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While my parents were sleeping in the tent nearby, they had no idea my stepbrother's fingers were inside me. Shielded by a thin sheet, the guy I hated most was giving me the hottest, most forbidden pleasure I’d ever felt. When a moan escaped me, Thayer instantly slapped his hand over my mouth. "You're such a bad girl, Marcella," he growled. “Keep quiet,or Mom and Dad are gonna hear us.” --- "Are you fucking kidding me? I have to share a tent with him? God knows if he stays on his side of the tent." The words ripped out of me, raw and furious. My mom shot an apologetic look at my stepdad before turning to me, her voice low and pleading. "Marcella, there's no other choice. The other tent is ruined. It's either Thayer or the wilderness." She wasn't wrong, but the knot in my stomach only tightened. "I'm serious. The guy's built like a damn linebacker. If he starts snoring, I'm kicking him straight out of the tent. Headfirst." Mom didn't bother arguing. She just grabbed my bedding and shoved it into the cramped tent, dumping it right on top of Thayer's grimy sleeping mat. I stared at the pathetic little space, holding my hands up to measure it. Thayer was huge. Once he sprawled out, I'd be lucky to have a corner to curl up in. The injustice of it all burned in my chest. Then, an idea sparked. "Mom, wait!" I called out before she could escape. "I can sleep with you. Let your husband bunk with Thayer!" She shut it down instantly. "They won't both fit, Marcella. Look, I know it's not ideal, but it's just for three days." Three days? Three whole days sleeping next to that guy? The thought was so repulsive I couldn't even process it. Just then, Thayer himself strode over, rubbing a hand over his smooth, shaved head. His eyes landed on me, and a slow, knowing smirk spread across his face. I had to physically restrain myself from grabbing the nearest BBQ grill grate and engraving it permanently on his skull. It would only make things worse. Mom had only been married to this widower and his son for two months, and the last thing I wanted was to cause her more trouble. During the BBQ that night, that prick Thayer kept sliding a grilled sausage in and out of his mouth, his eyes locked on me the entire time. I knew he was doing it on purpose. It was a crude suggestion about my mom. It took every ounce of my self-control not to flip him the bird. We'd been like oil and water from day one, but the real kicker was that my mom genuinely thought this camping trip would magically weld our "blended family" together. I wasn't feeling the harmony. I was feeling pissed. The thought of eating and sleeping beside him for three days straight made my blood boil. Night fell. Mom and my stepdad disappeared into their tent early, leaving me alone with the sound of Thayer tearing into a steak. A series of wet, sloppy chomps echoed in the quiet clearing. His manners were so crude my stomach turned. I honestly couldn't see what Mom saw in that man. He wasn't rich. He wasn't handsome. And aside from being built like a goddamn bull—just like his son—he had zero redeeming qualities. But my hands were tied. My own deadbeat father had vanished the day I was born, leaving Mom to raise me alone. I'd do anything for her. I'd die for her. So I crawled into our shared tent, grumbling under my breath. I shoved myself into the farthest corner, wrapping my blanket around me like armor. Thayer's frame was so massive that if he accidentally rolled over on me, I'd probably wake up in a hospital. The cramped space was already thick with his scent. A heavy, distinctly masculine musk that set every nerve in my body on edge. I covered my nose, but against my will, I took a small, sharp inhale. Marcella, you're losing it, I cursed myself. You can't be this desperate. I was in my twenties and had never even had a boyfriend. It was pathetic. The first time I share an enclosed space with a man, and it's my stepbrother. Hilarious. I made a mental note: find a boyfriend the second this trip is over. Just as the thought solidified, the tent flap was ripped open. Thayer's massive frame blocked the campfire light, plunging the tent into darkness. The whole structure groaned as he forced his way inside. Six-foot-something and two hundred pounds of solid muscle. Why the hell wasn't this guy playing in the NFL? I scrambled back, but he acted like I didn't exist. He just yanked his own grimy blanket over himself and flopped down, his body consuming nearly every inch of floor space. I'd completely overestimated the tent's size and underestimated his. Even curled into a tight ball, my side was pressed firmly against his. "Oh. Forgot you were in here, Marcella. My bad." There wasn't a hint of an apology in his voice. If anything, he sounded… pleased. But to my surprise, he actually shifted, giving me a precious inch of space. For once, I didn't snap back. That tiny bit of room meant I could finally stretch my legs. Silence fell, thick and heavy. The only sounds were the crackle of the fire outside and Thayer's deep, steady breathing. My heart hammered against my ribs. I was nervous. This was the first time I'd ever slept this close to a guy my age. Sleep felt impossible. In the darkness, I glanced at him. His breathing was even, but I knew he wasn't asleep. At home, his snoring could shake the walls from a different floor. But here? Nothing. He was wide awake. What the hell was he thinking? The curiosity was killing me, but I refused to speak. Maybe it was a pathetic attempt at politeness, or maybe I was just terrified of what would happen if I broke this fragile truce. While my mind was racing, he moved. As if rolling over in his sleep, he turned to face me. Then he draped an arm and a leg over my body, pulling me against him like I was a goddamn body pillow. My face was smashed against his rock-hard chest. His scent—raw, overwhelming—flooded my senses. My first instinct was to shove him away, but my limbs felt like lead. I couldn't move. There was only one option. Play dead. If I "woke up" now, this would get impossibly awkward. Probably. The air in the tent grew hotter, charged with tension. We stayed locked together. I didn't know if he knew I was faking it, but his heart was pounding against my ear, a frantic, heavy rhythm that was getting faster by the second. He was doing this on purpose. I was sure of it. But he didn't make another move. I just lay there, pinned in his arms, too afraid to even twitch. This wasn't funny anymore. My legs were already going numb. Just as I tried to subtly shift my weight, a muffled sound from the next tent shattered the silence. A moan. They were trying to be quiet, but in the dead of night, the sound cut through the chirping of the crickets. It was followed by a man's heavy panting, and then I felt it—a rhythmic shaking through the ground from the tent right next to us. I almost cursed out loud. Seriously? Now? Thayer's heart slammed against my ear, the rhythm stuttering. I heard the distinct, heavy gulp as he swallowed. Maybe because we were so still, Mom stopped holding back. Her lewd moans echoed through the trees. Thayer's breathing grew heavy, ragged. Before I could process anything, his hand—thick and calloused—landed on my shoulder. A shiver I couldn't control shot through me. His heat seared through the thin fabric of my nightgown, making my entire body lock up. My mind went blank. Was he actually going to...?

My mother, a coveted Omega, caught the eye of my father, a powerful pack elder. Before she truly understood the cruelty of his nature, she had already yielded to his pursuit and mated with him. Soon after, I was born—blessed with an extremely rare, pure White Wolf bloodline and a far more intoxicating scent than hers. But less than three years into the mating bond, my father began cheating constantly. The sheer number of his affairs eventually drove my mother to her grave. On her deathbed, she gripped my hand. "Being a rare White Wolf is a curse. Males will only mate you to breed strong pups. My child, you must mask your true scent." So, I began injecting myself with Scent Suppressants formulated by my Aunt Clara. I hid my pristine white coat and altered my pheromones until I smelled like absolutely nothing—just tap water and dead wood. I became an invisible, unattractive, low-ranking Omega. To avoid an arranged mating, I even took advantage of a lapse in my father's attention and ran away. But as luck would have it, just as my arranged mate caught up to me, we were both ambushed by rogues and dragged to an underground rogue breeding ring. Locked in a silver-laced cage, my hands and feet were bound. He had been injected with a potent, black-market heat-inducing serum. The feral rogues watching outside the cage thought a brutal claiming was inevitable. I thought my life was finished, too. Instead, Julian Sterling looked at me and smiled. His voice was a low, raspy growl, yet filled with immense restraint. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." He was a male of his word. To fight the overwhelming aphrodisiac, he bit into his own arm until the scent of his own blood and the agonizing pain cleared his mind. When the rogues forced a stronger dose down his throat, he slammed his head against the silver bars. He chose to die rather than force a mating mark on me. "I'm sorry!" I watched him, teetering on the edge of consciousness, and broke down in tears. "If I hadn't run away, you wouldn't have been dragged into this..." "It's not your fault." He struggled to lift his breathtakingly handsome face, his eyes impossibly tender. "I was reckless in the past. It's only natural that a she-wolf as good and pure as you wouldn't want me. But I regret it now. If I had met you sooner... you'd be my only mate." "I don't think I can hold on much longer, but at least... I protected your purity." In that moment, it felt as if a rushing river had surged into my chest. I fell for him. Fortunately, we were rescued by pack enforcers soon after. Following my heart, I mated to him. At our mating ceremony, he made a soulful confession, vowing to love only me for the rest of his life. After the ceremony, he truly changed. The flings and scandalous rumors vanished; he was devoted only to me. The day he learned I was carrying a pup, he wired a massive bonus to every pack member, letting the entire Silverfang Territory witness his sheer ecstasy. Everyone believed that Julian Sterling, the playboy Alpha, had finally turned over a new leaf for an "obedient Omega" like me. Until the day of my pack clinic ultrasound. He had an "important pack meeting" he couldn't push back, so I finished my exam alone and headed to the Sterling Group headquarters. I wanted to leave the sonogram on his desk so that he, as an Alpha and a father, could see the pup's heartbeat the moment he finished work. But as I approached the top-floor Alpha's office, I heard the sound of boisterous conversation. "Isn't Julian the ultimate devoted mate? Why is he here lounging around with us instead of accompanying his mate to her ultrasound?" I froze. Through the crack in the door, I saw Julian, who was supposed to be meeting pack elders. He was leaning lazily back in his leather chair, a cigarette between his fingers. A mocking smirk played on his handsome face. "It's not even my pup. Why the hell would I go?" His buddy chuckled suggestively. "Well, you've never actually knotted with her, so how could she be carrying your pup?" "Chloe would never guess that Julian has zero interest in a lowly Omega like her. The only female he's ever loved is the wild and vibrant Elena. He only pretends to be head-over-heels during the day to fool the pack. At night, in the pitch-black safe room, he lets Mason take over the duty of sleeping with her." "Back then, Julian pretended to be a playboy just to scare off all the high-ranking she-wolves so he could mate with Elena, his non-biological sister. Too bad the elders wouldn't budge and even used Elena's safety to force Julian into an arranged mating..." "You've gotta hand it to Julian, though. He played right into their hands. He placed a fake Mating Mark on the most famous 'ideal mate' in circles just to pretend they were madly in love, all so he could eventually expose her as a cheating slut carrying an unclaimed pup. Once the Sterling elders realize that even the 'good girls' cheat and that arranged matings are a joke, they'll have no choice but to let Julian claim the female he actually knows and loves." "But Julian—" One of them hesitated. "Chloe has always played by the pack rules. If she gets branded as a rogue adulteress, how will she ever show her face in society again? She loves you so much. It seems a bit... cruel, doesn't it?" Standing behind the heavy oak door, my mind went blank. The color drained from my face. The Alpha I had loved deeply for three years only bonded with me for another female? So, back when he was drugged and risked his life to "protect my purity," he wasn't protecting me at all. He was keeping his own body pure for someone else. My heart felt like it was being hacked by a dull blade. I trembled with pain, my eyes burning red, yet I stared through the gap, waiting for an answer. "Cruel?" Julian let out a soft laugh and blew out a smoke ring. His sharp features were obscured by the haze, making him look like a stranger. But his words were crystal clear, hitting my heart like a sledgehammer. "Maybe. But her feelings aren't my concern. I only care about Elena." "Damn, you really are a hopeless romantic! What about you, Mason? You've been mating Chloe in the dark for three years and even put a pup in her. No feelings at all?" Sitting on the sofa, Mason Caldwell looked cold and refined. "She smells like tap water and dead wood. In bed, she's a dead lay. If my Ruts weren't so violently uncontrollable, and if I wasn't doing this for Julian, I wouldn't take an Omega like her even if she was offered for free. As for the pup, it's just a tool to publicly humiliate her. I'm not claiming it." The other males' eyes lit up at this. "Since you both look down on Chloe, how about letting me have a taste? I'm tired of elite bloodlines; I'm kind of interested in a plain little Omega like her." "Yeah, Julian, when are you planning to kick her out? I want a turn, too." "In one week." Julian stubbed out his cigarette, his smile casual and cruel. "At our third mating anniversary gala. We'll let everyone see exactly what kind of 'ideal mate' the pack elders picked out." "Then let's toast in advance to Julian getting what he wants and finally bringing Elena home!" Amidst the roar of laughter, I gripped the sonogram in my hand. Tears fell silently and uncontrollably. But soon, I wiped them away and began to smile. A smile ready for a new life. Julian Sterling only ever saw me as a tool. He would never understand that my being "obedient" and "polite" was simply how I was raised—it didn't mean my wolf was weak. I will make him realize the price of stealing my heart and trying to destroy me for his own selfish desires. He's going to pay. Chapter 2 I turned and left. The heavy elevator doors closed, taking my once-devoted heart down with it. Just as I stepped out of the Sterling Group entrance, a heavy force slammed into me from behind. The back of my head hit the stone wall, and I gasped in pain. Looking up, I caught the frantic scent of distress rolling off Julian. Phone in hand, he didn't even glance down. "Elena, wait for me." He hung up and sprinted to his sports car, roaring away without even noticing his "mate" on the ground. The Alpha who kept claiming his wolf lived for me didn't even realize he'd knocked me down. He hadn't even seen me. A wave of bitter betrayal surged in my chest. I hailed a cab and followed his scent trail. I wanted to see exactly who this "Elena" was—the female he held so close. At the entrance of the Enforcer headquarters, I got out and saw Julian protectively shielding a