Rumors swirl: the Blackwood Pack Alpha's daughter curses husbands.

And the rumor's true. Not one of mine survived three days.

Ashford, a name from the Moonshadow Pack, wealthy and respected-more than a match for my Ironclaw.

Both families seasoned by loss. Widows, widowers, we're all familiar with death. And this marriage-arranged, but silent.

No firecrackers. No loud celebrations. Only whispers.

"One dares to marry, the other dares to wed. Who do you think's fated to last?"

"Blackwood. Their women... they're cursed, aren't they?"

"I heard... the Blackwood daughter drains a man's life with each passing day."

Juliette snapped the car window down.

"Miss, you hear that? Let me tell the alpha!"

" If he hasn't died yet, he's strong. We wait."

"Is this them wishing for your long life? How kind."

I tossed a handful of werewolf coins out the window, watching their eyes widen. "Reward them for their kindness."

The gossips exchanged looks, but one face stayed still, unamused.

Harry's nanny, Sara ,ever the watchful eye, lingered. "Ashford's letting them talk-letting them feed this filth."

Later that night, Harry arrived-late, of course.

No drunken stumble, just sluggish steps, coffee in hand.

Juliette hovered, ready to pounce with every word.

I silenced her.

I watched Harry take a seat.

"It'll be a quick death," I muttered to my maids.

He walked toward me slowly, reaching for my veil. I snatched it away before his fingers could touch it.

"What are you doing?" he growled.

"Afraid you'll tire yourself out," I said with mockery.

He moved toward the bed.

I stood, blocking his path.

"This is how you treat your husband?"

"Madness!"

He stepped closer, voice rising. "You've been married four times! Are you trying to humiliate me?"

I laughed, a sharp sound in the silence. "If I've buried three husbands, why would I fear burying a fourth?"

His face reddened.

He stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

I leaned back, my gaze fixed on the door.

He wasn't going to make it to the morning.

The next morning opened with disappointment.

Harry hadn't died.

He stood at the door, not even sparing me a glance.

I felt a sudden pang of sympathy for his three late wives.

Marrying a man like this? He'd drive any normal woman mad.

But I've already killed three husbands, my reputation is ruined,too and even my brother uses me to threaten people. "You want to mess with me? I'll get my sister to marry you!"

Rumors swirl: the Blackwood Pack Alpha's daughter curses husbands.

And the rumor's true. Not one of mine survived three days.

Ashford, a name from the Moonshadow Pack, wealthy and respected-more than a match for my Ironclaw.

Both families seasoned by loss. Widows, widowers, we're all familiar with death. And this marriage-arranged, but silent.

No firecrackers. No loud celebrations. Only whispers.

"One dares to marry, the other dares to wed. Who do you think's fated to last?"

"Blackwood. Their women... they're cursed, aren't they?"

"I heard... the Blackwood daughter drains a man's life with each passing day."

Juliette snapped the car window down.

"Miss, you hear that? Let me tell the alpha!"

" If he hasn't died yet, he's strong. We wait."

"Is this them wishing for your long life? How kind."

I tossed a handful of werewolf coins out the window, watching their eyes widen. "Reward them for their kindness."

The gossips exchanged looks, but one face stayed still, unamused.

Harry's nanny, Sara ,ever the watchful eye, lingered. "Ashford's letting them talk-letting them feed this filth."

Later that night, Harry arrived-late, of course.

No drunken stumble, just sluggish steps, coffee in hand.

Juliette hovered, ready to pounce with every word.

I silenced her.

I watched Harry take a seat.

"It'll be a quick death," I muttered to my maids.

He walked toward me slowly, reaching for my veil. I snatched it away before his fingers could touch it.

"What are you doing?" he growled.

"Afraid you'll tire yourself out," I said with mockery.

He moved toward the bed.

I stood, blocking his path.

"This is how you treat your husband?"

"Madness!"

He stepped closer, voice rising. "You've been married four times! Are you trying to humiliate me?"

I laughed, a sharp sound in the silence. "If I've buried three husbands, why would I fear burying a fourth?"

His face reddened.

He stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

I leaned back, my gaze fixed on the door.

He wasn't going to make it to the morning.

The next morning opened with disappointment.

Harry hadn't died.

He stood at the door, not even sparing me a glance.

I felt a sudden pang of sympathy for his three late wives.

Marrying a man like this? He'd drive any normal woman mad.

But I've already killed three husbands, my reputation is ruined,too and even my brother uses me to threaten people. "You want to mess with me? I'll get my sister to marry you!"

The Ashford family is thriving. Harry has three brothers, and two sisters already married off.

The house is full of noise-and full of schemers.

His parents act all kind and gentle, but the arrogance radiating from them makes my wolf bristle.

The Ashford family is thriving. Harry has three brothers, and two sisters already married off.

The house is full of noise-and full of schemers.

His parents act all kind and gentle, but the arrogance radiating from them makes my wolf bristle.

"Fourth wife and still no heart," Harry muttered as he looked at me coldly.

"Don't expect anything special from me," I replied, rolling my eyes.

But my sisters-in-law came today.

They brought gifts and sweet smiles, ready for their usual gossip.

"I heard you've been busy lately?" Sister-in-law Ruby asked, eyes twinkling.

"Busy?" I laughed dryly, "Busy waiting for him to drop dead."

They giggled and talked how my first three husbands died.

They were weak.

One died in a carriage accident on the way to the wedding.

Another drowned right in front of my door, fell into the pond.

The last one lasted a bit longer, but on the wedding night, he ate too much and burst.

I've never had the pleasure of interacting with a sister-in-law.

I wonder if I'll end up killing one too.

By lunchtime, the two of them had left.

I had no intention of eating.

Penelope, ever the spy, whispered, "They went to Mrs. Ashford's for lunch."

"And didn't invite me?" I sneered.

The first three wives, they always ate alone, never with Mrs. Ashford.

This was different. A clear snub.

I'd heard Harry was cursed to destroy his own kin since childhood.

Looks like even his family is scared of him, but they're still alive, right?

My family, though. they're not stupid.

My father, mother, brother, and sister-in-law? None of them dared keep me from the table.

They knew better than to risk my wrath. One wrong look, and I could ruin them.

So, I had my lunch in my courtyard. Alone.

Before the meal was even served, nanny Sara entered, leading a small girl.

I recognized her immediately-alpha's first daughter.

The only one to survive. Her mother died giving birth to her, and now she stood there, a ghost of a child, skin tight against her bones.

"Good afternoon, Mother," she murmured, voice barely more than a whisper.

Barely five, yet already looking like she'd lived a hundred years.

I glanced at her clothes-filthy sleeves.

This was the Moonshadow Pack. A powerful Alpha family. How could they let their own flesh and blood suffer like this?

I raised an eyebrow. "Why is it that you don't even have a clean shirt?"

Nanny Sara, her own clothes far more lavish, shifted nervously, eyes flickering with false pity.

"Lady, ... she's been without a mother's care. The Alpha's too busy with pack matters, and Old Madam rarely remembers her-only on the full moons, you know?"

Her words dripped with mock sympathy, but her gold bracelet glinted so brightly it stung my eyes.

Her mother had been a merchant's daughter, with a dowry rich enough to dress a hundred women for life.

But this child?

Neglected, abandoned to the wolves.

And I knew it-someone was lining their pockets while this girl went without.

"Tell the Alpha-if his daughter is going to starve under his roof, I'll be sure the pack hears about it."

The servant stiffened.