Chapter 3

Gary was violent—too fast.

My leg slammed against the doorframe with a sickening thud. Pain shot up my spine like fire.

But he didn't stop.

He didn't even pause.

He dragged me down the hallway like I was nothing—like I wasn't even human.

When we reached the grand hall, he threw me to the floor like a discarded rag doll. Pain exploded in every joint.

I tried to rise.

But before I could even sit up, my mother stormed over.

Her hand struck my face. Hard.

Then again.

And again.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Somewhere nearby, I saw Jane tucked into my father's arms, crying like a delicate flower.

My mother towered above me, her eyes wild with fury and disgust.

No love.

No concern.

Only hatred.

My wolf had no strength left. She lay inside me, silent and numb.

My mother raised her hand again.

But this time—something inside me broke.

I vomited blood.

A hot, red stream splattered across her hands and face. She froze, stunned.

For the first time, her palm didn't fall like a slap—it lingered on my cheek.

Almost... almost like care.

And in that fleeting, delusional second—I leaned into her touch.

I pressed my face against her palm, desperate. Starved.

Just one thought echoed in my heart:

Please… just this once… love me like you love Jane.

But she recoiled.

Like I'd burned her.

I collapsed. My nose started bleeding too.

Blood dribbled over my lips.

My wolf trembled. Her voice reduced to a broken whisper.

Gary rushed over. Panic laced his voice.

"What's happening? Why are you bleeding so much?"

He reached out, hands trembling—like he cared.

I pushed him away.

I didn't want his concern.

Still, I couldn't stop it.

I coughed again. More blood spilled from my mouth.

My body curled inward, shaking uncontrollably.

Even my mother looked terrified now.

"I-I only slapped her... I didn't mean to—" she stammered, her voice cracking.

She turned to me, suddenly unsure.

"Nadia... what's wrong? Let's… let's get you to the Infirmary, okay?"

My father came over too. "Quickly—help her up!"

Even little Jack ran to my side.

"Mommy, you're bleeding so much—are you gonna die?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" my mother snapped, though her voice shook.

And then—

Karen stepped out of the shadows.

She held up a blood bag.

With a sneer, she said, "Miss Nadia, how could you use a blood bag to scare Madam like this?"

A blood bag?

What the hell was she talking about?

Before I could think, my mother snatched it from Karen's hands—and exploded.

"You vile little snake! Trying to trick us with fake blood? Make us feel guilty? Playing the victim now?"

I laughed.

It wasn't a joyful laugh.

It was empty. Hollow.

The kind of laugh that comes when there's nothing left inside you.

Even when I gave up everything—even then—they still wouldn't let me go.

Gary knelt beside me, his face dark with disappointment.

"Nadia... when did you become like this?"

My father, standing protectively beside Jane, spat,

"You ungrateful brat. Raised by rogues, and it shows. So cold. So twisted. You're not even a shadow of our Jane—not a strand of her hair."

I didn't answer. I was too busy choking down blood, trying not to spit it out again.

Then came the final blow.

Jack—my own pup—pushed me away.

"I thought you changed! But you're still mean!"

"I don't like you anymore, Mommy!"

He ran to Jane, burying his face in her lap.

"I want Auntie Jane to be my real mommy!"

And just like that—my soul cracked.

I clenched my fists so tightly, my nails pierced my palms.

Warm blood oozed between my fingers.

I didn't care.

Tears streamed down my face. Quiet. Endless.

Gary wiped one away, his voice soft but full of blame.

"Now you know what betrayal feels like, don't you?"

"That ache in your chest—that's what you gave us."

He stood. His voice turned cold.

"Our pack is in danger. Jane's reputation is in ruins. You're going to fix this. You'll apologize."

I tried to speak—to say it wasn't me.

But Jane's soft sobs drowned me out.

"Forget it, Gary… Sister keeps hurting me. If we force her to apologize again, she'll only resent me more."

"I don't know why she hates me… but for the good of the pack, I'll forgive her."

My mother cradled Jane like a precious gem.

"You're too kind. Don't worry—we won't let her hurt you again."

Then she turned to me, eyes like ice.

"For the sake of the Black clan's name, we've made a decision."

"You and Gary will sever your bond tomorrow. He'll claim Jane."

"We'll tell the pack they were mates all along—and you were just a poor, sick wolf he took pity on."

I stared at Gary.

"You agree to this?"

He looked away.

"There's no other choice. You brought this on yourself.

But don't worry—it's only temporary.

I'll break our bond once the storm passes."

I looked at him.

I had no words left.

Maybe my silence made him uneasy. Maybe he saw it as rebellion.

He scowled.

"Whether you like it or not—it's happening."

I lifted my chin. Smiled faintly.

"Congratulations… on your bonding."