The silver moon hung low over the Wisteria's territory, its cold light slicing through the chapel's stained glass as Alpha Liam Blackthorn pressed the ceremonial dagger to my chest.

"Forgive me, Alice,"

"You swore nine times!" I choked out, the metallic tang of blood already flooding my throat.

My clawed fingers scrabbled at the obsidian altar beneath me, ancient runes carving fresh welts into my back. "Each vial you took left me weaker than a newborn pup. Look!"

I tore open my bridal silks, exposing the latticework of scars pulsing faintly with golden light

"Forgive me, my moon," he whispered

"When she breathes again, I'll carve my heart from my chest and lay it at your feet."

He'd mistaken the Wisteria pack's curse for a blessing. Our heartblood could resurrect the dead, yes-but only nine times. The tenth drop? Not life's nectar, but death's sacrament.

I clawed at the hem of his cloak, my trembling fingers leaving crimson streaks on the embroidered fabric.

He didn't even glance back.

He never knew this was the final drop.

On our wedding night, I eagerly drank the unity wine with Alpha Liam, my cheeks flushed with joy. But the moment the liquid touched my tongue, my strength dissolved. I collapsed onto the crimson bedsheets, limbs heavy as stone.

Liam set down his goblet without a flicker of emotion. His cold fingers trembled slightly as he undid the ties of my bridal robes. A shiver raced through me.

"We're finally wed," I teased weakly, mistaking his intent. "Must you rush the consummation?"

He refused to meet my gaze, roughly tearing open my bodice. Cool air kissed my exposed skin, but before embarrassment could bloom, I saw it-the silver dagger glinting in his hand.

My breath hitched.

I knew that blade. It had carved into my chest nine times before, stealing the shimmering heartblood that sustained my Wisteria Clan lineage.

"Liam-what are you doing?" I gripped his wrist, but the drugged wine left me powerless.

His jaw tightened. "Phiona's ill again. I need your heartblood to save her."

"Nine times I've given it!" I hissed. "What sickness demands this endless sacrifice? Why must my life force sustain hers?"

He shook off my feeble hold, voice hardening. "I'll explain after she's stable. This is the last time, Alice. When I return, we'll have a true mating ceremony."

Panic clawed up my throat. "You don't understand-we only have ten heartblood drops! Take this last one, and I'll-"

"Enough." His thumb brushed my cheekbone, the gesture almost tender. "Your clan's blood is potent, but not that fragile. Trust me."

His lips brushed my forehead. When he pulled back, his gaze caught on my ravaged chest-the lattice of scars, the half-healed wound from his last harvest. A choked sound escaped him as he traced the mangled flesh.

"I've made you suffer," he whispered, eyes glistening. "But this debt to her. I must settle it before I can fully be yours."

"Liam, please-" I begged as cold steel pressed between my ribs. "I'm not lying! This will kill me!"

The blade plunged.

My scream shattered the night. Agony ripped through me as he extracted the final golden drop-my life essence swirling in the vial like captured moonlight.

Plink.

His tear fell onto my bloodied chest as he withdrew the dagger. "Be strong," he murmured, voice thick with false comfort. "Wait for me, and we'll begin anew."

As he turned to leave, I clutched his cloak with failing strength. "Return it. or I'll die."

He strode away without a backward glance, muttering, "This debt must be paid."

The door slammed.

Alone in our defiled bridal chamber, I felt my heart wither. Coldness crept through my veins as one truth echoed:

You repay her debts with my blood, Liam.

But who will pay yours?

I drifted in darkness for days.

The nine prior heartblood extractions had been agonizing but survivable. This time, it felt like he'd carved out my soul.

As the purest-blooded she-wolf of the Pack, my heartblood held unparalleled power-a single drop could resurrect the dead or mend shattered bones. Yet I only carried ten drops. Ten drops that meant my death.

In fevered dreams, I relived my first meeting with Liam decades ago.

My mother had warned me before her passing: "Alice, your heart is too trusting. It'll blind you to wolves in sheep's pelts."

The memory sharpened to Liam's first betrayal-the silver dagger glinting as he pierced my chest. Afterward, he'd confessed about Phiona, his childhood sweetheart. To secure his Alpha ascension, she'd offered her virginity as a sacrifice of the pack to Moon Goddess. In the pack every man either rogue old or disabled, even crumpled had sex with her.Now he ruled the pack while she aged as a mortal, forever tethered to his guilt.

"So you pursued me for my heartblood?" I'd demanded, clutching my bandaged chest.

"But I've grown to love you, Alice. There's no future with Phiona-only this debt to settle. Surely you understand?"

Never had I hated my "trusting heart" more.

Because I did understand.

It's just heartblood, I'd told myself after each extraction. Ten drops. What's one?

But one became nine. Nine thefts for Phiona's endless crises-a carriage accident, a brutal husband, widowhood, a suicide attempt. Each time Liam returned with fresh desperation. If he loves her so deeply, I'd wondered, how could he watch her wed another? Yet part of me pitied their tragic bond.

After the ninth extraction, Liam proposed.

I accepted.

What use was a she-wolf with depleted heartblood?

Whispers followed me through the pack's territory:

"Her fur's gone white-won't last the winter."

"Pathetic. Lets Liam steal her last drop on their mating night, then he bolts? Should've seen it coming."

"He didn't know it'd kill her. Surely even he's not that cruel."

"Men are all cruel. Only a fool like Alice believes in love."

I kept walking, head bowed. My mother's final words haunted me: "You're the last of the Wisteria line, Alice. Find a worthy mate. Restore our PACK."

Shame choked me. I'd failed her. Failed my bloodline. Soon I'd be carrion, leaving the Wisteria name to rot.

Gazing at the blood-red moon, a sudden resolve crystallized:

I need to meet Phiona.