I had just finished washing the dirt off my face in the small bucket of rainwater I had collected when I heard footsteps approaching.

Heavy. Purposeful.

Him.

I didn’t turn around. I didn’t want to see his face, didn’t want to hear whatever poison he had come to spit at me this time.

But I had no choice.

Cedar always made sure I had no choice.

“You’re looking better.” His voice was smooth, almost amused.

I scoffed, not bothering to hide it. “If this is me looking better, I’d hate to see what you think looking worse is.”

I turned to face him, my arms crossed over my chest, my expression blank. He stood a few feet away, dressed in fine black leathers, his golden hair windswept, his piercing blue eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

He still looked like the man I had once loved.

But he wasn’t.

Not anymore.

He leaned against the wooden beam of the shed, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that made my stomach turn.

He didn’t look at me like he hated me.

He looked at me like I was still his.

“I’ve been thinking,” Cedar said, voice casual. “About you. About us.”

My fingers curled into fists. “There is no ‘us.’”

His lips twitched. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

I narrowed my eyes, heart pounding. “What do you want, Cedar?”

He exhaled a slow breath, stepping closer. “You’re struggling here. I see it. Everyone sees it.”

I said nothing.

“There’s no need for you to keep suffering like this.” He tilted his head, voice almost gentle. “Come to me. Be mine again.”

My stomach churned.

“I already told you, there is no—”

“Not as my mate,” he cut in, his blue eyes gleaming. “That ship has sailed, and we both know why.”

A knife twisted in my chest, but I swallowed the pain.

“But you can still belong to me,” Cedar continued, his voice dropping to something silkier, darker. “You wouldn’t have to live like this. You wouldn’t have to starve.”

He reached out, running his fingers over my cheek. I wanted to rip his hand off.

“I could take care of you,” he murmured. “Like I used to. You wouldn’t have to be alone.”

I stepped back. “You’re asking me to be your mistress?”

Cedar didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed.

“You’d have everything you need. A place to sleep. Clothes that aren’t falling apart. Food—real food. Not the scraps you dig out of the trash.”

His words struck deep, shame curling in my stomach.

But I would rather rot than let him touch me.

I let out a hollow laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

His lips curled, his confidence unwavering. “It’s better than what you have now.”

I looked him up and down, taking in the man who had once held my heart in his hands and crushed it without a second thought.

And then I smiled.

“Do you think I’d ever lower myself to that?” I asked, tilting my head. “Do you think I’d rather be your pathetic little mistress than die with my dignity?”

His jaw tightened. “You’re proud for someone who sleeps in a shed.”

I stepped closer, my voice sharp as a blade. “And you’re arrogant for someone who threw away his mate for a liar.”

His eyes darkened.

Good.

I leaned in, lowering my voice. “You disgust me.”

He grabbed my arm, squeezing tightly. “Watch your mouth.”

I didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink.

I wanted him to see it.

The utter lack of love I had left for him.

I wanted him to choke on it.

I smiled sweetly, my voice laced with venom. “Or what? You’ll throw me to the ground like you did the last time? Have me whipped again? Or maybe this time, you’ll finally do what you’ve been wanting to do and put a dagger through my throat.”

His grip tightened, his nostrils flaring.

And then—

The sound of approaching heels.

I knew who it was before I even turned around.

Ruby.

Of course.

She always had a way of showing up at the worst times.

She was dressed in an elegant lilac gown, her golden curls falling perfectly over her shoulders, her lips painted a soft pink. She looked like a goddess.

A goddess who had stolen everything from me.

Her eyes flickered between me and Cedar, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a knowing smirk.

“Well, well,” she purred, stepping closer. “What do we have here?”

I tried to pull my arm free, but Cedar’s grip remained firm.

Ruby’s smile widened. “Oh dear,” she mused, voice dripping with false sympathy. “Were you throwing yourself at my mate again?”

I almost laughed.

Almost.

I turned to her, my patience hanging by a thread. “Are you serious?”

Ruby sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “It’s sad, really. You just can’t seem to accept that he chose me.”

She looked at Cedar then, blinking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. “I told you, my love. She’s still obsessed with you.”

I gaped at her, my blood boiling. “Are you insane?”

Cedar let go of my arm, his expression shifting.

I recognized that look.

It was the look he always gave Ruby when she played the victim.

He was going to believe her.

Again.

My mouth went dry. “Cedar—”

“She’s lying.” His voice was sharp.

I stilled.

But then he turned to me.

And I realized he hadn’t been talking to her.

Cedar’s gaze burned into me, his face twisting in disgust. “I can’t believe I ever thought you were worth anything.”

I inhaled sharply, but the pain that came with his words didn’t surprise me.

Not anymore.

“Stay away from me,” he ordered coldly. “Stay away from Ruby.”

