Chapter 1

This was the 99th time I was told, under the healer's disdainful gaze, that my private part was infected and ulcerated again.

"If you don't take care of yourself, this will get worse and could kill you."

I swallowed the humiliation, forced a self-deprecating smile, and quietly accepted the healer's blunt, uncaring words.

I was the mate of Grote Mendoza, the Valkyrie pack's Alpha. His desire was insatiable, and he needed me day and night.

But he was rough, with twisted fetishes that involved forcing objects into me. Even when I started to bleed, he wouldn't stop until he reached his peak.

"What are you scared of? You're a she-wolf with self-healing abilities. A little pain is nothing."

Every time I tried to protest, he would use those words to comfort me.

I endured this abuse in silence, convinced that he loved me deeply and that his bizarre fetishes were just a quirk. Over time, he would learn to be gentle.

But he always postponed our bonding ceremony and my Luna coronation ceremony, and my position in the pack was very awkward.

One night, I came home late. Through the door, I heard soft, intimate moans coming from the bedroom.

I froze. The feeling of betrayal crawled into my mind like a swarm of ants.

Instinctively, I wanted to burst through the door and scream at Grote, demanding to know why he had betrayed me.

But as my hand touched the door, fear like I'd never felt before stopped me in my tracks.

Seven years—seven years by his side, and I had always believed we were fated mates.

Even though he was the one who betrayed me, I stood outside the door like a coward, unable to find a shred of courage to face him.

And so I stood there, listening to them reach climax after climax while my heart broke over and over again.

When Christine Henson, an Omega, came running out while shyly clutching her clothes, our eyes met. She didn't look the least bit sorry. Her gaze was filled with nothing but pure provocation.

I raised my hand to slap her, but she easily dodged me and ran off.

The scent of their passion filled the air, suffocating me. I didn't even notice the tears streaming down my face.

When Grote saw me, he panicked. He immediately rushed to me and pulled me close as I trembled and dissolved into tears.

He stroked my face, and with the same lips that had just kissed that other she-wolf, he pressed against my ear and begged for my forgiveness.

"Honey, I couldn't help it. You were late. If I didn't release it, I might have passed out. Christine is a renowned expert in bed in the pack. There's nothing real between us. I was only learning techniques from her. The sounds you heard were from a tape.

"I can't help myself when I'm in heat. You know me better than anyone. I was in so much pain. That's why I… Honey, please don't make this harder for me."

Maybe love had clouded my judgment. I actually forced myself to believe him.

But when I saw the bloodstain on the sheets, it felt like my heart had been shredded over and over again.

He begged me with those sweet words, forcing me to give in. "Trust me. I won't do it again. I promise this is the last time."

I held on.

But three days later, I found a box of tapes under the bed. Inside were 99 tapes, each showing Grote in an intimate embrace with Christine.

I had never seen him treat me this gently. He didn't use those sharp objects to toy with that she-wolf's body. His touch was soft, as if the wolf who had once abused me was a stranger.

Christine's eyes were hazed with passion as she kissed him. She asked, "Which one do you love more, me or Renata?"

Without hesitation, Grote answered, "I love you, honey. I want to fill you up completely. Renata? I got bored with her ages ago. But I could do this with you forever, and it still wouldn't be enough."

Those words drove me mad. I threw the tapes to the ground, even thinking about burning the whole room down.

But instead, I sat there, crying so hard my head ached.

Seven years of my life were completely wasted.

I called Dad, agreeing to the arranged bond I had once been willing to die to refuse. "Dad, I accept Alpha Shane of the Darkfang pack."