female. I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief. The "Elena" he spoke of was Elena Sterling—the low-ranking Omega who had bullied me relentlessly at the Elite Pack Academy and given me endless nightmares. Back then, just because I was called pretty, Elena's jealousy made me her target. She’d cover my seat in superglue, put dead rodents in my bag, and shred my assignments for no reason. She even cornered me and forced a whole bottle of chili water down my throat after I was chosen to host the Academy's Lunar Festival... How ironic that such a malicious female was considered "wild and vibrant" in Julian's eyes. Elena was huffing, her arms crossed. "Julian, I just wanted to surprise you when I got back, so I was driving fast. I didn't mean to hit that patrol SUV. Why did the Enforcers detain me? What a pain!" Julian smiled helplessly and stroked her hair with pure adoration. "No matter how big the trouble is, I will protect you." It was a voice I knew, but laced with a genuine tenderness I'd never received. Elena finally smiled. "I believe you. You even staged that rogue kidnapping and nearly died just to trick the pack elders so you could wait for me. You're the best!" I went rigid. My claws extended slightly, digging into my palms as my eyes turned bloodshot. The rogue kidnapping... he staged it? I'd spent years feeling a crushing guilt, believing my arranged mate had dragged Julian into a disaster. But he was the mastermind all along. That life-changing moment of devotion was nothing but a calculated trap. Anger, humiliation, despair, and pain tore at me like savage beasts. "Are you okay, Luna?" A female Pack Enforcer noticed my pale face. "Do you need a healer?" Julian snapped his head around at the sound. Our eyes met, and his scent spiked with a sudden, sharp panic. "Chloe? Why are you here? When... when did you get here?" His tone sounded like concern, but I knew better. He was just afraid I'd overheard his dark secrets. "Just got here," I lied, forcing myself to suppress the urge to tear out his throat. Now wasn't the time for a showdown. "I lost something and came to report it to the Enforcers." Julian let out a noticeable sigh of relief. "What did you lose? I'll have my guards help you find it." I stared at him in silence before shaking my head. "Forget it. I'm done looking for it." I'd lost the mate bond I thought was mutual. But it was a scam from the start. How could I find something that never existed? "Fine," Julian said dismissively. "We'll just buy you something new later." "Julian, so you mated with my old classmate? What a coincidence." Elena strutted over, masking her natural scent with expensive perfumes and a bright smile. "We were inseparable at the Academy, weren't we, Chloe?" Her airy tone dragged me back to the past. Back then, after relentlessly tormenting me, she'd always smile innocently and say, "We're just packmates playing a joke, right, Chloe?" My fists clenched, but I met her gaze directly. "It is a coincidence. I didn't realize the female who bullied me relentlessly was actually my sister-in-law." Julian frowned in surprise, his brows knitting together. "Chloe, you're saying the female who used to bully you... was Elena?" Chapter 3 "It's her." I lifted my eyes to Julian Sterling. This was my mate who, after learning I had been traumatized in the past, had held me close and growled a vow to the Moon Goddess that he would rip apart anyone who ever hurt me again. In my head, I started a countdown. One, two, three— True to form, it didn't even take three seconds for him to choose to protect Elena Sterling. "Elena is just a bit naughty," he said, instantly defending her. "She doesn't have a malicious bone. You must have misunderstood her." He grabbed my wrist without another word. "Mason said he's hosting a welcome gala for Elena. Let's go. We're all family now; stop dwelling on the past." But as soon as he opened the passenger door, Elena slipped inside. She smirked at me. "First come, first served. You're too slow, Chloe. Don't go blaming me for bullying you again." Julian looked like he was a little hesitant. For the past three years, the passenger seat had been my exclusive spot. I used to cling to his arm, smiling sweetly as I told him I wanted to sit by my mate's side forever. He was probably bracing himself to offer some words of comfort, but I simply opened the back door and sat down in silence. Why would I care about a seat when I didn't even want him anymore? Julian paused. My submissiveness and maturity were exactly what he expected from an "ideal mate," yet a strange, unsettling feeling flickered in his chest. Elena urged him to go, and he shook off the thought, starting the engine. Throughout the drive to the hotel, Elena pointedly shared "insider" pack memories that only the two of them knew, trying to make me feel like an outsider. I didn't care. I pulled out my phone and messaged my lawyer. I want to sever the mating bond with Julian Sterling. He is the at-fault party. The most talked-about part of our mating ceremony three years ago was the mating contract Julian had insisted on. It stated that the at-fault party would be stripped of their Alpha title and pack assets. Everyone in the circles believed it was a safety net he'd created for me—a reformed playboy's vow of loyalty. In reality, he'd planned from the very beginning to brand me a rogue adulteress so I'd walk away with nothing. Since Julian was being this heartless, I wouldn't show any mercy. During my pack clinic ultrasound, I'd forgotten to turn off my voice recorder after the healer finished giving me instructions. By a stroke of luck, I'd captured that entire shameless confession in his office. The evidence is valid, the lawyer replied quickly. The bond annulment proceedings will begin immediately. The paperwork will be finalized in about a week. At that time, the Sterling Pack assets will belong to you. I put my phone down and let out a long, slow breath. We arrived at the Caldwell Pack Five-Star Hotel. In the private VIP hall, Mason Caldwell was the center of attention. A sliver of his cold-toned, pale skin showed through his partially unbuttoned designer shirt, looking as freezing and striking as his features. The Caldwells and the Sterlings were both at the absolute top of the pyramid. Mason, the Lycan King, was famously ascetic and uninterested in any she-wolf—cold, distant, and unapproachable. Memories of our intimate nights in the pitch-black safe room flashed through my mind, bringing a surge of deep humiliation and confusion. I couldn't understand why an Alpha so frigid would be willing to endure my "lifeless log" presence just to help Julian. Then, Elena ran toward him with a bright smile. "Mason! Thank you for the welcome feast! Who decorated this? It's full of everything I love!" "I'm glad you like it," Mason rumbled, catching her gently. His presence pulled back with restraint the moment he touched her, but the coldness in his icy eyes was replaced by a simmering warmth and intensity. "I decorated it myself. I didn't trust anyone else with your business." My heart jolted. I finally understood. Branding me an adulteress was tied to Elena's happiness, so he wanted to handle it personally. Because he loved Elena, too! "What are you thinking about?" Julian handed me a crystal glass of champagne. Elena snatched it before I could take it, her hand "slipped". The freezing champagne drenched me, the wet fabric clinging to my skin and leaving nothing to the imagination. "Oops," Elena said, blinking innocently. "I was just thinking about how we used to joke around like this at the Academy. I forgot you're famous for being the virtuous and dignified wolf now. I've made you look like a fool in front of the pack. Sorry!" Her apology was completely empty, her eyes dancing with mockery. The unmated males in the room, who already harbored ill intentions toward me, stared shamelessly at my chest. Their lecherous gazes felt like they were stripping me bare. Julian's expression darkened with sudden possessiveness, and he immediately signaled a beta guard for a shawl to wrap around me. But the moment he spoke, his words still favored Elena. "Chloe, Elena was just joking, and she apologized. You've always been the obedient Omega. Don't be angry, okay?" I gripped the corner of the shawl. I had been bullied relentlessly by Elena in the past, and now I was being publicly humiliated by her again... yet he acted as if he were blind, deaf, and mute to it all! I knew I shouldn't have expected anything from him, yet a sharp, needle-like pain radiated through my chest. The pack members began to chime in. "Yeah, don't be a spoilsport! Be a big girl. Give us a smile!" "Fine," I said, suddenly looking up and smiling perfectly, just as they wanted. "Then I guess I'll play their game." Chapter 4 I quickly grabbed Elena's hair and slammed her face straight into the multi-tiered welcome cake. "Ah!" Elena shrieked, clawing at the thick frosting, her eyes stinging. She looked as miserable and pathetic as I had at the Elite Academy when she shoved my face into a refuse bin. The VIP hall fell into a deathly silence. No one expected the scentless, obedient Omega to attack like this. My smile remained perfect. "It really is fun, isn't it? Why aren't you laughing?" Everyone was speechless. "Chloe Vance!" Mason's voice was an command that rattled the crystal glasses, his eyes flashing with lethal intent. He stepped forward to defend Elena, but Julian stopped him with a warning growl. "Alright, have your fun, but don't corrupt my mate," Julian said, pulling me into a possessive embrace. "Your clothes are wet. You'll catch a cold. Let's go back to the estate and change." I didn't want to stay anyway. Julian drove aggressively, and I stared out the window in silence, just wanting to get away from his suffocating scent. Suddenly, a rogue vehicle swerved blindly into our lane. Julian yanked the steering wheel to avoid it, crashing the car heavily into a tree. Thanks to his seatbelt, he was completely unharmed. But my tampered door flew open. The momentum sent me flying. I tumbled across the asphalt several times before plunging into a nearby ditch. Fetid water splashed everywhere. I was covered in filth and stinking sewage, tears stinging my eyes as I choked on the foul mud. As I struggled to climb out, the sound of shutters clicking filled the air. A "reporter" wearing a mask pointed a camera at me, snapping photos frantically. "The dignified Luna making a fool of herself? Now that's a rare headline!" "Stop taking pictures!" Julian arrived, his Alpha aura flaring in anger. "Put the camera down, or I'll have you banished from the territory!" Intimidated by his presence, the reporter dropped his heavy camera directly onto my head before fleeing. In a flash of agonizing pain, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, my head felt like it was splitting open. I was staring at the healing center ceiling, voices drifting in from outside my door. "Good job, Julian. Tampering with Chloe's door and crashing perfectly so she'd roll into a stinking ditch—that's some impressive skill." "Mason wasn't bad either," another high-ranking wolf laughed. "Playing reporter and knocking her out with the camera? Good revenge for Elena!" "She got off easy," Mason's icy rumble echoed. "If we didn't still need her to carry the pup for our plan, I would have shredded her for touching Elena." Julian let out a cold chuckle. "Alright, clear out. I have to go in and play the devoted mate." The door opened. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing, pretending to be asleep. Julian sat down beside me. After a moment, his fingers gently brushed the stray hairs away from my forehead. His warm fingertips slid down my face, tracing the contours of my eyes and brows. My body stiffened instinctively. I couldn't understand it. I wasn't even awake yet—why was he still putting on this sickening act of tenderness? Chapter 5 I opened my eyes and subtly dodged his touch. "Chloe, you're awake." A flicker of relief passed through Julian's eyes—so fast he probably didn't even notice it himself. His voice was full of concern, his scent spiking with faux distress. "It's my fault. I didn't realize there was a problem with the car's door. I'm just glad the pup is okay." Liar, my wolf snarled silently in my head. On the surface, I only gave a cold "Mhm." Seeing my listless expression, Julian became even more attentive. "You've been through a lot today. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay right here and keep my mate company—" Before he could finish, his phone rang. Hearing the exclusive ringtone, Julian didn't hesitate for a second before answering. Elena's demanding voice came through the line. "How dare Chloe Vance ruin my welcome feast! You aren't allowed to pay any attention to her today. You have to come and be with me right now, or I'm calling over some rogue males!" "Julian, I'm giving you ten minutes. For every minute you're late, I'll bring in another guy!" Julian stood up abruptly, his Alpha aura bristling. "Chloe, pack business came up. I'll be back later." Without waiting for my answer, he rushed out of the hospital room. A sarcastic smirk curled my lips. It was better that he was gone. I pressed the call button. "Healer, I need an abortion." "Why would you get rid of the pup?!" My hospital room door was suddenly flung open, and my Aunt Clara rushed in, her Beta scent frantic. A female who was usually polished and professional in public, Auntie had her blazer buttons done up wrong and was wearing two different styles of shoes. "Chlo, I saw the pictures of you falling in the ditch on the network. Did something happen? Don't scare me like this..." To give me a better life after my mother died, Aunt Clara had fought hard to take me into her home. She'd quit her stable job as the Chief Pack Medic and endured countless hardships to build the Vance Group. The Vance family's business couldn't compare to the Sterlings' empire, but when the pack elders pushed for an arranged mating, Aunt Clara would have rather gone bankrupt than let me be mistreated. She had even supported me when I tried to run away from the mating ceremony. Even back then, when Julian supposedly risked his life to "protect my purity" during the rogue kidnapping, Aunt Clara was still hesitant to hand me over to a known playboy Alpha. I was the one who had convinced her to accept him, telling her I would definitely be happy. Who would have thought the result would be this wretched? Just as I was about to speak, Julian's mother called. Her arrogant, overbearing Elder Luna voice filled the room. "Chloe Vance, do you have any idea that those embarrassing photos of you falling are all over the circles? If I hadn't ordered the Enforcers to take them down in time, everyone would know what an embarrassment the Sterling family's Luna is!" "Your family comes from such humble origins. We only let you mate into our bloodline because we thought you were an obedient Omega! Don't think your position is secure just because you're carrying a pup. If you keep acting so out of line, I'll find a new Luna! And don't think the Vance family will have it easy, either. You'd better watch yourself!" Aunt Clara was so angry she wanted to scream back, but the Dowager had already hung up. "Don't be upset, Auntie. The ones who won't have it easy... are them." I told her everything—how my inner wolf had been deceived and how Julian would soon be stripped of his Alpha title and pack assets. "Auntie, I know you only went into business for me. Your dream was always to find a territory where it's spring all year round, where you could just read, write, and live a peaceful life. Once the bond annulment is finalized, I'll go with you." "But right now, I need to get rid of this pup." Aunt Clara nodded repeatedly, her eyes red with heartache. The procedure was over quickly. I lay on the cold operating table, watching the small, bloody