Three

I felt rage, pure-hot rage coursed through my veins as I stormed through the pack house, still in my wedding dress, makeup streaked down my face. I was madly enraged at everyone in this pack tonight — the people I grew up with, the ones I once respected, my sister, Luke, even my father. The only person I had left was Stephanie.

I walked down to the living room, searching for my father. But he wasn’t there

I checked his room? He wasn’t there either.

I stepped outside, asked the guards, checked around. No one could tell me where he was. When I finally tracked down one of his closest guards, he barely looked at me.

"The Alpha left to meet someone important."

I thought as much he was gone again. Probably…no no definitely a meeting.

I stayed in the courtyard anxiously, waiting for him. I needed to ask questions. I needed to know why — why me? Why did he strip me of my title without even bothering to look at me?

When he didn't return, I turned and walked to the garage.

I stared at my black bike, covered in a thick layer of dust that dulled her once-glossy finish. I removed the cover slowly, watching dust motes dance in the dim garage light. Running my hand over the cooled metal felt like greeting an old friend who'd been forgotten.

Ice. I'd named her Ice the day I bought her—one of the first things I'd ever purchased with my own money. Father had frowned when I started riding. "It doesn't fit the image of an heir," he'd said, his voice tight with disappointment.

But God, I'd loved it. Being on Ice made me feel alive in a way nothing else did. It had made me free, powerful and my self.

I brushed the dust off, pulled the key from the drawer, and started her. The engine roared to life, and for a moment—just a moment—I smiled.

After I warmed Ice, I shut her down and went back into the mansion. My father should be back by now.

In the entrance hall, I ran into Luke.

I stopped dead frowning deeply at the bastard. He stepped toward me, and I immediately moved back.

"What is it now?" My voice came out sharper than intended. "Haven't you embarrassed me enough?"

He reached for my hand—actually tried to lift it to his lips like we were still something. I jerked away, but he blocked my path.

"April, you need to leave. Right now."

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. He had married my sister and become an Alpha and now he thought he could tell me what to do?

"You think you get to tell me what to do?" I stepped forward, forcing him back. "I'm not up for all this shit. Move. I need to pass."

But Luke didn't move. His grey eyes locked on mine, and for the first time tonight, I saw something that looked almost like he cared.

"April, I'm telling you—you need to leave. Immediately. You are in danger. You don't understand what is happening."

"Okay, tell me—who wants to kill me?" I asked. He didn't answer.

"Why am I in danger?" I demanded. "I'm not interested in your games or your lies. Just let me be. I've had enough of today."

"April I mean it." His voice dropped low . "I know you hate me. I know I deserve it. But you need to leave. Now. Before—"

He cut himself off, glancing over his shoulder.

"Before what?" I demanded.

His jaw clenched. "Just... trust me. One last time. I still love you deeply."

"Trust you. Did you just say love?" I laughed, and it sounded broken even to my own ears. "You destroyed that at the altar."

"Why the hell should I believe you?" I fired back. "You stole everything from me. You let my sister take my place — my title. You humiliated me. You made the worst day of my life."

I brushed past him, pushing him aside as I walked out. "I think you've done enough," I said.

"I'm telling you, April, you'll lose your life if you don't run away from this place."

“Then you should be prepared for that?” His last voice sounded way more cold than I expected.

Those words echoed in my head, but I didn't care. I left his sight.

I wondered what's up with his change of tone. But I was to pissed to realise anything.

By the time I reached the living room, my father had returned. He sat in his chair like a king on a throne, flanked by two betas. As if nothing had changed. As if he hadn't just destroyed my life.

"Father," I said, and I hated how my voice trembled. "We need to talk."

He didn't even look at me.

"How could you do this to me?" The words burst out before I could stop them. "How could you let Luke reject me in front of everyone? How could you give May my title—my birthright?" My voice broke. "Don't I mean anything to you at all?"

Silence.

Then, finally, he turned to his betas. "Leave us."

They bowed and left quickly, their relief palpable.

When we were alone, my father stood slowly. Like a man carrying the weight of the world.

"April." His voice was quieter than I'd ever heard it. "You need to go to the Nevermore Academy."

For a moment, I couldn't process the words.

"What?" I stepped toward him, disbelief making me dizzy. "So that's it? After ruining the happiest day of my life, you just... banish me? Did you even remember it was my birthday?"

He said nothing. Just looked at me with those cold, distant eyes.

I laughed—a broken, bitter sound. "Of course you didn't."

"April—"

"No." I cut him off. "No more excuses. No more lies. Why? Just tell me why I'm not enough. Why have you always looked at me like I'm—like I'm broken?"

Something flickered across his face. Pain? Regret? It was gone before I could name it.

"You don't understand," he said quietly. "Things have gotten out of hand. You need to leave tonight." He took a breath. "Go to the academy. Prove you are strong. Prove you are worthy. When you return, I will restore your title. But for now, go. That is the only way to calm things and keep you safe."

"Save me? From who?" I demanded.

He didn't answer.

"What is actually going on?" My voice rose up.

"What am I missing?"

What the actual fuck was going on? First it was Luke now my father ?

My heart was actually racing now in fear. And my chest was staring to hurt from the loud pounding of my chest.

Was I really in danger?