Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"Oh, Goddess, it's on fire! We need to get out—now!" The fire broke out suddenly. My first instinct was to check if Gina was safe. We had our weddings on the same day. Everyone envied how well we married. Her mate was the captain of the Silver Claw Pack patrol unit. Mine, the fire squad leader. They grew up together—childhood friends—and were the youngest golden duo in the Werewolf Alliance. On the day we married, our mates each bought us a luxury high-rise apartment on the top floor of the central castle, side by side, with the promise of sharing life and death together. Not long after, Gina and I both got pregnant. But one day, rogues broke into the central district. The chaos spread quickly, reaching our upper floors. Gina and I locked ourselves in a room, thinking we'd escaped. But the rogues—completely deranged—set fire to our door. Smoke was everywhere. I was choking, gasping for air. My coughs were violent, and then a sharp pain twisted through my belly. I looked down. Blood. Gushing down my legs, pooling on the floor. Gina clutched her stomach too, her face twisted in pain. I reached out to Daniel with our mind-link, desperate. His voice came back cold and annoyed. "Alice, are you crazy? You had to bother me right when I'm on a rescue mission? Lifu's dog is missing—we're losing our minds over it, and you're calling me for what? You're always full of drama. Stop contacting me." Before I could explain, the link was cut off. Just like that. No matter how many times I tried to reach him again, he didn't answer. On the edge of death, Gina dragged me through the flames. She was barely standing, and her pregnancy had already started to show signs of collapse. We reached the stairwell. The door was locked. Gina immediately mind-linked her mate—the patrol captain. He snapped, "What is wrong with you two? Wasn't Alice being a nuisance enough already? Lifu's dog has been missing for three hours. Both of you are in the way of our rescue mission! Daniel and I should never have married you two in the first place." Then, her link was cut too. Eventually, the fumes got into my lungs. I passed out. We were trapped for five full hours before someone finally found us. I went into labor while unconscious. My pup didn't survive. Gina was rushed to the hospital. She bled for three days. They tried everything, but her pup didn't make it either. We held each other and cried. Our hearts were hollowed out. Right then, we decided—we were divorcing our ungrateful mates. After the miscarriage, my abdomen throbbed like someone had sliced it open. The burns stung and itched all at once. Daniel had blocked our mind-link. So with shaking hands, I called him on the phone. Five times—ignored. The sixth time, he finally picked up, furious. "What is your problem?!" Then I heard soft sobbing on his end. It sounded like Lifu. "Daniel, is Alice mad at you for helping me find my dog? I'm sorry… But my dog is like family to me. I didn't think she'd mind." I let out a bitter laugh. "Daniel, since you love being with Lifu so much, let's just divorce." Lifu's choked voice answered, full of panic. "Alice… I know you're upset. If you want to yell, yell at me. Please don't say things that will hurt Daniel…" Daniel stopped yelling. His voice turned tender as he comforted Lifu. "No one blames you, Lifu. You shouldn't have to go through this. You're the kindest person I know." My wolf howled inside me at their intimacy. "Do you think I can't feel it?" I said. "We're mates, Daniel. When your heart turns to someone else, my wolf knows." Daniel paused. His breathing deepened. Then he exploded. "Again? That paranoid wolf of yours acting up again? I told you—Lifu is like a little sister to me. There's nothing dirty going on! "You're always jumping to conclusions. I'm not the problem—you are. You and that wolf of yours who can't control its emotions. "Lifu's dog was missing. We were helping her find it. Just because you hear her name doesn't mean you get to act like a rabid mutt! "Don't think I won't do anything to you just because you're expecting. Next time you try to make a scene over Lifu again, I'll throw you and that pup of yours out—together!"

