Ashes of the Mate Bond

After Torma died, my mother-in-law, Neradia, feared losing influence in the pack. She forced my husband, Jaroch, to take Torma's place as the Gamma.

To stop Lezah, Torma's wife, from remarrying, so no one would suspect the truth, she even suggested Jaroch sleep with her.

I was furious and protested against it. Neradia slapped me hard across the face.

"You fool! As long as Lezah doesn't remarry, your husband will continue to be the Gamma. You'll enjoy endless wealth and glory too," she said.

I wouldn't listen and kept arguing.

She beat me badly and even threatened me with Sylvia's safety to make me keep it a secret.

I thought Jaroch would at least refuse. Not only did he go along with it, but he even drank a witch's potion to block our mate bond.

Then, without any shame, he began sleeping with Lezah.

The worst part was that they didn't even try to hide it. They held hands, hugged, and kissed in front of me like I was invisible.

Heartbroken, I chose to look away. After all, out of sight meant out of mind.

One month later, Lezah was with pup.

I couldn't bear my mate's betrayal any longer. I couldn't accept sharing a husband with another woman. I decided to leave with my daughter.

But Jaroch wouldn't allow it. He held me and whispered sweetly, "Bityah, don't go. I love you.

"Taking over as Gamma wasn't my choice. Getting Lezah with pup was an accident.

"Give me some time. After the pup comes, I'll step down and let her go."

I was thoroughly disappointed. I told him firmly that I was leaving.

He refused. Afraid I'd run, he locked me in a room and said I needed time to calm down.

He then went on a vacation with everyone in the family except for me.

No one expected a pack of rogues to break into our home while they were away. They robbed, set the villa on fire, and killed everyone.

I was trapped in that room and surrounded by flames. I called Jaroch in a panic and tried to get help, but before I even spoke, he snapped at me.

"Bityah, stop making a scene. Just behave!

"Lezah agreed to get along with you. You should learn from her and be more considerate.

"From now on, I'll spend Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with you. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are hers."

I heard Lezah's voice over the phone.

"Jaroch, my feet are sore. Rub them for me."

"Of course. Let's take care of that," he replied gently.

Then came the sounds of them getting intimate.

I swallowed the pain and shouted, "Jaroch, help me!"

To my surprise, he hung up. My desperate cries for help went unheard, and I stopped.

I stared at my phone, laughing and crying at the same time. I then slowly collapsed to the floor.

I'd been foolish to think that even if he slept with Lezah, he still loved me. I thought I still mattered more to him than she did.

But that call changed everything.

He didn't love me anymore. All he cared about now was Lezah.

The moment she spoke, he dropped everything for her. He'd rush to comfort her and spoil her.

All the sweet things he'd said to me were just lies. He only wanted to enjoy having both women.

Maybe he never loved me to begin with.

As the fire devoured my body, I sent him one last message.

[My biggest regret was meeting you. In the next life, I pray we never meet.]