I spin around, heart pounding, to find Alpha Arther looming behind me.

His gaze pierces through me like a silver - tipped arrow.

"Bellona says the Oceanic Auditorium in Webber is perfect for our wedding. Since you're familiar with the place, handle the arrangements."

My eyes lock onto the corner of a pale blue invitation peeking from his pocket.

The smell of antiseptic in the air mingles with the memory of Nelson's last moments, his blood - and - salt - tinged scent fading in a room much like this one.

"What's the hold - up?"

Arther bends to retrieve the invitation, his Alpha aura flaring instinctively. But as his eyes meet my red - rimmed ones, it vanishes as quickly as it came.

The shrill ring of the nurse's station breaks the tension.

Arther's Adam's apple bobs, and I crouch to pick up the invitation.

The edges of the paper cut into my palms, a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest.

I look up, forcing a smile as tears fall onto the "Wedding Invitation" printed in elegant script.

"Would you like the ceremony area decorated with fields of lily - of - the - valley, or a starry sky projection?"

His hands clench, veins bulging, as Bellona's coquettish call echoes from the nearby ward.

"Once the wedding's over, you're free to leave for good."

I nod. My mission is finally coming to an end.

Webber, with its beautiful scenery, is a lawless borderland.

Arther dispatches a horde of bodyguards to escort Bellona to the most luxurious hotel in the town.

Bellona feigns concern, pinching a scented handkerchief to her nose.

"Alpha Arther, Ava reeks of medicine. We can't have her stinking up our wedding."Her pink silk skirt brushes against my stained uniform.

"Why don't you find a proper place to clean up?"

Arther's fingers pause on the guest list.

His cold gaze sweeps over my pale face.

"You heard her. Sort yourself out and don't disgrace the venue."

He pointedly ignores my trembling hand clutching a blood - stained bandage.

I clench my skirt, nails digging into the old scars on my palms.

He doesn't remember how, ten years ago in the ruins of Webber Town, I'd grabbed his pant leg, sobbing that I had nowhere else to go.

Back then, he'd furrowed his brow and bandaged my wounds. Now, I'm nothing but a disposable tool.

That night, as rain pounds the window of my seedy motel, I'm jolted awake by a splitting headache.

In the darkness, my fingers find the hidden compartment of my suitcase. T

he moment I touch the wolf's tooth pendant, memories flood back.

I can almost feel Nelson's bloody hand pressing it into mine, his last words echoing in my mind: "Keep it. Survive."

My fingers trace the rusted lock of the diary, where every memory of Webber lies hidden.

Thunder cracks the sky open as I clutch the wolf's tooth pendant and the worn leather journal to my chest.

The wail of an ambulance in the distance blends with the storm, transporting me back to the night Nelson took a bullet meant for me.

The next evening, under the glittering crystal chandeliers of the grand ballroom, a sleek - suited alpha swirls his whiskey, ice cubes clinking like mocking laughter.

"Still attached to your shadow, Arther?" he jeers. "She's like a mangy mutt that won't let go."

My grip on the champagne flute tightens until my knuckles turn white.

Across the room, Arther leans against the ornate railing, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"You heard him. Everyone knows how pathetically you cling."

"I remember you promised I could leave after the wedding."

The words drop like a lead weight, silencing the room.

Arther's cigarette flares, and his Alpha aura surges, pressing down on me like a vice.

"Playing hard - to - get?"

He strides forward, the scent of tobacco and cedar overpowering my senses.

"Shall we show our guests just how far you'll go?"

Laughter erupts as rough hands yank my hair back.

A chilled champagne glass is forced against my lips.

"Drink up, mutt. This 1982 Lafite is too good for your kind."

Amber liquid spills down my chin, soaking my dress.

Then the entire bottle is dumped over my head, drenching me in humiliation. "Heard you took a bullet for Arther? Should've aimed for your brain instead."

The acrid stench of alcohol stings my nostrils as I bite back a whimper.

A searing pain shoots through my lower back, where the old silver bullet wound throbs angrily.

When Arther's gaze lands on my soaked bodice, his eyes turn as cold as a winter storm.

"Filthy thing. Go change before you ruin the party."

Head bowed, I stumble towards the restroom.

In the mirror, I see a broken- hair dripping wet, scars on my collarbone glistening menacingly.

Memories flood back - of rogues' whips tearing into my flesh, of Arther's cold voice echoing: "Just make sure she come back alive."

The crystal dome fractured the light into a kaleidoscope of colors, casting prismatic patterns across the room.

At the center, the infinity pool mirrored the gilded chandeliers, rose petals swirling on its surface like drops of blood. Bellona teetered on twelve - centimeter crystal stilettos, her pearl - encrusted veil framing a saccharine smile as she clung to Arther's arm, gliding towards the velvet - draped stage.

I lingered at the back of the guest - filled hall, my right hand clenched around the wolf's tooth pendant.

Images of Nelson's blood - stained hand pressing the pendant into mine flashed before my eyes, overlapping with Arther's immaculate suit - clad form.

As I lifted my gaze to the stage, our eyes met.

Arther's pupils constricted, and his steps faltered ever so slightly.

Suddenly, Bellona's shrill scream pierced the air.

"What is that?!"

Her French - manicured finger, pointed accusingly at my chest. "Ava! Why are you wearing a pendant that matches Arther's?!"

The ballroom erupted into a frenzy of whispers.

Before I could utter a word in defense, Arther's alpha growl shook the air.

His eyes glowed with a feral light as he stalked down the steps.

"Restrain her!" he barked at the guards.

In one swift motion, his hand closed around my necklace, yanking it so hard that the chain snapped.

"Nothing but a worthless trinket I picked up a decade ago."

The wolf's tooth pendant spun through the air, shining moment before plummeting into the depths of the pool.

A primal howl ripped from my throat, and without a second thought, I vaulted over the ornate railing.

The icy water enveloped me like a shroud, but I barely felt the cold.

All I could think of was retrieving the last piece of Nelson.

Arther's enraged roar echoed above the surface, mingling with the shocked cries of the guests. "Leave her! Let the mutt drown!"

I thrashed through the water, my hands scraping against the pool tiles, leaving behind trails of blood.

Saltwater stung my eyes and filled my lungs, but I refused to give up.

Five excruciating hours passed before I finally dragged myself out of the pool.

Soaked to the bone, I staggered towards the cemetery, leaving a trail of water in my wake.

The moonlight cast an otherworldly glow on Nelson's tombstone.

I sank to my knees, trembling fingers tracing the contours of his photograph. "I'm sorry... I failed you."

Suddenly, the sound of pounding footsteps shattered the silence.

Arther loomed over me, his tie askew and wedding cake smeared across his jacket.

His grip on my wrist was vice - like. "Who is this man?!"