Three days before my marking ceremony, someone set fire to the bridal shop while I was inside trying on my ceremonial dress. Alpha Marcus threw the arsonist into the pack prison, sentencing them to the harshest punishment our laws allowed. I lay in the hospital bed, my body covered in third-degree burns, refusing to wake fully as the reality of my disfigurement sank in. In my semi-conscious state, I heard Marcus speaking with the pack's healing witch. "Alpha, we can still heal her completely with the ancient magic. If we wait any longer, Sarah will bear these scars for life! You just want Miss Rachel to be your Luna at the marking ceremony. This is cruel beyond measure!" "Let her keep the scars. I'll provide for her for the rest of her life, but if she's healed, she'll definitely cause trouble at the marking ceremony." "I promised Rachel that her pup would be welcomed into the pack with full honors. Only when Sarah is completely disfigured will she be grateful enough to raise Rachel's child as her own. The scars are necessary - at least this way, she won't dare mistreat the pup." In the corner of the room, where no one was watching, a tear slid down my burned cheek. So this was the truth. The marking ceremony I'd dreamed of was nothing but a lie. The mate bond I longed for would be my death sentence. If that's how it had to be, I would give him what he wanted.
View MoreHeart racing and pounding loud in his ear, chest heaving as he weaved his way around the people in his way. His eyes caught a basket of tomatoes, and effortlessly he jumped over it, hearing the owner yell after him.
"Stop!" Ethan glanced at the group of boys chasing after him. Are they not tired? He could barely feel his legs, his strength wearing thin as they had been chasing him for almost an hour. His fist clenched. He couldn't give up; he needed to lose them. If they got to him, it would be over. His rib still hurt, and the doctor had warned him he might have internal bleeding if the bullying didn’t stop. He couldn't afford to get hospitalized, not with so much else to worry about. He glanced back again, just to keep their distance in check, but found them gone. Had he lost them? He halted for a moment—they were nowhere in sight. Gripping his bag closer, he headed for the next corner but was welcomed by a punch to his face. Ethan fell, nose bleeding. His head spun as he hit the ground hard, pain shooting through his back, making him yelp. "Where do you think you're going, misfit?" James, the most brutal one among them, smirked down at him. Hastily, Ethan got to his feet and tried to run out of the corner, but was met with another brutal punch, sending him back to the floor with a busted lip. Thane, who had hit him, glared down at him. "Please, let me go," Ethan couldn’t help but beg. A single hit might kill him. James grabbed his collar, his face inches away as he shot him the coldest look. "Begging now, huh? Thought you'd learn by now that it only makes it worse." Ethan could taste the metallic bitterness of his blood on his lips. He wanted to fight back, scream, run—do anything but plead—but the pain radiating through his body was overwhelming. One of the boys snickered, kicking Ethan's bag, its contents sprawling across the floor. Ethan's eyes flickered to his belongings: books, notes, his phone. He watched as the boy stepped on his notes, and it took every ounce of strength in him not to yell. "Look at you. Nothing but a pathetic stray," James sneered. "I gave you a strict warning, didn’t I? I asked you to be careful with my essay, but you made it obvious the work was yours." Ethan sniffled. "I told you, I have no idea how Mrs. Katherine found out," he defended, only to have James slam him against the brick wall, making him wince. "Yes, you did. You did it on purpose, thinking I wouldn't make you do my schoolwork anymore. But guess what? As long as you're alive and still in Washington, I'll torment you until your last breath," James spat. Ethan's vision blurred as he tried to fight back his tears. He wanted to argue that he had done everything to avoid suspicion, but it was pointless to argue with someone like James. Being the son of a famous tycoon in the city, James had everyone wrapped around his finger—both students and teachers. No one would believe Ethan's story, even if he dared to tell it. Not only James but many others at school despised him. Ethan had gotten into the college on a scholarship, and he'd thought it was a dream come true. But setting foot on campus had turned it into a nightmare. He barely fit in, and even though he tried hard not to get noticed, his academic performance quickly drew attention. Instead of bringing pride, it made him a target. As the son of the wealthiest man in the city, James was used to getting whatever he wanted—and to being seen as the best. Ethan's presence, his undeniable brilliance, threatened that image, even though he hadn’t meant to. "I think... instead of helping you with your work and stuff..." Ethan began, hoping what he was about to say wouldn’t trigger James any further. But he had no choice. "I think I should... maybe tutor you? So you can do it yourself." "The fuck?" Thane cursed behind James, a hint that Ethan had crossed a line. James laughed, a laugh that seemed unhinged. "You want to tutor me? What do you think I am, a dumbass?" Ethan's jaw clenched. What the hell did he want from him, then? That was the only help he could offer. He couldn’t possibly make himself fail intentionally just because of James. Ethan had goals too—to succeed, and to support his sick mother. Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out. "I think instead of wasting your time here bullying me, you should be feeding your brain with necessary things." He had gone insane. He had finally gone insane to say such a thing. Ethan swallowed hard, trying to focus on James’s face, which now wore a smirk, his eyes narrowing coldly. Surprisingly, James let go of his collar. Ethan would have fallen if it weren’t for the wall, his knees weak from the intense running. Were they letting him go? His last shred of hope shattered as James grinned and gave the order. "Beat him up." Ethan's eyes widened. No, not like this! "No, wait. You can't—" The boys swiftly closed in, sweeping his feet out from under him. Ethan curled into a ball as they stomped on him, each kick making his head spin with pain. _ "Mister Ethan Wave, you're young, with a lot ahead of you. Don't let anyone take that away from you. You're lucky again... but you can't keep letting this happen all the time. Internal bleeding is not something you can handle," the female doctor advised, her quipped and Ethan knew so well she was trying to keep her frustration in check. This wasn't the first time she was patching him up, urging him to open up, but Ethan knew better; that would only make things worse. "We'll have to admit you, Mister Ethan. Your body needs a proper check," the doctor said from behind. "What—" Ethan's eyes widened, panic flashing across his face. "Admit me? I don't think that's necessary..." "It could get serious and lead to surgery. It's just for a while. Please stay," the doctor cut in. He sighed at the word "surgery." He couldn’t afford that, especially with no money and so much else to cover. On the third day, Ethan felt better, though the bruises remained. No one had visited him; he had no relatives other than his sick mother. It had been three days since he last saw her—she would be worried sick. “When am I getting discharged?” he asked the nurse attending to him, his expression flat. “Tomorrow, Mister Wave—” “Can I go home today? I can’t stay here any longer,” he cut in. “But your treatment—” “I want to leave. I’m fine already,” he snapped, his chest heaving with frustration. He hated his life. “Oh... okay. I’ll inform the doctor,” the nurse said before leaving the ward. The process was quick; the doctor prescribed medication and urged him to rest. Ethan nodded, knowing that wouldn’t be possible in his situation. With the little money he had, he headed to see his mother first. She looked thinner than before, the hollows of her cheeks deepened, and the once-bright spark in her eyes had dulled. She lay weakly on the bed, tubes in her nostrils and wrist, the steady beeping of machines echoing in the room. He hated seeing her like this—sick, fragile, and slowly fading away. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he approached and sat beside her. The doctor had been vague about her prognosis, but Ethan knew the illness had taken hold of her months ago. The diagnosis was merely a way to delay the inevitable. His mother was everything to him, and he refused to lose her. “Hey, Mom,” he said quietly, forcing a smile. “How are you feeling?” She turned her head slightly to look at him. “Better,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “The nurses have been taking good care of me.” “How is school, my love?” Her trembling hand reached for his. Her breath was weak and labored. “School is fine... just as usual,” he lied, forcing another smile. He couldn’t tell his mother about James and his friends bullying him; that would only worry her. “You’re such a great liar, son,” she chuckled. Right, he had bruises on his face. Her eyes flashed with sadness, but she said nothing. The ward fell silent for a while. The weight of the situation gnawed at him, making it feel like the world was closing in, leaving him no space to breathe. The next diagnosis was looming, and he still hadn’t gathered enough money. Now, he had missed three days of work; his boss would be furious. Her fingers tightened weakly around his arm. “You are strong, Ethan; you’ve always been. Don’t lose that, no matter how tough things get.” He nodded, though he couldn’t help but wonder when things would finally get better.I focused on healing at the foreign pack's den, ignoring news from home.Oliver visited nearly every day to help with my recovery.The days passed peacefully enough.But for Marcus, everything spiraled into chaos.After a week without finding me, he lost control.He drowned himself in wolfsbane-laced whiskey, barely staying sober.In a drunken rage, he challenged another Alpha in the streets.The fight left him critically wounded in the healers' ward.His old friend, the pack healer who had poisoned my wolf, finally confronted him:"Shall I tell you the truth? Sarah was conscious during the silver injection. She heard everything, even though she couldn't move.""I saw her tears fall as the silver burned through her veins.""Marcus, you broke her completely. She won't return.""I warned you from the start - you and Sarah were true mates. Rachel was just a college fling, a shadow that should have faded.""You were lost in memories. Sarah could have been your salvation.""I thought your c
