Chapter 1

After I died, my soul didn't disappear.

Instead, I floated where I was. I was also forced to watch as pieces of my remains were discovered one by one from garbage piles and sewage pits.

Most of them were dumped in the filthiest places imaginable. The brutality of the murder threw the entire pack into panic.

The case immediately drew serious attention.

A pregnant shewolf being tortured and murdered was a direct challenge to the laws of the werewolves.

The Council issued an order demanding that the Alpha of Crimson Pack personally investigate the case.

My mate, Crimson Pack's Alpha Keith Martin, took over the investigation.

The irony almost made me laugh.

When I was alive, he blocked me out and treated me with disgust. Now that I was dead, I had become part of his official duties.

As he frowned and examined the pieces of my reassembled body, I drifted farther away.

I didn't want to get too close. I didn't want to smell the scent I once loved so deeply.

Standing in front of the autopsy table, his voice was deep and commanding. "Any leads?"

His Beta, Elliott Newton, rubbed his temples wearily. He had been assisting with the investigation these past few days.

"Her mind-link was suppressed and cut off by a higher-ranking Alpha. We can't determine her exact identity.

"The body is badly damaged. The residual wolf essence test will take two days."

Elliott hesitated. His voice dropped even lower. "Alpha, she suffered unimaginable torture before she died. The killer cut off all four of her limbs while she was still alive. And–"

He glanced at Keith and seemed unsure whether he should continue.

"And what?" Keith's voice turned cold.

"Her abdomen was cut open. Her uterus was emptied. The killer tore her unborn pup to pieces."

There was silence in the autopsy room.

Every werewolf lowered their head.

When a shewolf was pregnant, her wolf side would go dormant. She'd lose her regenerative abilities.

That meant when she suffered all of this, she had been nothing more than mortal flesh and blood.

"Poor woman. Where was her mate? How could he let her face this alone?"

The words felt like a stab to my heart, and it felt the same way to Keith too.

I saw his fists clench. His knuckles turned white too.

His eyes flashed gold. It was the sign that his wolf had been enraged.

"I will find out who did this!" he roared while slamming his fists onto the table. "They'll pay for it!"

An old friend of Keith's late father, Liam Larson, stepped forward and patted his shoulder.

There was concern in Liam's voice. "Keith, you've been under too much pressure lately. The Council keeps pushing, but you still need to rest.

"Oh, right. How's Juliet doing lately? She should be close to delivering her pup, shouldn't she?"

The moment my name was mentioned, Keith's expression turned cold.

He unclenched his fists and turned away. "Don't mention her."

Liam frowned. "What do you mean?"

Keith's voice was filled with irritation. "A few days ago, she started stirring up trouble again. She used the mind-link to call for help. She's obviously just trying to get me to go back and keep her company."

Liam's voice rose. "Keith, she's your mate! How could you?"

"That's enough, Liam!" Keith cut him off harshly, as if scolding a misbehaving subordinate.

"I already told you. She's just playing tricks. She's perfectly fine right now. She's probably sulking somewhere. Forget about her. We have real business to discuss."

"Any missing reports?" He turned to Elliott.

Elliott shook his head. "No missing shewolves reported in the pack these past few days."

Keith snorted.

"See? That's what happens with irresponsible families. A woman goes missing for days and no one even notices."

He paused. There was irritation in his tone for no clear reason. "Forget it. Let's go eat first."

The pack members began leaving one by one.

Liam was the last to go. Suddenly recalling something, he turned back and asked Elliott, "By the way, has Juliet come to pick Keith up lately? She used to come every day."

Elliott chuckled bitterly. "No. I thought it was strange too. But she's in the late stage of pregnancy now, so maybe it's inconvenient."

Liam shook his head. "No, that's not right. She loves Keith so much. Rain or shine, she never missed a day. Something must've happened. Keith should contact her!"

"Don't waste your time!" Keith said without turning back as he walked toward the door.

"A few days ago, she sent me a distress signal. She's just trying to make me worry about her. I don't have time to play these games with her."

Liam was about to argue again, but a woman's voice cut him off.

"Keith!"

A slender woman with a slightly swollen belly ran in. She stumbled as she ran forward and threw herself into Keith's arms.

Keith's expression instantly softened as he held her protectively.

It was Madison Jennings, his lover.