Snow Leopard Biting Tail

On the day I get buried alive by the avalanche, my biological older sister, Whitney Linder, cuts off the safety rope wrapped around my waist in order to save Cameron Linder, the fake heir who has replaced me all these years. The snow is about to cover my head, and I can feel my warmth rapidly draining from my body. In despair, I begin screaming at Whitney. "Don't leave me behind, Whitney! Otherwise, my adoptive father's subordinates will settle the score with you by blasting the entire mountain into pieces!" Over the years since I get accepted back into the elite Linder family, I've been keeping up a cowardly and docile facade. Never have I ever mentioned my adoptive parents, who live abroad. Because of that, the Lindens have no idea that the married couple who have adopted me are actually the leaders of an international mercenary squad. My adoptive dad is a legendary sniper, whereas my adoptive mom is a demolitions expert. I'm the apple of the entire squad's eye. But Whitney pulls back the severed rope with a cold chuckle. "Keep dreaming, Skylar! You're just a country bumpkin who lies all the time, so you definitely don't have any powerful subordinates! You should be grateful to me for taking you here for a skiing trip without complaining about how much you embarrass me in public! "To think that you actually have the guts to fight for a chance of survival with Cameron! Don't you know that he mustn't suffer from any shock at all?" After that, Whitney leaves with Cameron in tow. "Since your adoptive parents are that amazing, why don't you get them to fly over in a helicopter to rescue you?" When the light above my head vanishes, I use what little strength I have to press the red button on the satellite-based GPS. What Whitney doesn't know is that she will die in the mountain once the signal is sent out.

I've accidentally worn a dress belonging to my deceased older sister, Gwendolyn Stokes, to a family banquet. Because of that, my husband, Thomas Torres, goes quiet with fury. He then sentences me to a punishment of kneeling in the snow for three long hours. The blizzard chills me to the bone. My son, Robin Torres, makes fun of me while hurling snowballs at me. "No matter how much you dress up, you'll always be a phony! Don't think you can go around replacing my mommy just because you've changed into her dress!" As I stare at Robin's face, which bears some resemblance with mine, I feel my heart breaking. He has no idea that I'm his actual mother. On the year Gwendolyn passed away, Thomas, who drank himself into a stupor, mistook me for her. That night, he kept moaning Gwendolyn's name and whispering sweet nothings to me. That was how I got pregnant with Robin. Thomas has forbidden me from telling anyone the truth. On the other hand, I can't bear to leave my own child alone. So, I beg Thomas repeatedly to let me stay in the Torres residence. During my stay here, Thomas gives me the cold shoulder all the time. Only when he needs to vent his desire does he seek me out. What I didn't expect is that Robin hates my guts as well. Not only does he keep pulling pranks on me from time to time, but he also curses at me. "Shameless women like you have no right to stay in my home! Once I grow up, I'll definitely kick you out!" Now, I can finally respond to him. "Oh, I don't have to wait for you to grow up at all." Tomorrow, I'll pack my things and leave. I no longer want to remain as someone else's replacement and continue living a life of humiliation. This time, I'm going to pursue a life of my own.

On m’a traînée sur cette scène comme du bétail, dépouillée de ma dignité et exposée au plus offrant. La foule voulait une jolie petite captive, un jouet. Je pensais que personne ne se soucierait assez de moi pour enchérir. Puis une ombre a bougé, et tout mon monde a vacillé. ELIAS KANE. Le meilleur ami de mon frère défunt. Le garçon qui m’avait autrefois promis de me protéger. Il est désormais l’Alpha impitoyable de la meute la plus puissante de la région. Quand sa main s’est levée pour me réclamer, la salle est devenue silencieuse. Il a dit au monde qu’il m’avait achetée pour me sauver. Mais je sais mieux que ça. Parce que je ne veux pas qu’il me sauve. Je veux me venger. Le sang de mon frère tache encore la terre, et personne n’en a payé le prix. Ni la meute qui lui a tourné le dos. Ni l’Alpha qui a laissé faire. Et si Elias pense que je suis encore la fille fragile qu’il a laissée derrière lui, alors il a déjà perdu. Alors je jouerai le rôle de sa captive. Je porterai sa marque comme des chaînes. Je sourirai quand il grognera, je m’agenouillerai quand il commandera, et je le laisserai croire que je suis sous son pouvoir. Pendant tout ce temps, je chercherai la vérité. Pendant tout ce temps, j’aiguiserai ma lame en secret. Mais la vengeance n’est jamais simple. Pas quand l’Alpha que j’ai juré de haïr fait vaciller mon cœur. Pas quand son contact embrase mon corps. Pas quand le garçon que j’aimais autrefois subsiste dans l’homme que je méprise aujourd’hui. Je suis venue pour le sang. Pour des réponses. Pour la justice.