I clenched my fists. “That’s rich, coming from the one who just asked me to be his personal wh—”

His hand flew before I could finish.

I braced myself for the impact—

But the slap never landed.

Ruby grabbed his wrist, her expression carefully composed. “No, my love,” she murmured, placing a gentle hand on his chest. “She’s not worth it.”

I let out a shaky breath, my cheek tingling with phantom pain.

Ruby turned back to me, her eyes gleaming with victory.

She had played him. Again.

And she had won.

Again.

I forced myself to stand tall, ignoring the ache in my chest.

I would not break.

Not here.

Not now.

Cedar turned and walked away, his arm slipping around Ruby’s waist as she giggled into his ear.

It started with whispers.

Low, mocking voices trailing after me whenever I passed the packhouse, cruel laughter spilling from the warriors gathered in small groups.

“She’s desperate now.”

“Thought she had more dignity than this.”

“Bet she wouldn’t mind a real Alpha.”

I ignored them.

I had learned to ignore them.

But tonight was different.

Tonight, they didn’t just whisper.

They acted.

The shed I had barely settled into the cramped space when I heard footsteps outside.

Not one pair.

Two.

The wooden door creaked open, and the dim glow of the moon outlined their silhouettes. Warriors.

Damon and Tyrell.

I knew them well. They were some of the strongest fighters in the pack, men I had once considered protectors.

Now they were looking at me like I was nothing more than prey.

Damon grinned, stepping inside. “Figured we’d check on you, sweetheart.”

Tyrell followed, shutting the door behind him.

I didn’t move.

I forced my breathing to stay even, forced my hands to remain still even as my instincts screamed at me to run.

“I heard you were feeling lonely,” Tyrell added, his eyes gleaming. “Offering yourself to Cedar. That’s bold, little wolf.”

I clenched my fists. “You heard wrong.”

Damon clicked his tongue. “That’s not what Cedar said.”

Cedar.

Of course.

He had already stripped me of my dignity—now he wanted to strip me of my safety, too.

I swallowed the rising fury in my throat, my voice cold. “Get out.”

Damon only laughed. “Come on now, don’t be shy. If you’d spread your legs for him, surely you’d do the same for us.”

Tyrell leaned against the wall, his smirk widening. “Or do you think you’re still too good for us?”

Rage.

It surged through me so suddenly, so violently, that for a moment, it nearly blinded me.

But I didn’t move.

Not yet. I waited.

Because these bastards had made one fatal mistake.

They had forgotten what I was.

Damon stepped closer, reaching out. “Come on, sweetheart. We’ll be gentle.”

That was the last thing he said before my fist smashed into his jaw.

Crack.

He hit the floor so hard the wooden boards trembled beneath him.

Tyrell barely had time to react before my foot slammed into his gut, sending him flying backward. He crashed against the wall, gasping for air.

I rolled my shoulders, the sharp sting of long-suppressed power rippling through my body.

The warriors had forgotten.

They had forgotten that I was the daughter of an Alpha.

That I was trained to kill.

And now, they would pay for it.

Damon groaned, clutching his face as blood dripped between his fingers. “You bitch—”

I grabbed him by the collar and slammed his head against the wall.

“Say that again,” I hissed, my breath hot against his ear.

He whimpered. Actually whimpered.

Tyrell tried to lunge at me from behind, but I twisted at the last second, my elbow driving into his ribs. He staggered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Good. Let them be shocked. Let them choke on it.

I wasn’t weak.

I wasn’t helpless.

And I sure as hell wasn’t theirs.

Damon tried to scramble away, but I grabbed his wrist, twisting until I heard the sickening pop of his shoulder dislocating.

His scream tore through the night.

Tyrell turned, panting, his eyes darting toward the door.

He was going to run.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Before he could take another step, I lunged, tackling him to the ground. My knee pressed into his chest, my hand gripping his throat.

I leaned down, my voice soft but sharp as a blade.

“If you ever step foot near me again, I will tear your throat out with my teeth.”

Tyrell’s face was turning red. He nodded frantically, his eyes wild with panic.

I released him, watching as he stumbled to his feet, gasping for breath.

Damon was already halfway out the door, his injured arm hanging limply at his side.

They didn’t look back. They ran.

Alone Again.

I stood there for a long time, breathing heavily, my body still thrumming with adrenaline.

The shed was a mess.

The floorboards were scuffed, the door was barely hanging onto its hinges, and Damon’s blood still stained the wood.

I exhaled, slowly lowering myself to the ground.

My hands were trembling.

I clenched them into fists, forcing the shaking to stop. I forced myself to calm down.

Yet, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down. Because I sensed it—those two bastards weren’t the end.

Truth is: the one who wanted me destroyed wouldn’t rest until I was done.