Everyone in Belmor Town knows Stone Manor's got a new rule: ten cents a day for the whole household, no exceptions. And it's all because of Sylvia Harmon, a lotus-picking she-wolf who's got a bone to pick with wealth.

I'm Isabella Frost, the she-wolf bound to Stone Manor's master, Adrian Stone. One extra penny spent on medicine for my cough, and Sylvia had me dragged out and whipped twenty times.

Crack!

The whip sliced into my back, splitting skin with a sound that echoed through the silent courtyard. Blood seeped through my plain white dress, staining it red. My fingers clawed the dirt, knuckles white, as I knelt there, my body frail and trembling, barely holding together.

"Lady Isabella!" Ruby, my maid, sobbed, throwing herself forward. "Stop! Please! She's too weak for this!"

Sylvia stood on the porch, her expression cold as frost. "Stone Manor's rules are ironclad. One extra penny, twenty lashes. Adrian gave me his word."

I bit my lip, blood trickling down my chin. Begging wouldn't help. Not anymore.

Ever since Sylvia strutted into our lives, Adrian's been a different wolf. The mate who once swore I was his everything now looked at me like I was a stranger.

Through the haze of pain, I saw him approach, his dark robe flowing, jade crown glinting in his hair. Still the same breathtaking Adrian, cold and noble as ever.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice sharp.

Ruby scrambled to his feet, clutching at hope. "Adrian! Isabella's got a cough, always has. She spent an extra penny on medicine, and Sylvia's punishing her with twenty lashes! She can't take this-please, have mercy!"

Adrian's eyes flicked to my bloodied back, a flicker of something-pity, maybe-crossing his face. "Sylvia," he said softly, "enough."

Sylvia's eyes welled up, her voice trembling. "You promised me, Adrian. You said the whole manor answers to me. If you let her break the rules, what's the point of me being here?" She turned to leave, her steps dramatic.

Adrian caught her arm. "Alright, alright, I won't interfere."

Then, gently, he covered her eyes. "Don't look, Sylvia. It's too gruesome."

I stared at them, my heart cracking open, the pain worse than the whip. How did we get here? The Adrian who once said he'd die for me-where was he?

Three years ago, in Joravia Town, I met him. I was sheltering from the rain under an awning when our eyes locked. His held a spark of warmth, a smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, miss," he'd said, his voice smooth as a summer stream, "you dropped your handkerchief."

Later, I learned he was Lord Adrian, the youngest alpha in the pack's history. He did wild things for me back then. When he heard I loved peonies, he had ten barrels of them shipped from Lysara Town just to show me their "true pack-wide beauty." When he knew I hated the cold, he hunted a white fox in a snowstorm, pricking his fingers bloody to sew me a cloak. And that time bandits took me? He rode alone into their camp, took an arrow to the chest, and still shielded me, his blood soaking his shirt.

I couldn't resist that kind of love. When he asked to form a sacred bond with me, I said yes. He begged Alpha Alexander for a decree, and with a grand ceremony, he vowed we'd be one mate for life. He brought me into Stone Manor like I was his greatest treasure. Even Luna Helena teased, "Lord Adrian's mate is the luckiest she-wolf in the world."

Until that day a strange she-wolf stopped our carriage. She flung gold beads at Adrian, snarling, "I despise wolves like you! Think your money can buy love?"

And Adrian? The alpha who'd cut down enemies without blinking? He just smiled, his eyes soft with adoration.

"Adrian," I'd whispered, my voice shaking, "who is she?"

"Isabella," he said, calm as ever, "I met a lotus-picker. Sylvia. She. she's got my heart. I want her as my equal mate."

My fingers trembled. "And me? You promised me forever, just us."

He looked at me, guilt in his eyes but resolve in his voice. "I meant it then, Isabella. But that was before Sylvia. I don't think I ever loved you as much as I thought. If I'd met her first, I wouldn't have chosen you."

It was like lightning struck me.

"Because of the pack's decree, we can't break our bond," he continued. "You'll still be Stone Manor's lady. But my love? That's for Sylvia now."

I fell apart, crying myself to sleep, convincing myself it was a phase. But soon, he brought her to the manor. To appease her hatred of wealth, he let her run the place. "Live however you want," he told her. "When you're ready, we'll form our sacred bond."

