I didn’t have time to think. I lunged forward, shielding Fluffy with my body as her foot came down hard on my back. Pain shot through me, and I collapsed to the ground, my face pressing into the dirt. I clutched Fluffy tightly, refusing to let go.

“Stop!” I shouted, my voice shaking. “I’m still the Alpha’s chosen mate! How dare you treat me like this? Do you think Remington won’t punish you for this?”

One of the Omegas stepped forward, stopping the other. She gave me a shallow nod, her smile thin and insincere. “Apologies, Miss Evelyn. We’re here to serve you. My name is Annika, and this is Nellie. Please forgive our... overzealousness.”

Nellie scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “Why bother being polite? Even if she dies, the Alpha wouldn’t spare her a second glance.”

I didn’t engage. The world was cruel, and this was just another reminder. I pushed myself up, cradling Fluffy in my arms, and carried him into the room.

“Clean this place,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. “Then bring me something to eat.”

Nellie looked ready to argue, but Annika grabbed her arm and dragged her out.

Once they were gone, my eyes burned with unshed tears. I clenched my fists, repeating to myself, *Just one more month. One more month, and Remington will make this right.*

They returned soon enough, carrying a food tray that they carelessly dropped onto the dusty table. The moment they lifted the lid, a sour stench hit me, and I gagged.

“Why is the food spoiled?” I demanded, my voice rising.

Nellie rolled her eyes. “Be grateful you’re getting anything at all. You’re not exactly in a position to be picky.”

Annika hesitated, her voice softer but no less cutting. “Miss Evelyn, the Luna requested cherry tarts. The kitchen is busy preparing them for her. This is all that’s left from yesterday. Please... make do.”

My hands trembled with anger, but I had no recourse. Nellie stomped around the room, wiping surfaces with a rag that only seemed to spread more dust. The already inedible food was now coated in it.

I picked up the tray and carried it outside, placing a bowl in front of Fluffy. But even he turned his nose away, whining softly. If even a dog wouldn’t eat it, how could I?

The bitterness in my chest deepened. *Would Remington care if he saw me like this?* I wondered. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and my body was growing weak. Fluffy was shivering with hunger too.

My gaze fell on a tree near the edge of the yard, its branches heavy with unfamiliar fruit. I plucked a few, wiping them on my dress, and took a bite. The taste was tangy and sweet—a small mercy in this miserable place.

Fluffy and I sat by the wall, sharing the fruit in silence. For a moment, the world felt a little less cold.

Around noon, Annika brought me lunch. This time, it wasn’t leftovers, but the portion was pitiful—just a bowl of plain oatmeal and a few wilted vegetables. Clearly, it was whatever was left from the pack’s meal.

I asked casually, “Where’s Alpha Remington?”

Annika hesitated, her expression uneasy. “A few of the Beta’s friends missed the Marking Ceremony yesterday. Alpha’s with them now, accompanying Luna Jaycee for a chat.”

I muttered to myself, “I know those people. Why didn’t he invite me to join?”

Annika looked uncomfortable, her lips pressing together as if she wanted to say more but didn’t dare.

I forced a bitter smile. “It’s fine. Just tell me.”

She sighed softly. “Alpha… never mentioned to anyone that you were his chosen mate.”

Even though I had braced myself for it, the words still cut deep. My chest tightened, and my wolf, *Aria*, whimpered faintly in the back of my mind.

Remington, you once told me your heart belonged only to me. Was that the truth?

I didn’t touch the lunch Annika brought. Instead, I left it for Fluffy, who wagged his tail gratefully as he ate.

By evening, I woke up coughing, my body trembling under the thin blanket. I felt cold and feverish, my skin burning to the touch.

I tried to call for help, but my voice came out hoarse and weak. Fluffy barked anxiously beside me, but no one else seemed to hear.

I reached for the water pitcher on the table, but my hand slipped, and I tumbled to the floor.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and for a moment, hope flared in my chest—was it Remington?

But my heart sank as I saw Bowen, a drunken rogue, stumbling into the room. His eyes lit up with predatory glee as he scooped me up from the floor, his breath reeking of alcohol.

“Well, well, what do we have here? A little beauty hiding in this corner,” he slurred, his hands tightening around me. “C’mon, give me a kiss.”

I was too weak to fight him off, my fevered body refusing to cooperate. As his greasy lips came closer, I grabbed a pair of scissors from the table and tried to stab him, but he twisted my wrist, and the blade sank into my shoulder instead.

The pain shocked him sober, and he dropped me, backing away in panic.

At that moment, the door opened again.

This time, it was Remington, with Jaycee trailing behind him.

Jaycee gasped dramatically, covering her eyes and burying her face in Remington’s chest. “Oh, Alpha! Evelyn, how could you do something so shameful?”

Bowen stammered, pointing at me. “She’s the one who seduced me! She said she was lonely and wanted me to stay. Then she stabbed herself for… for fun!”

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at Remington, shaking my head desperately. “I didn’t. It’s not what he’s saying. I swear.”

Jaycee lowered her hands, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. “We all saw it, Evelyn. Alpha even said he didn’t want to neglect you and came to check on you. How could you betray him like this?”

I ignored her, my eyes locked on Remington’s. “We’ve known each other for ten years. You know who I am. Please, believe me.”

But his expression was cold, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a weight. “Evelyn, I thought I knew you. But today, I’m starting to think I never did.”

Just then, Fluffy ran to Jaycee, barking at her furiously.

She shrieked, clinging to Remington. “Alpha, I’m scared! Why is this filthy thing here?”

Tears welled in her eyes, and Remington, without hesitation, unsheathed his claws.

“No!” I screamed, but it was too late.

Fluffy let out a single, heart-wrenching yelp before collapsing to the floor, blood pooling beneath him.

The pain of losing him, combined with the betrayal, was too much. I felt *Aria* howl in agony as I coughed up blood, my vision fading to black.

The last thing I saw was Remington’s cold, distant gaze as I passed out.