The air turned frigid, and Jason's voice came through, sharp as a winter wind. "You've got some nerve, trying to scam me like that."

His tone was pure ice. "That pup's not mine. Brooke, deal with her."

He still didn't recognize me. I gave a bitter laugh. "If that's how you feel, there's no reason to keep this pup."

Jason didn't even flinch. "Some stray's bastard? Better off gone."

My nails dug into my palms.

To think he'd call his own pup a bastard! He had no idea this was his only shot at a bloodline, his one chance to carry on the Holloway name. Jason had a condition-weak seed. Five years of our sacred bond, and no pups. The Holloway pack, desperate to preserve their nine-generation legacy, was beside themselves when we learned the truth. At their pleading, I went abroad for IVF, enduring three grueling years to conceive this pup. I came back to surprise him, but his surprise was a gut punch.

I was about to call a lawyer to draft papers to break our bond when Brooke slammed the phone down. Her eyes blazed, and before I could react, she slapped me hard across the face. "So, you're just a beggar trying to pin your bastard pup on Jason!"

It was the first time anyone had ever laid a hand on me. Fury shook me,–

I hit the emergency alarm by the villa. Brooke didn't stop me, just smirked. "You little vixen, you have no idea who you're messing with. The Holloways run Shalandra Town! I could rip you apart, and no one would dare blink."

I stared her down. The Holloways had wealth, sure, but my pack was no slouch either. Binding with Jason was practically a step down for me. His pack's projects? They wouldn't have gotten off the ground without my family's support. Even the territory's manager, Scott Brennan, only got the job because I saw his hustle and backed him.

Within minutes, the pack's enforcers showed up. I scanned the group, frowning-no Scott. Before I could speak, Brooke batted her lashes at the lead enforcer. "Cousin, it's this wretched she-wolf! She's claiming some stray pup is Jason's, and I can't get rid of her!"

Disgusted by her act, I snapped, "Get Scott, your manager. He'll tell you I'm Jason's mate."

The enforcer blinked. "Scott's out of town. You know him?"

Brooke spat. "So that's how you snuck in-seducing the help! That pup's probably Scott's, isn't it?"

Someone muttered, "Scott's already got a mate, doesn't he?"

Brooke sneered. "A side piece, then! Used up and now trying to pawn her pup off on Jason!"

My teeth ground together as I tried to explain. "I'm not a side piece. I'm Claire Whitman, the she-wolf Jason begged to bind with!"

But the crowd didn't listen, their jeers cutting deep. "Pretty face, but stooping to be a homewrecker!" "Messing with Brooke? That's a death wish. Everyone knows she's Jason's favorite!" "She's living in his den already-bet they're about to form a sacred bond. This she-wolf's just stirring trouble!"

Brooke's face darkened at that. She grabbed my hair and slapped me again, snarling, "I knew you were up to no good, you filthy stray!"

Brooke's sharp nails raked across my face, warm blood trickling into my eyes, painting my vision red. Still not satisfied, she unhooked the leashes of the dogs, letting them loose. "Haven't eaten yet, boys? This she-wolf's your dinner!"

The moment the restraints were off, the slobbering hounds lunged at me, their foul breath hot in my face. I threw up an arm to block, but their teeth sank into my flesh, piercing through with a searing jolt of pain. Fear and agony gripped me, and a heavy ache bloomed in my belly. The IVF had been grueling, my pregnancy symptoms brutal. The healer had warned me: if I didn't take care, this pup wouldn't make it. Already, blood was pooling beneath me.

Someone in the crowd, nervous about the escalation, tried to reason with her. "Don't let this get deadly. Just toss her out."

Brooke snorted, but a lackey jumped in to butter her up. "Brooke's Jason's favorite. Last time someone outbid her for jewelry at the auction, they were groveling at her feet the next day!"

"Even if something happens, Jason's got her back. What's there to worry about?"

Tank, the ringleader, dragged me toward the gate, spitting vile insults. "Brooke's my cousin, and Jason's her mate! You homewrecking vixen, you deserve what's coming!"

My scalp burned as Brooke grabbed my hair, a flicker of jealousy in her eyes as she glared at my face. "His mate couldn't even outshine me. You, a side piece, think you can dream bigger?"

Her words hit like a slap. "You knew he was bound?"

She smirked. "Some washed-up she-wolf? Jason's been done with her for ages. Why else would he ship her off other packs?"

