Kristine's POV
I had just been released from the dungeon, my body aching and spirit drained. I went straight to my room to clean myself, hoping for a moment of peace.
But the second I opened the door, there she was, Ellena, sitting comfortably on my bed like she owned the place.
“How was your night in the dungeon, Sis Kris? Hungry?” she asked with fake sweetness dripping from every word.
I kept my face blank.
“What are you doing in my room?”
She stood, flipping her hair as she glanced around the small space.
“I just wanted to see what kind of room Alpha Hunter gave you. It’s near the servants’ quarters… how fitting.”
She smiled with mock pity.
I held her gaze.
“Do you think Hunter picked this room for me? No, Ellena. I chose this room. He actually offered the one next to his but I’m not interested in hearing you two screwing all night. You’re free to do whatever you want in the Alpha’s chamber.”
Her face darkened.
She stepped closer, her voice dropping. “Doesn’t it kill you? Knowing he’s mine now? That he touches me, marks me, claims me while you rot hoping he could love you?”
I laughed. A real, raw laugh that made her pause.
“What’s funny?” she snapped.
“You, Ellena. You thinking I still care. Please. I’m not chasing after a man who never wanted me. You can have him all of him. I’m not a fool anymore.”
The flicker of rage in her eyes? That was satisfaction enough.
“Don’t act like you didn't care, Kristine. You’re weak. Pathetic. No one believes you. Not even him. He chose me. Everyone believes me.”
“Then congratulations,” I said flatly. “You can keep the lies and the crowd.”
Her face twisted. “You think this is over?” she hissed. “I’m not done ruining you.”
Before I could move, she snatched a glass off the table and hurled it. It shattered near my shoulder, shards scattering like tiny blades.
I stepped back, my arms instinctively raised. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
She grinned like the monster she was. “You deserve to suffer.”
Then she did the unthinkable.
She grabbed a jagged shard and sliced her own hand, deep. Blood gushed instantly.
“Help!” she screamed. “She attacked me!”
I stood frozen. “What are you—?!”
The door slammed open. Hunter stormed in, eyes wild, taking in the scene—me, shocked and wide-eyed. Ellena, crying, bleeding, acting.
“My Sis tried to hurt me!” she sobbed. “She's mad because of me she was punish, Alpha!”
“That’s a lie!” I shouted. “She attacked me—she cut herself—”
Hunter’s hand cracked across my cheek before I even saw it coming.
“You’ve gone too far,” he snarled. “You dare raise a hand against your sister?”
I stumbled, stunned.
“You didn’t even ask what happened,” I whispered. “You just… believed her.”
“I warned you,” he growled. “And you never listened. You’ll be punished. Guards! Silver shackle her. Let her feel what betrayal feels like.”
Tears stung my eyes, but I met his gaze with bitterness. “I’ll never forgive you.”
They dragged me down, shackled me in silver that burned into my skin, searing into my soul. My wolf howled, but she was weak... too weak.
Time passed.
Pain swallowed everything. Until one night, a sharp, unbearable ache ripped through me. My stomach twisted. Fire tore between my legs. I screamed for help but no one came.
I collapsed in the darkness.
When I opened my eyes, I was in the healer’s hut. Pale. Empty.
“The Alpha ordered your release,” she said softly. “And brought you here.”
Her eyes were full of sorrow.
“I’m sorry, Luna. I tried to save the pup… but your body and your wolf was too weak.”
I blinked.
Pregnant?
I never even knew. How could I, when my wolf had been so weak all this time?
Something cracked inside me. Something that would never heal.
“Does the Alpha know?” I asked.
The healer hesitated. “I was afraid to tell him. If he knew… he might punish me for failing.”
“I’ll tell him,” I said, my voice flat. Dead.
She handed me a small wooden box, my pup, lifeless and still.
I wanted to cry.
But I was too tired.
Hunter arrived a few minutes later. His face twisted with guilt.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think… I didn’t know you were that weak. I nearly killed you.”
His worry meant nothing now.
“I’m alive,” I said coldly. “Disappointed?”
“Kris, please… I didn’t mean to. I just wanted you to stop hurting your sister.”
“I never touched her,” I said. “But believe what you want.”
I walked past him, box in hand.
He called after me. “What’s that? Kristine?”
I didn’t answer.
And went to my room, pack all the things I needed, and looked at it once.
Then I walked to the river, every step dragging the weight of everything I once loved.
Then I threw it all in, the letters, the gifts, the handmade things, all of it.
The suitcase sank slowly, taking my pain with it. My phone rang, it was Hunter. I answered the call.
“Kristine! Where are you? You're not healed yet! I know you're angry. I didn’t mean it! I feel guilty—”
A car pulled up. A man stepped out and opened the door for me.
I whispered into the phone. “I left a birthday gift for you, Hunter. You”
"But I am asking you where are you? Servant saw you left with a suitcase. Are you planning to leave? Just because I—”
Before he could finished, I ended the call.
And threw the phone into the river too.
I got into the car without looking back as it moved away.
