Chapter 3

I picked up the torn halves of the document and pieced them back together.

"Thirteen witnesses," I said with a small laugh. "All of them Yolia's people. What a coincidence."

"Christine, that's a hurtful thing to say," Yolia said softly, a flicker of triumph in her eyes. "I know you were scared tonight, but you shouldn't take it out on innocent people."

She stood and glided toward me gracefully.

"We were all so worried about you," she said, reaching out to touch my face. "You're hurt, let me get you some medicine..."

"Don't touch me."

As the words left my mouth, a powerful aura erupted from within me.

It was pure, ancient, and filled with a raw, primal force.

Yolia’s face went white, and she stumbled back, her body trembling with a fear she couldn't hide.

Everyone in the room froze.

Leo’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at me.

A flash of shock crossed Jaxon's eyes, followed by something far more complex.

And Ridley… his face turned to stone.

"Impossible," he hissed, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Someone like you could never possess a bloodline that strong."

"Why not?" I tilted my head. "Because it challenges your authority?"

"What do you think you are?" Ridley's voice trembled with rage. "You? From some minor bloodline? Worthy of real power?"

I smiled.

"You're afraid."

"Afraid?" Ridley laughed, a bitter, angry sound. "Christine, do you really think a pathetic little flicker of an aura can change your place here?"

He stalked toward me, murder in every step.

"You will always be nothing more than an accessory to me. Without me, you are nothing."

"Am I?" I met his gaze. "Then why are you so angry?"

Ridley stopped in front of me, his large frame casting a shadow over me.

"Because you disgust me," he snarled, his voice a low growl. "A lowly female daring to challenge her Alpha."

"Lowly?" I lifted my chin. "Does the coward who threw his own mate to the wolves have the right to call anyone else lowly?"

"You're asking for it!"

Ridley’s hand shot out and clamped around my neck.

His strength was immense, lifting my feet off the ground.

His eyes were pure gold, his wolf completely in control.

"I should have snapped your neck the day you first stepped into this pack house, you bitch!" he roared.

Oxygen was cut off. My lungs burned.

Darkness crept into the edges of my vision.

But I felt no fear.

Instead, I smiled.

Facing suffocation and death, I gave him a smile of pure, contemptuous satisfaction.

"What are you smiling at?" Ridley's voice was distorted with fury. "What the hell do you think you're smiling at?"

Using the last of my air, I mouthed a single word, my lips forming a silent: "Thanks."

Thank you for showing me the truth.

Thank you for killing me with your own hands.

Thank you for being the stepping stone to my new life.

Seeing my expression, Ridley’s eyes widened in horror as realization dawned.

But it was too late.

A fist slammed into his temple.

"Let her go!" Jaxon roared, tackling Ridley away from me.

I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.

Ridley stumbled back, staring at his brother in disbelief.

"Jaxon! You hit me?"

"You were trying to kill her!" Jaxon stood in front of me, a human shield. "Are you insane? She's your mate!"

"She doesn't deserve it!" Ridley bellowed. "That bitch doesn't deserve to be my mate!"

Leo burst into tears.

He ran to Yolia and clung to her.

"Auntie Yolia, I'm scared!" he sobbed, glaring back at me with pure hatred on his little face. "You're a bad mama! It's all your fault!"

Yolia hugged Leo, her eyes shining with victory.

"Don't be scared, sweetie," she cooed, stroking his hair. "Auntie will protect you."

I used the wall to pull myself up.

The bruises from Ridley's fingers were already darkening on my neck.

"Christine, are you okay?" Jaxon asked, his voice full of concern.

"Fine," I rasped. "I'm tired. I'm going to my room."

I turned and walked toward the stairs.

"Christine!" Ridley yelled after me. "This isn't over!"

"No, it isn't," I said without looking back. "But it's not going to end the way you think."

I walked up the stairs, each step heavy.

The sounds of their argument followed me.

"You hit me for that woman!" Ridley's enraged shout.

"She is your Luna!" Jaxon's retort.

"She's nothing!"

"Ridley, get a grip..."

"Get out! I don't want to see you again!"

Leo's small voice cut through the tension. "Daddy, stop fighting with Uncle Jaxon. It's all the bad mama's fault."

I pushed open my bedroom door and shut it, blocking out the noise from downstairs.

The room was quiet.

Only the sound of my own heavy breathing filled the space.

I walked to my vanity and opened the jewelry box.

It was filled with expensive pieces Ridley had given me when we were first mated.

Back when he still pretended to love me.

I picked up a silver brooch.

It was shaped like a crescent moon. Delicate.

And very sharp.

I clutched it and walked to the bathroom.

Turning on the faucet, I let the hot water run.

I sat on the edge of the tub and held the silver pin up to the light.

The sharp point glinted.

Taking a deep breath, I aimed the tip at my wrist.