mass in the silver tray. Tears fell silently. Just minutes ago, it was inside my body. A few days ago, I was still full of anticipation for this pup's arrival. But this bond had ended so abruptly. I also held a new genetic document in my hand. DNA results: Pureblood Lycan. Biological father: Mason Caldwell. I wiped away my tears and called my lawyer. "Please preserve the tissue and the DNA and pheromone test report. In one week, take them to a specific location." I gave him the address for the third mating anniversary gala. Since Julian and Mason were hell-bent on destroying me in front of the pack, I would repay them in kind with a grand gift of my own! Chapter 6 I stayed in the Pack Hospital for three days. Julian Sterling didn't show his face until the day I was discharged. "Chloe, things have been so busy at the territory borders, but I has been worried sick about you these past two days." He looked apologetic, reaching out to hold me, but I saw it—a bright red, fresh mating bite mark on his neck. The sight of it was a searing blow to me. This male, who I'd loved for three years, had never knotted with me. Yet here he was, pretending to care while wearing the physical scent and marks of a night spent with another female. I couldn't hold back my revulsion anymore. "Don't touch me!" Julian froze. His gaze dropped, and a flash of pure panic crossed his eyes. "I didn't realize there were still bugs this time of year in the territory." He quickly regained his composure "Chloe, I vowed to the Moon Goddess to only love one mate in this life, and I meant it. You believe me, right?" I looked at him quietly, a surge of dark mockery hitting my chest. "I believe you." His vow was true. But the female his inner wolf loved wasn't me. It never was. "I knew you were the most ideal mate," Julian smiled, pulling me toward the pack vehicle. "Elena organized a gathering with the high-ranking wolves and specifically asked me to bring you along. No one's going to tease you this time. From now on, you two need to get along, okay?" At the lounge, it was the same crowd from the welcome feast. Elena Sterling smiled brightly, masking her natural scent with expensive perfumes. "You're finally here! We're playing Truth or Dare. Join us!" Mason Caldwell sat beside her, his gaze icy and guarded as it swept over me. After a few rounds, the bottle pointed at Julian. A friend read the dare: "The dare is—mark the female closest to you!" I was the one closest to him. Julian's face stiffened visibly. Before he could speak, I asked, "What's the penalty for losing?" He didn't want to mark me, and I certainly didn't want him. "The penalty is for the person wearing red to finish a whole bottle of hard liquor." The only female in red was Elena. Julian spoke up immediately, his protective instincts flaring. "We won't lose. Chloe, are you feeling shy in front of the pack? Then don't look." He leaned in, one strong hand gripping the back of my head, the other covering my eyes. The next second, freezing lips pressed against mine, skillfully prying my mouth apart. My body jolted violently. I realized the icy male kissing me was Mason Caldwell! I recoiled. Nausea hit me like a physical wave. I wanted to vomit! Sensing my violent reaction, Mason stopped immediately, and Julian let go of me. I rushed to the bathroom to retch. In my haste, the heavy oak door didn't close all the way. I heard voices outside. "Julian, it was just a kiss. Did you really have to let Mason take your place with your mate?" "I won't kiss another female in front of the one I love." "Mason, you're a lucky one. Those lips looked so soft; even I wanted a taste. Do you really feel nothing for her?" another wolf chimed in. "Nothing. It was like kissing a slab of raw meat. Luckily, her nausea kicked in, so I didn't have to kiss her for long." I stared at my bloodshot eyes in the mirror and curled my lip. Fine. I'll just treat it like a rogue dog bit me! Just as I was about to open the door, smoke bombs went off and the territory emergency alarms blared. "What the hell? Where's the fire?" "Ugh, what a jinx Chloe Vance is! Everyone, shift and move! Get out!" Due to the lockdown settings, the bathroom door automatically locked. By the time I forced it open with my claws, the VIP lounge was empty. I ran out into the smoke, only to be knocked down by the panicked crowd of half-shifted wolves. As countless heavy footsteps trampled over me, I saw Julian's back in the distance. He was shielding Elena as they fled. His strong Alpha arms held her close, keeping her safe and unharmed. My heart felt like it had been scalded with molten silver. I could only rely on myself. I forced myself up, but a massive hand suddenly reached out from a dark side-room and yanked me inside. A masked male pinned my wrists over my head with one hand and began tearing at my clothes. "Are you crazy? The room is burning outside!" "Let go of me!" I struggled in pure terror, but when I saw the freezing gold of the male's eyes, I froze. It was Mason! Last time, to get revenge for Elena, he'd posed as a reporter to take humiliating photos of me crawling out of a ditch, intentionally dropping his camera to leave a gash on my head. What was he trying to do this time? Chapter 7 Before I could resist or even force a question out of my throat, a sharp blow struck the back of my neck. When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying stark naked in the middle of a busy square. A massive crowd of wolves surrounded me, their eyes filled with pure disdain as they pointed and whispered. Dozens of phones were aimed at me, clicking incessantly. In a panic, I curled into a ball, desperately trying to cover my nakedness. But it was impossible to hide from the wolves' gaze! Some unmated males even tried to take advantage of the chaos, reaching out to grope me. Watching those lecherous claws reach for my chest, I choked back tears of deep humiliation and began to run like a feral rogue. By the time I finally made it back to the Sterling Estate, I didn't even have a chance to put on clothes before— Slap! A vicious strike sent a ringing through my ears. Evelyn stood there, her face contorted with rage, pointing a silver-ringed finger at my nose as she snarled. "First you roll into a stinking ditch, and now you're running naked in the territory! You've disgraced the Sterling pack! How do you still have the nerve to come back here?" "Mom, this isn't Chloe's fault." Julian Sterling shifted into a quick stride and draped his heavy coat over my shoulders. "My Enforcers looked into it. It was revenge from the underground rogue breeding ring. They faked a fire at the lounge, then took Chloe in the confusion. She's a victim, too." I snapped my head up, my eyes flashing. The previous rogue kidnapping had been his orchestration; any "revenge" would have been his command. But I hadn't crossed Elena Sterling recently—why go to such brutal lengths to humiliate me this time? "A victim?" Evelyn sneered, her Dowager aura suffocating. "Then why didn't the rogues kidnap any other female? Why her? There's no smoke without fire. She's not fit to be the Luna of the Sterlings anymore!" "It won't happen again." Julian looked like he was defending his mate, but a faint, barely perceptible smirk played at the corners of his lips. "The trending topics on the network have already been suppressed. Our third mating anniversary is coming up soon. We'll do a public display of affection and some pack charity work; that will shift the elders' attention." "It better," Evelyn warned sharply. "Chloe Vance, if there is a next time, I will throw you out to the rogues! And your Aunt Clara can just wait to be exiled and beg for scraps." I understood everything now. Julian and Mason Caldwell had teamed up to strip away my dignity and make me a laughingstock again just so Evelyn would become more and more disgusted with me. They were waiting for the third mating anniversary gala, when the "unclaimed pup" would be the final blow that broke the pack elders' patience. What a perfect, cold-blooded calculation! I felt a chill and exhaustion I'd never known. Without a word, I walked straight upstairs. I stayed under the scalding shower for a long time, scrubbing until my skin was raw and red, yet I still couldn't wash away the feeling of those leering pack eyes on my body. Then, Elena's panicked voice echoed from downstairs. "Julian! This is bad! Aunt Clara is in trouble!" A roar sounded in my ears. I scrambled into my clothes and sprinted downstairs, my eyes glowing a faint white. Elena stood there looking frantic, though her scent was clearly dancing with schadenfreude. "I was just playing a pack joke on Chloe's aunt. I told her I'd posted her naked photos everywhere and was going to hand them out to the unmated males. I didn't think she was that easy to scare. She had a heart attack on the spot and collapsed. The healer says... she might not make it through the night..." Evelyn was so angry her claws extended as she raised her hand again. "Enough! Are you all trying to kill me?" Julian immediately pulled Elena behind his broad frame, taking the blow to protect his "true mate." When Evelyn had slapped me earlier, he had waited until she was finished before "defending" me. The difference in how he treated us was glaringly obvious! But I didn't have time for that. I tried to rush out the heavy oak doors, desperate to know how Aunt Clara was doing. Julian, thinking I was going after Elena, grabbed my arm tightly. "Calm down, Chloe. Your aunt never got over your mother's death all these years. If the sisters can reunite in the afterlife a bit sooner, it might not be a bad thing. There's no need to blame Elena." I froze, thinking my ears had deceived me. My Auntie's life was hanging by a thread, and he was saying her death would be a "good thing"? For the sake of Elena, he had abandoned the very nature of a pack leader! "If anything happens to my Aunt Clara, I will never forgive her—and that goes for you, too!" Every word I growled felt like it was dripping with blood. "Let go of me! Don't you dare stop me from seeing my Auntie!" I used every ounce of my suppressed White Wolf strength to shove the Alpha away. He had never seen the normally obedient Omega shout at him like this, and he instinctively frowned. But as he watched my stumbling figure disappear into the distance, a strange, inexplicable sense of hollow unease flickered in his chest, accompanied by an agonizing sense of loss. Chapter 8 I burst into the healing room to see Aunt Clara lying on the narrow cot with her eyes tightly shut. She was hooked up to various monitors and tubes, the pillar of strength in my heart collapsing. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "Auntie, don't sleep. Please, don't leave me..." I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe. Aunt Clara was the only family I had left. If I lost her, I would truly be a lone wolf with no home to go back to. I stayed by her bedside for three days and nights, talking to her constantly, trying to call her back from the brink. Julian had sent a team of top pack healers to consult on her case, putting on a show of a deeply concerned mate. On the fourth day, morning sun shone through the window onto the small bed. Aunt Clara finally opened her eyes. It felt like she’d woken up from a terrible long nightmare. But she was so tired she couldn’t even smile. Julian drove us himself in the car when it was time for Aunt Clara to be discharged. He bought many expensive gifts and even promised to inject funds into Vance Enterprises, showing a level of "sincerity" that would have fooled any elder. But I knew his true motive—he wanted to buy our silence so we wouldn't bring Elena Sterling before the Pack Enforcers. Auntie glanced at me, and we silently pretended to forgive him so he wouldn’t get suspicious. To avoid alerting him, we suppressed our anger and played the obedient she-wolves. Seeing me return to the submissive, "virtuous Luna" I used to be, the flicker of unease in Julian's heart finally vanished. That night, after the lights were turned off in the pitch-black safe room. I felt a heavy, burning body press against my back, a massive hand sliding onto my waist. My drowsiness vanished instantly. I realized the suffocating wolf presence beside me was Mason Caldwell! When he lowered his voice, he sounded exactly like Julian Sterling. "I've put you through a lot lately. How about me makes it up to you tonight?" I fought back my revulsion. "No. It's not advisable while I'm carrying a pup." Instead of stopping, Mason pulled me closer, his freezing hand wandering over my body. His chin rested heavily in the crook of my neck, his breathing thick with the scent of an approaching Rut. "It's fine. I can be gentle, as long as you're happy..." I squeezed my eyes shut, suppressing my urge to turn around and rake my claws across his face. I pushed his hand away. "I said no." He was the male who called me a "lifeless log" in bed, yet here he was, relentlessly pursuing my body. I didn't know what he was trying to do or what he even took me for! "Fine, have it your way," Mason finally relented with a low growl, settling down. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to sleep. A few moments later, he got up and opened the heavy door. "Julian," I heard Mason rumble. "I checked. She's not in the mood tonight, so she won't bother you. You can sleep in peace." I clenched my palms so hard my claws dug into my skin. So that was it. He was only there to make sure I wouldn't interfere with Julian staying pure for the female he actually loved! "Thanks, brother," Julian replied. "Tomorrow, it'll all be over. Sorry you had to knot with her for three years for me." Mason was silent for a moment. "As long as it makes you and Elena happy. When my car crashed ten years ago, Elena risked her life to pull me out just seconds before it exploded. Wolves call her reckless, but I know how brave she is. She loves you, so I'll protect her for the rest of my life." I was so shocked I nearly opened my eyes. The bloody, broken teenage wolf I had pulled from that wreckage ten years ago... was Mason? Back then, every other wolf had run away, but I couldn't just watch a packmate burn. Before he lost consciousness, he had pressed his heirloom crest into my hand. Later, Elena had snatched that crest away, claiming it belonged to a friend of hers. Clearly, she had used that crest to deceive Mason all these years. I suddenly found it hilarious. If Mason knew that the female he had been ruthlessly tormenting was actually the one who had saved his life, how would he react? I was going to make sure the pack found out. The next morning, I received a message on the network from my lawyer. The bond annulment papers were ready, and the Sterling Group's assets would be transferred to my name within the day. I smiled from the bottom of my heart. Julian caught a glimpse of that smile and seemed dazed for a moment by me. "You look so happy. Are you looking forward to our third mating anniversary gala tonight? I have a surprise for you. See you tonight. Love you." Love me? I felt a surge of dark irony but forced an obedient smile. "I love you, too." Everything that started with a lie was finally going to end with one. After Julian left, I packed a small bag and called my lawyer. "Please pull the territory surveillance footage from Mason Caldwell's car crash ten years ago. Then, bring a network broadcast team to represent me at the gala tonight." "No problem, Ms. Vance. I'll bring the preserved tissue, the DNA and pheromone test report, the annulment contract stripping him of his Alpha title, and the recordings proving Julian Sterling is the at-fault party to the venue." Before heading to the border transports, I took one last look at the "den" I'd lived in for three years. The coastal wind brushed away a tear from the corner of my eye, but I swallowed the bitterness with a smile. I didn't look back, not even once.