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"You are shameless…" Before I could say more, Daniel had already hung up. I stared at the darkening screen, and tears spilled down my cheeks like a snapped string of beads, falling onto the phone. I used to think I'd be the happiest mate in the world. But after we got married, Daniel kept choosing Lifu over me, again and again. When the fire first broke out, I was terrified something might've happened to him too. I had called out to him through our mate-link, again and again. It wasn't until I was on the verge of blacking out that he finally answered. "Daniel… our pup… it hurts… Please, help us…" My voice was weak and hoarse—I couldn't even get out a full sentence. But Daniel just cut me off, cold and sharp. "Can you stop? I'm in the middle of something, and you won't quit linking with me! If you don't feel well, please call a therapist." I remember curling up on the floor, barely conscious. Blood had soaked through my dress. "No…I really can't…" Daniel's voice grew colder, more impatient. He had even let out a laugh. "Oh, what a coincidence—fire breaks out right when we're helping Lifu find her lost dog? You seriously can't stand me caring for her, can you? She's like a sister to us. Her dog went missing, and she's in tears, but here you are, trying to out-pity her. You're disgusting." His voice was full of contempt. "If you're really dying, then go die somewhere else. Just don't bother me again." Then the mate-link was forcibly severed. I had nothing left—not strength, not hope. I closed my eyes and let the tears fall. Gina—my best friend—had dragged me out of the burning room, clutching her own swollen belly. She breathed in too much smoke and couldn't even straighten her back from the pain. She lost her pup too. After the induced labor, she lay in the hospital bed next to mine, her eyes vacant, tears slipping down her cheeks nonstop. "Alice… it hurts so much… How could Eamon do this to me…" Turns out she had reached out to her mate, Eamon, through their mate-link. He was with Daniel, comforting Lifu. It was laughable. We both thought we married for love. But in the end, we weren't even as important as Lifu's dog. Just then, Eamon called. The moment Gina picked up, he started yelling. "What's wrong with you? I linked with you and you didn't respond! Just because I didn't buy your nonsense and come see you? How many times have I told you to stay away from Alice? What good can come from being around someone like her? She's a jealous and petty liar." Gina's voice cracked. She was trembling with rage. "I almost died! Where were you? Am I really worth less than a dog to you?""That dog has been with Lifu for three years. We all love it. So yeah, we helped her look. And you two wouldn't stop contacting us! One minute it's 'there's a fire,' the next it's 'we're losing the pup.' You really think anyone believes this crap? "I only called to let you know the dog's been found. Today's its birthday, and we're throwing it a party. You don't need to come. Just stay home and reflect on your behavior. When you've figured yourself out, come apologize to me and Lifu." He paused, then added, "Oh, and pass a message to Alice. Daniel doesn't want to talk to her." Then he hung up and blocked Gina. Silence fell over the hospital room. Gina finally broke down, sobbing, her hand brushing across the flatness of her belly. I couldn't hold it in either. My tears clouded the oxygen mask, blurring everything. The dull ache in my abdomen and Gina's broken cries were like a rusty saw, dragging against my heart.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Gina and I had grown up together since childhood. When I followed Daniel to the Silver Claw Pack, she didn't hesitate for a second—she came with me. But I was a fool. A complete, hopeless fool. Not only did I marry Daniel without truly seeing who he was, I went so far as to introduce his friend Eamon to Gina. We gave them everything—our trust, our devotion. We believed our pregnancies were blessings from the Moon Goddess. But to those two shameless werewolves, our pups were nothing more than pawns, tools to provoke jealousy in Lifu. Gina let out a dry, bitter laugh. But her tears kept coming. She was staring at her phone. On the screen was a photo—Lifu, smiling sweetly, cradling her lost-and-found dog, with Daniel and Eamon flanking her protectively on either side. The joy on their faces, the way they looked at her—it was blinding and nauseating. Lifu had just posted it on social media. And her caption was even worse. [I just said I liked it, and they threw a birthday party for my dog. Captain of the patrol or fire chief—how do I choose?] The comments were filled with envy and praise. [You're so gorgeous, no wonder you have two amazing men wrapped around your finger.] [So pretty! Why not have both? A strong woman deserves more than one mate.] My eyes landed