During the ninety-ninth rogue attack on the Silver Moon Pack, the Beta, Omar Reyes, fled with ninety-nine chosen pack members.

Leaving me tied to the bed.

"You're my mate," he said coldly. "It's your duty to protect the pack."

The rogues took me, torturing me for three days before dumping my broken body at a brothel.

It was Fabian Turner, a Lycan Prince, who found me. He paid for my freedom, marked me as his mate, and punished the rogues who had hurt me.

For three years, I believed in his love, in the gentle words he whispered to me. Until one day, I overheard Omar confronting him.

"You’ve drained her wolf’s power enough, haven’t you, Your Highness?" Omar sneered. "Now, honor our agreement and let me have Kate."

Fabian’s laugh was cold, cruel. "I watched that pathetic excuse of a she-wolf suffer ninety-nine times. Do you think I’d have marked her if I didn’t need her power for Kate? She’s nothing but a tool to me."

My heart shattered. The bond between us, once so strong, now felt like a chain around my neck. I realized then that love was nothing but an illusion.

In that moment, memories of my past life flooded back.

In ten days, I would die.

---

The fight between Joseph Lane, the Alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack, and Omar erupted over Kate Richardson.

"Omar," Joseph growled, his Alpha tone sharp and commanding. "You knew I marked Cecelia only to drain her wolf’s power for Kate. I’ve been feeding Kate every ounce of strength I took from her."

But Omar wouldn’t listen. The two men clashed, their wolves snarling as they tore into each other. They used my belongings—Joseph with my training gear, Omar with my weapons—as if I were nothing but a pawn in their game.

It wasn’t until Kate arrived, her belly slightly rounded, that the fight stopped. She stumbled, her delicate hands clutching her stomach, and both men rushed to her side.

"Joseph," she said, her voice trembling, her scent—a mix of vanilla and something sweet—filling the air. "I’m carrying your pup. We’re going to be a family."

Omar’s face twisted in pain. "Kate, Joseph marked that broken she-wolf. He’s not worthy of you. I’ve given up everything for you—my pack, my honor."

But Kate only leaned into Joseph, her lips brushing his in a kiss that sealed her decision.

I watched from the shadows, my body trembling as if struck by lightning. Omar had abandoned me, left me to suffer, and yet he’d given up everything for Kate.

And Joseph—he’d marked me, claimed me, only to drain me for her.

I felt my wolf whimper in the back of my mind, weak and broken. I had nothing left.

---

Later, Joseph entered my room, a silver necklace dangling from his fingers.

"Cecelia," he said, his voice soft, almost tender. "A gift for you. Do you like it?"

I forced a smile, tears streaming down my face. The necklace was beautiful, but I knew it was nothing compared to what Kate wore. Her jewelry box was filled with treasures, while I was left with scraps.

Joseph’s eyes lingered on the last remaining piece of my mother’s legacy—a silver pendant. "Kate’s pregnant," he said, his tone casual. "She could use some protection. Give it to her."

I clutched the pendant to my chest. "No," I whispered. "This is all I have left of her."

Joseph’s expression darkened, his Alpha aura pressing down on me. I shrank back, my wolf cowering.

"You’ll give it to her," he said, his voice cold. "You’ve always been so understanding, Cecelia. Don’t disappoint me now."

That night, he bound me to the bed, his touch rough and unforgiving. I could do nothing as he took the last shred of strength from my wolf, leaving me empty.

When he left at dawn, he took the pendant with him.

"Cecelia," he said, his voice echoing in the room. "Behave."

But when had I ever misbehaved?

I curled under the blankets, my body trembling, my wolf barely a whisper in my mind. My skin was pale, almost translucent.

Nine days. That’s all I had left.

---

For three days, Joseph didn’t return. The whispers among the pack members reached my ears.

"The Alpha’s been with Kate," one said. "He’s barely left her side. They’ve been practicing with the pendant, strengthening her wolf."

My fists clenched, my heart aching. I had nothing left—no power, no strength, no will to fight.

Joseph announced Kate’s promotion to Beta Female, her status secured by the pup she carried. The celebration was grand, far more lavish than our marking ceremony had been.

He sent me a pink dress—the color he once claimed was his favorite, the color of royalty in the Shadow Fang Pack.

Now I knew the truth. Pink was the color of disgrace, the color worn by those who had nothing left.

I had no other choice. I put it on, hiding my broken body beneath the fabric.

Nine days. That’s all I had left.

At the pack gathering, the seat that had never been mine—the place beside the Alpha—was occupied by Kate Richardson.

When I arrived, Joseph Lane smiled.