Life in Stone Manor became a nightmare. My allowance was slashed; I could barely eat. My cough worsened, but Sylvia denied me medicine, calling it "wasteful." And today, for one extra penny, I was whipped in front of everyone.

The final lash landed, and I spat blood, collapsing as darkness closed in.

When I came to, I was back in my room. The healer was checking my pulse. "She's hurt bad," he said, handing Ruby a prescription. "Needs medicine round the clock."

Ruby's voice shook. "How much?"

"Three silver."

"Can we. pay later?" she choked out.

The healer, knowing Stone Manor wasn't broke and remembering my past kindness, started to nod.

"No!" Sylvia's voice cut through from the doorway. She stormed in, her face like ice. "Stone Manor doesn't do debts. No money, no medicine."

Ruby snapped. "She'll die without it! You hate the rich, fine, but this? You want everyone starving and sick?"

Sylvia's face darkened, but I tugged Ruby's sleeve, my voice weak. "Use my dowry."

"Absolutely not!" Sylvia snapped. "You're bound to Stone Manor; your dowry belongs to it. No personal use."

Ruby trembled with rage, but Sylvia turned to the healer. "What do you do when patients can't pay?"

He hesitated. "They. gather herbs from outside the pack to cover it."

Sylvia nodded. "Then Isabella can gather her own herbs."

Ruby gaped. "She's half-dead! How can she-"

"It's her responsibility," Sylvia said coldly. "No exceptions, not even for Stone Manor's lady."

"What's all this noise?" Adrian's voice, cool and sharp, came from the doorway. He stood there, hands clasped behind him, scanning us.

Ruby threw herself at his feet. "Adrian, please! Isabella's hurt, and Sylvia's making her gather herbs herself. It'll kill her!"

Sylvia didn't back down. "If you help her, Adrian, I'm leaving."

He was quiet for a moment, then said, "Do as Sylvia says."

I closed my eyes, the pain in my chest sharper than the wounds on my back. "I'll go," I whispered, forcing myself up.

The mountain path was brutal. Thorns tore my hands, blood dripping as I gathered herbs. My whip wounds burned, vision blurring with every step. Hours later, I staggered back to Stone Manor, blood-soaked but with the herbs in hand.

Passing Sylvia's courtyard, I saw Adrian painting her brows, his touch tender, like she was his world. I froze, remembering last Thanksgiving when he did the same for me. "Your brows are like distant mountains," he'd said. "I'll spend my life tracing them." The whole town envied me then.

Now, his hands belonged to her.

I smiled, but tears blurred my eyes. Back in my room, Ruby saw my state and broke down. "How long are you gonna live like this, Isabella?"

"No more," I said, my voice steady despite the pain. "I'm breaking the bond."

Ruby froze. "But Alpha Alexander's decree binds you two. Without his permission-"

I cut her off, a faint smile on my lips. "My family saved the alpha once. He gave us a blank decree. Anything I write, as long as it's lawful, he'll grant." My eyes hardened. "I'm using it to break this bond and never see Adrian again."

"Ruby, go to Joravia Town. Get the decree. When it's here, we're gone."

Forever.

Ruby was gone, and I was alone, nursing my wounds. The summer heat and cicadas' drone kept me awake, pain throbbing with every heartbeat. But Luna Helena's birthday feast was today, so I dragged myself up, dressed, and headed out.

At the manor's gate, Adrian was already there, holding a horse's reins. Sylvia stood beside him, glowing in a fancy dress, all smiles.

"Isabella," Adrian said, his tone flat, "the manor's ten-cent rule means we can only afford one horse for two. I'm taking Sylvia to the palace. You'll walk."

My fingers tightened on my sleeve, but I just nodded. "Fine."

I watched him lift Sylvia onto the horse with care, then swing up behind her, his arm circling her waist protectively. The clatter of hooves faded, and I was alone.

Three years ago, when I first went to the palace, Adrian had ordered a cushioned sedan so I wouldn't be uncomfortable. "My mate," he'd said, "won't suffer a single slight." Now, those words were for someone else.