on her ring finger. She was wearing the ring, the one Gina and I had designed together. "Alice," Gina said, voice trembling, "this is insane. They gave our ring to her! What kind of marriage were we even in?" She threw her phone aside and covered her face, sobbing uncontrollably. "Don't cry," I whispered. "At least we finally see the truth. I swear, I'll get us out of here." Her emotions broke loose then, raw and loud, and she cried like she couldn't stop. I closed my eyes, letting my own tears fall silently. Why? Why did they get to treat our love like a joke? Why were we the ones being used? The fire, the miscarriage—my wolf had already been badly hurt. Now her howls echoed inside me, full of grief and rage. … After days of treatment, Gina and I had finally regained some strength. "If we want to leave Silver Claw, we have to divorce them first," I told her. "Don't worry. Once we're free, we'll go back to our own pack. No more mates. Just freedom." To avoid being accused of overreacting, I reached out to the most respected elder in Silver Claw and formally requested to break our mate bonds and end our marriages. Three days later, the elder called back—angry. "You young werewolves are unbelievable!" he snapped. "I barely mentioned your request when the two of them stormed in, flipping tables and tearing up the agreement!" I apologized over and over, saying I'd cover all the damages. As soon as I hung up, the phone rang again. It was Daniel. The second I picked up, he launched into a tirade. "What is wrong with you, Alice? If every woman acted like you two, they'd be exiled from the pack and torn apart by rogues! A few days of silence and you're dragging elders into this? Threatening divorce? You're out of your mind. I must've been blind to marry a jealous, psychotic she-wolf like you!" Every word was a knife, cutting deep, meant to humiliate. I shook with fury, trying to respond—but the words wouldn't come. Daniel took my silence as guilt and went on. "Don't think your stupid pregnancy gives you leverage. Didn't you say you miscarried? Why didn't you die with that pup of yours?"

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

"What do you think I went to see the Elders for? I'm officially severing our mate bond!" I snapped. I closed my eyes, holding back the tide of emotion swelling in them. "Daniel, don't make me hate you even more. I've already made up my mind about the divorce. You're the one who got ahead of yourself, thinking I'd fall apart without you. You and Eamon are exactly the same—arrogant and fake." A long silence stretched from the other end of the line. Just as I was about to hang up, an enraged shout exploded through the speaker. "Alice! Do you really have to take things this far?! Miscarriage and injury are no big deal. Why are you making such a fuss about telling Elders! "How many times do I have to say it—rescue is my responsibility. Even if it's just a dog, a life is a life. How can you two be so cruel? And Lifu—she was still worried about your health, still speaking up for you!" So her dog's life mattered, but my pup and my best friend's pup didn't? Before I could say anything, a soft voice, laced with tears, broke in. "Daniel, maybe you should just go back. Alice even abandoned her own puppy in order to let you go back. She needs you. I... I'll be fine." Daniel's voice immediately softened, dripping with a tenderness he'd never once shown me. "Just ignore her. Right now, being here with you is what matters most. I'm not a doctor—what good does it do if she comes to me when she's uncomfortable? "Besides, who knows whether she really lost the puppy or not. But whether it's true or not, I don't want to see her now." Being dramatic, huh... I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood as I fought back the sobs threatening to escape. I didn't want him to hear me break. The line went dead. Gina had heard everything. "Alice, if you need to cry, just cry." Gina pulled me into a hug, whispering, "I'll always be here for you." Love had torn me apart. But friendship—it was putting me back together. I wiped away my tears, and we comforted each other in silence. Not long after, Lifu updated her social media again. In her photo, Eamon, shirtless with his sculpted body on full display, tilted his head back to drink water, his Adam's apple sharp and prominent. Lifu's hand rested right on his body. Daniel's shirt clung wetly to his body, collar gaping open, two conspicuous scratch marks trailing down in a way that left little to the imagination. The photo screamed intimacy—like they wanted the world to know exactly what they'd been up to. "The three of them made love together?" Gina gasped, slapped a hand over her mouth, and retched. I felt sick too. But beasts weren't human. They had no shame. When they wanted something, they just did it—no hesitation, no guilt. Then Gina's phone rang. "I told you to reflect