“Cecelia, you’re here. Try the pastries I had the kitchen prepare especially for you.”

I lowered my gaze to the table, my body trembling faintly.

Kate giggled.

“Alpha, you forgot? Cecelia breaks out in rashes if she eats anything with cinnamon.”

“You mixed it up—the plain cakes you just gave to Whiskers are what she likes.”

I shuddered, unable to muster even a forced smile.

Joseph rubbed his temple and ordered the dishes to be replaced.

But I had no appetite.

When the meal began, Kate hesitated over the dishes, claiming she didn’t dare eat without someone testing for poison.

Joseph seemed to remember something and turned to me.

“Cecelia, since you’re naturally resistant to toxins, why don’t you taste the food for Kate? She’s pregnant, and it would be disastrous if she got poisoned.”

I froze, my heart turning cold.

Thinking of how I’d be leaving soon, I nodded obediently.

But the moment I took a bite, my stomach twisted in agony, and I spat out black blood.

Joseph’s eyes darkened as he held Kate tightly.

He ordered the healer to be called, but Kate interrupted.

She calmly took a few bites of the food, then her eyes filled with tears of委屈.

“Alpha, the food isn’t poisoned at all. If Cecelia dislikes me so much, I can leave, but why would she frame me out of jealousy?”

Hearing this, Joseph coldly gripped my chin.

“Cecelia, is this true? After three years, I never realized you were this cunning!”

He pushed me away, his gaze icy.

Kate, however, stepped forward to intervene.

“Alpha, don’t blame Cecelia. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Let me play a cheerful tune for you.”

The guests all praised her for being understanding and gracious.

As the lute began to play, Joseph smiled.

“This lute has such a pure tone. It’s truly fitting for Kate.”

He listened enraptured, subtly mocking my tainted nature.

Suddenly, the music stopped, and Kate let out a cry as black blood dripped from her fingers.

The lute she dropped was emitting a faint green glow.

Before I could react, Joseph kicked me square in the chest.

“Worthless woman! You think just because you’re toxin-resistant, you can poison Kate like this?”

I stared in shock, my heart aching as the lute lay shattered.

Kate’s cries of pain echoed, and Joseph’s anger only grew.

I trembled as I tried to explain.

“Alpha, for three years, I haven’t even set foot in the healer’s office. How could I get my hands on poison? Please believe me…”

But he wouldn’t listen—or perhaps didn’t want to—and pressed my hands onto the broken lute.

Before leaving, he spoke coldly.

“Cecelia, since you’re so malicious, kneel here and play the lute nine thousand nine hundred times. Beg for forgiveness and pray for Kate’s well-being.”

With that, he walked away without a backward glance.

I endured the endless insults from the crowd.

A sharp pain gripped my stomach.

After hundreds of repetitions, word finally came from the back that Kate was fine.

I collapsed, unconscious.

As the world spun, I thought I saw Joseph rushing over with the healer.

Weakly, I raised my head, a faint hope flickering in my heart.

Did he ever care for me, even a little?

The answer, as always, was disappointing.

The healer diagnosed me as pregnant.

When I woke, Joseph was by my bedside, smiling.

He said,

“Cecelia, this pup’s fate conflicts with the one Kate is carrying. We can’t keep it…”

I froze as the healer, in front of Joseph, warned,

“Alpha, if the Luna miscarries again, she may never conceive.”

But Joseph acted as though he hadn’t heard and turned to demand I terminate the pregnancy for Kate’s sake.

I wept and begged.

“Alpha, do you remember two years ago when I lost our pups saving you? You promised to give me another chance. Now it’s here. Please don’t take this away. Give me some hope, please?”

“The healer said it herself—if I lose this one, I’ll never have another…”

At the mention of the past, Joseph’s lips tightened.

He stood, towering over me, his eyes filled with disdain.

“Cecelia, you didn’t actually believe that, did you? How many others have you carried pups for? Do you think you deserve to have mine?”

“Do you know why you can’t conceive? Because every time, you drank contraceptive tea! But your stubborn body still managed to defy it. End it. I won’t let you stand in Kate’s way.”

The truth, along with the filthy details of my past, shattered me.

I clenched my teeth, trembling.

Though I knew I’d die soon, I was determined to find a way to save my pup.

Seeing my refusal, Joseph grew furious.

He turned and left.

That night, Kate found a solution.

She came to my room with Joseph, tugging at his sleeve as she cooed.

“Alpha, I don’t want to harm Cecelia’s pup either, but there’s a way. If we use her blood to brew my tea daily, wouldn’t that solve everything?”