My mother, a coveted Omega, caught the eye of my father, a powerful pack elder. Before she truly understood the cruelty of his nature, she had already yielded to his pursuit and mated with him. Soon after, I was born—blessed with an extremely rare, pure White Wolf bloodline and a far more intoxicating scent than hers. But less than three years into the mating bond, my father began cheating constantly. The sheer number of his affairs eventually drove my mother to her grave. On her deathbed, she gripped my hand. "Being a rare White Wolf is a curse. Males will only mate you to breed strong pups. My child, you must mask your true scent." So, I began injecting myself with Scent Suppressants formulated by my Aunt Clara. I hid my pristine white coat and altered my pheromones until I smelled like absolutely nothing—just tap water and dead wood. I became an invisible, unattractive, low-ranking Omega. To avoid an arranged mating, I even took advantage of a lapse in my father's attention and ran away. But as luck would have it, just as my arranged mate caught up to me, we were both ambushed by rogues and dragged to an underground rogue breeding ring. Locked in a silver-laced cage, my hands and feet were bound. He had been injected with a potent, black-market heat-inducing serum. The feral rogues watching outside the cage thought a brutal claiming was inevitable. I thought my life was finished, too. Instead, Julian Sterling looked at me and smiled. His voice was a low, raspy growl, yet filled with immense restraint. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." He was a male of his word. To fight the overwhelming aphrodisiac, he bit into his own arm until the scent of his own blood and the agonizing pain cleared his mind. When the rogues forced a stronger dose down his throat, he slammed his head against the silver bars. He chose to die rather than force a mating mark on me. "I'm sorry!" I watched him, teetering on the edge of consciousness, and broke down in tears. "If I hadn't run away, you wouldn't have been dragged into this..." "It's not your fault." He struggled to lift his breathtakingly handsome face, his eyes impossibly tender. "I was reckless in the past. It's only natural that a she-wolf as good and pure as you wouldn't want me. But I regret it now. If I had met you sooner... you'd be my only mate." "I don't think I can hold on much longer, but at least... I protected your purity." In that moment, it felt as if a rushing river had surged into my chest. I fell for him. Fortunately, we were rescued by pack enforcers soon after. Following my heart, I mated to him. At our mating ceremony, he made a soulful confession, vowing to love only me for the rest of his life. After the ceremony, he truly changed. The flings and scandalous rumors vanished; he was devoted only to me. The day he learned I was carrying a pup, he wired a massive bonus to every pack member, letting the entire Silverfang Territory witness his sheer ecstasy. Everyone believed that Julian Sterling, the playboy Alpha, had finally turned over a new leaf for an "obedient Omega" like me. Until the day of my pack clinic ultrasound. He had an "important pack meeting" he couldn't push back, so I finished my exam alone and headed to the Sterling Group headquarters. I wanted to leave the sonogram on his desk so that he, as an Alpha and a father, could see the pup's heartbeat the moment he finished work. But as I approached the top-floor Alpha's office, I heard the sound of boisterous conversation. "Isn't Julian the ultimate devoted mate? Why is he here lounging around with us instead of accompanying his mate to her ultrasound?" I froze. Through the crack in the door, I saw Julian, who was supposed to be meeting pack elders. He was leaning lazily back in his leather chair, a cigarette between his fingers. A mocking smirk played on his handsome face. "It's not even my pup. Why the hell would I go?" His buddy chuckled suggestively. "Well, you've never actually knotted with her, so how could she be carrying your pup?" "Chloe would never guess that Julian has zero interest in a lowly Omega like her. The only female he's ever loved is the wild and vibrant Elena. He only pretends to be head-over-heels during the day to fool the pack. At night, in the pitch-black safe room, he lets Mason take over the duty of sleeping with her." "Back then, Julian pretended to be a playboy just to scare off all the high-ranking she-wolves so he could mate with Elena, his non-biological sister. Too bad the elders wouldn't budge and even used Elena's safety to force Julian into an arranged mating..." "You've gotta hand it to Julian, though. He played right into their hands. He placed a fake Mating Mark on the most famous 'ideal mate' in circles just to pretend they were madly in love, all so he could eventually expose her as a cheating slut carrying an unclaimed pup. Once the Sterling elders realize that even the 'good girls' cheat and that arranged matings are a joke, they'll have no choice but to let Julian claim the female he actually knows and loves." "But Julian—" One of them hesitated. "Chloe has always played by the pack rules. If she gets branded as a rogue adulteress, how will she ever show her face in society again? She loves you so much. It seems a bit... cruel, doesn't it?" Standing behind the heavy oak door, my mind went blank. The color drained from my face. The Alpha I had loved deeply for three years only bonded with me for another female? So, back when he was drugged and risked his life to "protect my purity," he wasn't protecting me at all. He was keeping his own body pure for someone else. My heart felt like it was being hacked by a dull blade. I trembled with pain, my eyes burning red, yet I stared through the gap, waiting for an answer. "Cruel?" Julian let out a soft laugh and blew out a smoke ring. His sharp features were obscured by the haze, making him look like a stranger. But his words were crystal clear, hitting my heart like a sledgehammer. "Maybe. But her feelings aren't my concern. I only care about Elena." "Damn, you really are a hopeless romantic! What about you, Mason? You've been mating Chloe in the dark for three years and even put a pup in her. No feelings at all?" Sitting on the sofa, Mason Caldwell looked cold and refined. "She smells like tap water and dead wood. In bed, she's a dead lay. If my Ruts weren't so violently uncontrollable, and if I wasn't doing this for Julian, I wouldn't take an Omega like her even if she was offered for free. As for the pup, it's just a tool to publicly humiliate her. I'm not claiming it." The other males' eyes lit up at this. "Since you both look down on Chloe, how about letting me have a taste? I'm tired of elite bloodlines; I'm kind of interested in a plain little Omega like her." "Yeah, Julian, when are you planning to kick her out? I want a turn, too." "In one week." Julian stubbed out his cigarette, his smile casual and cruel. "At our third mating anniversary gala. We'll let everyone see exactly what kind of 'ideal mate' the pack elders picked out." "Then let's toast in advance to Julian getting what he wants and finally bringing Elena home!" Amidst the roar of laughter, I gripped the sonogram in my hand. Tears fell silently and uncontrollably. But soon, I wiped them away and began to smile. A smile ready for a new life. Julian Sterling only ever saw me as a tool. He would never understand that my being "obedient" and "polite" was simply how I was raised—it didn't mean my wolf was weak. I will make him realize the price of stealing my heart and trying to destroy me for his own selfish desires. He's going to pay. Chapter 2 I turned and left. The heavy elevator doors closed, taking my once-devoted heart down with it. Just as I stepped out of the Sterling Group entrance, a heavy force slammed into me from behind. The back of my head hit the stone wall, and I gasped in pain. Looking up, I caught the frantic scent of distress rolling off Julian. Phone in hand, he didn't even glance down. "Elena, wait for me." He hung up and sprinted to his sports car, roaring away without even noticing his "mate" on the ground. The Alpha who kept claiming his wolf lived for me didn't even realize he'd knocked me down. He hadn't even seen me. A wave of bitter betrayal surged in my chest. I hailed a cab and followed his scent trail. I wanted to see exactly who this "Elena" was—the female he held so close. At the entrance of the Enforcer headquarters, I got out and saw Julian protectively shielding a female. I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief. The "Elena" he spoke of was Elena Sterling—the low-ranking Omega who had bullied me relentlessly at the Elite Pack Academy and given me endless nightmares. Back then, just because I was called pretty, Elena's jealousy made me her target. She’d cover my seat in superglue, put dead rodents in my bag, and shred my assignments for no reason. She even cornered me and forced a whole bottle of chili water down my throat after I was chosen to host the Academy's Lunar Festival... How ironic that such a malicious female was considered "wild and vibrant" in Julian's eyes. Elena was huffing, her arms crossed. "Julian, I just wanted to surprise you when I got back, so I was driving fast. I didn't mean to hit that patrol SUV. Why did the Enforcers detain me? What a pain!" Julian smiled helplessly and stroked her hair with pure adoration. "No matter how big the trouble is, I will protect you." It was a voice I knew, but laced with a genuine tenderness I'd never received. Elena finally smiled. "I believe you. You even staged that rogue kidnapping and nearly died just to trick the pack elders so you could wait for me. You're the best!" I went rigid. My claws extended slightly, digging into my palms as my eyes turned bloodshot. The rogue kidnapping... he staged it? I'd spent years feeling a crushing guilt, believing my arranged mate had dragged Julian into a disaster. But he was the mastermind all along. That life-changing moment of devotion was nothing but a calculated trap. Anger, humiliation, despair, and pain tore at me like savage beasts. "Are you okay, Luna?" A female Pack Enforcer noticed my pale face. "Do you need a healer?" Julian snapped his head around at the sound. Our eyes met, and his scent spiked with a sudden, sharp panic. "Chloe? Why are you here? When... when did you get here?" His tone sounded like concern, but I knew better. He was just afraid I'd overheard his dark secrets. "Just got here," I lied, forcing myself to suppress the urge to tear out his throat. Now wasn't the time for a showdown. "I lost something and came to report it to the Enforcers." Julian let out a noticeable sigh of relief. "What did you lose? I'll have my guards help you find it." I stared at him in silence before shaking my head. "Forget it. I'm done looking for it." I'd lost the mate bond I thought was mutual. But it was a scam from the start. How could I find something that never existed? "Fine," Julian said dismissively. "We'll just buy you something new later." "Julian, so you mated with my old classmate? What a coincidence." Elena strutted over, masking her natural scent with expensive perfumes and a bright smile. "We were inseparable at the Academy, weren't we, Chloe?" Her airy tone dragged me back to the past. Back then, after relentlessly tormenting me, she'd always smile innocently and say, "We're just packmates playing a joke, right, Chloe?" My fists clenched, but I met her gaze directly. "It is a coincidence. I didn't realize the female who bullied me relentlessly was actually my sister-in-law." Julian frowned in surprise, his brows knitting together. "Chloe, you're saying the female who used to bully you... was Elena?" Chapter 3 "It's her." I lifted my eyes to Julian Sterling. This was my mate who, after learning I had been traumatized in the past, had held me close and growled a vow to the Moon Goddess that he would rip apart anyone who ever hurt me again. In my head, I started a countdown. One, two, three— True to form, it didn't even take three seconds for him to choose to protect Elena Sterling. "Elena is just a bit naughty," he said, instantly defending her. "She doesn't have a malicious bone. You must have misunderstood her." He grabbed my wrist without another word. "Mason said he's hosting a welcome gala for Elena. Let's go. We're all family now; stop dwelling on the past." But as soon as he opened the passenger door, Elena slipped inside. She smirked at me. "First come, first served. You're too slow, Chloe. Don't go blaming me for bullying you again." Julian looked like he was a little hesitant. For the past three years, the passenger seat had been my exclusive spot. I used to cling to his arm, smiling sweetly as I told him I wanted to sit by my mate's side forever. He was probably bracing himself to offer some words of comfort, but I simply opened the back door and sat down in silence. Why would I care about a seat when I didn't even want him anymore? Julian paused. My submissiveness and maturity were exactly what he expected from an "ideal mate," yet a strange, unsettling feeling flickered in his chest. Elena urged him to go, and he shook off the thought, starting the engine. Throughout the drive to the hotel, Elena pointedly shared "insider" pack memories that only the two of them knew, trying to make me feel like an outsider. I didn't care. I pulled out my phone and messaged my lawyer. I want to sever the mating bond with Julian Sterling. He is the at-fault party. The most talked-about part of our mating ceremony three years ago was the mating contract Julian had insisted on. It stated that the at-fault party would be stripped of their Alpha title and pack assets. Everyone in the circles believed it was a safety net he'd created for me—a reformed playboy's vow of loyalty. In reality, he'd planned from the very beginning to brand me a rogue adulteress so I'd walk away with nothing. Since Julian was being this heartless, I wouldn't show any mercy. During my pack clinic ultrasound, I'd forgotten to turn off my voice recorder after the healer finished giving me instructions. By a stroke of luck, I'd captured that entire shameless confession in his office. The evidence is valid, the lawyer replied quickly. The bond annulment proceedings will begin immediately. The paperwork will be finalized in about a week. At that time, the Sterling Pack assets will belong to you. I put my phone down and let out a long, slow breath. We arrived at the Caldwell Pack Five-Star Hotel. In the private VIP hall, Mason Caldwell was the center of attention. A sliver of his cold-toned, pale skin showed through his partially unbuttoned designer shirt, looking as freezing and striking as his features. The Caldwells and the Sterlings were both at the absolute top of the pyramid. Mason, the Lycan King, was famously ascetic and uninterested in any she-wolf—cold, distant, and unapproachable. Memories of our intimate nights in the pitch-black safe room flashed through my mind, bringing a surge of deep humiliation and confusion. I couldn't understand why an Alpha so frigid would be willing to endure my "lifeless log" presence just to help Julian. Then, Elena ran toward him with a bright smile. "Mason! Thank you for the welcome feast! Who decorated this? It's full of everything I love!" "I'm glad you like it," Mason rumbled, catching her gently. His presence pulled back with restraint the moment he touched her, but the coldness in his icy eyes was replaced by a simmering warmth and intensity. "I decorated it myself. I didn't trust anyone else with your business." My heart jolted. I finally understood. Branding me an adulteress was tied to Elena's happiness, so he wanted to handle it personally. Because he loved Elena, too! "What are you thinking about?" Julian handed me a crystal glass of champagne. Elena snatched it before I could take it, her hand "slipped". The freezing champagne drenched me, the wet fabric clinging to my skin and leaving nothing to the imagination. "Oops," Elena said, blinking innocently. "I was just thinking about how we used to joke around like this at the Academy. I forgot you're famous for being the virtuous and dignified wolf now. I've made you look like a fool in front of the pack. Sorry!" Her apology was completely empty, her eyes dancing with mockery. The unmated males in the room, who already harbored ill intentions toward me, stared shamelessly at my chest. Their lecherous gazes felt like they were stripping me bare. Julian's expression darkened with sudden possessiveness, and he immediately signaled a beta guard for a shawl to wrap around me. But the moment he spoke, his words still favored Elena. "Chloe, Elena was just joking, and she apologized. You've always been the obedient Omega. Don't be angry, okay?" I gripped the corner of the shawl. I had been bullied relentlessly by Elena in the past, and now I was being publicly humiliated by her again... yet he acted as if he were blind, deaf, and mute to it all! I knew I shouldn't have expected anything from him, yet a sharp, needle-like pain radiated through my chest. The pack members began to chime in. "Yeah, don't be a spoilsport! Be a big girl. Give us a smile!" "Fine," I said, suddenly looking up and smiling perfectly, just as they wanted. "Then I guess I'll play their game." Chapter 4 I quickly grabbed Elena's hair and slammed her face straight into the multi-tiered welcome cake. "Ah!" Elena shrieked, clawing at the thick frosting, her eyes stinging. She looked as miserable and pathetic as I had at the Elite Academy when she shoved my face into a refuse bin. The VIP hall fell into a deathly silence. No one expected the scentless, obedient Omega to attack like this. My smile remained perfect. "It really is fun, isn't it? Why aren't you laughing?" Everyone was speechless. "Chloe Vance!" Mason's voice was an command that rattled the crystal glasses, his eyes flashing with lethal intent. He stepped forward to defend Elena, but Julian stopped him with a warning growl. "Alright, have your fun, but don't corrupt my mate," Julian said, pulling me into a possessive embrace. "Your clothes are wet. You'll catch a cold. Let's go back to the estate and change." I didn't want to stay anyway. Julian drove aggressively, and I stared out the window in silence, just wanting to get away from his suffocating scent. Suddenly, a rogue vehicle swerved blindly into our lane. Julian yanked the steering wheel to avoid it, crashing the car heavily into a tree. Thanks to his seatbelt, he was completely unharmed. But my tampered door flew open. The momentum sent me flying. I tumbled across the asphalt several times before plunging into a nearby ditch. Fetid water splashed everywhere. I was covered in filth and stinking sewage, tears stinging my eyes as I choked on the foul mud. As I struggled to climb out, the sound of shutters clicking filled the air. A "reporter" wearing a mask pointed a camera at me, snapping photos frantically. "The dignified Luna making a fool of herself? Now that's a rare headline!" "Stop taking pictures!" Julian arrived, his Alpha aura flaring in anger. "Put the camera down, or I'll have you banished from the territory!" Intimidated by his presence, the reporter dropped his heavy camera directly onto my head before fleeing. In a flash of agonizing pain, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, my head felt like it was splitting open. I was staring at the healing center ceiling, voices drifting in from outside my door. "Good job, Julian. Tampering with Chloe's door and crashing perfectly so she'd roll into a stinking ditch—that's some impressive skill." "Mason wasn't bad either," another high-ranking wolf laughed. "Playing reporter and knocking her out with the camera? Good revenge for Elena!" "She got off easy," Mason's icy rumble echoed. "If we didn't still need her to carry the pup for our plan, I would have shredded her for touching Elena." Julian let out a cold chuckle. "Alright, clear out. I have to go in and play the devoted mate." The door opened. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing, pretending to be asleep. Julian sat down beside me. After a moment, his fingers gently brushed the stray hairs away from my forehead. His warm fingertips slid down my face, tracing the contours of my eyes and brows. My body stiffened instinctively. I couldn't understand it. I wasn't even awake yet—why was he still putting on this sickening act of tenderness? Chapter 5 I opened my eyes and subtly dodged his touch. "Chloe, you're awake." A flicker of relief passed through Julian's eyes—so fast he probably didn't even notice it himself. His voice was full of concern, his scent spiking with faux distress. "It's my fault. I didn't realize there was a problem with the car's door. I'm just glad the pup is okay." Liar, my wolf snarled silently in my head. On the surface, I only gave a cold "Mhm." Seeing my listless expression, Julian became even more attentive. "You've been through a lot today. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay right here and keep my mate company—" Before he could finish, his phone rang. Hearing the exclusive ringtone, Julian didn't hesitate for a second before answering. Elena's demanding voice came through the line. "How dare Chloe Vance ruin my welcome feast! You aren't allowed to pay any attention to her today. You have to come and be with me right now, or I'm calling over some rogue males!" "Julian, I'm giving you ten minutes. For every minute you're late, I'll bring in another guy!" Julian stood up abruptly, his Alpha aura bristling. "Chloe, pack business came up. I'll be back later." Without waiting for my answer, he rushed out of the hospital room. A sarcastic smirk curled my lips. It was better that he was gone. I pressed the call button. "Healer, I need an abortion." "Why would you get rid of the pup?!" My hospital room door was suddenly flung open, and my Aunt Clara rushed in, her Beta scent frantic. A female who was usually polished and professional in public, Auntie had her blazer buttons done up wrong and was wearing two different styles of shoes. "Chlo, I saw the pictures of you falling in the ditch on the network. Did something happen? Don't scare me like this..." To give me a better life after my mother died, Aunt Clara had fought hard to take me into her home. She'd quit her stable job as the Chief Pack Medic and endured countless hardships to build the Vance Group. The Vance family's business couldn't compare to the Sterlings' empire, but when the pack elders pushed for an arranged mating, Aunt Clara would have rather gone bankrupt than let me be mistreated. She had even supported me when I tried to run away from the mating ceremony. Even back then, when Julian supposedly risked his life to "protect my purity" during the rogue kidnapping, Aunt Clara was still hesitant to hand me over to a known playboy Alpha. I was the one who had convinced her to accept him, telling her I would definitely be happy. Who would have thought the result would be this wretched? Just as I was about to speak, Julian's mother called. Her arrogant, overbearing Elder Luna voice filled the room. "Chloe Vance, do you have any idea that those embarrassing photos of you falling are all over the circles? If I hadn't ordered the Enforcers to take them down in time, everyone would know what an embarrassment the Sterling family's Luna is!" "Your family comes from such humble origins. We only let you mate into our bloodline because we thought you were an obedient Omega! Don't think your position is secure just because you're carrying a pup. If you keep acting so out of line, I'll find a new Luna! And don't think the Vance family will have it easy, either. You'd better watch yourself!" Aunt Clara was so angry she wanted to scream back, but the Dowager had already hung up. "Don't be upset, Auntie. The ones who won't have it easy... are them." I told her everything—how my inner wolf had been deceived and how Julian would soon be stripped of his Alpha title and pack assets. "Auntie, I know you only went into business for me. Your dream was always to find a territory where it's spring all year round, where you could just read, write, and live a peaceful life. Once the bond annulment is finalized, I'll go with you." "But right now, I need to get rid of this pup." Aunt Clara nodded repeatedly, her eyes red with heartache. The procedure was over quickly. I lay on the cold operating table, watching the small, bloody mass in the silver tray. Tears fell silently. Just minutes ago, it was inside my body. A few days ago, I was still full of anticipation for this pup's arrival. But this bond had ended so abruptly. I also held a new genetic document in my hand. DNA results: Pureblood Lycan. Biological father: Mason Caldwell. I wiped away my tears and called my lawyer. "Please preserve the tissue and the DNA and pheromone test report. In one week, take them to a specific location." I gave him the address for the third mating anniversary gala. Since Julian and Mason were hell-bent on destroying me in front of the pack, I would repay them in kind with a grand gift of my own! Chapter 6 I stayed in the Pack Hospital for three days. Julian Sterling didn't show his face until the day I was discharged. "Chloe, things have been so busy at the territory borders, but I has been worried sick about you these past two days." He looked apologetic, reaching out to hold me, but I saw it—a bright red, fresh mating bite mark on his neck. The sight of it was a searing blow to me. This male, who I'd loved for three years, had never knotted with me. Yet here he was, pretending to care while wearing the physical scent and marks of a night spent with another female. I couldn't hold back my revulsion anymore. "Don't touch me!" Julian froze. His gaze dropped, and a flash of pure panic crossed his eyes. "I didn't realize there were still bugs this time of year in the territory." He quickly regained his composure "Chloe, I vowed to the Moon Goddess to only love one mate in this life, and I meant it. You believe me, right?" I looked at him quietly, a surge of dark mockery hitting my chest. "I believe you." His vow was true. But the female his inner wolf loved wasn't me. It never was. "I knew you were the most ideal mate," Julian smiled, pulling me toward the pack vehicle. "Elena organized a gathering with the high-ranking wolves and specifically asked me to bring you along. No one's going to tease you this time. From now on, you two need to get along, okay?" At the lounge, it was the same crowd from the welcome feast. Elena Sterling smiled brightly, masking her natural scent with expensive perfumes. "You're finally here! We're playing Truth or Dare. Join us!" Mason Caldwell sat beside her, his gaze icy and guarded as it swept over me. After a few rounds, the bottle pointed at Julian. A friend read the dare: "The dare is—mark the female closest to you!" I was the one closest to him. Julian's face stiffened visibly. Before he could speak, I asked, "What's the penalty for losing?" He didn't want to mark me, and I certainly didn't want him. "The penalty is for the person wearing red to finish a whole bottle of hard liquor." The only female in red was Elena. Julian spoke up immediately, his protective instincts flaring. "We won't lose. Chloe, are you feeling shy in front of the pack? Then don't look." He leaned in, one strong hand gripping the back of my head, the other covering my eyes. The next second, freezing lips pressed against mine, skillfully prying my mouth apart. My body jolted violently. I realized the icy male kissing me was Mason Caldwell! I recoiled. Nausea hit me like a physical wave. I wanted to vomit! Sensing my violent reaction, Mason stopped immediately, and Julian let go of me. I rushed to the bathroom to retch. In my haste, the heavy oak door didn't close all the way. I heard voices outside. "Julian, it was just a kiss. Did you really have to let Mason take your place with your mate?" "I won't kiss another female in front of the one I love." "Mason, you're a lucky one. Those lips looked so soft; even I wanted a taste. Do you really feel nothing for her?" another wolf chimed in. "Nothing. It was like kissing a slab of raw meat. Luckily, her nausea kicked in, so I didn't have to kiss her for long." I stared at my bloodshot eyes in the mirror and curled my lip. Fine. I'll just treat it like a rogue dog bit me! Just as I was about to open the door, smoke bombs went off and the territory emergency alarms blared. "What the hell? Where's the fire?" "Ugh, what a jinx Chloe Vance is! Everyone, shift and move! Get out!" Due to the lockdown settings, the bathroom door automatically locked. By the time I forced it open with my claws, the VIP lounge was empty. I ran out into the smoke, only to be knocked down by the panicked crowd of half-shifted wolves. As countless heavy footsteps trampled over me, I saw Julian's back in the distance. He was shielding Elena as they fled. His strong Alpha arms held her close, keeping her safe and unharmed. My heart felt like it had been scalded with molten silver. I could only rely on myself. I forced myself up, but a massive hand suddenly reached out from a dark side-room and yanked me inside. A masked male pinned my wrists over my head with one hand and began tearing at my clothes. "Are you crazy? The room is burning outside!" "Let go of me!" I struggled in pure terror, but when I saw the freezing gold of the male's eyes, I froze. It was Mason! Last time, to get revenge for Elena, he'd posed as a reporter to take humiliating photos of me crawling out of a ditch, intentionally dropping his camera to leave a gash on my head. What was he trying to do this time? Chapter 7 Before I could resist or even force a question out of my throat, a sharp blow struck the back of my neck. When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying stark naked in the middle of a busy square. A massive crowd of wolves surrounded me, their eyes filled with pure disdain as they pointed and whispered. Dozens of phones were aimed at me, clicking incessantly. In a panic, I curled into a ball, desperately trying to cover my nakedness. But it was impossible to hide from the wolves' gaze! Some unmated males even tried to take advantage of the chaos, reaching out to grope me. Watching those lecherous claws reach for my chest, I choked back tears of deep humiliation and began to run like a feral rogue. By the time I finally made it back to the Sterling Estate, I didn't even have a chance to put on clothes before— Slap! A vicious strike sent a ringing through my ears. Evelyn stood there, her face contorted with rage, pointing a silver-ringed finger at my nose as she snarled. "First you roll into a stinking ditch, and now you're running naked in the territory! You've disgraced the Sterling pack! How do you still have the nerve to come back here?" "Mom, this isn't Chloe's fault." Julian Sterling shifted into a quick stride and draped his heavy coat over my shoulders. "My Enforcers looked into it. It was revenge from the underground rogue breeding ring. They faked a fire at the lounge, then took Chloe in the confusion. She's a victim, too." I snapped my head up, my eyes flashing. The previous rogue kidnapping had been his orchestration; any "revenge" would have been his command. But I hadn't crossed Elena Sterling recently—why go to such brutal lengths to humiliate me this time? "A victim?" Evelyn sneered, her Dowager aura suffocating. "Then why didn't the rogues kidnap any other female? Why her? There's no smoke without fire. She's not fit to be the Luna of the Sterlings anymore!" "It won't happen again." Julian looked like he was defending his mate, but a faint, barely perceptible smirk played at the corners of his lips. "The trending topics on the network have already been suppressed. Our third mating anniversary is coming up soon. We'll do a public display of affection and some pack charity work; that will shift the elders' attention." "It better," Evelyn warned sharply. "Chloe Vance, if there is a next time, I will throw you out to the rogues! And your Aunt Clara can just wait to be exiled and beg for scraps." I understood everything now. Julian and Mason Caldwell had teamed up to strip away my dignity and make me a laughingstock again just so Evelyn would become more and more disgusted with me. They were waiting for the third mating anniversary gala, when the "unclaimed pup" would be the final blow that broke the pack elders' patience. What a perfect, cold-blooded calculation! I felt a chill and exhaustion I'd never known. Without a word, I walked straight upstairs. I stayed under the scalding shower for a long time, scrubbing until my skin was raw and red, yet I still couldn't wash away the feeling of those leering pack eyes on my body. Then, Elena's panicked voice echoed from downstairs. "Julian! This is bad! Aunt Clara is in trouble!" A roar sounded in my ears. I scrambled into my clothes and sprinted downstairs, my eyes glowing a faint white. Elena stood there looking frantic, though her scent was clearly dancing with schadenfreude. "I was just playing a pack joke on Chloe's aunt. I told her I'd posted her naked photos everywhere and was going to hand them out to the unmated males. I didn't think she was that easy to scare. She had a heart attack on the spot and collapsed. The healer says... she might not make it through the night..." Evelyn was so angry her claws extended as she raised her hand again. "Enough! Are you all trying to kill me?" Julian immediately pulled Elena behind his broad frame, taking the blow to protect his "true mate." When Evelyn had slapped me earlier, he had waited until she was finished before "defending" me. The difference in how he treated us was glaringly obvious! But I didn't have time for that. I tried to rush out the heavy oak doors, desperate to know how Aunt Clara was doing. Julian, thinking I was going after Elena, grabbed my arm tightly. "Calm down, Chloe. Your aunt never got over your mother's death all these years. If the sisters can reunite in the afterlife a bit sooner, it might not be a bad thing. There's no need to blame Elena." I froze, thinking my ears had deceived me. My Auntie's life was hanging by a thread, and he was saying her death would be a "good thing"? For the sake of Elena, he had abandoned the very nature of a pack leader! "If anything happens to my Aunt Clara, I will never forgive her—and that goes for you, too!" Every word I growled felt like it was dripping with blood. "Let go of me! Don't you dare stop me from seeing my Auntie!" I used every ounce of my suppressed White Wolf strength to shove the Alpha away. He had never seen the normally obedient Omega shout at him like this, and he instinctively frowned. But as he watched my stumbling figure disappear into the distance, a strange, inexplicable sense of hollow unease flickered in his chest, accompanied by an agonizing sense of loss. Chapter 8 I burst into the healing room to see Aunt Clara lying on the narrow cot with her eyes tightly shut. She was hooked up to various monitors and tubes, the pillar of strength in my heart collapsing. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "Auntie, don't sleep. Please, don't leave me..." I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe. Aunt Clara was the only family I had left. If I lost her, I would truly be a lone wolf with no home to go back to. I stayed by her bedside for three days and nights, talking to her constantly, trying to call her back from the brink. Julian had sent a team of top pack healers to consult on her case, putting on a show of a deeply concerned mate. On the fourth day, morning sun shone through the window onto the small bed. Aunt Clara finally opened her eyes. It felt like she’d woken up from a terrible long nightmare. But she was so tired she couldn’t even smile. Julian drove us himself in the car when it was time for Aunt Clara to be discharged. He bought many expensive gifts and even promised to inject funds into Vance Enterprises, showing a level of "sincerity" that would have fooled any elder. But I knew his true motive—he wanted to buy our silence so we wouldn't bring Elena Sterling before the Pack Enforcers. Auntie glanced at me, and we silently pretended to forgive him so he wouldn’t get suspicious. To avoid alerting him, we suppressed our anger and played the obedient she-wolves. Seeing me return to the submissive, "virtuous Luna" I used to be, the flicker of unease in Julian's heart finally vanished. That night, after the lights were turned off in the pitch-black safe room. I felt a heavy, burning body press against my back, a massive hand sliding onto my waist. My drowsiness vanished instantly. I realized the suffocating wolf presence beside me was Mason Caldwell! When he lowered his voice, he sounded exactly like Julian Sterling. "I've put you through a lot lately. How about me makes it up to you tonight?" I fought back my revulsion. "No. It's not advisable while I'm carrying a pup." Instead of stopping, Mason pulled me closer, his freezing hand wandering over my body. His chin rested heavily in the crook of my neck, his breathing thick with the scent of an approaching Rut. "It's fine. I can be gentle, as long as you're happy..." I squeezed my eyes shut, suppressing my urge to turn around and rake my claws across his face. I pushed his hand away. "I said no." He was the male who called me a "lifeless log" in bed, yet here he was, relentlessly pursuing my body. I didn't know what he was trying to do or what he even took me for! "Fine, have it your way," Mason finally relented with a low growl, settling down. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to sleep. A few moments later, he got up and opened the heavy door. "Julian," I heard Mason rumble. "I checked. She's not in the mood tonight, so she won't bother you. You can sleep in peace." I clenched my palms so hard my claws dug into my skin. So that was it. He was only there to make sure I wouldn't interfere with Julian staying pure for the female he actually loved! "Thanks, brother," Julian replied. "Tomorrow, it'll all be over. Sorry you had to knot with her for three years for me." Mason was silent for a moment. "As long as it makes you and Elena happy. When my car crashed ten years ago, Elena risked her life to pull me out just seconds before it exploded. Wolves call her reckless, but I know how brave she is. She loves you, so I'll protect her for the rest of my life." I was so shocked I nearly opened my eyes. The bloody, broken teenage wolf I had pulled from that wreckage ten years ago... was Mason? Back then, every other wolf had run away, but I couldn't just watch a packmate burn. Before he lost consciousness, he had pressed his heirloom crest into my hand. Later, Elena had snatched that crest away, claiming it belonged to a friend of hers. Clearly, she had used that crest to deceive Mason all these years. I suddenly found it hilarious. If Mason knew that the female he had been ruthlessly tormenting was actually the one who had saved his life, how would he react? I was going to make sure the pack found out. The next morning, I received a message on the network from my lawyer. The bond annulment papers were ready, and the Sterling Group's assets would be transferred to my name within the day. I smiled from the bottom of my heart. Julian caught a glimpse of that smile and seemed dazed for a moment by me. "You look so happy. Are you looking forward to our third mating anniversary gala tonight? I have a surprise for you. See you tonight. Love you." Love me? I felt a surge of dark irony but forced an obedient smile. "I love you, too." Everything that started with a lie was finally going to end with one. After Julian left, I packed a small bag and called my lawyer. "Please pull the territory surveillance footage from Mason Caldwell's car crash ten years ago. Then, bring a network broadcast team to represent me at the gala tonight." "No problem, Ms. Vance. I'll bring the preserved tissue, the DNA and pheromone test report, the annulment contract stripping him of his Alpha title, and the recordings proving Julian Sterling is the at-fault party to the venue." Before heading to the border transports, I took one last look at the "den" I'd lived in for three years. The coastal wind brushed away a tear from the corner of my eye, but I swallowed the bitterness with a smile. I didn't look back, not even once.

