Chapter 3

Nathaniel's pupils dilated in shock as he rushed to catch Grace. Finding me in his way, he kicked me aside without hesitation.

The blow struck my chest with brutal force. I spat blood and staggered backward into the coffee table. My forehead slammed hard against the corner, staining the wood crimson.

Before blood completely obscured my vision, I saw Nathaniel tenderly rubbing Grace's belly with concern.

"Don't be afraid, sweetie. Daddy's here."

Watching this heartwarming scene, my eyes burned with unshed tears as I could not help but laugh bitterly. That single laugh completely enraged Nathaniel.

He stormed over and seized my throat, his eyes blazing with vicious fury.

"Aurelia! You're absolutely incorrigible! You won't even spare an unborn beastchild?!

"If I don't punish you properly now, God knows how you'll torment Grace and the baby once you're part of my household!"

With that, he hurled me to the ground like garbage, his voice utterly merciless as he spat, "Send her to the fighting pits. She won’t come out until she's learned her lesson!"

Without sparing me another glance, he turned back to comfort Grace. I dug my nails into my palms, feeling like I had plunged into an icy abyss.

He was actually sending me to the fighting pits?

The pits were underground fighting rings where rogue beastmen battled to the death. Every fighter had to sign a death waiver, making injuries and fatalities were no one's responsibility.

The arena was filled with desperate souls who valued money over life and brutal fighters. All matches ended in death or permanent disability. That place... was where I had first met Nathaniel.

Back then, I sat in the stands watching a young Nathaniel get his wing mangled by a Tiger Clan beastman. Every strike was intended to kill.

However, he refused to surrender, dragging himself up from the ground again and again until he somehow snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

I was captivated by those resilient eyes. I bought his contract and made him my personal bodyguard.

Under his devoted and meticulous protection, I fell for him. He became my ward, raised to be my future husband.

After he risked everything to save my life in a car accident, I accepted his proposal.

That day, he transformed into his beast form in pure joy, circling the sky countless times before landing at the Beast God Altar, where he knelt before the deity's statue.

He said, "Lia, you're the angel who saved me from hell. I will always love you and protect you."

Now, he was using his power as Eagle Clan heir to cast me into hell for the sake of another beastwoman.

At that moment, the cacophony of jeering spectators filled my ears. My frail figure stood on the blood-stained fighting platform, utterly out of place in this brutal arena.

The hyena beastman before me bared his fangs, his eyes gleaming with murderous bloodlust as he prepared to strike.

I touched my chest, feeling something inside me die completely.

The hyena lunged at me with savage force. With nowhere to retreat, I closed my eyes in despair.

Suddenly, a massive snow wolf descended from above, sweeping me onto his back.

Wind rushed past my face, and when I opened my eyes again, I was home.

Nathaniel and Grace were gone, but Grace's social media had a new video—footage of Nathaniel in his beast form, performing a mating dance for her.

My eyes burned with tears as I stormed into the bedroom and grabbed a hammer, smashing my bed that they had defiled into splinters.

The room was filled with everything Nathaniel had once given me.

Necklaces, porcelain dolls, handmade wind chimes... I hurled them all into the fire, burning every last reminder to ashes.

A week later came the day of my bonding with the Alpha of the Wolf Pack.

The Wolf Pack replaced all the wedding gowns and dowry gifts that had been stolen, promising they would seek justice for me.

I had just put on my wedding dress when Grace burst through the door, her voice sickeningly sweet as she said, "Nate, the baby's been so restless lately. I heard Aurelia dances beautifully, so I want her to dance for the baby."

"Of course, of course. Have her dance until the baby is satisfied."

Nathaniel's tender gaze darkened the moment it fell on my wedding gown.

"Aurelia! Wasn't your last lesson enough? How dare you wear a wedding dress again!"

I glared at them with undisguised irritation. "I told you, I have a fiance. Today is my bonding day. Stop bringing your bad luck here."

The pair burst into laughter as if they had just heard the most ridiculous joke.

Grace appraised my wedding gown admiringly. "Nate, Aurelia's dress today is even more beautiful than before."

Nathaniel waved his hand dismissively. "Strip that wedding dress off her. Since she won't learn, let her dance clothless! Give everyone a good show!"

His familiar subordinates approached to restrain me, their hands reaching for my zipper. Suddenly, they were sent flying back by a powerful kick.

"Quite the nerve you have, daring to bully my wife!"