Chapter 3

Fiona’s POV

Kale promised to accept my rejection, but on one condition—I had to continue organizing the wedding. My family didn’t hesitate to back him up.

“Yes, Fiona. You’ve already started the arrangements, so just continue. Make sure Iva looks her best.”

I barely responded. I left the room, went to the garden, and cried my heart out.

I tried calling for Fifi, but she was too hurt by everything to even speak. Hunger twisted my stomach and my head pounded fiercely as I pressed a hand against my temple.

My headaches were getting worse, and my knees were starting to grow weaker.

Not long after, an omega rushed to the estate with news that rogues had broken into one of our warehouses. I was immediately sent to get things under control.

While everyone else stayed warm and cozy in the pack estate, I was sent to the outskirts of the pack—to deal with the rogue aftermath.

And I still had to return early to personally pick up Iva’s wedding dress.

I had to do it… to be free of my mate.

When I got to the warehouse, a few guards were injured and we had even lost one worker.

“I’ve told your father countless times to move the warehouse deeper into the pack, but he refuses to listen.” The scent of grass and wild earth coiled in the air as the familiar voice sounded behind me. My heart fluttered.

It was Beta Mike. We grew up together, and he worked for my father.

He brushed his hand through his wet, messy brown hair as he approached me. We used to be best friends until my mother separated us.

“How are the workers doing?”

“We only lost one person. We’ll be fine.”

“Yeah… we will.”

Mike leaned forward, his hand gently grazing the side of my face. I froze.

“Have you been crying?”

“Umm… no,” I mumbled, creating more distance between us.

“Come on, Fiona. I’m family. You can tell me anything.”

Could I? Everyone I opened up to dismissed my feelings. Mike was a good person, but he couldn’t help me.

So I shook my head, forcing a practiced smile. “I’m good.”

Mike didn’t seem convinced, but he nodded. “You look tired. Head back. It’s getting late. I’ll send the reports.”

I wanted to protest, but Mike refused. I listened to him. Though deep down, I knew I would not be going back home. Not when my mate and my sister’s scent were all over the place.

So I checked into a hotel just before the pack estate, and for the first time, I told myself I would not be Fiona Wong from the Nightshade Pack—just Fiona.

But as I sat at the dimly lit bar, staring at the glass of alcohol in front of me, I asked myself: “Who is Fiona”—without my mother constantly trying to control me.

I wanted to be myself… but who was I?

My hand slowly reached for the glass. It stopped midway when I noticed two figures dressed in leather jackets seated on the other side. Blood and dirt clung to their scent. From the way they leaned toward each other, they had the precision of trained betas. As their voices dipped lower, a part of me grew curious.

“Did you hear about the rogue attack? It’s only a matter of time before the rogues claim the Nightshade Pack.”

Fear settled in my mouth as I clutched the glass, letting the cold bite into my palm. Rogues had constantly attacked our pack for years. Instead of fighting us head-on, they decided to attack our biggest source of wealth—our lands. Setting bombs in our fields, raiding our warehouses. At this rate, we might not have enough to sell to the international market.

I gulped down the drink, letting the bitter taste burn my throat.

“Our Alpha plans to sell his oldest daughter to Beta Magnus for wealth.”

My gaze stayed fixed on the empty glass, my heart racing faster by the minute.

No. My parents can be cruel, but they wouldn’t… Tears blurred my vision as my hand balled into a fist. They wouldn’t sell their daughter to an old man for wealth and power. Not to mention his level of promiscuity was known across all territories.

“No, it’s not possible,” I assured myself—until I saw the badge on one of their vests. They were part of my father’s elite forces.

If they were talking about it, then it was really true. They were selling me off… to save themselves.

The bartender placed the bottle beside my glass and gave a subtle nod. “You look like you need this.”

All my life, I had followed the rules like a good little pup. I finally thought I had something that could be mine, but it was taken away from me. And now my family was taking away my ability to make a choice. Because Beta Magnus was not a fairy-tale ending. He was a nightmare.

I drained the bottle in one bitter gulp.

Kale’s face kept flashing in my vision. And my sister’s too. If they could do that… Why couldn’t I?

Iva went to parties. With men. She had friends. Why couldn’t I?

Why did I have to be the one to give in—let go—be the adult?

“Today, I’ll be myself,” I whispered.

And I would start by taking away the one thing my mother had always protected—my virginity. Word had it that Beta Magnus only touched pure ladies. If my parents wanted to sell me off, I would ruin their goods.

My feet staggered as I stood. I bumped into a figure.

His ash-silver hair was slightly tousled, its soft strands sweeping across his forehead, giving him a rugged alpha charm.

Deep blue eyes glinted as he grabbed my shoulders. His hands burned hot with warmth, making my lips part. He wasn’t just handsome—he was ethereal, like he wasn’t meant for this world.

“Miss…”

Fifi, who had been quiet the entire time, stirred violently. A faint excitement flushed through my stomach as I leaned forward, feeling the solid wall of his chest. He was huge.

Once he steadied me, he tried to step back, but instead I grabbed his jacket and pulled him down to my height, crashing my lips into his.

This was the first time I had kissed a man, and my heart was pounding. Was this boldness from the alcohol or the rebellious spirit my parents had ignited?

His body tensed as he felt my tongue trace his bottom lip. He grabbed the back of my neck and shoved me back. “Are women from the Nightshade Pack this desperate for a male?”

I shook my head. My senses were starting to dull as I tried to press closer for the warmth radiating from his scent.

“I don’t know about them—but I want you.”

“No, little pup. Don’t test me. A lady like you can never handle a man like me.” He leaned in closer, his thumb brushing my hair away from my ear. “And I don’t fuck virgins.”

Humiliation should have washed over me, yet my thighs clenched with an unusual sensation and need—one I had never felt before, not even with Kale.

Fifi howled hungrily.

“I can pay you. I’ll beg if you want me to.”

“No. I want you to leave my sight…” His words made my neck flush as he pulled his hand away, taking his warmth with him. A cold sensation filled my stomach, like I had lost something precious.

He turned and started walking away. I squeezed my palms, watching his back.

I was already mourning one man. I would not mourn another.

Laughter burst from my throat, drawing more attention toward me. “Hey, everyone! I need a man who can satisfy me—I’ll pay any demand!”

The silver-haired man who was walking away spun around instantly. There was no shock in his eyes… only curiosity. Maybe interest.

Peeling my gaze away from him, I lifted my hands dramatically. “I don’t just need one—two or even three. The more, the merrier.” To him, I smirked. “I can take it.”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

He closed the distance. All eyes were fixed on us. Our height difference was obvious when he stopped just an inch away. That thick, sweet scent made my throat dry. Even my chest began to swell with need—to be touched by a man I barely knew.

I was definitely losing my mind.

His thick finger wrapped around my neck and pulled me forward. Blood rushed to my head, but my lips parted and a soft moan escaped as we stared at each other. He scoffed. “Little pup, you asked for this—and even if you cry and beg, I will not stop.”

I nodded, lost in his eyes.

“Good. Because, I want you to ruin me. Completely.”