Free R18

私、夏目萌衣（なつめ めい）には、人の顔を判別することができない――相貌失認という障害がある。 あの土砂降りの雨の夜。私は一人の男を救った。彼の名前には確か、「あきし」という響きがあった。 「恩返しがしたい」と乞う彼を前に、私は頭をよぎる現実を数えた。 滞納したままの家賃と、芽の出ないイラストレーターとしての私。 私はふっと自嘲気味に笑って、こう返した。「それなら、一生お金に困らず、安心して絵を描いていられる生活をさせて」 彼は真剣な眼差しで、私の目を見つめて言った。「分かった。必ず君を迎えに行く」 その後、私は安藤彰司（あんどう あきし）からプロポーズを受けた。 けれど結婚後、彰司は一冊のスケッチブック――あの雨の夜の情景を描いたページを見つけ、ひどく冷え切った声で私を問い詰めた。「君が今も忘れられずにいる、この『特別な男』は誰だ？」 私は困惑した。過去の自分自身に嫉妬する人なんて、この世にいるのだろうか。 だがある日。彼の宿敵である永井昭司（ながい あきし）が、私の元を訪ねてきた。 彼は目尻を赤く腫らし、今にも泣き出しそうな視線を私に向けた。 「俺と結婚する約束だっただろう？……それなのに、なぜあいつを選んだんだ？」

My husband was sterile. Necrospermia, they said. His brother was in a coma and had no partner. Their mother wanted me to sleep with both of them and get knocked up with the family's heir. I refused and applied for a divorce. Ninety-nine times. Ninety-nine failures. Then, I put in the hundredth application. When that failed, I agreed to my mother-in-law's request, holding a pregnancy test result. My husband disagreed. That night, he stopped me before I could sleep with his brother. Harshly, he said, "My mother was just testing you. I can't believe you'd get pregnant with the illegitimate child." I was amused and annoyed. "You're the one who said yes, as long as I could get pregnant with your family's heir."

誰も知らない、実は私は性依存症なのだ。 しかし会社のアウトドア研修の夜、薬を忘れた上に男性同僚と同じテントに割り当てられた。 私は泣きながら、男性同僚の前で絶頂を迎えた。 帰る見込みは遠く、私の身体は次第に制御不能になっていった……

夫はもう何年も私に触れてくれなかった。 息子の同級生が私に夫を誘惑する方法を教えてくれた。 しかし、彼が私に教えるときに、手を私の尻に置いてこう言った。 「おばさん、もう少し広げてください！」

前々日、親友に誘われてバーに行ったんだけど、イケメンの少年と一晩を共にしたんだ。でも、まさか彼が息子のクラスメートだなんて思わなかった......

「あ……優しくして、旦那から電話が……」 私は頬を赤らめながらスマホを受け取り、ビデオ通話をつないだ。 電話の向こうで、旦那は興奮して次々と恥ずかしい命令を出していた。画面の外で、一人の青年の頭が私の股間で必死に動いていることに、まったく気づいていなかった。

I was dying soon. However, both of my childhood friends, who swore to protect me forever, did not realize that. It was because they were busy throwing a celebration party for their junior from the research lab. I went through hardships and got infected by this incurable virus to retrieve this special seaweed from the deep sea. However, that junior claimed that she was the one who got the seaweed! My childhood friends, whom I had known for decades, believed her. Due to their accusations, I became the evil senior who was taking credit for a junior’s work. I wanted to explain, but they said, “Mandy Smith is a good kid. Why would she lie?” “You’re busy playing tricks and acting like a pick-me girl instead of focusing on your research. Trust me, I’m going to get you removed by our supervisor.” After I was discharged from the hospital, I left the research lab and disappeared just like they wanted. However, they started to desperately look for me.

