第2章

Kane clenches his fists violently, veins bulging on the back of his hands, as if his fist might swing at me any second.

My face turns deathly pale as I speak almost beggingly, "Kane, please believe me just this once. My mother isn't that kind of person. I don't believe she would do such a thing. Please investigate again!"

My mother had served the pack's Royal family diligently for decades. From beginning to end, I refuse to believe she would seduce an Alpha.

Kane acts like he's heard the funniest joke, his upturned lips carrying bone-chilling coldness.

"You still dare say such things at this point? When the rogue wolves attacked, your mother and my father were lying in bed together at the hotel, even unconscious from excessive aphrodisiac intake. Are you trying to tell me someone framed her?"

"I..." I have no evidence and can only bite my lip tightly.

"How do you still dare appear in front of my mother!" The furious roar of Kane's brother Ethan comes from outside. He runs in and shoves me back. "Get out! Get out! My mother doesn't want to see you!"

He turns his gaze to Kane.

"Brother, why do you keep this woman in the Sterling house? And her mother—I heard you're still paying for her mother's medical bills. Why? Why not let them die!"

Ever since the Sterling family incident, Kane's brother has hated me to death.

He used to treat me like his own sister, but I destroyed his family.

"Die?" Kane says coldly. "How boring would death be? I want her to live. I want her mother to live. I want them to spend their entire lives atoning for their crimes."

After speaking, Kane doesn't spare me another glance and turns to leave. After everyone disperses, Sage stays behind.

Sage narrows her eyes and suddenly smiles.

"What a pitiful Omega. I know you've suffered plenty these years. You stayed because you care about your mother and son. That's fine. Soon I'll marry Kane, and your son will become my son. As for your mother... she'll be free very soon."

Hearing this, I frown. "What do you mean by that?"

Sage shows a triumphant smile. "You'll find out."

After speaking, she ignores my further questions and leaves on her high heels.

But soon I understand what Sage meant.

When I visit my mother at the hospital again, I'm surprised to find Sage standing beside my mother's bed with an elderly woman dressed in dark robes—clearly a witch from the neighboring territory.

The witch examines my mother with glowing hands, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling light.

"What are you doing here?" I demand, rushing forward to protect my mother.

Sage smiles coldly. "Don't worry, we're here to help. This witch has found a way to save Kane's mother."

The witch speaks in a raspy voice, "The Luna's wolf spirit is severely damaged and fading fast. But there is an ancient recipe—a heart restoration potion that can fully heal her."

My blood turns cold. "What does this have to do with my mother?"

"The potion requires a pure heart from someone with strong healing magic," the witch continues, her gaze fixed on my unconscious mother. "This woman's heart carries the exact magical essence needed."

"No!" I throw myself between them and my mother's bed. "You can't take her heart! That would kill her!"

Kane's voice comes from behind me, , but it's not just cold - there's pain underneath the anger. "And why should I care about that?"

I spin around to face him, tears streaming down my face. "Kane, please! My mother is innocent! You can't do this!"

"Innocent?" Kane's laugh is bitter. "Your mother seduced my father and nearly destroyed our family. My mother has been dying because of what yours did. This is the price she must pay."

He steps closer, his voice breaking slightly. "How could you let me fall for you, knowing what your family did to mine? How could you look me in the eyes every day, knowing this secret?"

"Please, I'm begging you!" I fall to my knees. "There has to be another way! Don't kill my mother for something she didn't do!"

Kane slowly pulls out an aged parchment from his jacket and throws it at my feet.

"Look carefully. This is your mother's slave contract, signed when she first came to serve our pack."

With trembling hands, I pick up the document. The words are written in formal pack law language, but one clause stands out in bold letters:

"I pledge my life and everything I possess to protect and serve the Alpha family. Should any member of the Alpha bloodline face mortal danger, I willingly sacrifice all that I am for their salvation."

At the bottom, in my mother's careful handwriting, is her signature and a bloody thumbprint.