The man fixed his eyes intently on my face, his gaze gliding slowly from my eyes, down past my pert nose and pink lips, before finally landing on my knee - length evening gown.

"Found a new backer and want to completely cut ties with the past?" Ryder sneered.

"I have nothing to do with you now. I'm Bran's mate,"

"Oh, climbed up the social ladder, huh? Can he really satisfy you?"

"None of your business,"

"Now you've learned to be sharp - tongued."

"We're broken up. Who I sleep with has nothing to do with you. Stay away from me!"

A wicked smile curled up on Ryder's lips.

"Break up? Baby, you can't get rid of me that easily."

Ryder reached out and gently tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I was gone for a while, and you were so eager to find a new lover. Hmm?"

I tried to bypass Ryder and leave.

Suddenly, Ryder grabbed my arm .

He pulled me towards the plush sofa in the corner of the room and pushed me down onto it.

I let out a startled yelp.

I lifted my leg to kick him, but Ryder swiftly wedged himself between my legs.

In an instant, my hand cracked across his face.

"Nice one, baby. That fire of yours? It's driving me wild. I could just devour you right here."

I raised my hand again. "You'll never have me! I'd rather die!"

Ryder snatched my wrist.

I tried to strike with my left, only to be caught firmly.

Meeting my fierce glare, Ryder threw his head back and laughed. "You're magnificent when you're angry. Give me another, if it makes you feel better."

He released one wrist, his fingers tracing down my neck. "I sent a fortune to find you. Who else would be so generous when they're done with you?"

I was suddenly transported back to five years ago.

I was Ryder's mate.

One day, I lost all contact with Ryder.

His phone went from being switched off to out - of - service, .

I was terrified that something dreadful had befallen Ryder. I pulled out all the stops to find him.

But everyone clammed up, feigning ignorance.

It was as if Ryder had evaporated into thin air.

A month later, a stranger approached me, handing me a check , one thousand dollars.

"Where is he?"

But the person insisted he had no idea.

In that gut - wrenching moment, the truth hit me like a ton of bricks.

Ryder wasn't in trouble; he had simply grown tired of me and cast me aside.

I tore up the cheque.

I had once foolishly dreamed that one day, Ryder would reappear, laughing, and tell me it was all just a cruel test to see if I was after his wealth.

But he disappeared for five years.

"We're done! Stay the hell away from me!"

Ryder's face contorted with fury.

" You're mine, and you're not going anywhere!"

"You're nothing to me now. Bran is a real man, not a coward like you."

With a snarl, Ryder's grip on my hands tightened.

"You'll regret those words."

In a flash, he had me pinned against the wall.

I gasped for air, my nails raking down his arm.

Blood trickled from the deep gashes, but he didn't flinch.

"Submit to me," he growled.

I spat in his face.

He crashed his lips onto mine, his teeth biting down hard.

I tasted blood, but I fought back, scratching and clawing at his chest.

Ryder was like a wild beast driven even more insane by the scent of blood.

The more I resisted, the more excited he seemed to become.

As he frantically reached for my skirt, I trembled, screaming at the top of my lungs,

"Ryder, if you don't stop this instant, I swear, I'll hate you for the rest of my life!"

Ryder slowly lifted his head, bloodshot eyes locking with mine.

"Don't you already hate me? I want you to loathe me, to be haunted by me forever!"

"Touch me again and I'll spill every filthy secret you've got!" I shot back.

Ryder let out a mocking laugh. "Spill? You were in it too. We're both in the muck." With that, he yanked me off the sofa.

"You're not going anywhere. "

"Let me go! We're done. There's nothing left to say!" I shouted, struggling in vain.

"Done? What am I to you? A plaything?"

I gritted my teeth. "You know what you did. Don't play dumb."

"Fine, since you're being heartless, don't blame me." His hands tightened, and he started ripping at my clothes.

"Are you insane? Stop!"

His eyes landed on my neck, where the werewolf - mate bond mark once was. Now, there was only bare skin.

"The mate bond mark... where the hell did it go?"

Ryder's fury boiled over.

"Speak!"

"Let go! It's killing me!"

Miraculously, my cry snapped him back. He released me, and I fled to the corner.

There were clear fingerprints on my wrist.

Ryder stepped closer. "Let me see."

"Who do you think you are? "

"I was wrong. Punish me. Just calm down."

"I'm done. Stay away!"

As I tried to leave, he blocked me. "You refused the check. You still love me."

Ryder pounced, pinning me to the corner. I shoved him, but he caught my wrists.

"Let go!" I screamed.

