Chapter 1

I was five months pregnant when I had an accidental miscarriage. The Chief Healer told me it was because my wolf was too weak, which caused the natural termination.

My Alpha mate, Lucas, held my hand tightly. His face was filled with grief, and his voice was husky. "Babe, we can try again. We’ll have another one."

I couldn't handle the news and blacked out.

But when I woke up, I overheard a conversation between Lucas and his Beta, Marcus.

"Alpha, why gag the healer? Luna clearly ingested Wolfsbane. Why aren't we hunting down the person who did this?" Beta Marcus’s voice was full of confusion.

"We can't investigation." Lucas's voice was heavy with suppressed pain. "It was Isabella. She... she slipped Wolfsbane into Emily's tonic by mistake."

Marcus gasped. "Her? Has she lost her damn mind?"

"She didn't mean to." Lucas spoke faster, trying to convince Marcus—or maybe just himself. "She took that blow to the head saving me years ago. She operates with the mind of a five-year-old now. Marcus, you know that."

"She was just playing in the garden this afternoon and wanted to help with Emily's prep. She mixed up Wolfsbane with Moon Grass. She thought it was a supplement; she just wanted Emily to get better to make me happy."

Listening to his ridiculous explanation, I stared at the ceiling, filled with hatred.

Wolfsbane and Moon Grass look completely different. How could anyone mix them up?

Marcus obviously didn't buy it either. "Alpha, that’s a stretch. Those two herbs—"

"Enough!" Lucas interrupted him, his tone hardening. "If the Council catches wind of this, they won't listen to any excuses. They’ll execute Isabella for murdering the Alpha heir."

"She saved my life. I’d be dead five years ago if not for her. I won't watch her die."

"We bury this. Officially, it was an accident caused by Emily's weak constitution. As for the baby... we can always have another."

We can always have another.

That sentence completely wiped away the last bit of warmth I held for him.

Isabella saved his life. I understand him wanting to repay the debt, but is that a reason to sacrifice me? To sacrifice our child?

Why?

Since he brought Isabella back to the pack lands three years ago, our marriage had turned into a three-person farce.

Relying on her "brain injury," Isabella invaded our lives without a shred of shame.

On stormy nights, she would crawl into Lucas's bed in translucent pajamas, crying that she was scared, forcing Lucas to hold her all night while I was relegated to the guest room.

He always said Isabella was brain-damaged, stuck with the IQ of a five-year-old, like a child. He treated her like a sister and told me not to hold it against her.

When I was processing official documents, she would splash ink all over my important files, then blink her big, innocent eyes and claim she just wanted to paint.

Lucas would only helplessly stroke her head, then turn to frown at me. "She doesn't know any better. Cut her some slack. Just rewrite it."

Six months ago, it was my birthday. Lucas actually booked a restaurant, wanting to spend some alone time with me.

Isabella suddenly had an "episode," smashing things at home and hurting herself.

Lucas didn't hesitate to ditch me and rush back, holding her until dawn.

That day, I sat in the restaurant until they closed. He didn't even send a text to explain.

I had been enduring it.

I thought he loved me. I thought his feelings for Isabella were just gratitude and responsibility.

Even when Isabella was at her worst, he would hug me afterwards and apologize, saying he just couldn't ignore his savior.

But now, I didn't want to endure it anymore.

I forced my body up and took out the private phone I hadn't used in five years.

Lucas didn't know that I was the only Princess of the Royal Pack.

Five years ago, disregarding my family's opposition, I insisted on marrying Lucas, whose power was nothing back then.

My brother had pointed a finger in my face, scolding me for being blinded by love, saying I would regret it sooner or later.

I had vowed, "He’d die for me."

To prove my resolve, I cut off all contact with my family. I stayed with Lucas in this remote territory, building from nothing, and pushed him to the position of Alpha step by step.

Now it seems my brother was right.

I was a complete idiot.

My trembling fingers dialed my brother's number.

The phone rang only once before being picked up.

From the other end came a majestic voice, slightly trembling with excitement.

"Emily? Is that you?"

That was my brother, the current Alpha King of the Royal Pack. The most powerful Alpha in the world.

"You were right." I said, enunciating every word. "I regret it. I'm willing to return to the Royal Pack. Come get me tomorrow."