Ember Thorne stood outside the ballroom, staring at the half-open door. She had only stepped away from the celebration to catch her breath. The silver dress around her body felt too tight, and the smile she had worn all evening was beginning to hurt her cheeks. Then she heard a familiar voice. "Soon, you can stop pretending to care about that girl." Ember froze. It was Vance Calloway, her mate. Another man laughed. "I suppose I should congratulate my future son-in-law." Alpha Magnus Whitfield. Ember's stomach twisted. Why were Vance and the Alpha of Whitefang Pack discussing their marriage without her? "I can't wait to join your pack," Vance replied. "And marry your daughter. I've wasted enough time with that pathetic Omega." Ember covered her mouth. For seven months, she had believed Vance loved her. He had held her hand, kissed her forehead, and promised they would build a future together. She had even convinced herself that the occasional bruises were accidents. Now, she couldn't breathe. "What about Ember?" Magnus asked. "She is still your mate. Rejecting her might kill her. The girl is weaker than I expected." Vance laughed. "She's an Omega nobody wants. Even her own father barely tolerates her. I've been doing her a favor by staying." Magnus sighed. "I suppose I still have a little conscience. I wouldn't want her death on my hands." "Don't worry. I'll find a way to break the bond. Perhaps I'll strangle her myself." A small whimper escaped Ember's lips. Silence fell inside the room. The door swung open. Magnus stepped out first. His eyes landed on Ember, but he showed no surprise. He simply adjusted his jacket and walked away as if he hadn't just helped destroy her life. Vance remained in the doorway. His expression changed when he saw her. "What did you hear?" Ember took a step back. "Vance, I-" His palm struck her cheek. Pain exploded across her face. Before she could recover, he grabbed her hair and dragged her inside. "Answer me!" She cried out as he threw her onto the floor. Her knee hit the hard surface, sending pain up her leg. "Please," she whispered. "Please what? Please don't leave you? Please marry you?" He laughed cruelly. "You should have stayed outside." Ember pressed a trembling hand against her cheek. For seven months, she had endured his insults and beatings. Every time he hurt her, he apologized afterward. Sometimes he even brought flowers. She had accepted those flowers like a fool. But hearing him laugh about killing her had broken something inside her. "You betrayed my father," she said. Vance stopped smiling. "What?" "My father trusts you. He welcomed you into our pack, gave you responsibilities, and treated you like family. How could you do this to him?" Vance crouched in front of her. "Your father is an old fool. Once I marry Magnus's daughter, Whitefang will help me take control of Ironclad. Your father will have nothing left." Ember stared at him in disbelief. She remembered the first time she had seen Vance. It had been during Ironclad Pack's annual fighting contest. He had defeated three warriors and stood in the center of the arena, smiling confidently. She had fallen for him immediately. When he discovered she was his mate, she thought the Moon Goddess had finally given her something good. But after their mating ceremony, everything changed. Vance became cruel. He insulted her appearance, complained about her weakness, and brought other women into their home. Sometimes he made sure she heard them laughing in his bedroom. When she questioned him, he beat her. She had kept quiet because she feared losing him. She had also feared what her father would say if she returned home after failing as a mate. Now, she wished she had spoken sooner. "You're a monster," she whispered. Vance's face hardened. "What did you say?" Ember pushed herself up. "You heard me." She lunged at him and struck his face. For one brief second, she felt powerful. Then Vance caught both her wrists and twisted them behind her back. "You little bitch!" He struck her again. Her head snapped sideways, and tears filled her eyes. "You think anyone will believe you?" he hissed. "Your father would rather believe me than his own daughter." Ember struggled, but he shoved her away. She hit the wall and slid down, gasping. Vance straightened his clothes. "Stay here. If you make another sound, I'll make sure you never speak again." He walked out. Ember remained on the floor, shaking. She could hide and pretend nothing had happened. She could return to the celebration, smile for the guests, and let Vance destroy everything her father had built. Or she could fight. Her cheek throbbed. Blood filled her mouth where she had bitten her lip. She wiped it away and forced herself to stand. Vance might have been right about many things, but he was wrong about one. She wasn't going to die quietly. Ember stumbled out of the room and hurried down the corridor. Music drifted from the ballroom, and guests laughed as if nothing was wrong. She spotted Alpha Alaric Thorne speaking with several visiting Alphas. "Father!" He turned, frowning at her appearance. "Ember? What happened to your face?" She grabbed his arm. "I need to speak with you. Alone." He looked annoyed but followed her into a private room. The moment the door closed, she faced him. "Father, Vance is betraying you. He's planning to marry Alpha Magnus's daughter and help Whitefang take control of Ironclad. I heard everything." Alaric stared at her. "What?!"

