Chapter 1

Lucian Blackwood's fingers rested on my spine, and the touch made my stomach churn in disgust.

He frowned, and when he spoke, his tone carried the same arrogance as always.

"I haven't gone to Sadie's for six months, Ylva Winterbourne. I eat every meal with you, take you out on walks, and even forbade Conan from visiting her.

"I've done everything a perfect alpha mate is supposed to do, so why are you still acting like a walking corpse?"

A perfect alpha mate? As I looked at him, I felt nothing but irony.

There were strict orders from the Elder Council and rumors spreading through the pack that Lucian, the Alpha, was mistreating his Luna. If it hadn't threatened his reputation and authority, he wouldn't have bothered to crawl back to me at all.

For half a year, he had tried his best to play the role of a devoted mate. He would slide a plate of cut steak toward me, order Conan Blackwood not to bare his teeth at me, and force him to call me "Mom".

But when I saw the resentment in Conan's eyes as he reluctantly obeyed only because he was forced to, I felt nothing. This fake affection disgusted me more than the humiliation I had endured.

"What? Is it still not enough?"

Anger flashed in Lucian's eyes when he sensed my indifference. He grabbed my chin hard.

"Don't push your luck, Ylva. My patience has limits.

"If you refuse to cooperate tonight, I'll go to Sadie right now. She's sensible and knows how to please me better than you ever could."

Sadie Marrock. For ten years, that was the name he would throw in my face whenever I disobeyed him.

I used to cry, rage, and even beg on my knees for him to stay. But now, all I did was look at him calmly.

Just then, Lucian's phone rang. He stiffened and instinctively reached for his pocket, but just as his fingers came into contact with the screen, he stopped.

He stared at me as if waiting for a reaction, but unfortunately, I disappointed him again.

I picked up the phone for him as a faint smile curved on my lips. "Answer it, Alpha Lucian. It's late, and maybe Ms. Marrock's facing a life-or-death emergency. She might have cut her finger or woken up from a nightmare."

My tone was steady, and that compliance seemed to sting his pride.

He slapped the phone out of my hand and sent it skidding across the carpet. "What are you being sarcastic about?"

Then, he seized my wrist and yanked me to my feet. "Fine. Since you're being so magnanimous, you're coming with me.

"I want you to see for yourself that I'm just handling a problem, not sneaking off to meet her."

"Let go, Lucian! I don't want to go—"

My resistance meant nothing. Lucian dragged me across the courtyard and ignored the fact that I was stepping across the gravel path barefoot.

When we arrived at Sadie's door, he kicked it open, and warm air in the room rushed out.

Sadie was curled up on the couch, dressed in a revealing nightgown. Her face lit up at the sight of Lucian, until she noticed me. A flash of venom crossed her eyes.

She ran toward him barefoot and tried to throw herself into his arms. "I thought you wouldn't come, Lucian…

"Oh, I'm sorry. Luna Ylva's here, too. Did I interrupt?

"I'm just too scared. I thought I saw someone outside the window…"

Lucian released his grip on me and strode over to check the window. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Once he turned around, I saw Sadie pick up a fruit knife from the table and slash a cut across her arm without hesitation. Blood instantly welled up.

"No! Ylva, please don't! Please don't hurt me!"

She dropped the knife at my feet and swayed pitifully, poised to collapse at just any time.

Lucian spun around at the sound, and his pupils constricted.

I didn't react with the panic and helplessness Sadie had anticipated. Instead, I found her clumsy frame-up utterly absurd.

If I were going to carry the blame anyway, I might as well make it true.

Before Lucian could rush over, I bent over to pick up the bloody knife and expressionlessly drove it into Sadie's shoulder.

"Ah!"

This time, her scream was genuine and bloodcurdling.

I pulled the knife out and allowed the blood to splatter across my face before looking coldly into her terrified eyes. "Watch closely. This is what real harm looks like."

"You're courting death, Ylva!"

Lucian's Alpha air erupted.

Before I could speak, a massive hand closed around my throat. He lifted me high and slammed me hard against the wall. "How dare you raise a knife in front of me! How could you be this vicious?"

The intense suffocation stole my breath and brought tears to my eyes. Through my blurred vision, I saw Sadie hiding behind Lucian with a malicious smile curling her lips.