The notorious Alpha of the Black Wolf pack, Kellen Blackwood, is feared throughout the entire pack for his violent temper. Yet, everyone knows he adores his mate, Lilith Hayes. I am only an Omega, the lowest rank among werewolves, and I haven't awakened my wolf by the age of 18. Even though I became a laughingstock in the Black Wolf pack, Kellen still treats me as the love of his life. He always says I am as pure as moonlight, and he's willing to bow his head and surrender his pride for me. I believe him. Despite my family's objections, I become his mate. For five years, we have been together. He cherishes me like a priceless treasure. The Alpha Kellen, who shows no mercy outside, cooks meals for me and takes care of our home with his own hands. The fearsome leader, who never bows to anyone, gently lowers his head and shows deference to me. When my brother, Rex Hayes, breaks werewolf law, Kellen is the one who accompanies me to find someone who will testify for him. But on the day of the trial, the only person who can prove Rex's innocence, Ella Foster, is nowhere to be found. Rex is convicted of assault instead of being cleared for self-defense. The moment Rex is found guilty, Kellen is the first to stand and applaud in agreement. I lose control and run to confront Ella, demanding to know why she turned her back on us at the last moment. Ella clutches her stomach, tears rolling down her face, her voice trembling as she says, "Rex really is at fault. I can't just stand by and let my father be blamed for something he didn't do!" I stand there in shock, and then Kellen appears behind me. "Lilith, Ella is pregnant with my pup. I can't let anything happen to the pup she's carrying. Rex's punishment is exile to the Frozen Wastes. Compared to everything Ella has lost, that's already merciful."

Dad and my brother, Jonah Atwood, have always favored my sister, Lisa Atwood, while resenting me. At my coming-of-age ceremony, when several werewolves in the Blackwolf pack corners and harasses me, it's Rex Vaughn, the Alpha's heir, who steps in to protect me. He throws the most extravagant mate-bonding ceremony for me, right before the Moon Goddess. Overnight, I become someone every other female wolf wishes they could be! I'm seven months pregnant when I show up at Lisa's birthday party. Somehow, we're ambushed by dark magic. As always, Dad and Jonah put Lisa first. They throw everything they have into shielding and dragging her out of the enemies' barrier, leaving me trapped in the center of the spell circle, nearly consumed. In the end, it's Rex who pulls me out. Later, I wake up in Stone Cabin, only to walk right into a scene that makes my blood run cold. "You paid off an old witch from the Darkmoon pack to set up that spell circle?" Rex's eyes blaze red with fury. "She's only seven months along, and you were already trying to rip the pup out of her? "What? Were you hoping Lily and her pup would blow up and die together?" Jonah and Dad shrink back, trying to explain themselves. "Lisa's wolf is fading fast. The old witch said the only way to save her and her wolf is to sacrifice someone with the same blood immediately…" Rex snaps, "I care about Lisa more than either of you do! Why else do you think I claimed Lily as my mate? Sure, I want to save Lisa, but not by sacrificing Lily and her pup!" That is how I learn the truth. Rex didn't bond with me because he cared. He did it to save Lisa. As it turns out, he's no different from Dad and Jonah. All they ever see is Lisa, the weak-born wolf. I was never part of the picture to begin with. Since no one's ever truly cared about me, I'll walk away with my pup.

A pack of Rogues holds my mother, Celia Hale, hostage and clutches an iron chest like it's treasure. Lillian Parker, my mate's first love, points at the chest through her tears. "That chest… It's all I have left of my mother." However, the boulder above my mother's head is already loose, and it could crush her at any moment. I desperately beg my mate and the Alpha of the Silvermoon pack, Ares Hamilton. "Save my mom first! Please!" He just glances at me with a frown. "Celia's a strong she-wolf. She'll be fine. Margaret is already gone. That chest matters more." With that, he gestures for most of the fighters to move toward the chest. Only two young werewolves, barely steady on their feet, reluctantly step toward Celia. I stare at him in disbelief. In the end, they recover the chest, but my mother is dead.