For several seconds, Alpha Alaric Thorne said nothing. Ember stood before him, holding her aching cheek. Her silver dress was stained, her hair was a mess, and her knees trembled beneath her. She had expected anger. She had expected questions. She hadn't expected him to laugh. "You expect me to believe this nonsense?" "Father, please. I heard them myself. Vance and Alpha Magnus were discussing everything." Alaric's face darkened. "Have you been drinking?" "No!" His hand struck her cheek. Ember stumbled sideways, catching herself against a table. Pain spread across her face, and she stared at him in shock. "You will not stand here and accuse the man who has protected this pack for years," he snapped. "Protected us? He's planning to destroy us!" Alaric grabbed a glass of water and threw its contents at her. The cold liquid soaked her hair and dress. Ember gasped, wiping water from her eyes. "Look at you," he said with disgust. "A cheap little whore, making up stories because your mate doesn't give you enough attention." Her lips parted, but no words came. She had spent her life trying to please this man. She had followed every rule, obeyed every command, and accepted his coldness because she hoped he might love her one day. Yet he hadn't even asked why her face was bruised. The door opened. Vance entered, looking perfectly calm. "Alpha, is everything all right?" He glanced at Ember and smiled. "Ah. There you are, sweetheart." Ember stepped away from him. Vance pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and tossed it toward her. "Clean yourself up. You're embarrassing yourself." She stared at the cloth on the floor. He had beaten her, threatened her, and planned to abandon her. Now he was pretending to be a loving mate in front of her father. "Don't touch me," she said. His eyebrows rose. "What?" "I said, don't touch me!" Alaric slammed his hand against the table. "Enough! Apologize to your mate immediately." Ember looked from her father to Vance. Something inside her had finally gone quiet. The fear was still there, but she no longer wanted to obey them. She lifted her chin. "Vance Calloway, I reject you as my mate." The room fell silent. Vance's smile disappeared. Ember's voice shook, but she continued. "I reject you as my future Alpha King. I sever my bond with you before the Moon Goddess and every witness who may hear my words." Her wolf whimpered inside her chest as the bond began to tear. Pain ripped through Ember's body. She clutched her stomach and fell to her knees, fighting the urge to scream. Vance staggered backward, one hand pressed against his chest. "You can't do that!" Ember looked up at him through her tears. "I just did." His face twisted with rage. "You'll regret this." She almost laughed. What more could he take from her? --- The next morning, Ember stood before the pack council. Outside the council hall, nearly a thousand pack members had gathered. Warriors lined the walls, while curious spectators crowded the windows. Ember's wrists were bound. Her cheek remained swollen, and she had barely slept. The elders sat behind a long wooden table. Elder Thomas rose. "Ember Thorne, you stand accused of rejecting your fated mate without lawful cause. Do you understand the seriousness of your actions?" "Yes." "Female rejection is a grave violation of our traditions. Have you taken another lover?" "No!" "Then why would you reject your mate?" "Because he betrayed me. He plans to help Alpha Magnus take our pack." Murmurs spread through the hall. Vance stepped forward, wearing a solemn expression. "This is heartbreaking," he said. "I have done everything to care for Ember. Unfortunately, she has become suspicious and violent. Yesterday, she attacked me and invented these accusations to justify her rejection." Ember stared at him. "You're lying!" Vance lowered his head as if her words wounded him. "I still love her. Even now, I would forgive her if she admitted her mistake." Several elders exchanged sympathetic looks. Alaric stood beside the council, his expression cold. "Enough," he ordered. Ember turned toward him. "Father, you know me. You know I wouldn't lie about something like this." He slapped her. Her ears rang. "I wish your mother had survived that rogue attack instead of you," he said. "Perhaps then I would have had a daughter worth keeping." Ember stopped breathing. Her mother had died protecting her when she was a child. For years, she had blamed herself for surviving. Hearing her father say those words crushed what little hope remained in her heart. Alaric pointed toward the doors. "You are hereby banished from Ironclad Pack. You will never cross our borders again. If you return, you will be executed." "Father, please!" She dropped to her knees. "Don't do this. I have nowhere to go." He turned away. "Take her out." The guards approached, but Vance suddenly stepped forward. "Alpha, please. She's still my mate. Give her another chance." He looked genuinely distressed. Several spectators whispered about his kindness. Then he crouched beside Ember. His voice dropped so only she could hear. "Enjoy your freedom, sweetheart. Once you're gone, I'll sell this pack for a fortune. Your father can take his arrogance to the grave." Ember's blood ran cold. Vance smiled and rose. The warriors seized her arms and dragged her outside. The crowd parted as they pushed her through the gates. Some people laughed. Others watched silently, unwilling to risk angering their Alpha. At the forest's edge, one warrior released her. "Run. You have five minutes before we hunt you." Ember looked back at the pack she had called home. No one came to save her. She shifted into her wolf form, ignoring the pain in her body, and ran into the trees. Three warriors shifted behind her. Their howls followed her into the forest. Ember ran faster, terrified that the people she had once trusted would become the reason she died.

