I struck Luneth with a strong kick.

She stumbled back in pain. No longer waste the chance, I caught her hair and gave her hard slaps in the face twice.

"Perfect. Now, it's time to deal with you for hiring someone to spy on me and took picture of me last night."

Luneth glanced at me with a grim expression, held her cheek and laughed. "So what? I just hired someone to take pictures of you. You know, you might be traded for a high price, Ayleth. I have been in a coma for three cycles and I just...."

A loud slap rang through the living chamber.

"Luneth, since you've been in a coma for three cycles, you seem to have forgotten the rules of the pack. Then, I will remind you how to behave today."

Her eyes burned with anger. She cried out and summoned the servants. "Are you just watching her bully me? Pin her down!"

I glanced at the servants coldly. "I am the Luna of this pack, Theros's mate. You should remember your place."

The servants froze, looking at me, then back at Luneth.

Luneth only smiled with pride and pulled her collar down to reveal the mark on her skin. "I spent the night with the Alpha. Now do you see who matters more to him?"

The servants rushed over, no longer doubt and pinned me to the ground.

Luneth stood over me and lifted her hand, but she did not strike.

Instead, a cold feeling spread beneath me as she raised the edge of my night robe and took several images.

She, then, ordered the servants to tie me to a chair, forcing me into different poses for her to capture.

If I fought back, a servant would slap me in the face.

Many slaps landed one after another. My body was bruised and my vision slowly blurred.

But it had only begun. Luneth watched me in pain, her face showing cruel delight.

"Only 50 so far. We need 100. Tie her to the post and force her to follow the poses from the pictures. Hurry up."

Just as the post done, they moved me to the bed.

The bed done, they dragged me to the moonlit flower bushes behind the pack den.

In the end, I lost track of how many places they forced me through.

As evening fell across the pack lands, Luneth completed her 100 shots and at last ordered them to release me.

I watched as she finished choosing the images and was about to send them.

I rushed forward, grabbing her and we fell into a fierce struggle. I would never let those images spread across the pack lands.

In the fight, the moon-scented candle on the table was knocked to the floor and the fine fur carpet caught fire at once.

Dark smoke filled the air and the den was soon burning on all sides.

I covered my mouth and nose, trying to crawl out, but a heavy beam fell and pinned me down.

Just then, Theros ran inside. He saw Luneth near the doorway and pulled her tightly into his arms.

I felt the flames burn my skin, pain spreading through my body as I cried out with all my strength. "Theros … please, save me.…"

Theros glanced at me with cold eyes, then turned away and walked out of the fire, carrying Luneth in his arms without a single look back.

I stared at his back as it disappeared into the smoke, my mind growing weak until darkness took me.

***

At the healer’s den.

It felt like my mind was waking, yet my eyes were too heavy to open.

The voices of the pack healers surrounded me.

"Alpha Grimvale, both of them require skin graft treatment, but only one healer can perform it now. Who do you choose to save first?"

The Alpha gave no response.

I struggled hard and at last forced my eyes open.

"Alpha Grimvale, your Luna suffers serious burns over fifty percent of her back. If she doesn't get the treatment soon, the burns on her back will scar her for life. So, I suggest you to save your Luna, Ayleth, first."

Luneth’s voice trembled. "Theros, my hand is burned, 3 centimeters long. It hurts. If it leaves a scar, how will I play the moon harp again?"

Theros drew in a deep breath. "Save Luneth first. I will find another way for my mate."

Tears slipped from my barely opened eyes and they slowly closed again. The last light within them faded.

When I opened my eyes again, my body was wrapped in layers of bandages. A slight move sent pain through me and tears rose to my eyes.

For once, Theros sat beside my bed, pressing me gently down. "Stay still. You just had the healer’s work done. You need to be more careful during your recovery."

I smiled weakly and spoke flatly. "And then?"

"I am aware of what happened. Since Luneth was in a deep sleep for three cycles, adjusting to this life was not easy for her. So, some harsh actions are normal."

My eyes widened in disbelief at him. "What did you just say? Theros, say it again if you dare!"

For once, a rare trace of guilt appeared on Theros’s face. "Luneth visited a pack healer a few days ago. She is struggling to adapt to her life after being in a deep sleep for so long. Her mind is not stable. When her condition worsens, she cannot control herself. She is your sister, you should put your concern more, right?"

My nose stung and my eyes filled with tears. "Struggling to her life, you said? Do you really expect me to believe such a lie?"

Theros’s face turned cold. "Ayleth, I erased all the photos! It is over!"

I reached the apple from the side table and hurled them at him. "Leave! I do not want to see you! Just leave!"

Theros walked to the doorway, then paused as if something came to mind. "Tomorrow, you will go with me to the Grimvale auction and anything you wish there, I will get it for you to make up for today."

Before I could reply, Theros turned and left without another word.

The following day, I had no plans to go to the pack auction.

Yet as the hour arrived, a line of servants came in and forced me into a luxurious yet exposing gown.

