Chapter 2

At dawn, I sat by the window, looking out at the gray sky.

My daughter Vera rubbed her eyes as she emerged from her room.

"Mommy, didn't you sleep last night?"

I forced a smile and touched her hair.

"Vera, in two days we have to leave, to go find Grandpa."

She froze, her eyes widening.

"I have a grandpa? But... Daddy said that in two days he'd take me to the amusement park. Can we leave a little later?"

Her voice was timid, her eyes holding reluctance.

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

"Baby, Daddy has more important things to do," I said through gritted teeth. "But Grandpa has been waiting for us."

Vera lowered her head, her fingers twisting the edge of her pajamas.

"I don't want to go," she said quietly.

Just then, urgent knocking came from outside.

An omega sent by Clark's mother stood at the door.

"Ma'am, the old lady requests that you and the young miss come immediately."

I started.

Unease flashed through my heart, but I still took my daughter's hand.

"Come on, let's go see."

The car stopped in front of a villa on the outskirts of the city.

The main gate opened to reveal bright lights inside.

A clear laugh rang out, making my heart tighten.

It was Caroline.

In the center of the great hall, Clark stood beside her.

The long table was covered with cakes and red wine, ribbons hanging from the ceiling.

Caroline leaned against him with a radiant smile, triumph glinting in her eyes.

Clark's mother stepped forward, her voice clear.

"Today is Caroline's birthday, and from now on, she is the mistress of the Clark family."

My breath caught.

"Clark will hold a marking ceremony with her in two days." The old woman paused, smiling. "Moreover, she's already carrying a male heir of pure bloodline."

The entire hall erupted in commotion.

I stared at Clark in shock—his hand was resting on Caroline's belly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

In that instant, it felt like a knife was carving into my heart.

"Daddy..." Vera ran over, confusion in her eyes. "In two days, aren't you taking me to the amusement park?"

Clark looked at us with some surprise, annoyance flashing in his eyes.

Caroline snorted coldly.

"What right does a bastard child have to question anything?"

Snickers came from around us.

Someone stepped forward, reaching out to shove Vera.

"Get out of here!"

"Don't touch my daughter!" I lunged forward, fiercely protecting Vera.

My voice was ice-cold: "She is my own child and has nothing to do with Clark!"

Caroline's lips curved upward, her gaze contemptuous, as she turned to speak to Clark, her voice carrying a warning.

"My father said he would absolutely never allow me to marry a man with a bastard child and a mistress."

Clark looked at me, his eyes cold as ice.

"Esther, you need to understand—what we had was just playing around."

My heart jolted, my breathing nearly stopping.

He paused, then spoke again.

"I must have a male heir."

My mind exploded with thunderous noise.

Images from that bloody battle three years ago surged forth.

I had charged into that hellish battlefield, protecting him as he retreated.

Wolf claws had torn through my abdomen, blood pouring out.

After that, the doctor declared I could never conceive again.

I had risked my life to save him, and in return, I received this betrayal.

My heart felt like it was being torn apart alive.

Someone held down Vera and me, fists and feet raining down mercilessly.

Vera cried out: "Mommy!"

I held her tight, using my entire body to shield her.

Pain flooded through me, but I didn't make a sound.

I lifted my eyes, staring at the ice-cold Clark, slowly removing the necklace from around my neck.

It was the one he had personally placed on me when we first pledged our love.

I threw the necklace at him, watching it strike his chest coldly.

"I, Esther of the Fiorea Pack, reject you, Clark of the Fiorea Pack, as my partner."

Instantly, tremendous pain swept over me.

Figures pressed in from all sides.

A tearing roar erupted from my chest.

My bones exploded in an instant as I transformed into a wolf.

Blood-red eyes fixed on those who had humiliated us.

Claws slashed through the air, carrying a bloody wind.

Screams and curses filled the air.

They all scattered in retreat.

I carried the frightened Vera on my back, forcing my way through the crowd with clenched teeth.

The main door burst open behind us as I led my daughter into the night without looking back.

The wind howled, moonlight cold and merciless.

I didn't know how dangerous the road ahead would be, but at least it held more hope than staying here.