The walk to the palace took half an hour. Rain started pouring, soaking me through by the time I arrived, looking like a drowned rat. The feast was in full swing, music and laughter spilling from the hall. I stepped inside, only to see Sylvia sitting in my place-the seat of Stone Manor's lady.

Whispers stung like needles. "Isn't that Isabella? Why's she standing there?"

"Adrian's all about that lotus-picker now. No room for his mate in his heart."

"Remember when he knelt for three days to get the decree to bind with her?"

I kept my head down, taking a servant's spot. Adrian glanced at me but said nothing, pouring Sylvia a glass of wine instead.

"Present the gifts!" the herald called.

When it was Stone Manor's turn, Sylvia stepped forward with a delicate box. "I, Sylvia, wish Luna Helena endless blessings and long life."

Helena smiled, opening the box-then her face twisted. She hurled it to the ground, hawthorn candies spilling out. "You dare mock me with this?"

Sylvia stammered, "Luna, you're used to fancy feasts. I thought you'd like something simple, like what poor folks eat."

"Silence!" a noble she-wolf snapped. "Don't you know Luna nearly lost a pup from eating hawthorn? She despises it! And you offer this filth to the pack's mother?"

Sylvia paled but doubled down. "I didn't know! And hawthorn's delicious. Besides, she didn't lose the pup, did she?"

"Insolence!" Helena slammed the table, her crown trembling. "Guards, drag this wretch away!"

Sylvia panicked, pointing at me. "Spare me, Luna! Isabella prepared the gift. I just presented it!"

I staggered forward, stunned. "You're lying! You run the manor now. How could I have chosen the gift?"

"It's my first time at the palace!" Sylvia cried, tears welling. "You told me what to bring!"

We argued until Helena slammed the table again. "Enough! Adrian, whose idea was this?"

The hall went silent. Adrian stepped forward, his robe glinting in the candlelight. He paused, then said, "Luna, it was Isabella's doing."

His words hit like a thunderbolt, freezing the blood in my veins. "It's my fault for not guiding her better," Adrian continued, bowing deeply. "I'll make amends with a new gift. Please forgive her."

Each word was a knife, carving into my heart. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

"Isabella," Helena said, shaking her head, "I always admired your grace and virtue. This mistake disappoints me deeply." She waved a hand. "No death penalty for Stone Manor's lady, but punishment is due. Guards-slap her face one hundred times!"

"Luna, I'm innocent!" I crawled forward, pleading, but two matrons grabbed me, their grip like iron.

Slap!

The first hit numbed half my face, blood pooling in my mouth. The second was worse, my vision blurring, ears ringing, cheeks burning like they'd been branded.

Adrian stood there, watching as slap after slap landed, blood dripping from my lips, staining my dress. His fingers twitched, like he might step forward, but then Sylvia grabbed his sleeve. "Adrian, I'm scared."

"It's my fault," she whimpered. "I shouldn't have brought that gift."

He closed his eyes, then covered hers gently. "Don't be afraid. I've got you, even if the sky falls."

The hundred slaps left me barely conscious. They ascendednew page

They dragged me back to Stone Manor and locked me in the chapel to copy scriptures in blood as penance. In the flickering candlelight, I knelt on a mat, my trembling hands dipping the brush in ink. Every stroke felt like a cut to my soul.

I thought of Adrian shielding me from the world, promising no one would ever harm me. And today, covering Sylvia's eyes, whispering, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

A tear fell, smearing the bloody ink.

When I woke, I was in a soft bed, Adrian sitting beside me, blowing on a bowl of medicine. "You awake? Still hurting?" His voice was soft, like the old days.

The whip marks screamed, snapping me back. This wasn't my Adrian anymore. He'd watched me suffer for her.

"Why aren't you with Sylvia?" I rasped, turning away.

He sighed, setting the bowl down. "She's shaken up from the feast. Nothing cheers her up. except she mentioned wanting to see you dance The Crimson Swan."

I stared at him, disbelief burning in my chest. "You want me to dance? Look at me, Adrian. I can barely move."

His eyes, once warm, turned cold. "You're Stone Manor's lady. Your duty is to obey your mate." He stood, towering over me. "I say dance, you dance."

Rough hands yanked me from the bed, my wounds tearing open as I struggled. "Adrian!" I screamed, but he walked away.