When I stepped into the auction hall, Luneth was the only figure in sight.

She wore a black, long-sleeved gown, welcoming and moving among the guests with a smile.

"Why are you alone? Where is Theros?"

"He has some things to deal with and perhaps a bit late, but no worry, I will watch over you well, Ayleth."

Luneth turned, her face curling into a cruel and proud smile. "Ayleth, haven't these last few days tormenting for you? How does it feel to see Theros adoring me?"

She moved closer to my ear and whispered, her voice dripping with smugness. "He left you in the healer’s den again and again, just to be with me. And yet, you still have not given up, Ayleth?"

This was the sister I had grown up with, the one I knew more than anyone.

She was self-centered, deceitful and vicious. Even after sleeping for three winters, not a single part of her had changed.

"But it doesn't matter, soon, all of this will end."

The auction started before I could grasp the meaning behind her words.

The entire chamber erupted in excitement the moment the auctioneer stepped onto the stage.

Only then did I notice that, besides Luneth, every single guest was a male wolf. Fear gripped me.

The auction crystal screen lit up, showing the intimate images Luneth had forced me to pose for not long ago.

All 100 images were displayed, completely uncensored.

"Our rare item for the pack auction today is a maiden’s first night, starting at one million!"

Fear coursed through me. I leapt to my feet, desperate to escape, but Luneth gripped my hand tightly.

"Ayleth, you're the rare item being offered at the auction today. How could you possibly escape?"

Before I had a chance to react, she took out a syringe and injected me with a sleeping potion.

Immediately, my body went limp and I slumped in my seat, forced to watch the shocking scene unfold.

Soon, someone placed a limitless bid.

I felt familiar with him, a sixty-year-old male-wolf of immense wealth from Grimmarow Wastes, who had mated many times.

Each former mate had claimed he was cruel and perverse during their bond severance, saying he had abused them without end.

Once the auction ended, they took me to a secluded chamber. the sixty-winters-old male wolf pressed me against the wall, his gaze full of lust. "Luneth was right, you truly are a rare beauty."

I fought with all my might, but the sleeping potion Luneth had given me left me powerless.

I could only watch in terror as the old wolf ripped open my gown, fear gripping every part of me.

Step by painstaking step, I dragged myself until I reached the vase beside me.

I hurled the vase with the last strength I had, hitting the old wolf’s head and causing blood to pour.

Seizing the chance, I stumbled toward the door, reaching for the knob, but he lunged and dragged me back inside.

At the height of my fear, the door flew open.

Theros stormed in, kicking the old wolf aside and lifting me to my feet. "Ayleth, are you hurt?"

I was too weak to stand on my own and leaned against Theros. "Yes ... Luneth did it."

Luneth, who had followed him into the chamber, overheard and broke down in tears. "Ayleth, I have no idea how this happened! I know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t just accuse me like that!"

I quickly played the viewing crystal record of the auction from the start to now. "Luneth, the evidence is clear, are you still going to deny it?"

Theros' face darkened. "Luneth, she's your sister, why would you do this to her?"

Luneth broke down, crying. "Theros, it's all because of my love for you!"

"I was in a coma for three cycles and when I woke up, you were bonded to my sister! What about me?"

"I only tried to fight for myself! How is that wrong?"

Theros held me tightly in his arm, turning his face deliberately away from her. "Luneth, I am already bonded to Ayleth. We can never be together in this life."

"Yes … if not in this life, perhaps in the next life."

With that, Luneth drew a dagger and pierced her own heart with it.

Blood spurted out at once, splashing onto Theros’ face.

"No! Luneth, don't leave me!" Theros shouted.

Just as she collapsed, she turned to me with a victorious, wicked smile.

Theros lifted her into his arms and rushed out, leaving me alone among the wreckage.

I stayed in the chamber for more than two hours, letting the effects of the drugs wear off. Then, I quietly returned to the den by myself.

Theros did not return that night. He did not even attempt to reach me.

The next morning, a message arrived from the pack’s legal emissary. [Ayleth Wildbriar, your bond with Theros Grimvale has been severed. You are now officially free. Congratulations.]

I immediately called him. "I want to hire you for another matter. I am filing criminal charges against Luneth Wildbriar, for assault and for forcing someone toward attempted violation."

"I’ll send you all the proof shortly."

"I want only one result: I want her locked away. I won't compromise."

Just as I ended the call, Theros’ text appeared.

[I’m sorry about yesterday. I’ll come to you later so we can talk about Luneth.]

Talk? About what?

So he could plead for my forgiveness for her?

I placed the signed mate bond severance parchment down, snatched my suitcase and flew off to Moonspire Courtlands.

Evander was there waiting for me at the skyport.

When I made no reply, Theros called.

I blocked his number, tossed the crystal SIM card away and boarded the skycraft.

Theros, I had forced the bond three cycles ago.

This time, I released you and our paths no longer cross.