Chapter 1 Chapter 1

I hung up after locking in the aerial dinner time. Soon, I'd vanish from their lives—for good. "Who was that?" Jack slid in behind me, arms at my waist. "Just confirming our anniversary dinner.""You're too sweet. Mating you was the best thing that ever happened to me." He kissed my cheek. "How about I bake your favorite cherry pie tonight?" Seven years mated to Jack—always thoughtful, always polished. Like some perfect academic gentleman who never broke a rule. Before me, Silvernorth knew him as a ghost—no drama, no dirt. Just clean lines and cold stares. "Wyettta, you scored big," my bestie used to tease. "Jack Sterling's got discipline. Youngest prof with tenure, top herb professor, only mates once. What'd you do, hex him?" I thought that soft side was just for me. Then I found the journal. That softness? Bought and paid for. To shield Rose. "Oh, right. Family dinner tomorrow. Rose is carrying a pup." He dropped it like weather. "I'll swing by, bring a gift, congratulate her on that symposium win. No need for you to come—I'll be in and out.""The symposium—""You don't need to go. Let's plan a getaway instead. Think about a pup of our own. You're stressed, babe. It's not good for your system." Funny. For years, he said no pups. Claimed it would split the love he had for me. Said I was enough. Now he's all in? He just didn't want me outshining her. I walked into the clinic. Crimson roses everywhere. "What is this?""Anniversary surprise." Jack grinned like it meant something. He gave me roses every holiday. I never liked them—especially not red. Said they meant burning love. Now I knew who that fire was for. I smiled like I meant it. "Anniversary's in two days. You're early. I booked us an aerial dinner—day after tomorrow. Promise me you'll show.""Of course. Wouldn't miss a night with you." All that effort for a she-wolf he didn't even love. Must've been exhausting. That night, I didn't sleep. Just lay there in his arms, staring at his profile—so calm, so sure. His chest rose under my hand like nothing was wrong. I played with the pendant he never took off. Caught the back by accident. A rose. Tiny script beneath it: [To my dearest Rose Howell.] That was it. Something in me snapped clean.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"I'll go with you. Been meaning to check in with the fam anyway." Jack paused. "If you're sure... fine. We'll drop the gift and bounce right after." The banquet hall buzzed with smiles and back-pats. "Rose, you're stunning and genius-level. Chief Healer-to-be and now with pup? Congrats!" Rose soaked it in, standing dead center like the Moon Goddess herself. Right beside her? A lit-up crystal case showing off her latest potion. [A groundbreaking serum by Ms. Rose Howell boosts werewolf combat strength by 50% and blocks 99% of viral threats. She's the healer of the century. Endorsed by: Professor Jack Sterling.] I stared at Jack's name under her glory plaque and bit back a laugh. He dodged every time I asked for a symposium rec. Guess he was just saving it for her. "Wyettta? Home already? Clinic too slow for you?" Her voice oozed fake-sweet. She actually flinched when she spotted me—then covered it with a glare. I tuned her out and stared at the description again. Then the ingredients hit me like claws to the face. This was mine. I bled for that formula—tested it on myself, nearly died. Kept it locked in my clinic's vault. How the hell was it here? "Wyettta, thoughts on the formula?" Rose leaned in, smug as ever. "Pretty original, right?""You—" I barely got the word out before she launched red wine all over my white dress. "Ah!" she shrieked, fake-stumbling back like I attacked her. Jack bolted in, catching her by the waist. "Wyettta, it was just wine," Rose sniffed, eyes glassy. "You pushed me. I'm carrying a pup! How could you?" Gasps snapped through the room. Jack stepped in, voice sharp. "She's carrying, Wyettta. What were you thinking?""What if the pup's hurt?" His glare cut deep. "That was reckless." He dropped to her side, tone instantly soft. "You feeling okay? If something's off, we're heading to the hospital." He lifted her gently, settled her on a couch, then spun back around. "You don't lay hands on a pregnant she-wolf. Especially not your own sister." A member of the symposium panel strolled over, totally missing the drama. "Rose's formula's been unanimously approved. She's on track to be Chief Healer." Jack stood beside me, eyes glowing. He was proud of her. Really proud. My chest clenched. "Jack," I said quietly, "why does Rose's formula match mine almost exactly?" He stalled, wouldn't look at me. "Maybe... just sister stuff. You two probably think alike." I stared him down. "Only you and I know the code to my vault." The air snapped still. "I was saving that formula for our anniversary," I said. "It boosts immunity, ups base strength—ideal for frontline healers. You always said public health needed herbal support. I thought it'd be our thing." He stayed silent. "Forget it. Doesn't matter now." I turned away. Jack, trying to pivot, muttered, "Let's go home. It's loud. I... got something for you." Back at the house, he pulled a rectangular gift box from his study. I opened it. Heart of the Rose. The showstopper from the latest jewelry auction.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

"This necklace suits you best," Jack said, clipping it around my neck. "Had to win it at the auction. You like it?" He didn't even pause for my reaction. "Got us a gondola for sunrise,” he added, still smiling. “7th anniversary. Just you, me, and the view." ** Jack kept chatting the whole ride. "Once this project's done, let's hit the islands. We'll try for a pup, start the nursery." Right then, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, froze. I saw the shift in his face. I knew that look. "It's fine," I said. "Go. I'll wait at the summit." He didn't explain. Didn't need to. At the mountaintop restaurant, champagne and desserts were already waiting. Fancy. Perfect. Hollow. I pulled out my phone, bored. Opened social. There it was—Rose's latest post. Photo: the Chief Healer medal, a tower of desserts, and a ridiculous bouquet of roses. Caption: [I wouldn't be where I am today without your care and love. I'm so happy.] The comments were blowing up. [So envious!] [Your mate treats you like royalty!] [Beauty, brains, and love—you've got it all!] But my gaze locked on a detail most missed. A hand in the frame. His hand. The ring on it? Same one I was wearing. Jack's. I called him. "Calling Jack this late?" Rose answered, voice dripping sugar. She laughed. "Give it up. He's with me tonight, celebrating. He's not coming back. Guess you just weren't enough to keep your mate. Pathetic." "You're a mated wolf whoring after someone else's mate," I bit out, then slammed the call shut. The stars were fading. Dawn stretched over the horizon. I turned to the server. "Start the tram." "Just you, ma'am?" "Yeah. Just me." The gondola rose, cutting through clouds. Inside, the lights glowed soft over crisp white linen. Champagne chilled. Candles flickered. Only the wind kept me company. But his voice haunted the silence— 'Wyettta, I'll make you happy.' 'I'll protect you forever.' 'You're my one and only.' Lies. Every word, every touch—just part of the act. Right before sunrise, I tried calling him one last time. His phone was off. I uploaded everything—my formula logs, test footage, voice memos. Set it to auto-drop on the pack network. When it was done, I unlocked the gondola's safety latch. Blocked the mind-link. Drank the witch's potion to sever the mate bond. Closed my eyes. And jumped—into a thousand-meter freefall, just as dawn cracked the sky. ** Elsewhere. Rose curled into Jack, eyes smoldering. "I need to go," he muttered. "It's my anniversary with Wyettta. I promised her the sunrise." Rose slid her arms around his waist. "Don't go. Stay with me." Jack pulled back, jaw tight. "Not today." The door burst open. Tony, his lab assistant, stood there, pale and breathless. "Prof. Sterling—it's Wyettta. She jumped. Off the aerial tram."