Billy’s voice cracked like a whip. “You call that a justification? You killed her.”

“I saved Janine’s sister,” Jonathan replied with chilling finality. “And I took Natasha as my mate. That should be enough.”

“Five years, Alpha. Five years of lies. That girl adores you.”

“She means nothing,” Jonathan snapped. “I marked her. Gave her status. But if she ever finds out… then I’ll remove her.”

I couldn’t breathe.

“Banished her?” Billy asked in disbelief.

“If I must,” Jonathan said. “As long as Janine’s happy, nothing else matters.”

That was it. My legs gave out. The world blurred.

I had believed in him—in his touches, his words, the way he shielded me. I thought I mattered. But I was a placeholder. An obligation. A piece in his tragic love story.

I stood up, pulled the key from my pocket, and tossed it into the brazier. Flames devoured the future I once envisioned.

Then, I ran.

My wolf howled, furious and broken as I tore through the halls. The Packhouse warped around me, corridors twisting in my vision.

I stumbled into my car, hands shaking, tears blurring the world. The engine roared, and I sped away—faster, faster. But no speed could outpace betrayal.

Jonathan had killed my mother to save Janine’s sister. He destroyed my family for his past.

The crash came like a scream in the night. Metal shrieked, glass exploded. Pain lanced through me.

Shift, I begged my wolf. Heal us.

But it was too late.

---

Now, in the hospital, I lie beside the man who destroyed me. He weeps like he’s lost something precious.

He hasn't lost me yet.

But he will.

Jonathan Marsh stole my mother, my peace, my love.

So I will take everything from him.

My wolf and I, united in pain and fury, vowed together: He will fall.

“Natasha, I’ll be away for a few days. There’s an Alpha council with the Northern Packs,” Jonathan said gently, placing a lingering kiss on my forehead as though he were the devoted mate he pretended to be. “I’ll think about you the whole time.”

I gave him a tight, practiced smile. “Safe travels… my Alpha.”

His laugh was soft but knowing. He recognized the rare formality in my tone. I never called him “Alpha” unless we were fighting—he always used to tease me about that. But maybe he didn’t mind this time. Maybe he thought I’d finally softened.

As soon as his SUV disappeared between the dense evergreens, I turned away and began my real mission.