Chapter 3

That night, Alexander dragged me to the Pack Healer’s quarters.

The air was thick with the smell of herbs. The old Healer was mixing a bowl of foul-smelling liquid that bubbled with a sickly green foam.

"What the hell is this?" I stared at the bowl.

Alexander didn't answer. He simply signaled the guards behind him.

Two burly enforcers rushed forward and pinned my arms down.

"Alexander! What are you doing?!" I struggled with everything I had, but their grip was iron-clad.

"It’s a sterilization draft," the Healer rasped. "Once you drink this, you will never be able to conceive again."

My blood ran cold. "No! You can't do this!"

Alexander crouched down, reaching out to touch my face, but I jerked away violently.

"Ivy, this is for your own good," his tone was gentle, but his words were cruel. "Your wolf is dormant. Your body can't handle the strain of carrying an Alpha heir. Instead of risking your life with another pregnancy, sterilization is the safer option. It’s better for your health."

"What kind of bullshit is that?!" I glared at him. "My wolf is dormant because you poisoned me!"

Alexander’s breath hitched for a fraction of a second, a flicker of unease crossing his eyes, but it was instantly replaced by a look of deep hurt. "Poison? Ivy, you're overthinking things again. Your wolf didn't go dormant because of me—she went dormant because of your pregnancy."

He stepped closer, reaching out to brush a stray hair from my forehead. "Regardless, we can focus on raising Lucas now. He will make a fine heir."

He stood up and nodded to the Healer to begin.

"And besides, no matter what happens, you will always be my only Luna."

The two guards pinched my cheeks, forcing my jaw open.

The vile liquid was poured down my throat. I gagged, trying to spit it out, but they clamped my nose shut, forcing me to swallow.

"No... don't..." My voice was already failing.

As the liquid hit my stomach, a searing pain spread through my abdomen. It felt like a thousand knives were twisting inside me.

I curled up on the floor, agony rolling through me in waves, cold sweat soaking my clothes.

The pain intensified, tearing me apart from the inside out.

"Alexander..." I used my last ounce of strength to look at him. "I hate you... I hate you..."

Then, darkness swallowed everything.

I woke up in my own room a day later.

My body still throbbed, but the acute pain had faded. I knew then—I would never have children again.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. Several trash bags were piled outside Ethan’s room, stuffed with his toys, clothes, and drawings. A new sign hung on the door: Lucas's Room.

The door to the master bedroom—my bedroom—was shut tight. Inside, I could hear Sophia’s soft voice soothing Lucas to sleep.

I wanted to smash everything in sight, but I held back.

Just a little longer. Tonight, it all ends.

"Looks like you've adjusted to the new arrangement."

Sophia walked out of the master bedroom, holding an exquisite necklace. The pendant was a small crystal vial containing grayish-white powder.

My blood froze.

That was Ethan’s ashes. I had kept a small portion after his cremation to keep him close to me.

"What are you doing with that?" My voice trembled.

Sophia ran her finger over the pendant, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "This junk takes up too much space in the jewelry box. I figured since it's useless anyway, I might as well throw it out."

"No!" I lunged at her. "Give it back! That’s my son..."

But Sophia was prepared. She took a step back and deliberately opened her hand.

The necklace hit the floor. The crystal vial shattered, and the ashes scattered across the hardwood.

"Oops. It slipped," she said, feigning innocence. "My bad."

Rage consumed my sanity. I raised my hand and slapped her across the face with everything I had.

Slap!

The crisp sound echoed through the hallway.

Sophia cupped her cheek, tears instantly welling up in her eyes. "Ivy... how could you hit me? It was an accident..."

"An accident?" My voice was hoarse. "You did that on purpose! You desecrated my son's ashes!"

At that moment, Alexander rushed up the stairs.

"What's going on? I heard screaming..." He saw the red handprint on Sophia's face and the debris on the floor. "Ivy! Why are you hitting people again?"

"She destroyed Ethan's ashes!" I pointed at the gray powder on the floor, my voice cracking. "That was the last piece of my son I had left!"

Alexander frowned, glancing at the shattered glass. "Don't make a scene over something so trivial."

Trivial?

I looked at him in disbelief. "You think this is trivial?"

"I mean..." Alexander realized his poor choice of words and quickly backpedaled. "Of course, I understand you're upset. But Sophia didn't mean to do it. Look, I'll have the jeweler make you a new necklace. One even prettier than this."

He walked over, trying to placate me. "Stop causing trouble. We have important business today. The banquet is about to start. We need to officially announce Lucas as the heir."

Alexander’s eyes lit up with excitement. "And guess what? The Alpha King sent an envoy to attend the banquet! This could be our chance to form an alliance with the Royal Pack!"

He grabbed my hand, completely ignoring the fury on my face. "Go get changed. We need to make a good impression on the Royal Pack's envoy tonight. This is crucial for our pack's future!"

Just then, my phone vibrated. I glanced down to see a message from my father.

James has arrived.

I put the phone away and nodded at Alexander. "Fine. I'll get ready."

Alexander smiled, satisfied. "That's my girl. Tonight is going to be a historic moment for our pack."

I turned and walked away, heading straight for the back exit of the Pack House.

Behind the mountain, a black helicopter sat silently in the clearing. A middle-aged man in a sharp black suit stood by the cabin door. It was James, my father's Royal Beta.

"Little Princess," James bowed respectfully. "The King asked me to bring this to you."

He handed me a small vial filled with a liquid that glowed with a faint silver light.

"The antidote for Wolfsbane."

I took the vial and downed it without hesitation.

The moment the liquid hit my system, I felt a dormant power surge through my veins. My wolf—my White Wolf that had been asleep for three years—finally began to wake.

I smirked, my eyes cold. "Let's go. Alexander is waiting to welcome the Royal Pack's envoy."