at home. You'll contact me when you know what you did wrong. Looks like your best friend has completely corrupted you! How dare you lie to the Elders and try to end things with me? "You two are pathetic. You're both acting like low-grade omegas! If you weren't pregnant, I'd slap you right now, just to knock some sense into you! Alice made Lifu cry earlier, and she's been blaming herself ever since. Get over here now and apologize!" Gina's hands trembled so hard she could barely hold her phone. Eamon's voice barked through the line, impatient and furious. "Say something! What, you deaf? Or dead?" I snatched the phone out of her hands. "You and Daniel are both idiots! You're both being led around by a slut like she's got you on a leash! Everything she says, you just lap it up! Did her mutt eat your brains too?!" I couldn't hold it in anymore. I let it all out in one breath. "You love being her lapdogs so much? Fine! Get the divorce done already and enjoy your little ménage à trois! We're disgusted! Pathetic scum!" I slammed the call shut and, still fuming, blocked all three of them. "Those shameless people. They make a perfect match—the skank and her dogs." "That was amazing! Alice, you were so badass just now!" Gina laughed through her tears. We packed up the hospital room together, talking about how great life would be after divorce, arms linked as we headed to check out. But the moment we stepped outside the hospital doors, a force slammed into us. "Doctor! Where's the doctor?!" "Someone help! She just took wolfsbane!"

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

It was Daniel, holding Lifu in his arms. Eamon was right behind them. The moment they saw us, they froze—then their expressions twisted with rage. "You vile, disgusting bitches!" Daniel roared. "How dare you pull such a filthy stunt! If anything happens to Lifu today, I swear I'll make you pay!" Without waiting for a response, he turned and sprinted toward the emergency room. We were too stunned to react at first, but then everything made sense. Lifu was up to her old tricks again. Gina scoffed. "Hah. Same old performance. And those two idiots fall for it every damn time.""There's no way she's really in danger," I muttered. "That bitch values her life more than anything. Even if she did take wolfsbane, she probably only dabbed a little on her lips—and made sure they saw her do it." I couldn't even pretend to be impressed. It was all so predictably pathetic. Not long after Lifu was wheeled into the ER, Daniel stormed back out, face dark with fury. He walked straight up to me. "Whore." Without warning, his hand cracked across my face. My vision went black, and before I could brace myself, I collapsed hard onto the floor. Warm blood trickled down from my forehead. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Gina shoved Daniel away and rushed to help me up. "You're a fire chief, and this is how you treat your mate? Beating her up in public for another she-wolf? Are you insane?" Her words instantly drew attention from the people in the hospital. Eamon stomped forward and kicked Gina aside. Then he slapped her—once, twice. "You deserve it! Look what you've done!" The two of them were seething, completely absorbed in their rage and concern for Lifu. Neither noticed that both our bellies had already gone flat. Daniel flung his phone at me, the corner hitting my cheek before it clattered to the ground. He spat at me. Dizzy and disoriented, I caught a blurry glimpse of Lifu's latest Twitter post. But what shocked me were the comments beneath it. [Homewrecker bitch!] [Two men still aren't enough for this whore! She should be stripped naked and thrown into the streets for every man to take turns on her!] [Her dog's just as nasty and manipulative as she is. They should both die.] One obscene message after another. I laughed bitterly. "What, are they wrong?" Daniel's eyes blazed. In his mind, there was no doubt—we had hired trolls to post those comments. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me across the floor to the emergency room doors, then tossed me like trash onto the ground. "Kneel here," he ordered, pressing his hand down on my shoulder with crushing force. "You'll repent until Lifu walks out of that room, safe and sound." His grip was like iron. I struggled with everything I had, but sharp pains shot through me again, deep and aching. When I resisted, Daniel lost it. His hands closed around my throat. I couldn't breathe. My vision swam. I clawed at his arms while Gina screamed, trying to pry his fingers away, but we couldn't match his strength. Just when I thought this was it—when I really believed I might die at Daniel's hands—Eamon rushed forward and punched him square in the face. "Daniel! Let go of her!" He was holding a piece of paper, his voice shaking, eyes wide with fear. It was the hospital discharge report. "Our pups… they're really gone."