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When I was eight years old, my Alpha mate Kieran saved me and adopted me. When I was twelve, Beta Ryan promised to protect me for life.

But later, these two men who swore to guard me forever pushed me into the flames with their own hands. All to please their childhood sweetheart.

……

THUD!

I was thrown brutally into the burning trial circle in front of dozens of pack members.

The high-ranking wolves watching erupted in excited cheers. Everyone clapped and hollered with twisted delight.

No one cared if I would make it out alive.

I tried to escape the ring of fire, but without my wolf's help, I couldn't move. Thick smoke choked my throat as I let out agonized whimpers. I desperately called out to the people outside.

"Help me!"

"Please, someone help me!"

But my cries for help only seemed to fuel their entertainment.

Some were even roasting meat over the flames, drinking whiskey, turning it into a party. Others deliberately fanned the fires to make them burn higher. They laughed until they doubled over, as if the person burning wasn't their pack mate, but some toy put on display for their amusement.

My skin blistered and burned. My movements grew slower and slower.

Through the smoke, I could barely make out Kieran and Ryan standing at the edge of the fire circle.

Kieran, the man who gave me new life, now watched coldly as I struggled in the flames.

And Ryan, who once promised to be good to me forever, held another woman tenderly in his arms. His face showed the same expression as everyone else around him.

Mockery. Scorn. Cruel amusement.

In his eyes, I had become nothing more than a plaything.

The agony of burning alive made my mind start to drift. I was so tired - tired in my heart, tired in my body.

I gave up fighting and curled myself into a fetal position. I slowly closed my eyes. For a moment, I felt like I was back as a pup, wrapped in warm fur. The howls of celebration from the crowd grew distant, and I didn't want to figure out anymore whether any of them truly cared. I just needed to sleep through this.

But the sanctuary was only temporary.

Low voices talking nearby woke me up.

My eyelashes fluttered as I slowly opened my eyes. Everything was white.

My mind was blank, empty of memories. I couldn't even remember who I was.

The voices around me changed tone.

"The patient is awake. Go notify the Alpha and Beta immediately."

"Run another examination on the patient. Continue treatment."

I lay in the bed, letting the healer work on me.

Someone gave me a little water. My parched throat felt instant relief, and my mind gradually cleared.

The memories came flooding back.

Scarlett was Kieran and Ryan's childhood sweetheart. She had left the pack years ago. Recently she returned to Ironwood Pack, and Kieran, as Alpha, spent a fortune throwing her a grand welcome celebration.

As the guest of honor, Scarlett organized team games. I was paired with Kieran, she was paired with Ryan. At first we played harmless little games, but later, when the mood got wild, Scarlett suggested that Kieran and Ryan compete in a hunting contest.

The stakes were her and me.

The losing side's female partner would have to enter the burning thornfield and stay until the moon reached the treetops. Life or death was on them.

Scarlett loved pushing limits, but I didn't want to join her madness. I definitely didn't want to gamble with my life.

But Kieran and Ryan, to satisfy her twisted desires, forcibly held me aside and began that insane wager.

The rules were simple. Three hours. Whoever brought back the most prey would win.

I looked pleadingly at Kieran, hoping he would be rational and refuse this crazy contest. But he agreed to Scarlett's proposal without even sparing me a glance.

I turned to Ryan, but his eyes only held Scarlett.

He looked at me mockingly and chuckled. "Don't worry, Ember. What if Kieran wins in the end?"

That's right. Kieran was the Alpha, with greater strength and speed.

I looked hopefully toward Kieran, willing to use up all the good luck I had left in this lifetime on this hunt.

But the result was devastating.

When it came time to count the prey, Kieran released all his kills in front of everyone. He told Scarlett, "I can't bear for you to enter the fire," and willingly admitted defeat.

Gasps of disbelief echoed around us. My eyes went wide.

Kieran, who had always been fiercely competitive, said the words "I surrender" for the first time in his life.

Ryan laughed coldly. "Sorry, Ember. Looks like I won this round."

My gaze gradually dimmed. All the blood in my body ran cold.

Scarlett clapped her hands, her fox-like eyes narrowing with satisfaction.

"Sorry, Miss Ember. According to our agreement, it's time for you to enter the fire."

"Come on, everyone make room. Leave space in the middle. I want the best viewing spot."

The guard wolves flanked me on both sides, dragging me forward. As we passed Kieran, I grabbed desperately at his shirt, hope flickering in my eyes one last time.

"Kieran, please. I'll die in there. My wolf is terrified of fire. Please save me."

Kieran looked at me with no expression on his face. His large hand covered mine.

"Ember, I lost. A bet is a bet."

One sentence shattered all my remaining hope. Innocent me became their plaything for entertainment.

The guards bound me with silver chains so I couldn't struggle, then threw me into the fire circle. They ignited the flames, and fire instantly consumed me. Searing pain spread from my limbs throughout my body. My wolf howled and tried to emerge but couldn't resist the fire's assault either.

And the two men who promised to be my support for life simply watched with cold eyes, even with interest.

In that moment, I felt despair like never before.