Tears fell onto his phone screen.Marcus sent message after message.Professing his enduring love.Confessing his betrayals.But each message bounced back undelivered.I had blocked him completely.Marcus didn't hesitate any longer, driving frantically to join the search parties.But it was too late.They found no trace of me at the rogue attack site.Meanwhile, my flight had already landed overseas.The staged rogue attack had been my parting gift.My carefully laid trap for the Alpha who had tried to destroy me.He wanted me scarred, wanted my wolf dead, wanted me living in his web of lies.So I'd left him a gift of my own.My friend Oliver waited at the airport, gasping when she saw my burned flesh.She touched the scars gently, tears streaming down her face."How could this happen? Marcus promised to protect you! He swore a mate's oath!""Did he do this? Why can only foreign healers help you? It was him, wasn't it? Sarah, why are you still protecting him? Can't you see his true nat
Guilt and regret warred in Marcus's heart like battling wolves, his Alpha power fluctuating dangerously with each surge of emotion.After a long moment, his voice emerged cold as winter, each word carrying the weight of an Alpha command:"Sarah is my only mate," he growled, fangs dropping. "My wolf chose her, even if I was too blind to see it.""Whether she lives or dies, she is the only one I will claim. The pack bonds don't lie - they never accepted Rachel."His claws emerged as he continued, "I don't care if Rachel is mated or single. It means nothing to me now. All her lies, all her manipulations - they're worth less than dust.""That night three years ago was a mistake," he spat the words like poison. "If I'd known Oliver would come of it, I would never have touched her. Never have started this chain of destruction."His power crackled visibly now, making the ceremonial candles flicker. "This ceremony was what you wanted - you can deal with the aftermath. I'm done with your scheme
The pack elders approached Marcus through the crowded hall, relief radiating from their expressions.But their words struck like pure silver to his heart, burning deeper than any physical wound."Now that Sarah's gone, you can finally claim Rachel properly," his mother said, satisfaction dripping from every word. "No need to keep up these tiresome pretenses anymore."She adjusted her ceremonial robes with practiced elegance. "That Omega was worthless anyway. An Alpha can't have a mate without a wolf - it's unnatural. The pack would never have truly accepted her.""Choose a date soon," his father added eagerly. "Make your mating official. The pack hasn't had such cause for celebration in years! After the ceremony, we'll have Sarah's rooms cleared out immediately. Rachel can move in tonight - no point in waiting now."Marcus stood frozen, staring at his parents' jubilant faces. His claws dug into his palms, drawing blood that he barely felt.For the first time in his life, he felt pure r
The Beta hurried away, face pale with fear of his Alpha's rage, nearly stumbling in his haste to escape.As soon as he left, Rachel glided closer with practiced grace, her ceremonial dress rustling softly against the marble floor.She maintained her usual gentle demeanor, the one she'd perfected over years of deception - head slightly bowed, eyes wide with concern, every movement calculated to appear harmless.Her hand slipped softly around Marcus's arm, her touch deliberately light and soothing."What's wrong, my love?" she murmured, voice honey-sweet. "Did something happen to Sarah? I knew she'd be upset about me standing in for the ceremony. She's always been... sensitive."Her lips curved in false sympathy. "But this is an important pack event. All the neighboring Alphas are here, the pack elders are watching. Even if she's angry, she shouldn't try to ruin this moment with false rumors about rogue attacks! It's so... beneath her.""Marcus," she pressed closer, her perfume wrapping
The marking ceremony began in earnest.Marcus stood at the ceremonial altar, but his mind kept replaying our last phone call. Something in my tone had unsettled his wolf, an unease that grew stronger with each passing moment.He turned to his Beta urgently, interrupting the ritual preparations."Find Sarah. She won't let me mate another without causing trouble."As they finished the ceremonial toasts, Marcus led Rachel through the crowd of well-wishers.The Beta rushed back, face ashen."Alpha!" he gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "There's been an attack on the northern border! Sarah... she took a car to leave pack territory. A group of rogues ambushed the vehicle at the crossing point."His next words fell like stones: "The patrol found the wreckage. No survivors. The rogues..." he swallowed hard, "they left nothing to find."The ceremony fell silent.The joy drained from Marcus's face so quickly it was as if someone had pulled a plug, leaving him ghostly white.His ceremonial
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