My mother, a coveted Omega, caught the eye of my father, a powerful pack elder. Before she truly understood the cruelty of his nature, she had already yielded to his pursuit and mated with him. Soon after, I was born—blessed with an extremely rare, pure White Wolf bloodline and a far more intoxicating scent than hers. But less than three years into the mating bond, my father began cheating constantly. The sheer number of his affairs eventually drove my mother to her grave. On her deathbed, she gripped my hand. "Being a rare White Wolf is a curse. Males will only mate you to breed strong pups. My child, you must mask your true scent." So, I began injecting myself with Scent Suppressants formulated by my Aunt Clara. I hid my pristine white coat and altered my pheromones until I smelled like absolutely nothing—just tap water and dead wood. I became an invisible, unattractive, low-ranking Omega. To avoid an arranged mating, I even took advantage of a lapse in my father's attention and ran away. But as luck would have it, just as my arranged mate caught up to me, we were both ambushed by rogues and dragged to an underground rogue breeding ring. Locked in a silver-laced cage, my hands and feet were bound. He had been injected with a potent, black-market heat-inducing serum. The feral rogues watching outside the cage thought a brutal claiming was inevitable. I thought my life was finished, too. Instead, Julian Sterling looked at me and smiled. His voice was a low, raspy growl, yet filled with immense restraint. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." He was a male of his word. To fight the overwhelming aphrodisiac, he bit into his own arm until the scent of his own blood and the agonizing pain cleared his mind. When the rogues forced a stronger dose down his throat, he slammed his head against the silver bars. He chose to die rather than force a mating mark on me. "I'm sorry!" I watched him, teetering on the edge of consciousness, and broke down in tears. "If I hadn't run away, you wouldn't have been dragged into this..." "It's not your fault." He struggled to lift his breathtakingly handsome face, his eyes impossibly tender. "I was reckless in the past. It's only natural that a she-wolf as good and pure as you wouldn't want me. But I regret it now. If I had met you sooner... you'd be my only mate." "I don't think I can hold on much longer, but at least... I protected your purity." In that moment, it felt as if a rushing river had surged into my chest. I fell for him. Fortunately, we were rescued by pack enforcers soon after. Following my heart, I mated to him. At our mating ceremony, he made a soulful confession, vowing to love only me for the rest of his life. After the ceremony, he truly changed. The flings and scandalous rumors vanished; he was devoted only to me. The day he learned I was carrying a pup, he wired a massive bonus to every pack member, letting the entire Silverfang Territory witness his sheer ecstasy. Everyone believed that Julian Sterling, the playboy Alpha, had finally turned over a new leaf for an "obedient Omega" like me. Until the day of my pack clinic ultrasound. He had an "important pack meeting" he couldn't push back, so I finished my exam alone and headed to the Sterling Group headquarters. I wanted to leave the sonogram on his desk so that he, as an Alpha and a father, could see the pup's heartbeat the moment he finished work. But as I approached the top-floor Alpha's office, I heard the sound of boisterous conversation. "Isn't Julian the ultimate devoted mate? Why is he here lounging around with us instead of accompanying his mate to her ultrasound?" I froze. Through the crack in the door, I saw Julian, who was supposed to be meeting pack elders. He was leaning lazily back in his leather chair, a cigarette between his fingers. A mocking smirk played on his handsome face. "It's not even my pup. Why the hell would I go?" His buddy chuckled suggestively. "Well, you've never actually knotted with her, so how could she be carrying your pup?" "Chloe would never guess that Julian has zero interest in a lowly Omega like her. The only female he's ever loved is the wild and vibrant Elena. He only pretends to be head-over-heels during the day to fool the pack. At night, in the pitch-black safe room, he lets Mason take over the duty of sleeping with her." "Back then, Julian pretended to be a playboy just to scare off all the high-ranking she-wolves so he could mate with Elena, his non-biological sister. Too bad the elders wouldn't budge and even used Elena's safety to force Julian into an arranged mating..." "You've gotta hand it to Julian, though. He played right into their hands. He placed a fake Mating Mark on the most famous 'ideal mate' in circles just to pretend they were madly in love, all so he could eventually expose her as a cheating slut carrying an unclaimed pup. Once the Sterling elders realize that even the 'good girls' cheat and that arranged matings are a joke, they'll have no choice but to let Julian claim the female he actually knows and loves." "But Julian—" One of them hesitated. "Chloe has always played by the pack rules. If she gets branded as a rogue adulteress, how will she ever show her face in society again? She loves you so much. It seems a bit... cruel, doesn't it?" Standing behind the heavy oak door, my mind went blank. The color drained from my face. The Alpha I had loved deeply for three years only bonded with me for another female? So, back when he was drugged and risked his life to "protect my purity," he wasn't protecting me at all. He was keeping his own body pure for someone else. My heart felt like it was being hacked by a dull blade. I trembled with pain, my eyes burning red, yet I stared through the gap, waiting for an answer. "Cruel?" Julian let out a soft laugh and blew out a smoke ring. His sharp features were obscured by the haze, making him look like a stranger. But his words were crystal clear, hitting my heart like a sledgehammer. "Maybe. But her feelings aren't my concern. I only care about Elena." "Damn, you really are a hopeless romantic! What about you, Mason? You've been mating Chloe in the dark for three years and even put a pup in her. No feelings at all?" Sitting on the sofa, Mason Caldwell looked cold and refined. "She smells like tap water and dead wood. In bed, she's a dead lay. If my Ruts weren't so violently uncontrollable, and if I wasn't doing this for Julian, I wouldn't take an Omega like her even if she was offered for free. As for the pup, it's just a tool to publicly humiliate her. I'm not claiming it." The other males' eyes lit up at this. "Since you both look down on Chloe, how about letting me have a taste? I'm tired of elite bloodlines; I'm kind of interested in a plain little Omega like her." "Yeah, Julian, when are you planning to kick her out? I want a turn, too." "In one week." Julian stubbed out his cigarette, his smile casual and cruel. "At our third mating anniversary gala. We'll let everyone see exactly what kind of 'ideal mate' the pack elders picked out." "Then let's toast in advance to Julian getting what he wants and finally bringing Elena home!" Amidst the roar of laughter, I gripped the sonogram in my hand. Tears fell silently and uncontrollably. But soon, I wiped them away and began to smile. A smile ready for a new life. Julian Sterling only ever saw me as a tool. He would never understand that my being "obedient" and "polite" was simply how I was raised—it didn't mean my wolf was weak. I will make him realize the price of stealing my heart and trying to destroy me for his own selfish desires. He's going to pay. Chapter 2 I turned and left. The heavy elevator doors closed, taking my once-devoted heart down with it. Just as I stepped out of the Sterling Group entrance, a heavy force slammed into me from behind. The back of my head hit the stone wall, and I gasped in pain. Looking up, I caught the frantic scent of distress rolling off Julian. Phone in hand, he didn't even glance down. "Elena, wait for me." He hung up and sprinted to his sports car, roaring away without even noticing his "mate" on the ground. The Alpha who kept claiming his wolf lived for me didn't even realize he'd knocked me down. He hadn't even seen me. A wave of bitter betrayal surged in my chest. I hailed a cab and followed his scent trail. I wanted to see exactly who this "Elena" was—the female he held so close. At the entrance of the Enforcer headquarters, I got out and saw Julian protectively shielding a female. I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief. The "Elena" he spoke of was Elena Sterling—the low-ranking Omega who had bullied me relentlessly at the Elite Pack Academy and given me endless nightmares. Back then, just because I was called pretty, Elena's jealousy made me her target. She’d cover my seat in superglue, put dead rodents in my bag, and shred my assignments for no reason. She even cornered me and forced a whole bottle of chili water down my throat after I was chosen to host the Academy's Lunar Festival... How ironic that such a malicious female was considered "wild and vibrant" in Julian's eyes. Elena was huffing, her arms crossed. "Julian, I just wanted to surprise you when I got back, so I was driving fast. I didn't mean to hit that patrol SUV. Why did the Enforcers detain me? What a pain!" Julian smiled helplessly and stroked her hair with pure adoration. "No matter how big the trouble is, I will protect you." It was a voice I knew, but laced with a genuine tenderness I'd never received. Elena finally smiled. "I believe you. You even staged that rogue kidnapping and nearly died just to trick the pack elders so you could wait for me. You're the best!" I went rigid. My claws extended slightly, digging into my palms as my eyes turned bloodshot. The rogue kidnapping... he staged it? I'd spent years feeling a crushing guilt, believing my arranged mate had dragged Julian into a disaster. But he was the mastermind all along. That life-changing moment of devotion was nothing but a calculated trap. Anger, humiliation, despair, and pain tore at me like savage beasts. "Are you okay, Luna?" A female Pack Enforcer noticed my pale face. "Do you need a healer?" Julian snapped his head around at the sound. Our eyes met, and his scent spiked with a sudden, sharp panic. "Chloe? Why are you here? When... when did you get here?" His tone sounded like concern, but I knew better. He was just afraid I'd overheard his dark secrets. "Just got here," I lied, forcing myself to suppress the urge to tear out his throat. Now wasn't the time for a showdown. "I lost something and came to report it to the Enforcers." Julian let out a noticeable sigh of relief. "What did you lose? I'll have my guards help you find it." I stared at him in silence before shaking my head. "Forget it. I'm done looking for it." I'd lost the mate bond I thought was mutual. But it was a scam from the start. How could I find something that never existed? "Fine," Julian said dismissively. "We'll just buy you something new later." "Julian, so you mated with my old classmate? What a coincidence." Elena strutted over, masking her natural scent with expensive perfumes and a bright smile. "We were inseparable at the Academy, weren't we, Chloe?" Her airy tone dragged me back to the past. Back then, after relentlessly tormenting me, she'd always smile innocently and say, "We're just packmates playing a joke, right, Chloe?" My fists clenched, but I met her gaze directly. "It is a coincidence. I didn't realize the female who bullied me relentlessly was actually my sister-in-law." Julian frowned in surprise, his brows knitting together. "Chloe, you're saying the female who used to bully you... was Elena?" Chapter 3 "It's her." I lifted my eyes to Julian Sterling. This was my mate who, after learning I had been traumatized in the past, had held me close and growled a vow to the Moon Goddess that he would rip apart anyone who ever hurt me again. In my head, I started a countdown. One, two, three— True to form, it didn't even take three seconds for him to choose to protect Elena Sterling. "Elena is just a bit naughty," he said, instantly defending her. "She doesn't have a malicious bone. You must have misunderstood her." He grabbed my wrist without another word. "Mason said he's hosting a welcome gala for Elena. Let's go. We're all family now; stop dwelling on the past." But as soon as he opened the passenger door, Elena slipped inside. She smirked at me. "First come, first served. You're too slow, Chloe. Don't go blaming me for bullying you again." Julian looked like he was a little hesitant. For the past three years, the passenger seat had been my exclusive spot. I used to cling to his arm, smiling sweetly as I told him I wanted to sit by my mate's side forever. He was probably bracing himself to offer some words of comfort, but I simply opened the back door and sat down in silence. Why would I care about a seat when I didn't even want him anymore? Julian paused. My submissiveness and maturity were exactly what he expected from an "ideal mate," yet a strange, unsettling feeling flickered in his chest. Elena urged him to go, and he shook off the thought, starting the engine. Throughout the drive to the hotel, Elena pointedly shared "insider" pack memories that only the two of them knew, trying to make me feel like an outsider. I didn't care. I pulled out my phone and messaged my lawyer. I want to sever the mating bond with Julian Sterling. He is the at-fault party. The most talked-about part of our mating ceremony three years ago was the mating contract Julian had insisted on. It stated that the at-fault party would be stripped of their Alpha title and pack assets. Everyone in the circles believed it was a safety net he'd created for me—a reformed playboy's vow of loyalty. In reality, he'd planned from the very beginning to brand me a rogue adulteress so I'd walk away with nothing. Since Julian was being this heartless, I wouldn't show any mercy. During my pack clinic ultrasound, I'd forgotten to turn off my voice recorder after the healer finished giving me instructions. By a stroke of luck, I'd captured that entire shameless confession in his office. The evidence is valid, the lawyer replied quickly. The bond annulment proceedings will begin immediately. The paperwork will be finalized in about a week. At that time, the Sterling Pack assets will belong to you. I put my phone down and let out a long, slow breath. We arrived at the Caldwell Pack Five-Star Hotel. In the private VIP hall, Mason Caldwell was the center of attention. A sliver of his cold-toned, pale skin showed through his partially unbuttoned designer shirt, looking as freezing and striking as his features. The Caldwells and the Sterlings were both at the absolute top of the pyramid. Mason, the Lycan King, was famously ascetic and uninterested in any she-wolf—cold, distant, and unapproachable. Memories of our intimate nights in the pitch-black safe room flashed through my mind, bringing a surge of deep humiliation and confusion. I couldn't understand why an Alpha so frigid would be willing to endure my "lifeless log" presence just to help Julian. Then, Elena ran toward