. "She doesn't leave until I say so."

They dragged me to the shrine hall, my right arm throbbing, numb from the pain. I knelt on the icy floor, staring at the ancestral tablets, a hollow laugh bubbling up as my heart ached.

The Theodore who'd cook me longevity noodles, who'd cling to me and whine like a pup-he was gone for good.

The shrine hall was pitch black. My knees went numb, my vision swimming as the pain in my arm screamed. I bit my lip, refusing to make a sound, even as the agony nearly knocked me out.

I don't know how long I lasted before my body gave up. Everything went dark, and I collapsed onto the cold floor.