Betrayed by the Mate Who Claimed My Heart

After the blood draw, I could feel my strength plummeting rapidly.

Just two more days, and I’ll be free.

I had no money, and the pack healer refused to take me in, so I curled up in a dilapidated shack in the rogue lands.

I counted down the hours until death would come, never expecting to see Giovanna before the end.

She stumbled into the remote shack with a man, his voice laced with mockery.

“Giovanna, everyone in the pack knows Alpha Raiden treats you like a Luna because he thinks that child in your belly is his!

“Do you think he’d still care if he found out the child is mine?”

I laughed bitterly to myself. Giovanna’s so-called devotion to Raiden was nothing but a farce.

But Raiden hated me with every fiber of his being, and I had no intention of getting involved.

I closed my eyes, feigning indifference, but suddenly a shadow loomed over me.

Giovanna stood there, her gaze cold and calculating.

“What did you hear?” she demanded, her voice sharp.

I turned my face away, my tone icy.

“What do you think, Giovanna? Raiden’s not a fool. Do you really think he won’t figure out you’ve been unfaithful?”

She crossed her arms, smirking with disdain.

“Unfaithful? He hasn’t marked me yet. Why should I stay loyal to him?

“I just don’t understand, Michaela. Why does someone as lifeless as you still haunt him? It’s been two years, and he still hasn’t rejected you!”

I replied flatly,

“He’s only keeping me around to punish me.”

The words cut deeper than I cared to admit, each syllable a dagger to my heart.

Giovanna’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

“Then let me help you. I’ll make sure he rejects you. He’ll have no choice but to let you go.”

I glared at her, ready to retort, but she suddenly turned and jumped into the nearby river.

She called out to the man, “Go get Raiden! Tell him what happened here, and I’ll make sure you’re rewarded!”

The man nodded eagerly and sprinted off.

I sensed trouble and tried to leave, but my body was too weak.

I hadn’t eaten in three days since the last blood draw. Just standing made me dizzy, and I stumbled after a few steps.

Then I heard the splash of someone diving into the water.

I turned to see Raiden pulling Giovanna out of the river.

Blood was seeping from her abdomen as she sobbed into his chest.

“Raiden, it was Michaela... She threatened me, told me to leave you! I only tried to reason with her, but she attacked me!”

Raiden cradled her, his voice calm but firm.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you to the healer. You and the pup will be fine.”

A moment later, his gaze shifted to me, filled with hatred and disgust.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself this time?”

Two years ago, when Meredith died, I had already said everything I could.

What else was there to say?

I shook my head, a bitter smile on my lips.

“No, nothing at all.”

His eyes narrowed, a storm of rage brewing within them. He barked,

“Michaela is under arrest for attempted murder! Giovanna’s lost too much blood and needs a donor. Take her to the healer! Once Giovanna’s stable, I’ll personally hand her over to the Lycan King’s enforcers!”

I looked down at my trembling arms.

Personally hand me over to the enforcers?

He wouldn’t get the chance.

I wouldn’t live long enough for that.