After my sister’s mate bond with Everest was confirmed, he broke off our engagement.

He removed the engagement ring, his guilt written plainly across his face. “Logan, Artemis is pregnant. If she terminates it, it might be her only chance at motherhood. She’s your sister; you wouldn’t want her to regret it for life, would you?”

I stood frozen, strange words swirling through my mind:

[Just agree to it, or you’ll end up mated to someone horrid!]

[They’ll make it a spectacle, forcing you to accept him. If you refuse, they’ll ensure you’re punished!]

[You’ll be trapped, while your dear sister mates into the Ross family, becoming the Beta’s mate!]

Terrified and unable to comprehend this bizarre vision, I hastily agreed.

He grabbed my hand, his voice desperate. “Don’t worry. Once the pup is born, I’ll come for you. I’ll look after you forever!”

The words persisted:

[Be his unpaid caretaker, you mean?]

[Wake up, Logan! Have you noticed Alpha Javier’s physique? Quite the sight, isn’t it?]

I was taken aback; wasn’t he Everest’s rival, the Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack?

“Since it’s settled, you’ll call Everest your brother-in-law from now on,” my father said, his tone firm.

My parents glanced at me, only exhaling in relief once I nodded.

As I ripped the Thanksgiving dinner invitation, I exhaled deeply, oddly relieved.

Everest was ecstatic, reaching out to embrace me.

I stepped back just in time. “Brother-in-law, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.”

Lost in his euphoria, Everest didn’t notice my cold indifference. “Logan, I know this has been hard on you, but don’t worry. Once the pup is born, I’ll bring you back!”

“Even though I can’t mate with you, I’ll make sure you have everything you deserve, except the title.”

“Artemis agrees too. You both can shower little Denver with love, and we’ll all be so happy!”

The sarcastic tone of the words was louder than before:

[Breaking off the engagement but still wanting her as a mistress? How shameless!]

[Run, Logan, run! This family will devour you!]

I did want to leave.

But the Ross family held a long-standing prestige in the Blue Moon Pack, and Everest’s father, Alpha Ross, wielded considerable influence. Alone, I couldn’t possibly fight them and would end up under their control.

As I struggled with how to escape, more words flashed:

[The sleaze actually spread rumors that you were promiscuous, forcing Artemis to mate with him.]

[He even claims you’re involved with many wolves.]

Fear chilled my spine as I stormed towards the kitchen to confront Everest.

On my way, I was met with judgmental stares, and some even threw lettuce leaves at me.

I kicked open Everest’s door, demanding answers. “Did you start those rumors? Why would you do this?”

His eyes darted away, though he spoke with his usual calm. “What rumors? I’ve been really busy; don’t stir up trouble.”

I knew him too well. My suspicion was now a certainty. Why, even with everything going his way, wouldn’t he let me be?

He was willing to fabricate lies to protect Artemis, pushing me into the abyss, costing me my position as a Gamma in the pack.

Our more than twenty years of affection seemed so fragile.

I let out a bitter laugh. “I agreed to call off the engagement, but that doesn’t mean I’ll accept this slander!”

“You know how important reputation is to a she-wolf, yet for Artemis, you’d destroy mine!”

My words touched a nerve. Everest leapt from the sofa, roaring with anger:

“Enough! How can your small sacrifice compare to Artemis’ reputation?”

“She endured so much with that scoundrel; as her sister, can’t you show her some empathy? If it got out that she stole her sister’s mate, how could she live with herself?”

“Besides, you’ll eventually return to the Ross territory to care for little Denver; your reputation doesn’t matter.”

“If it weren’t for your mother’s scheming ways with my uncle, she and Auntie wouldn’t be in such a pitiful situation now; this is what you owe them!”

Back then, they had forced my mother to her death through their affair and plotting.

How had it become my mother’s fault?

Listening to him insult my mother, my eyes burned with fury. “My mother treated you well; you knew how she died. How could you insult her like this?”

When my mother took her life, Everest had shielded my eyes, telling me not to look.

I thought it was because he cared about me.

But now, he was calling my mother despicable and unscrupulous, labeling her as a she-wolf fighting for status.

I couldn’t understand how someone could change so much.

Even realizing he’d misspoken, Everest remained arrogant, asserting: “Is it really worth dredging up old grievances?”

“Spend this time learning to care for pups. Once we’re back from our honeymoon, Denver will be born.”

“Wait at home for me to send someone to fetch you.”

His words echoed in my mind as I turned and left, the weight of betrayal pressing heavily on my chest.

The day Everest Ross came to propose to Artemis, he arrived with the full force of his status as Beta of the Blue Moon Pack. His entourage of warriors and pack members trailed behind him, their presence alone enough to command attention. The engagement gifts he brought were lavish, each one a symbol of his rank and wealth, far exceeding anything he had ever offered me. Half the pack gathered to witness the spectacle, their whispers filled with awe and envy.

I had no intention of being part of this charade, but Artemis, ever the provocateur, had convinced our parents to keep me home. Left with no choice, I sat quietly on the sidelines, enduring her performance.

"Oh, Everest, you're absolutely wonderful to me!" Artemis cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness.

"You are my mate-to-be, after all. It's only right to treat you well. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters," Everest replied, his tone warm but carrying the unmistakable edge of his Beta authority.

The crowd watched eagerly as the two clung to each other, their affection on full display. Even though I had resolved to cut all ties, the sight of them together sent a sharp pang through my chest. The man who had once vowed to be my mate now held my own sister in his arms, their bond as public as it was painful. My face paled, a reaction I couldn’t control.

The warriors Everest had brought along noticed my discomfort and smirked, their disdain evident.

"Artemis and Everest are a perfect match," one of them sneered, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Some people should just stop fantasizing; jealousy won’t get you anywhere."