He hadn't told her I'd gone abroad to carry his pup through IVF. Before I could respond, her expression turned venomous. "You think you can claw your way up with a pup? You're not that lucky!"

She drove her foot into my stomach. The pain was blinding, dropping me to my knees. I could feel the faint pulse of my pup's life fading, and panic clawed at my chest. "This pup is Jason's! Get me to a healer, now! If this pup doesn't make it, he'll have your hides!"

The crowd stirred at the sight of my blood, but Tank roared back, "This is Holloway pack business! Anyone calls the enforcers, you're done!"

He pinned me to the ground, forcing my head up as he groveled to Brooke. "Go ahead, Brooke, let her have it. Don't stress yourself out."

Her slaps rained down, my face numb and swollen beyond recognition. She turned to the crowd, her voice dripping with menace. "This is what happens to side pieces! Anyone else tries to seduce Jason, they'll end up worse than her!"

She nodded to Tank. "Strip her and dump her on the street. If she's shameless enough to play the side piece, she doesn't need clothes!"

I clutched my collar, fighting with every ounce of strength I had left. "Let go! I'm not a side piece!"

As they dragged me toward the territory's edge, I shouted a number to the onlookers. "Anyone who calls this number and tells them what's happening, I'll pay you a million!"

---

Someone scoffed. "What, calling for backup?"

The crowd jeered. "Backup? In Shalandra Town? Who's got more pull than the Holloways?"

Brooke pinched my arm, hard. "Still playing tough, huh? In those rags, who do you think you're calling?"

I ignored the pain, raising the stakes. "Ten million for whoever makes that call!"

Before I could finish, Brooke's hand cracked across my face, sending my head spinning. I spat out a bloody tooth. "Keep pretending! You're not worth a grand if we sold you!"

"Strip her!" she barked.

Tank and his goons leered, tearing at my clothes. Someone even started a live stream, crowing about showing the world what happens to a "side piece." Just as my dress began to rip, a Maybach rolled up to the territory gate.

A refined, cool voice cut through the chaos, tinged with exasperation. "Didn't I say to keep this quiet?"

Jason stepped out, leaning against the car door, his slight frown silencing the crowd. Brooke sidled up to him, clinging to his sleeve with a pout. "Jason, this she-wolf's disgusting, slandering you in front of everyone! I'm only doing this for you!"

His expression softened, and he patted her head indulgently. "Always such a firecracker. You know I'll clean up any mess you make, don't you?"

His doting tone hit me like a sledgehammer. I used to be the untamed one, the she-wolf who could do no wrong in his eyes. Back then, Jason would step in to fix anything for me. He'd once declared to the whole pack, "Anyone messes with you, hit back. I'd like to see who dares touch you."

In Shalandra Town, crossing the iron-fisted Jason was one thing, but crossing the Whitman pack's daughter? That was a death sentence. Yet here he was, lavishing that same fierce devotion on another she-wolf. My heart turned to ash, my last thread of hope for him severed.

Jason glanced at me, frowning slightly. "This is the crazy she-wolf you mentioned?"

My face was battered beyond recognition, my clothes filthy and torn. He didn't even know it was me. When he lingered a second too long, Brooke pounced, stealing his attention. "That's her! I was about to stream it, let everyone see what happens to a side piece like her!"

Jason looked away, nodding. "Let someone else handle it. Don't get your paws dirty."

Brooke beamed, wrapping herself around him. "This vixen had the nerve to claim she's your mate!"

His aura turned icy. "Claire is my true mate. Anyone who dares tarnish her name is asking for death."

His rage sent a twisted flicker across Brooke's face, but she quickly changed the subject. "Just talking nonsense. Come on, let's go home-you promised to cook for me!"

She shot a look at the goons, who surged forward, clawing at my clothes again. I thrashed, my voice hoarse with desperate cries for help. Jason, arm around Brooke's waist, didn't spare me a glance as they passed.

I touched my slightly swollen belly, tears of regret spilling over. I'm so sorry, pup. I failed you, choosing a heartless wolf like him for your father. Maybe it's better you never see this world.

As my dress tore with a loud rip, a sleek convoy of cars roared up to the gate, commanding attention. The crowd gasped.

"Who's this? Rolling in bigger than the Holloways!"

"That Rolls-Royce color-only one in the whole pack's territory! And that plate? Money can't buy that kind of status!"

Jason froze, his face paling. He let go of Brooke and strode forward. "What are you doing here-"

Crack! A sharp slap landed on his cheek, and the crowd fell dead silent.