LOGINThree days later, a public disciplinary ceremony was held in the pack square. The square was packed with pack members who'd come to watch.Werewolf society had always valued strength and order. This kind of public punishment served not only to discipline the guilty but also to warn others.Grace was dragged to the center of the square. Her black leather had been replaced with prison garb.Her hands were bound in iron chains, her hair disheveled. The arrogance she'd worn before was completely gone, and only fear and resentment remained.The pack elder stood on the platform and read out her crimes. "Grace Sullivan deliberately slandered Mina Pierce, a core pack healer."She incited others to intentionally harm Mina, causing severe injury to her hands and delaying critical treatment. She has violated Pack Laws Three, Seven, and Eleven."She is sentenced to ten years of exile in the outlands, to be carried out immediately!"As soon as the words fell, two pack guards stepped forward
When I woke up, it was already the next morning.The clinic room was quiet. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across the blanket, bringing a faint warmth.My right hand was wrapped tightly in bandages. The pain had eased considerably, but I still couldn't move it.My silver wolf was curled up inside me, her presence weak. She'd need a long time to recover.The door opened and Father walked in, carrying a bowl of medicinal broth. He was still wearing his white coat, and his eyes were bloodshot. He'd clearly stayed up all night watching over me."You're awake?" Father set the broth on the bedside table.His tone was steady as always, but concern showed through. "Drink this. It'll help your wolf recover."I sat up and took the bowl, downing it in one go. The bitter taste spread through my mouth, but I didn't care."How's Mr. Sullivan?""Out of danger." Father sat on the edge of the bed, looking at me. "You cleared the poison completely. With some rest, he'll make a fu
Father's voice wasn't loud, but it carried the force of thunder. Grace and the werewolves who'd laid hands on me went weak in the knees, nearly collapsing on the spot.They never imagined that the woman they'd accused of sleeping her way to the top was actually Damian Pierce's daughter!Grace's face turned deathly pale. The cigarette slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.It burned her hand, but she didn't even notice. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. All her earlier arrogance had vanished completely.Ethan looked like he'd been struck by lightning. He stood frozen, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. He thought back to his suspicion and coldness earlier, to the pain in my eyes.His heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible hand, so tight he couldn't breathe.Father strode over to me quickly and crouched down, carefully helping me up. His movements were so gentle, nothing like the imposing Alpha he usually was.When he saw my mangled,
Just then, my phone suddenly started buzzing. The screen flashed with "Clinic Emergency". I wrenched my wrist free from Ethan's grip and answered the call."Mina!" The voice of Chloe Miller, one of the younger nurses, came through frantic and breathless in that distinctly werewolf way when panicked."It's bad! Mr. Sullivan's wolfsbane poisoning just flared up. His organs are failing. You're the only one who can perform the detox surgery, and none of the senior healers are here!"My face went pale. "I'm on my way!"I hung up and grabbed my jacket, ready to bolt, but Grace blocked my path."Running away?" Grace sneered. "Got exposed and now you want to slip out? What surgery? I bet Mr. Pierce is calling you over for something else!""Move!" My eyes were burning with urgency. "Your father is dying. If I don't get there now, it'll be too late!""Stop cursing my dad!" Grace shoved me hard.I stumbled backward and slammed into the coffee table. Glass shattered everywhere.Ethan step
The private room reeked of cigarettes and alcohol mixed with the distinct musk of werewolves, sharp enough to make me wrinkle my nose.I'd just rushed over from the pack clinic, still wearing my moisture-wicking athletic shirt that clung to my frame and showed off my lean build.It was unusual for an Omega. Most Omegas were delicate, but years of gripping scalpels had given me defined muscle along my shoulders and back.Right now, that definition had become a target for Grace Sullivan's attacks."Ethan, you've got such 'unique' taste."Grace sat dead center on the couch with her legs crossed, a cigarette pinched between black-painted fingernails as she blew smoke directly in my face.She was a Beta warrior from the pack, dressed head to toe in black leather with battle scars visible on her neck. The hostility in her eyes was practically dripping.Ethan Carter sat beside her, frowning but silent. He was my fated mate. We'd been bonded for three months, and things had been good be