"Isabelle... I'm back. I swear, no matter what happens from now on, I'll never leave you again."

"I don't like you. Stop deluding yourself!"

I was tired of his empty promises and the pain he had caused me in the past.

"I still love you,"

I quickly turned my face away. Just as I opened my mouth , a familiar male voice drifted in from outside the door. "Baby?Are you there?"

It was Bran!

My face drained of color.

Ryder whispered "Think Bran will believe you're loyal?"

"Gag me if you don't want a sound."

I froze.

Then, he opened his mouth, ready to expose us.

Panicked, I yanked him down.

He buried his head in my neck leaving stinging marks.

Just then, Bran's voice boomed, "Baby?" as he turned the handle, my heart thundered.

Huddled in the corner, I clung to Ryder, praying for a miracle.

"I'm here," I croaked.

Bran's voice filtered through the door once again, laced with a tinge of suspicion.

"Why's it taking so long?"

"I think I left my special werewolf - protection charm at the car. Could you go get it for me? It's really important."

Bran was silent for a moment.

"Alright, stay put. I'll be right back."

I let out a sigh of relief, knowing that I had bought myself some time, but also dreading what would happen next with Ryder still in the room.

As soon as Bran left, I summoned all my strength and shoved Ryder away .

"You're really going to stay loyal to him?" he asked.

Then, before I could respond, as if consumed by a fit of jealousy, he blurted out impulsively, "You're not a virgin anymore. What's there to be so protective about?"

"I've had four or five relationships after you, and I treated them all the same."

Ryder's face darkened.

"Leave now. I don't owe you anything. Cut out this crazy act. You say you love me? If you hadn't seen me suddenly, you wouldn't even remember who I am."

Ryder's expression was terrifyingly gloomy.

Ryder suddenly lunged at me wordlessly, tearing at my skirt like a madman.

I clung to his wrists, my nails almost digging into his skin. "Ryder, don't..."

Ryder showed no mercy.

"Ryder!" I was on the verge of tears.

But Ryder was in a frenzy, completely ignoring me.

"Isabelle....." Ryder looked at me, my face as pale as if all the blood had been drained from my body. For a moment, he seemed to be transported back five years.

Back then, he had held me just like this, filled with heart - wrenching tenderness. But now, everything had changed.

Suddenly, Ryder swept me off my feet.

I drove my elbow backwards with all my might.

He winced in pain and loosened his grip, and I stumbled back into the corner.

Just then, a clear voice of a waiter came from outside the restroom.

"Lady, are you okay in there?"

I crouched in the corner, breathing heavily "I'm here..."

The waiter seemed to sense something was wrong. "Are you safe out there. Could you open the door?"

Leaning against the wall, my legs weak, I forced myself to stand up and tried to calm down.

After a few seconds, I reached out to unlock the door.

The door opened slowly, just a crack.

The waiter saw my disheveled hair and terrified eyes, and his face was filled with worry. "Do you need any help? Is someone bullying you?"

"Thank you, I'm fine. Could you get me a glass of hot water?"

"Sure. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." The waiter left reluctantly, looking back at me several times.

Suddenly, just as the waiter turned the corner of the corridor, he was stopped by Bran .

The waiter told Bran that I looked extremely flustered and was in a very strange state. Upon hearing this, Bran immediately strode quickly in this direction.

At that very moment, Ryder also stepped out of the VIP room.

The two men faced each other on a narrow path, and their eyes met instantly.

Bran sized Ryder up with a wary look in his eyes and said coldly, "What are you doing here? "

A mocking smile curled up on Ryder's lips. "You're meddling too much, aren't you? Do you really think you can control everything about her?"

Bran's face darkened, and he was about to flare up when my voice came from behind. "Bran."

Bran immediately turned around and walked quickly to my side.

Seeing my disheveled state, his heart ached. "What happened to you? Did he bully you?"

I leaned into Bran's arms, my eyes welling up with tears. "I'm okay, just a little scared."

Bran gently patted my back to soothe me, then turned to look at Ryder, his eyes full of warnings. "Stay away from her, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Ryder let out a cold laugh. "Ruthless? What can you do? "

Ryder's gaze, sharp as that of a hawk, locked onto me firmly.

I forced myself to stay calm.

Before I could open my mouth , Bran, like a protective bull guarding its calf, swiftly stepped to the side and blocked me with his body.

"Stay the hell away from her. You've caused enough trouble already."

Bran gritted teeth. "Once you finish your drink, get the hell out of here. You're not welcome."

