My world came crashing down after that terrible news. The Alphas returned from their battle in the evening but they didn’t bother to come to the hospital to see their son.I heard that the fight hadn’t gone as they had planned because the River Pack had aligned with another pack and together, they succeeded in chasing off the Woods Pack from their territory.Brianna also didn’t come to the hospital but I wasn’t surprised. I knew she was responsible for this because it wasn’t a coincidence that my child ate a poisoned apple after she had come to threaten me in my room.I was so angry but there was nothing I could do right now. I stayed beside my son and prayed that he would recover soon.Days became weeks, and then months but Domarius didn’t wake up. The pack doctors said he had no brain activity and that it was a waste of time to keep him alive.“What are you suggesting?” I asked him when one of them came to me again.“You know what I am suggesting, Jade,” he said softly. “You need to

When I woke up, it was dark and I was at the edge of the river where a fallen tree branch had stopped me. I was in a lot of pain but I was glad to be alive.I managed to remove myself from the tangle of branches and then I climbed onto the ground. I lay there for a few minutes to catch my breath and think of how to find my way back home.There was a half moon in the sky and it provided light for me to see my surroundings clearly. I was alone and hungry. All I wanted to do was to get back to my pack and snuggle beside my darling Hycinth.“There she is,” a male wolf growled ahead of me.I looked up and saw Darius. Dominic was following him closely behind and they were walking slowly like predators about to catch prey.I couldn’t see any of the Betas behind them but I suspected that they were nearby.“Why wouldn’t you just leave me alone?” I asked them weakly. “You have taken everything from me. What else do you want?”“Your life!” Said Dominic. “You owe us your life.”“All we ever did w

We reached the south the next day and docked at a small village. By then, I was very hungry and tired.This place was like a hub where different packs mingled and traded with each other.I had no money or any other valuable item on me to trade with anymore, so I had to swallow my pride and offer myself to a random rich stranger. I gave him head in exchange for ten silver coins.I bought some food and a bottle of strong wine with some of the money. When I was satisfied and full of energy again, I began my journey into the woods.It felt so freeing to be without a mate. I didn’t have to answer to anyone or be pressured to produce an heir. I could finally start my life over and live on my own terms.I walked through the woods all day until evening, but I never ran into the Lycan. I became worried. Where would I sleep tonight?Could I sleep in the open like some wild animal? What if someone sneaked up on me and attacked me in my sleep?I kept walking and then I began to hear the sound of

I knew this showdown between these angry werewolves wouldn’t end well and I didn’t want to be held responsible for the outcome.Although I admired the Lycan for stepping in for me and trying to protect me, I didn’t want him to lose his life on my account.In the same way, I didn’t want Dominic to die either. I wanted him to return home safely to his brothers who probably thought he was dead.“Please, don’t do this,” I begged him.“What are you afraid that I will kill your boyfriend?”“He’s not my boyfriend and I don’t think you can kill him. Have you forgotten what he did to you the last time?”“How can I forget? That’s why we are here now, isn’t it?”He jumped at the Lycan, scratching and biting the tall werewolf in the face. In response, the Lycan dug his long sharp claws into Dominic’s back, tearing his skin. Blood oozed out of the wound and Dominic fought back.They landed on the ground eventually, rolling on grass and dirt. The Lycan punched Dominic mercilessly and he retaliated

“Hey, wake up.”My eyes fluttered open. I blinked but I saw nothing. Then suddenly, light!“Ouch!” I groaned and closed my eyes again.“I’m glad you finally woke up,” said the elderly man holding a lantern close to my face. “I was almost about to toss you back into the river.”I knew he didn’t mean that because I could hear the smile in his voice. I was on a boat and I was soaking wet. When I shivered from the cold, he grabbed a smelly wool blanket and covered me with it.He was probably expecting me to thank him for rescuing me from the river but I didn’t feel grateful. I was angry. Very angry.“Why did you bring me out of the river?” I asked him testily.The old man grinned. “And here I was, thinking I had done a good deed today.”He held the edge of his raggedy wool cap and said, “I apologize, my lady. I thought I was helping you.”“No, you weren’t,” I snapped at him. “I wanted to die. I don’t want to be in this world anymore. I have never been lucky and I can’t even be allowed to