Chapter 2

After terminating our mate bond, I left the capital—Ethan's domain.

He had no room in his world for me, and even less for my family.

While I was still undergoing treatment for silver poisoning, he stripped my family—Wilson House—of all its lands. We were bankrupt overnight.

My father had opposed my mate bond to Ethan from the start. But I insisted. I was the one who begged to be his mate.

On the day of our wedding, my father was so furious he locked away his wolf, collapsing and requiring ongoing care from a healer.

My mother didn't fare much better. When Ethan retaliated against us, the shock was so great she swallowed silver to end it all. She's been in a coma ever since.

After everything, I had just enough money left to continue their treatments. But my brother Kevin—drunk, addicted to gambling—burned through all of it in a single night.

He owed money everywhere. People came knocking every day.

I tried to cut him off. I really did.

Then one day, he stormed into my mother's hospital room with a silver dagger in hand. "Sis, give me money or I'll kill them both. Don't think I won't!"

Because I loved Ethan. Because I insisted on being his mate. I'd already hurt my parents enough. I couldn't let them die too.

I had no choice but to take the fastest way out.

Back in the VIP room, everyone turned toward Ethan after I finished speaking.

His jaw clenched, and he looked away.

"She's filthy," he said. "I'm not interested."

Laughter filled the room.

"Ethan, maybe you haven't heard—Joy's got a reputation for knowing how to please a man."

Someone leaned in, pretending to whisper, but made sure we all heard. "They say she can't have kids. So you can do whatever you want."

More laughter.

"That so? Now I'm even more intrigued." Jason raised a brow and pulled me into his lap. His hand gripped my chin, his lips coming down to meet mine.

But before he could kiss me, Ethan yanked him back violently by the collar.

Jason nearly choked. Even so, he didn't dare retaliate.

"Ethan?" he said, voice trembling with false cheer. "Something wrong?"

Ethan stared him down. "Just realized. She does look a little familiar."

Jason blinked, confused. "You want her now? But…"

Ethan raised his eyes to meet Jason's.

The force in his gaze made Jason flinch.

"Of course," Jason stammered. "If you want her, I wouldn't dare keep her."

He loosened his hold on me.

But I moved first, reached up and wrapped my arms tighter around Jason.

Ethan's face darkened instantly. "You don't want to come with me? Is this what you've become—so desperate to sell yourself?"

My heart shattered, but I held onto the act, smiling like it didn't kill me.

"That's right," I said. "I like it this way. Born dirty, not worthy of walking beside you. Go find someone better."

Jason laughed and lifted me up. "Can't help it, Ethan. Who could say no to such an enthusiastic beauty?"

Ethan smiled back, but it was cold as death. "Be my guest. She's too filthy for me."

That word—"filthy"—slashed through me like a silver blade.

Again. And again.

But I'd gotten used to it by now.

Rumors said Jason was rough and violent. I braced myself for the worst. But that night, just as he began, he got a call—something urgent in his pack—and left without a word.

I ended up alone in the hotel room and slept through the night.

In my dreams, I felt someone standing over me, watching, burning me alive with their gaze.

But when I woke up, I was alone.

The next morning, just as I stepped out of the hotel, Kevin ambushed me.

"Sis! Give me money! If you don't, they'll kill me! I know you've got cash! You just spent the night with a guy!"

He lunged for my bag, dumping everything onto the sidewalk.

When he found nothing, he grabbed at my clothes right there in the open.

I shoved him off. He came at me again. I slapped him hard across the face.

"That money's for Mom and Dad!"

He screamed and charged. His hand was mid-swing when someone kicked him away.

"You looking to die?"

I looked up.

Ethan. He was dressed in luxury, radiating power.

Kevin's eyes lit up. He ran over, clutching Ethan's leg. "My dear brother-in-law! I knew you still cared about Joy! Please, give me money or they'll kill me!"

Ethan didn't react. He just turned to me.

Kevin pulled me over, shoving me in front of Ethan. "Look! It's my sister! Your mate! The Luna of your past!"

He turned to me, desperate. "Joy! Beg him! Tell him you're sorry! He'll help!"

…Luna?

The word hit me like a silver strike to the chest.

My knees gave out.

Kevin kept tugging on me, shouting, begging. I fell to the ground in front of Ethan.

He frowned and crouched down, gripping my chin. His eyes were a storm—rage and something else buried deep.

"I gave you enough money when we broke off our mate bond," he said, low and cold. "And yet you're out here selling yourself? You enjoy this? Joy, name your price. Whatever you want—just say it, and I'll pay."

My heart bled. But I smiled through the pain, eyes full of tears.

"Ethan," I said. "I'd rather earn my money dirty than ever beg you again."