Chapter 1

"Thank you, everyone, for attending my mate, Ariel Davies', 24th birthday party today," my werewolf husband, Felix Grayback, said. He spoke into the mic at the center of the stage, impeccably dressed in a dashing black suit.

He was holding a microphone in one hand while his other hand was wrapped firmly around my waist. His grip on me was so strong that it was a little hard for me to breathe, even.

Felix led me to stand before all the other werewolves present as the blinding banquet lights shone down on me.

We were also surrounded by champagne towers and flowers everywhere.

I was the only human among the werewolf pack, and I still felt a little awkward and uncomfortable as all of them stared at me below the stage.

I was a little shy, but still, I was very happy.

After all, Felix had deliberately turned down billions of dollars' worth of business for the Bloodclaw Pack, specifically for my birthday party that day.

I had felt a little guilty when I found out about it. However, Felix held me close and comforted me in his tender voice, "Money can always be earned again, but there's only one of you, Ariel."

A loud round of applause erupted from the audience, and several she-wolves looked particularly envious of me.

"Alpha Felix is such an exceptional wolf. This weak human is so lucky to be his mate!"

I leaned against Felix, my heart brimming with his warmth and tenderness. I could even feel the hot tears pooling in my eyes.

We had been married for three years, and he had always been incredibly attentive to me, even though I was just an orphan and didn't come from a strong family.

Felix turned around to look at me with deep affection in his eyes.

"Are you happy, Ariel?"

I nodded profusely. "Yes, I am. Thank you, dear."

Felix smiled back at me and lowered his head, pressing his warm lips against the side of my ear.

A soft growl escaped his throat right at that moment.

To the audience, they would probably think we were just being shamelessly affectionate, hugging in public. However, I understood the very language he was speaking—Wolfish.

I was very shocked to hear him say, "Finally, this woman's flesh is plump enough for feeding! I'm going to share her with the pack tonight!"

My body stiffened abruptly, and my hands and feet went icy-cold at that moment.

Felix noticed my stiffness, but he didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his arm around me and rubbed the tip of his nose against my carotid artery, which was pulsing hard against my flesh.

I felt a warm, wet tongue against my skin, leaving behind a slightly sticky trail behind.

Felix then looked at me with a gaze filled with love and deep affection for me.

However, I was a little doubtful about what I'd just heard earlier. Could it be that I'd just heard him wrongly?

Wasn't he deeply in love with me after all? How could he possibly…

Before I was even done comforting myself, Felix growled softly again in his throat.

"Her heart is beating really quickly. I bet the flesh must be very firm there."

I couldn't lie to myself anymore. Felix really wanted to eat me up!

At that moment, I didn't feel the pang of sadness I thought I would. Rather, I felt nauseated and wanted to throw up. My stomach wouldn't stop churning either.

It was no wonder Felix hadn't marked me till now, even though we had been married for years! As it turned out, he had only been pampering me like he was breeding and raising livestock—and I was the animal about to be slaughtered for food!

Felix raised his head, reverting to his usual gentle demeanor. Then, he beckoned to his Betas below the stage. They immediately approached Felix at his beckon, their eyes fixed on me the entire time.

I used to think that they were looking at me with respect. But now, as I saw it again in their eyes, I realized that it was nothing but greed and hunger.

The stockier Beta grinned widely at me, revealing his yellow fangs as he hissed quietly.

They continued speaking in Wolfish, thinking I wouldn't understand anything.

"Alpha, can you leave her leg for me? I'd love to roast it slowly over the fire and let the fats ooze out."

The slightly thinner Beta licked his lips and said, "I want her ribs. The meat there is the most tender. I'll just need to pan fry it in a skillet."

"Don't forget to leave the heart for Darcy. She's got a weak body, and she needs the heart to help her recover."

"The offal and brain would make for a delectable and exotic dish too! I'd just roast them in my oven for maximum flavor."

The wolves continued openly discussing dismembering my body parts for food right under my nose, like I was already dead and waiting to be divided up for meat.

I dug my nails deeply into my palms.

It hurt.

However, the pain helped me stay awake and alert.

I couldn't panic. I definitely couldn't panic now.

If I gave myself away now, I would immediately be torn to pieces.

Felix then picked up a glass of wine from the waiter's tray. The wine was a deep, rich red. Then, he held the glass to my lips, his voice as soft and saccharinely sweet as always.

"Here; drink this wine, Ariel. We'll proceed with the cake-cutting ceremony after this."

However, the growl in his throat told me a different story.

"Drink this sundering powder that will allow your skin to be peeled off easily later. Your whole skin will come off intact, and we could even turn you into a stuffed toy later."

I looked at the glass of wine, my hands shaking fervently.

Felix's eyes turned cold, but his tone remained gentle.

"What's wrong, Ariel? What's on your mind right now?"

The wolves around me were stirring restlessly, threatening growls escaping their throats.

I inhaled deeply and then suddenly dropped the wine glass from between my fingers.

The glass dropped to the ground and shattered into a thousand pieces.