Ryder, however, seemed completely unfazed by Bran's fury.

"Oh, come on. I'm not here to cause trouble for you. I just want to get to know your lovely girlfriend better."

With Ryder's blatant teasing, Bran was merely laughing it off.

Back into the private box,

I sat down closely beside Bran, his warm hand clasping mine tightly, as if he was afraid I'd slip away. He turned his head and chatted and laughed heartily with Ryder on his left.

The room was filled with a thick cloud of smoke, and the laughter of the men echoed continuously.

As soon as the waiter left, Ryder suddenly turned his head, his eyes locking onto me.

"Don't sleep with Bran."

"I could sleep with stray dog on the street, and it's none of your business!"

"I know you're still mad at me for leaving without a word. Fine, I'll take your anger. I can even accept that you're with others as a way to vent. But you need to understand, have your fun, but don't get too involved. "

Just as I was about to fire back, Ryder whirled around.

He towered over me. "Six days. Break up with Bran, or I will tell him everything our past."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm giving you a chance. Take it."

Earlier, I'd thought about seducing Bran and confessing my past with Ryder.

Bran, sensing my fear, gripped my hand tightly. "Leave her alone, Ryder."

Ryder sneered. "This isn't over."

Ryder's eyes remained fixed on me as he lit a cigarette.

The sudden flash of the lighter revealed vivid red scratch marks on his hand, and my heart skipped a beat, guilt overwhelming me. I couldn't fathom if he was subtly warning me.

I instinctively tugged at Bran's arm. "I'm really not feeling myself. Can we leave now?"

Bran arranged for a ride, and soon I was home.

Still in my coat, I quickly messaged Bran I was okay, then collapsed on the bed.

After Ryder vanished, our family's world crumbled.

My father had a car accident and passed away.

My brother, framed, languished in prison.

In my darkest moments, I'd think of the money Ryder offered, but self-loathing would quickly follow. I'd given him my all for five years-no thoughts of wealth or status, just pure, unadulterated love.

I'd awaited Bran's call, but it was Ryder's voice that broke the late-night silence.

Sitting in the pitch-black, smoke-hazed living room, I begged, "Ryder, please. Just let me be. Act like I never existed."

Ryder's voice slurred lazily, reeking of alcohol. "I thought I'd just scare you off, but seeing you with Bran? It pissed me off."

"Then leave. If you can't stand it, get lost."

"Ditch Bran. I can give you way more than he ever could."

Silence hung heavy on the line, broken only by my stifled sobs.

"Why are you crying? You don't love Bran," he murmured.

"I want to marry him. If you want me to break up with him, will you marry me?"

"Bran won't marry you either."

That "either" stung.

"Bran will wed an Alpha's daughter or a rich heir. You don't fit his family's mold."

"I'm happy with Bran. He's good to me. Don't push me, Ryder."

Ryder insisted, "With me, Bran won't touch you."

I let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Another five years then dump me? With Bran, I'm his only. He will never dump me no matter how many years I'm with him"

"At least with you, I never touched another."He said.

I froze, mute.

"Sleep. Bran won't come." Then he hung up, leaving me fuming.

All night, I tossed, sleepless.

I messaged Bran, no reply.

I called before dawn, no answer.

Had Ryder said something?

Finally, at almost one in the afternoon, Bran called, his voice hoarse. "Baby, drank too much, missed your calls."

"I'm okay, just worried."

He drawled, "Scared I was cheating?"

"Would you?"

He groaned, "You tease me, never let me have you. It's torture."

"Just a few more days."

Bran's eagerness seeped through the phone. "How many?"

"Five or six," I whispered.

His longing was thick as he purred, "Call me 'daddy', baby."

I refused.

After his endless coaxing, I said, "Boyfriend's one thing. 'Daddy's' different. We're not married."

Bran didn't miss a beat. "It's inevitable. Who else would you marry?"

Half an hour of chatter later, he asked, "Not going to Vegas?"

"No, you go," I said.

"Not for fun. Business. I'd stay if I could," he explained.

"I'm fine. You have work. " I soothed.

"Wait for me. I'll bring a gift," he promised.

"Don't waste money," I protested.

"Spoiling you is my pleasure," he retorted.

That afternoon, Bran picked me up. His trunk overflowed with luxury bags.

Parting, he kissed me, reluctant. "Take care. Wait for me."

After he left, I blushed and rushed inside. In my room, I opened the gift box.

A dazzling diamond necklace sparkled, each stone worth a fortune.

Ryder said Bran wouldn't marry me. I knew. I needed his power to save my brother Alex.