"Always seemed like such a loyal pack member, but who knew she’d be so reckless?" another added, his tone mocking.

"Such a spotless image on the outside, but who knows what she’s hiding. Honestly, if it were me, I wouldn’t choose someone like that either."

They made no effort to lower their voices; in fact, they spoke louder, ensuring everyone could hear. But rather than defend me, Everest joined in, his smug chuckle cutting through the air like a knife.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. My face drained of color, but I refused to let them see me break.

Unable to hold back any longer, I shouted, "Enough! Keep slandering me, and I’ll take this to the Alpha!"

Everest’s gaze sharpened, his dominance flaring as he slammed the table. "Logan Gonzales," he barked, his alpha tone heavy with authority, "today is a happy day for Artemis and me, and you’re determined to ruin it, aren’t you? Look at yourself now; you call yourself a Gamma warrior?"

"Did you forget all your training?" he added, his voice dripping with condescension.

My fury burned hotter, and I shouted back, "Thanks to you, I’ve already been stripped of my rank, so why should I care about decorum?"

"Everest, if you want to protect Artemis, that’s your business, but don’t use me as her stepping stone."

"The one who’s truly shameless is clearly…"

*Wham!*

Before I could finish, a sharp pain exploded across my cheek, my ears ringing from the force of his slap. I clutched my face, staring at him in disbelief.

Everest stood there, his expression cold and unyielding, devoid of any guilt.

"I warned you not to speak ill of Artemis," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Didn’t you understand?"

Artemis clung to his arm, her voice soft and trembling. "Everest, even if my sister speaks out of turn, you shouldn’t hit her. What if Mom finds out and worries?"

"Besides, our bond was rejected because of me, so it’s only natural she harbors some resentment," she added, then knelt before me, her eyes wide with feigned innocence.

"Sister," she said, her voice trembling, "Everest didn’t mean it. If you have to vent your anger, direct it at me, just don’t fight with Everest!"

Everest lifted her, holding her tightly, and glared at me with a hard look. "She’s your own sister. How can you bear to humiliate her like this?"

"How have you become so spiteful? Go back and think about what you’ve done!"

Artemis trembled in his arms, but out of his sight, she flashed me a triumphant smirk.

Ignoring her silent taunts, I turned and left quickly, my heart pounding. His behavior echoed the past, flooding me with memories that threatened to overwhelm me.

As I made my escape, I heard Everest’s voice, filled with pride and conviction.

"Artemis is my mate. Hurting her is like hurting me!"

"I won’t let her be wronged!"

After that day, Artemis was even more insufferable, practically flaunting her new status to me every single chance she got.

“Logan, the Alpha bought me a designer handbag worth over 400 silver coins! That’s more than your annual stipend as a Gamma warrior!”

“Look at this ceremonial gown—it was specially ordered six months in advance from the Lycan Kingdom. They say even some Luna’s can’t get their paws on one of these!”

“Everest, my mate, also promised to get me a new carriage after the marking ceremony, so I can ride through the pack lands in style!”

She went on endlessly, her words pecking at me like a relentless vulture. Meanwhile, my thoughts wandered further away.

My reputation was in tatters, and I’d lost my position as a Gamma. Certainly, no respectable pack would consider me now.

I had prepared myself for the worst. If nothing else worked out, I’d apply to join a distant pack in the northern territories, where no one knew my name or my shame.

What I didn’t expect was to run into Everest’s lifelong rival, Alpha Javier Nguyen of the Silver Fang Pack, the previous night while I was out gathering herbs near the border.

Ever since childhood, Javier and Everest had been at odds, their families locked in a bitter feud. Eventually, Javier’s pack moved south to expand their territory and never returned.

When Javier said he wanted to form a mate bond with me, I stood there in my simple tunic, utterly baffled. “Why me?”

“Because bonding with you will drive Everest mad. Is that reason enough?”

Javier extended his hand, his dominant Alpha aura shimmering faintly in the moonlight. “Logan Gonzales, will you be my mate?”

Caught in hesitation, I felt my wolf stir faintly in the back of my mind, a low growl of approval.

[“The Alpha is serious. He’s not playing games,”] she murmured, her voice soft but insistent.

I blushed briefly before hesitantly taking his hand. Regardless of who Javier Nguyen was or what motives he had, at least he could help me break free from this cursed pack.

I declined any dowry or gifts; my only condition was: it needed to be quick!

The marking ceremony was set for seven days later. I just had to make it through those seven days.

Artemis kept chattering away, but seeing that I didn’t react as she expected, her facade finally crumbled.

She abandoned her usual sweet demeanor and sneered at me viciously:

“Logan Gonzales, you’re nothing but an Omega pretending to have any pride around me!”

“Soon, I'll be the Beta’s mate, and you'll just be a rogue, always beneath me.”

“I’ll make sure you learn the differences between us!”

She grew more animated, her cheeks flushed with anger.

Yet I remained unmoved, simply looking at her with a cold gaze, as if she were nothing but a ridiculous clown.

Honestly, I hoped she and Everest would stay together forever, sparing the rest of the pack from their drama.

Seeing I wouldn’t respond, Artemis, mindful of our father, didn't dare to physically confront me at home.

In a huff, she shouted, “You'll regret this!” before storming out in tears.

My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Alpha Javier Nguyen, leaving me no time to worry about her.

Unexpectedly, the very next day, Everest barged in, his Beta aura flaring with fury as he kicked open my door.

“Logan Gonzales, you wretched she-wolf, get out here!”

“If anyone’s bonding with Artemis, it’s me. If you have issues, take them up with me—what do you mean by upsetting her?”

“Get out here and apologize to Artemis, or I’ll make sure you regret it!”