Ember had been running for nearly an hour. Branches scratched her legs as she raced through the forest. Her paws slipped over wet leaves, and every breath burned her lungs. Behind her, the warriors' howls had finally faded. She slowed, listening carefully. Nothing. No footsteps. No growling. No voices ordering her to stop. For the first time since leaving Ironclad Pack, she was alone. Her legs gave way. Ember collapsed beside a tree and shifted back into her human form. She curled against the cold ground, trembling as she wrapped her arms around herself. She had no clothes, no money, and nowhere to go. Her father had banished her. Her mate had betrayed her. Even the people she had grown up with had watched her leave without offering help. Tears slid down her face. "Moon Goddess," she whispered, looking up through the branches. "What did I do wrong?" The night offered no answer. She pressed her forehead against her knees. "I tried to be good. I tried to make everyone happy. I never asked for much." Her voice broke. "Please, no more pain. I can't take any more." She cried until her throat hurt. Then, slowly, the tears stopped. Ember wiped her face with the back of her hand. She couldn't keep begging people to love her. She couldn't spend the rest of her life trying to earn kindness from those who enjoyed hurting her. If she survived this night, she would start over. She would stop trusting people simply because they promised to protect her. And she would never let anyone make her feel worthless again. Exhaustion pulled her into a restless sleep. --- A distant howl woke her. Ember sat up sharply. The forest was darker now, and the cold had settled deep into her bones. She couldn't remain where she was. If the warriors from Ironclad found her, they would drag her back or kill her for crossing the border. She pushed herself to her feet and began walking. Her bare feet hurt against the rough ground. Branches scratched her arms, and every sound made her jump. After a while, she noticed something strange. The forest had changed. The trees grew thicker, and the air carried a heavy scent she didn't recognize. Her wolf stirred uneasily. We shouldn't be here. Before Ember could turn around, something struck the back of her head. She cried out and fell. A heavy body pinned her to the ground. Someone grabbed her arms while cold metal pressed against her throat. "Don't move." Ember's eyes widened. Two enormous wolves stood behind the warriors holding her down. Their teeth were exposed, and their eyes glowed in the darkness. "Who are you?" one warrior demanded. "A rogue or a spy?" "Neither," Ember whispered. "Then explain why you're wandering through our forest alone." She swallowed. "I got lost." The warrior pressed the blade closer. "Do you expect us to believe that?" Ember shook her head quickly. "Please. I'm not here to hurt anyone." The second warrior pulled her upright. "You have crossed into Nightfall Pack territory. People who enter without permission don't usually leave alive." Ember's blood turned cold. Nightfall Pack. Every werewolf in the kingdom knew that name. Its Alpha had conquered neighboring packs, leaving their leaders defeated and their warriors scattered. Some survivors became rogues. Others disappeared completely. Her father had spent years trying to form an alliance with Nightfall's Alpha. He had sent letters and gifts, but none had received a response. Now Ember had walked straight into the most dangerous pack in the kingdom. Of course she had. Her life couldn't get any worse. "Search her," the first warrior ordered. A rough hand checked her arms and waist. "She has no weapon." "That doesn't prove anything. No ordinary wolf wanders alone through a wild forest at night." The warrior holding the blade lifted it. "Maybe we should kill her and save ourselves the trouble." Ember's knees weakened. "Please, don't. I haven't done anything." "Everyone says that." A new voice interrupted them. "What is going on here?" The warriors immediately straightened. A tall man approached through the trees. His dark clothes fitted his broad shoulders, and his expression held no warmth. A small dimple appeared in his cheek when he noticed Ember on the ground. "Beta Kade," one warrior said. "We caught an intruder." Kade looked Ember over. She tried not to tremble, but the blade against her throat made that difficult. "An intruder?" he repeated. "She looks half-dead." "She claims she got lost." Kade crouched in front of her. "Name?" "Ember." "Pack?" She hesitated. "Ironclad." His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Ironclad? Alpha Alaric's pack?" She nodded. Kade studied her bruised face and scratched arms. Then he glanced at the warriors. "Why is she tied up like a dangerous criminal?" "She might be a spy." "And she might be an exhausted woman who needs help. Did that thought cross your minds?" Neither warrior answered. Kade stood. "Take her to the packhouse." Ember's heart dropped. "No! Please, I'll leave. I won't come back. Just let me go." Kade looked down at her. "You don't get to decide that." "Then kill me here." The words escaped before she could stop them. For a moment, something unreadable crossed his face. "Kill you?" he repeated. Ember nodded desperately. "I have nothing left. Please, don't make me suffer anymore." Kade studied her for another moment before turning to his warriors. "Untie her hands enough to keep her blood flowing, but don't let her escape. The Alpha will want to see this for himself." Ember's stomach twisted. "The Alpha?" Kade's mouth curved into a faint smile. "Cassian Vale." Her heart stopped. Alpha Cassian Vale was the most feared Alpha in the kingdom. Stories claimed he had destroyed entire packs without showing mercy. And now she was being taken directly to him. Ember struggled as the warriors pulled her forward. "No! Please! Don't take me to him!" One warrior lifted her over his shoulder when she refused to walk. She beat her fists against his back, but he barely reacted. Kade led the way through the trees. Ember stared into the darkness, tears gathering in her eyes. She had escaped one monster only to fall into the hands of another. And this time, she feared she wouldn't survive.