him with a bright smile. "Mason! Thank you for the welcome feast! Who decorated this? It's full of everything I love!" "I'm glad you like it," Mason rumbled, catching her gently. His presence pulled back with restraint the moment he touched her, but the coldness in his icy eyes was replaced by a simmering warmth and intensity. "I decorated it myself. I didn't trust anyone else with your business." My heart jolted. I finally understood. Branding me an adulteress was tied to Elena's happiness, so he wanted to handle it personally. Because he loved Elena, too! "What are you thinking about?" Julian handed me a crystal glass of champagne. Elena snatched it before I could take it, her hand "slipped". The freezing champagne drenched me, the wet fabric clinging to my skin and leaving nothing to the imagination. "Oops," Elena said, blinking innocently. "I was just thinking about how we used to joke around like this at the Academy. I forgot you're famous for being the virtuous and dignified wolf now. I've made you look like a fool in front of the pack. Sorry!" Her apology was completely empty, her eyes dancing with mockery. The unmated males in the room, who already harbored ill intentions toward me, stared shamelessly at my chest. Their lecherous gazes felt like they were stripping me bare. Julian's expression darkened with sudden possessiveness, and he immediately signaled a beta guard for a shawl to wrap around me. But the moment he spoke, his words still favored Elena. "Chloe, Elena was just joking, and she apologized. You've always been the obedient Omega. Don't be angry, okay?" I gripped the corner of the shawl. I had been bullied relentlessly by Elena in the past, and now I was being publicly humiliated by her again... yet he acted as if he were blind, deaf, and mute to it all! I knew I shouldn't have expected anything from him, yet a sharp, needle-like pain radiated through my chest. The pack members began to chime in. "Yeah, don't be a spoilsport! Be a big girl. Give us a smile!" "Fine," I said, suddenly looking up and smiling perfectly, just as they wanted. "Then I guess I'll play their game." Chapter 4 I quickly grabbed Elena's hair and slammed her face straight into the multi-tiered welcome cake. "Ah!" Elena shrieked, clawing at the thick frosting, her eyes stinging. She looked as miserable and pathetic as I had at the Elite Academy when she shoved my face into a refuse bin. The VIP hall fell into a deathly silence. No one expected the scentless, obedient Omega to attack like this. My smile remained perfect. "It really is fun, isn't it? Why aren't you laughing?" Everyone was speechless. "Chloe Vance!" Mason's voice was an command that rattled the crystal glasses, his eyes flashing with lethal intent. He stepped forward to defend Elena, but Julian stopped him with a warning growl. "Alright, have your fun, but don't corrupt my mate," Julian said, pulling me into a possessive embrace. "Your clothes are wet. You'll catch a cold. Let's go back to the estate and change." I didn't want to stay anyway. Julian drove aggressively, and I stared out the window in silence, just wanting to get away from his suffocating scent. Suddenly, a rogue vehicle swerved blindly into our lane. Julian yanked the steering wheel to avoid it, crashing the car heavily into a tree. Thanks to his seatbelt, he was completely unharmed. But my tampered door flew open. The momentum sent me flying. I tumbled across the asphalt several times before plunging into a nearby ditch. Fetid water splashed everywhere. I was covered in filth and stinking sewage, tears stinging my eyes as I choked on the foul mud. As I struggled to climb out, the sound of shutters clicking filled the air. A "reporter" wearing a mask pointed a camera at me, snapping photos frantically. "The dignified Luna making a fool of herself? Now that's a rare headline!" "Stop taking pictures!" Julian arrived, his Alpha aura flaring in anger. "Put the camera down, or I'll have you banished from the territory!" Intimidated by his presence, the reporter dropped his heavy camera directly onto my head before fleeing. In a flash of agonizing pain, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, my head felt like it was splitting open. I was staring at the healing center ceiling, voices drifting in from outside my door. "Good job, Julian. Tampering with Chloe's door and crashing perfectly so she'd roll into a stinking ditch—that's some impressive skill." "Mason wasn't bad either," another high-ranking wolf laughed. "Playing reporter and knocking her out with the camera? Good revenge for Elena!" "She got off easy," Mason's icy rumble echoed. "If we didn't still need her to carry the pup for our plan, I would have shredded her for touching Elena." Julian let out a cold chuckle. "Alright, clear out. I have to go in and play the devoted mate." The door opened. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing, pretending to be asleep. Julian sat down beside me. After a moment, his fingers gently brushed the stray hairs away from my forehead. His warm fingertips slid down my face, tracing the contours of my eyes and brows. My body stiffened instinctively. I couldn't understand it. I wasn't even awake yet—why was he still putting on this sickening act of tenderness? Chapter 5 I opened my eyes and subtly dodged his touch. "Chloe, you're awake." A flicker of relief passed through Julian's eyes—so fast he probably didn't even notice it himself. His voice was full of concern, his scent spiking with faux distress. "It's my fault. I didn't realize there was a problem with the car's door. I'm just glad the pup is okay." Liar, my wolf snarled silently in my head. On the surface, I only gave a cold "Mhm." Seeing my listless expression, Julian became even more attentive. "You've been through a lot today. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay right here and keep my mate company—" Before he could finish, his phone rang. Hearing the exclusive ringtone, Julian didn't hesitate for a second before answering. Elena's demanding voice came through the line. "How dare Chloe Vance ruin my welcome feast! You aren't allowed to pay any attention to her today. You have to come and be with me right now, or I'm calling over some rogue males!" "Julian, I'm giving you ten minutes. For every minute you're late, I'll bring in another guy!" Julian stood up abruptly, his Alpha aura bristling. "Chloe, pack business came up. I'll be back later." Without waiting for my answer, he rushed out of the hospital room. A sarcastic smirk curled my lips. It was better that he was gone. I pressed the call button. "Healer, I need an abortion." "Why would you get rid of the pup?!" My hospital room door was suddenly flung open, and my Aunt Clara rushed in, her Beta scent frantic. A female who was usually polished and professional in public, Auntie had her blazer buttons done up wrong and was wearing two different styles of shoes. "Chlo, I saw the pictures of you falling in the ditch on the network. Did something happen? Don't scare me like this..." To give me a better life after my mother died, Aunt Clara had fought hard to take me into her home. She'd quit her stable job as the Chief Pack Medic and endured countless hardships to build the Vance Group. The Vance family's business couldn't compare to the Sterlings' empire, but when the pack elders pushed for an arranged mating, Aunt Clara would have rather gone bankrupt than let me be mistreated. She had even supported me when I tried to run away from the mating ceremony. Even back then, when Julian supposedly risked his life to "protect my purity" during the rogue kidnapping, Aunt Clara was still hesitant to hand me over to a known playboy Alpha. I was the one who had convinced her to accept him, telling her I would definitely be happy. Who would have thought the result would be this wretched? Just as I was about to speak, Julian's mother called. Her arrogant, overbearing Elder Luna voice filled the room. "Chloe Vance, do you have any idea that those embarrassing photos of you falling are all over the circles? If I hadn't ordered the Enforcers to take them down in time, everyone would know what an embarrassment the Sterling family's Luna is!" "Your family comes from such humble origins. We only let you mate into our bloodline because we thought you were an obedient Omega! Don't think your position is secure just because you're carrying a pup. If you keep acting so out of line, I'll find a new Luna! And don't think the Vance family will have it easy, either. You'd better watch yourself!" Aunt Clara was so angry she wanted to scream back, but the Dowager had already hung up. "Don't be upset, Auntie. The ones who won't have it easy... are them." I told her everything—how my inner wolf had been deceived and how Julian would soon be stripped of his Alpha title and pack assets. "Auntie, I know you only went into business for me. Your dream was always to find a territory where it's spring all year round, where you could just read, write, and live a peaceful life. Once the bond annulment is finalized, I'll go with you." "But right now, I need to get rid of this pup." Aunt Clara nodded repeatedly, her eyes red with heartache. The procedure was over quickly. I lay on the cold operating table, watching the small, bloody mass in the silver tray. Tears fell silently. Just minutes ago, it was inside my body. A few days ago, I was still full of anticipation for this pup's arrival. But this bond had ended so abruptly. I also held a new genetic document in my hand. DNA results: Pureblood Lycan. Biological father: Mason Caldwell. I wiped away my tears and called my lawyer. "Please preserve the tissue and the DNA and pheromone test report. In one week, take them to a specific location." I gave him the address for the third mating anniversary gala. Since Julian and Mason were hell-bent on destroying me in front of the pack, I would repay them in kind with a grand gift of my own! Chapter 6 I stayed in the Pack Hospital for three days. Julian Sterling didn't show his face until the day I was discharged. "Chloe, things have been so busy at the territory borders, but I has been worried sick about you these past two days." He looked apologetic, reaching out to hold me, but I saw it—a bright red, fresh mating bite mark on his neck. The sight of it was a searing blow to me. This male, who I'd loved for three years, had never knotted with me. Yet here he was, pretending to care while wearing the physical scent and marks of a night spent with another female. I couldn't hold back my revulsion anymore. "Don't touch me!" Julian froze. His gaze dropped, and a flash of pure panic crossed his eyes. "I didn't realize there were still bugs this time of year in the territory." He quickly regained his composure "Chloe, I vowed to the Moon Goddess to only love one mate in this life, and I meant it. You believe me, right?" I looked at him quietly, a surge of dark mockery hitting my chest. "I believe you." His vow was true. But the female his inner wolf loved wasn't me. It never was. "I knew you were the most ideal mate," Julian smiled, pulling me toward the pack vehicle. "Elena organized a gathering with the high-ranking wolves and specifically asked me to bring you along. No one's going to tease you this time. From now on, you two need to get along, okay?" At the lounge, it was the same crowd from the welcome feast. Elena Sterling smiled brightly, masking her natural scent with expensive perfumes. "You're finally here! We're playing Truth or Dare. Join us!" Mason Caldwell sat beside her, his gaze icy and guarded as it swept over me. After a few rounds, the bottle pointed at Julian. A friend read the dare: "The dare is—mark the female closest to you!" I was the one closest to him. Julian's face stiffened visibly. Before he could speak, I asked, "What's the penalty for losing?" He didn't want to mark me, and I certainly didn't want him. "The penalty is for the person wearing red to finish a whole bottle of hard liquor." The only female in red was Elena. Julian spoke up immediately, his protective instincts flaring. "We won't lose. Chloe, are you feeling shy in front of the pack? Then don't look." He leaned in, one strong hand gripping the back of my head, the other covering my eyes. The next second, freezing lips pressed against mine, skillfully prying my mouth apart. My body jolted violently. I realized the icy male kissing me was Mason Caldwell! I recoiled. Nausea hit me like a physical wave. I wanted to vomit! Sensing my violent reaction, Mason stopped immediately, and Julian let go of me. I rushed to the bathroom to retch. In my haste, the heavy oak door didn't close all the way. I heard voices outside. "Julian, it was just a kiss. Did you really have to let Mason take your place with your mate?" "I won't kiss another female in front of the one I love." "Mason, you're a lucky one. Those lips looked so soft; even I wanted a taste. Do you really feel nothing for her?" another wolf chimed in. "Nothing. It was like kissing a slab of raw meat. Luckily, her nausea kicked in, so I didn't have to kiss her for long." I stared at my bloodshot eyes in the mirror and curled my lip. Fine. I'll just treat it like a rogue dog bit me! Just as I was about to open the door, smoke bombs went off and the territory emergency alarms blared. "What the hell? Where's the fire?" "Ugh, what a jinx Chloe Vance is! Everyone, shift and move! Get out!" Due to the lockdown settings, the bathroom door automatically locked. By the time I forced it open with my claws, the VIP lounge was empty. I ran out into the smoke, only to be knocked down by the panicked crowd of half-shifted wolves. As countless heavy footsteps trampled over me, I saw Julian's back in the distance. He was shielding Elena as they fled. His strong Alpha arms held her close, keeping her safe and unharmed. My heart felt like it had been scalded with molten silver. I could only rely on myself. I forced myself up, but a massive hand suddenly reached out from a dark side-room and yanked me inside. A masked male pinned my wrists over my head with one hand and began tearing at my clothes. "Are you crazy? The room is burning outside!" "Let go of me!" I struggled in pure terror, but when I saw the freezing gold of the male's eyes, I froze. It was Mason! Last time, to get revenge for Elena, he'd posed as a reporter to take humiliating photos of me crawling out of a ditch, intentionally dropping his camera to leave a gash on my head. What was he trying to do this time? Chapter 7 Before I could resist or even force a question out of my throat, a sharp blow struck the back of my neck. When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying stark naked in the middle of a busy square. A massive crowd of wolves surrounded me, their eyes filled with pure disdain as they pointed and whispered. Dozens of phones were aimed at me, clicking incessantly. In a panic, I curled into a ball, desperately trying to cover my nakedness. But it was impossible to hide from the wolves' gaze! Some unmated males even tried to take advantage of the chaos, reaching out to grope me. Watching those lecherous claws reach for my chest, I choked back tears of deep