Ivy miscarried within the first month. The stress, poor nutrition, and harsh conditions claimed the life she'd been so eager to use as leverage against Kieran. Guards reported finding her screaming at the empty air, calling for a baby that would never come.She aged a decade in those first few weeks. The pampered omega who once preened before cameras was now a hollow-eyed skeleton, her beautiful hair falling out in clumps from malnutrition.But Kieran's fate was even more poetic.In the Chasm, power meant survival. Without his Alpha strength, he became prey to every exile seeking to prove their dominance. Former pack members he'd wronged took particular pleasure in their revenge.A messenger wolf brought news that made even my stoic father laugh darkly: Kieran spent his days begging for scraps, cleaning latrines for crusts of moldy bread. The proud Alpha who once commanded hundreds now couldn't even command respect from fellow outcasts."He cries your name in his sleep," the messenger
Returning to the royal territory with Dad, Mom were already waiting at the entrance.The moment our car pulled through the golden gates, I saw them standing there in the moonlight. Mom was wringing her hands nervously.Seeing me step out of the car, Mom's eyes immediately filled with tears.She rushed over, nearly stumbling in her haste, and wrapped me in her arms so tightly I could barely breathe:"My precious daughter, you've suffered so much. I should have never let you leave."Her voice broke on the last word, and I felt her tears soaking into my hair.Though Dad was usually stern and composed, his mask cracked completely when he saw me. His hands shook as he reached out to touch my face, checking for injuries."Aria, my little girl," his voice was hoarse with emotion. "Why didn't you call us the moment things went wrong? You're the Alpha King's daughter—how could you let that worthless scum treat you like that?"His eyes blazed with fury, and I could see his wolf fighting to surfa
She screamed, clutching her stomach. "You're going to abandon your own pup?"The pregnancy announcement sent another shockwave through the crowd. Cameras flashed frantically.Kieran's expression changed instantly, cycling through shock, anger, and calculation."What did you say?"His voice was barely audible, but everyone heard it in the sudden silence.Ivy was crying now, mascara streaming down her cheeks."I'm pregnant, Kieran! I found out last week. I was going to tell you tonight !"She gestured wildly around the ruined ceremony."But now everything is destroyed because of her!"Kieran grabbed Ivy's shoulders, shaking her slightly."Why didn't you tell me sooner?! This changes everything!""How was I supposed to know you'd need it for leverage?!" Ivy shot back. "I thought you actually loved me!"Their argument was becoming more heated by the second. The crowd watched in fascination as their perfect couple image crumbled completely."Love?" Kieran laughed bitterly. "You think this w
"Forged contracts? Occupied hunting grounds? Weren't these crimes committed by you and Ivy personally? You thought you could deceive everyone and rest easy? Unfortunately, justice has long arms."My voice cut through the chaos like a blade. Every word was deliberate, calculated to hit where it would hurt most.Kieran's face turned deathly pale. His hands trembled as he stammered:"You—how could you know about these things? That's impossible!"The crowd had gone silent, sensing the shift in power. Reporters held their breath, cameras still rolling.I looked at this pathetic excuse for a man—the same wolf I had wasted eight years of my life loving and supporting. He truly wasn't worthy of a single tear."Kieran, you think you hid it well? Unfortunately, I already told you the truth, but you were too arrogant to believe me."I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried across the entire hall."I am Alpha King Adrian Sterling's daughter, Aria Sterling."The words h
At that exact moment, the ceremony's massive screen flickered and went black.The crowd murmured in confusion, thinking it was a technical glitch.Then the screen blazed back to life with emergency broadcasting graphics."BREAKING NEWS!"The anchor's serious voice cut through the party chatter like a knife."Wolf Alliance Supreme Council announces immediate investigation into Shadowmoon Pack leadership for multiple serious crimes!"A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Every conversation stopped instantly."Alpha Kieran Black and his mate Ivy Carter are accused of systematically violating the Wolf Alliance Code through forging territory contracts, illegally occupying neighboring pack hunting grounds, embezzling relief supplies meant for weaker packs, and conspiring with rogue wolf factions!"The words hit the venue like a physical blow."Based on substantial evidence provided by whistleblowers, the Alliance Council has authorized immediate arrests. Investigation begins tonight!"The s
The women who had just arrived looked at the video playing on the big screen, then turned their hateful gazes toward me. Their faces twisted with a fury that seemed almost rehearsed."So you're the bitch who seduced my mate!"The first she-wolf pointed a perfectly manicured finger at me, her voice shrill enough to pierce eardrums.Her name was Rebecca Torres, wife of a minor pack's Beta. "I knew something was wrong when Marcus started coming home late!" she continued dramatically. "All those 'border patrols' were just excuses to meet you!"Once she started the performance, others eagerly joined in."No wonder my husband has been asking about Shadowmoon Pack's territory lately!" another woman shrieked. "You seduced him during those diplomatic meetings, didn't you?""Aria, you're absolutely shameless!" A third voice rose above the others. "Seducing so many mated males and still having the nerve to show up here!"These women pointed at me with theatrical outrage, their accusations growin