Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 9

All because of Kelly Chase's accusation, Jim Luther exiled my father, Frank Jackson, to the wasteland.When I heard the news, I quickly made my way to the place where he was exiled.By the time I arrived, out of breath and covered in dust, the cruel scene before me made me instinctively cover my mouth.Frank was in tattered clothes, and iron chains shackled his feet. He hadn't eaten for days, so he was too weak to even walk. Not long before, he'd fought off rogues. He was now covered in wounds and lying in a pool of blood.I forcefully pushed aside the guards blocking me and rushed forward to check his injuries.With tears streaming down his face, he gripped my hand."I'm not going to make it. Beg Jim to send me to the healer's den, please."I tearfully called Jim countless times, but all I got in response was the cold, mechanical tone of a disconnected line.It wasn't until Frank was down to his last breath that the call finally connected."Didn't I tell you I have an importa

On the phone, Jim's voice was frantic. "Where are you? Don't you know our marking ceremony is coming up? How can you be running around like this right now?"Send me your location. I'll come pick you up."I didn't send my location, but Jim still tracked me down using my phone's GPS.Seeing me emerge from the wasteland covered in dirt and grime, he frowned first."Why'd you let yourself get like this?"I didn't answer. Having just endured the most devastating blow of my life, I was like a soulless shell.Jim sighed. "I know you're upset, and I was wrong about this. I'll investigate and clear your father's name. Come home with me first."I numbly lifted my head and stared at the wolf who'd caused my father's death. "If we proceed with the marking ceremony, my father would be your father-in-law."He didn't leak the pack's secrets."For a split second, my tear-filled eyes seemed to stir something in him, but the next moment, Kelly grabbed his arm in a panic."Jim, I was just too a

Up to the day before our supposed marking ceremony, I still didn't show up.Jim, who was waiting impatiently for me to try on my ceremonial gown, kept checking his watch.That was when Kelly walked over in a ceremonial gown, twirled in front of him, and said, "How do I look in this dress? It's this late and Rachel still hasn't come. Maybe she ran off. Why don't I be your mate instead?"Jim's heart sank. He had no interest in Kelly's flirting. His mind was consumed with why I hadn't appeared yet."She even dreams of having the marking ceremony with me. She wouldn't leave over something so trivial."But the more he thought, the stronger his unease grew. There was a nagging feeling that something terrible was about to happen.He retrieved his phone, hesitated for a moment, and dialed my number."Rachel, where are you? Do you have any idea–"Before he could finish, the cold mechanical tone cut him off. It notified him that my phone was powered off.Jim froze in place. He opened ou

Kelly looked at Jim sincerely. Her eyes brimmed with expectation.With how things had unfolded, even the elder preparing to officiate the vows quietly wiped sweat from his forehead.Today's guests included not just pack members but many external Alphas. The success of this marking ceremony directly impacted the pack's future.Besides, no one really cared who the Luna was.Fearing Jim's refusal, the elder whispered, "Alpha, Kelly's family is far wealthier than Rachel's. With all these distinguished guests here, you can't let them leave without a positive outcome. Just say yes."With the elder's backing, the werewolves off stage got excited."Do it! Say yes! Say yes!"Cheers surged like waves.Jim lowered his gaze for a long moment. Only when Kelly's smile began to stiffen did he slowly approach her."I've been waiting for you too. Since Rachel didn't show up, swapping Lunas is no big deal."Kelly, will you complete the marking ceremony with me and become my mate?"Kelly's eye

The next time I saw Jim was on my way home from work.For days, he'd been silently watching me along my usual route home. I'd noticed him long ago but pretended not to.This was our first real encounter.He lowered his head and struggled to speak after a long while. "Can I visit Father's grave?"I shook my head. "You don't get to call him that."You know, Dad held on with his last breath just to explain himself to you, but you never showed up."My heart ached as I spoke, and my eyes welled with tears. "Now that he's dead, you want to visit his grave? What were you doing before?"Each word stabbed Jim like a knife. It was hard for him to even breathe.He couldn't meet my eyes. He knew they'd be coldly terrifying."I know I was wrong. I don't expect forgiveness, but please take this."He held out a card."My life savings. I know it can't make up for my mistakes, but it eases my conscience."My hands trembled as I held the card."I've lost my only family. Money means nothing