humiliation and began to run like a feral rogue. By the time I finally made it back to the Sterling Estate, I didn't even have a chance to put on clothes before— Slap! A vicious strike sent a ringing through my ears. Evelyn stood there, her face contorted with rage, pointing a silver-ringed finger at my nose as she snarled. "First you roll into a stinking ditch, and now you're running naked in the territory! You've disgraced the Sterling pack! How do you still have the nerve to come back here?" "Mom, this isn't Chloe's fault." Julian Sterling shifted into a quick stride and draped his heavy coat over my shoulders. "My Enforcers looked into it. It was revenge from the underground rogue breeding ring. They faked a fire at the lounge, then took Chloe in the confusion. She's a victim, too." I snapped my head up, my eyes flashing. The previous rogue kidnapping had been his orchestration; any "revenge" would have been his command. But I hadn't crossed Elena Sterling recently—why go to such brutal lengths to humiliate me this time? "A victim?" Evelyn sneered, her Dowager aura suffocating. "Then why didn't the rogues kidnap any other female? Why her? There's no smoke without fire. She's not fit to be the Luna of the Sterlings anymore!" "It won't happen again." Julian looked like he was defending his mate, but a faint, barely perceptible smirk played at the corners of his lips. "The trending topics on the network have already been suppressed. Our third mating anniversary is coming up soon. We'll do a public display of affection and some pack charity work; that will shift the elders' attention." "It better," Evelyn warned sharply. "Chloe Vance, if there is a next time, I will throw you out to the rogues! And your Aunt Clara can just wait to be exiled and beg for scraps." I understood everything now. Julian and Mason Caldwell had teamed up to strip away my dignity and make me a laughingstock again just so Evelyn would become more and more disgusted with me. They were waiting for the third mating anniversary gala, when the "unclaimed pup" would be the final blow that broke the pack elders' patience. What a perfect, cold-blooded calculation! I felt a chill and exhaustion I'd never known. Without a word, I walked straight upstairs. I stayed under the scalding shower for a long time, scrubbing until my skin was raw and red, yet I still couldn't wash away the feeling of those leering pack eyes on my body. Then, Elena's panicked voice echoed from downstairs. "Julian! This is bad! Aunt Clara is in trouble!" A roar sounded in my ears. I scrambled into my clothes and sprinted downstairs, my eyes glowing a faint white. Elena stood there looking frantic, though her scent was clearly dancing with schadenfreude. "I was just playing a pack joke on Chloe's aunt. I told her I'd posted her naked photos everywhere and was going to hand them out to the unmated males. I didn't think she was that easy to scare. She had a heart attack on the spot and collapsed. The healer says... she might not make it through the night..." Evelyn was so angry her claws extended as she raised her hand again. "Enough! Are you all trying to kill me?" Julian immediately pulled Elena behind his broad frame, taking the blow to protect his "true mate." When Evelyn had slapped me earlier, he had waited until she was finished before "defending" me. The difference in how he treated us was glaringly obvious! But I didn't have time for that. I tried to rush out the heavy oak doors, desperate to know how Aunt Clara was doing. Julian, thinking I was going after Elena, grabbed my arm tightly. "Calm down, Chloe. Your aunt never got over your mother's death all these years. If the sisters can reunite in the afterlife a bit sooner, it might not be a bad thing. There's no need to blame Elena." I froze, thinking my ears had deceived me. My Auntie's life was hanging by a thread, and he was saying her death would be a "good thing"? For the sake of Elena, he had abandoned the very nature of a pack leader! "If anything happens to my Aunt Clara, I will never forgive her—and that goes for you, too!" Every word I growled felt like it was dripping with blood. "Let go of me! Don't you dare stop me from seeing my Auntie!" I used every ounce of my suppressed White Wolf strength to shove the Alpha away. He had never seen the normally obedient Omega shout at him like this, and he instinctively frowned. But as he watched my stumbling figure disappear into the distance, a strange, inexplicable sense of hollow unease flickered in his chest, accompanied by an agonizing sense of loss. Chapter 8 I burst into the healing room to see Aunt Clara lying on the narrow cot with her eyes tightly shut. She was hooked up to various monitors and tubes, the pillar of strength in my heart collapsing. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "Auntie, don't sleep. Please, don't leave me..." I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe. Aunt Clara was the only family I had left. If I lost her, I would truly be a lone wolf with no home to go back to. I stayed by her bedside for three days and nights, talking to her constantly, trying to call her back from the brink. Julian had sent a team of top pack healers to consult on her case, putting on a show of a deeply concerned mate. On the fourth day, morning sun shone through the window onto the small bed. Aunt Clara finally opened her eyes. It felt like she’d woken up from a terrible long nightmare. But she was so tired she couldn’t even smile. Julian drove us himself in the car when it was time for Aunt Clara to be discharged. He bought many expensive gifts and even promised to inject funds into Vance Enterprises, showing a level of "sincerity" that would have fooled any elder. But I knew his true motive—he wanted to buy our silence so we wouldn't bring Elena Sterling before the Pack Enforcers. Auntie glanced at me, and we silently pretended to forgive him so he wouldn’t get suspicious. To avoid alerting him, we suppressed our anger and played the obedient she-wolves. Seeing me return to the submissive, "virtuous Luna" I used to be, the flicker of unease in Julian's heart finally vanished. That night, after the lights were turned off in the pitch-black safe room. I felt a heavy, burning body press against my back, a massive hand sliding onto my waist. My drowsiness vanished instantly. I realized the suffocating wolf presence beside me was Mason Caldwell! When he lowered his voice, he sounded exactly like Julian Sterling. "I've put you through a lot lately. How about me makes it up to you tonight?" I fought back my revulsion. "No. It's not advisable while I'm carrying a pup." Instead of stopping, Mason pulled me closer, his freezing hand wandering over my body. His chin rested heavily in the crook of my neck, his breathing thick with the scent of an approaching Rut. "It's fine. I can be gentle, as long as you're happy..." I squeezed my eyes shut, suppressing my urge to turn around and rake my claws across his face. I pushed his hand away. "I said no." He was the male who called me a "lifeless log" in bed, yet here he was, relentlessly pursuing my body. I didn't know what he was trying to do or what he even took me for! "Fine, have it your way," Mason finally relented with a low growl, settling down. I kept my eyes closed and pretended to sleep. A few moments later, he got up and opened the heavy door. "Julian," I heard Mason rumble. "I checked. She's not in the mood tonight, so she won't bother you. You can sleep in peace." I clenched my palms so hard my claws dug into my skin. So that was it. He was only there to make sure I wouldn't interfere with Julian staying pure for the female he actually loved! "Thanks, brother," Julian replied. "Tomorrow, it'll all be over. Sorry you had to knot with her for three years for me." Mason was silent for a moment. "As long as it makes you and Elena happy. When my car crashed ten years ago, Elena risked her life to pull me out just seconds before it exploded. Wolves call her reckless, but I know how brave she is. She loves you, so I'll protect her for the rest of my life." I was so shocked I nearly opened my eyes. The bloody, broken teenage wolf I had pulled from that wreckage ten years ago... was Mason? Back then, every other wolf had run away, but I couldn't just watch a packmate burn. Before he lost consciousness, he had pressed his heirloom crest into my hand. Later, Elena had snatched that crest away, claiming it belonged to a friend of hers. Clearly, she had used that crest to deceive Mason all these years. I suddenly found it hilarious. If Mason knew that the female he had been ruthlessly tormenting was actually the one who had saved his life, how would he react? I was going to make sure the pack found out. The next morning, I received a message on the network from my lawyer. The bond annulment papers were ready, and the Sterling Group's assets would be transferred to my name within the day. I smiled from the bottom of my heart. Julian caught a glimpse of that smile and seemed dazed for a moment by me. "You look so happy. Are you looking forward to our third mating anniversary gala tonight? I have a surprise for you. See you tonight. Love you." Love me? I felt a surge of dark irony but forced an obedient smile. "I love you, too." Everything that started with a lie was finally going to end with one. After Julian left, I packed a small bag and called my lawyer. "Please pull the territory surveillance footage from Mason Caldwell's car crash ten years ago. Then, bring a network broadcast team to represent me at the gala tonight." "No problem, Ms. Vance. I'll bring the preserved tissue, the DNA and pheromone test report, the annulment contract stripping him of his Alpha title, and the recordings proving Julian Sterling is the at-fault party to the venue." Before heading to the border transports, I took one last look at the "den" I'd lived in for three years. The coastal wind brushed away a tear from the corner of my eye, but I swallowed the bitterness with a smile. I didn't look back, not even once.

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✨ Apply Non-Invasive Facial Sculpting Techniques With Precision, Safety, and Holistic Professional Care. In our Facial Sculpting Therapist Certification, the teachings bring together facial anatomy, skin science, manual sculpting methods, lymphatic support, holistic facial care, device-assisted modalities, hygiene, ethics, and client communication. Rather than presenting facial sculpting as a miracle solution or a one-size-fits-all technique, this training teaches a grounded, professional, and responsible approach — combining technical precision with client comfort, aesthetic awareness with ethical practice, and manual skill with holistic sensitivity. Because the program is fully online, you can join from anywhere in the world. No advanced medical background is required — this course is open to beauty therapists, estheticians, massage therapists, spa and wellness professionals, holistic practitioners, and anyone who wants to offer structured, client-centered facial sculpting sessions. And with accreditation from IPHM, CMA, and CPD, insurance eligibility via ICHAP, and CEU credits via NCCAP, this certification is a solid foundation for a credible, insurable practice. Course Highlights — 10 Modules: ▪ Module 1 – Foundations of Facial Sculpting Therapy ▪ Module 2 – Applied Facial Anatomy and Physiology for Sculpting ▪ Module 3 – Skin Science, Assessment, and Treatment Planning ▪ Module 4 – Core Manual Techniques for Facial Sculpting ▪ Module 5 – Advanced Manual Methods — Buccal, Intraoral, and Specialized Techniques ▪ Module 6 – Device-Assisted Facial Sculpting Modalities ▪ Module 7 – Integrative and Holistic Approaches to Facial Sculpting ▪ Module 8 – Hygiene, Safety, Ethics, and Professional Conduct ▪ Module 9 – Client Communication, Cultural Competence, and Practice Management ▪ Module 10 – Integrating Skills into Professional Facial Sculpting Practice 🎧📄 Nearly 10 hours of audio and 11 downloadable PDFs. Lifetime access on any device. 🌿 Weekly live Q&A and access to a private community of practitioners. 🤗 ✨ Interactive quizzes, guided feedback, and direct instructor access. 🏅 Insurance eligible via ICHAP. CEU credits via NCCAP. Rated 4.82 on Trustpilot. 30-day money-back guarantee. Start your journey today and become a Certified Facial Sculpting Therapist. Now is the moment to combine beauty, relaxation, and holistic wellbeing into a professional practice that is safe, refined, and genuinely client-centered. ➔ naturalistico.com/en/learn/course/3076/facial-sculpting-therapist-certification

✨ Apply Non-Invasive Facial Sculpting Techniques With Precision, Safety, and Holistic Professional Care. In our Facial Sculpting Therapist Certification, the teachings bring together facial anatomy, skin science, manual sculpting methods, lymphatic support, holistic facial care, device-assisted modalities, hygiene, ethics, and client communication. Rather than presenting facial sculpting as a miracle solution or a one-size-fits-all technique, this training teaches a grounded, professional, and responsible approach — combining technical precision with client comfort, aesthetic awareness with ethical practice, and manual skill with holistic sensitivity. Because the program is fully online, you can join from anywhere in the world. No advanced medical background is required — this course is open to beauty therapists, estheticians, massage therapists, spa and wellness professionals, holistic practitioners, and anyone who wants to offer structured, client-centered facial sculpting sessions. And with accreditation from IPHM, CMA, and CPD, insurance eligibility via ICHAP, and CEU credits via NCCAP, this certification is a solid foundation for a credible, insurable practice. Course Highlights — 10 Modules: ▪ Module 1 – Foundations of Facial Sculpting Therapy ▪ Module 2 – Applied Facial Anatomy and Physiology for Sculpting ▪ Module 3 – Skin Science, Assessment, and Treatment Planning ▪ Module 4 – Core Manual Techniques for Facial Sculpting ▪ Module 5 – Advanced Manual Methods — Buccal, Intraoral, and Specialized Techniques ▪ Module 6 – Device-Assisted Facial Sculpting Modalities ▪ Module 7 – Integrative and Holistic Approaches to Facial Sculpting ▪ Module 8 – Hygiene, Safety, Ethics, and Professional Conduct ▪ Module 9 – Client Communication, Cultural Competence, and Practice Management ▪ Module 10 – Integrating Skills into Professional Facial Sculpting Practice 🎧📄 Nearly 10 hours of audio and 11 downloadable PDFs. Lifetime access on any device. 🌿 Weekly live Q&A and access to a private community of practitioners. 🤗 ✨ Interactive quizzes, guided feedback, and direct instructor access. 🏅 Insurance eligible via ICHAP. CEU credits via NCCAP. Rated 4.82 on Trustpilot. 30-day money-back guarantee. Start your journey today and become a Certified Facial Sculpting Therapist. Now is the moment to combine beauty, relaxation, and holistic wellbeing into a professional practice that is safe, refined, and genuinely client-centered. ➔ naturalistico.com/en/learn/course/3076/facial-sculpting-therapist-certification

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