“You attacked her again?” Gavran roared as he shoved me hard.
I fell off the bed. Pain tore through my side as the stitches ripped open. Warm blood spread across my healing gown.
“Gavran! She arranged for someone to shoot me!”
He cut me off with a cold laugh.
“Stop talking nonsense. I caught the man who shot you. He confessed that you paid him to stage the whole thing. Do you hear me? You planned your own attack.”
My hands turned numb.
“No… no. I would never do that.”
“Of course you would,” he snapped. “You always want attention. You always have. You would do anything to get it.”
He leaned closer, his voice low and cruel.
“How far will you go, Vika? You even tried to harm the woman carrying my heirs. You’re dangerous.”
I tried to explain and tell him the truth. But he had already turned away.
“Mora has her celebration tonight,” he said coldly. “Try to behave and help with the preparations. At least act like a normal person.”
Morana stepped forward with a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry,” she said softly while patting my arm like I was some stray animal. “I will save you a slice of cake.”
They walked away together.
Their shoulders brushed as they left the room and the healer quietly closed the door behind them.
I remained sitting there as my crystal communicator buzzed on the bedside table.
Mr. Nolric.
I opened the message with trembling fingers.
[The mate bond severance have been delivered.]
***
When I returned to the pack mansion, laughter filled the entire house.
Music played. Glasses clinked together. Guests talked and laughed as if everything in the world was perfect.
Pink and blue ribbons decorated the walls. A large banner stretched across the hall.
Welcome Varo and Viora Stormridge.
That was when it struck me. Today wasn’t only Morana’s celebration for her twins. It was also supposed to be my mating anniversary with Gavran.
But there were no flowers. No gifts. Not even a single glance from Gavran that showed he remembered I existed.
The moment I walked inside, people turned and whispered.
“There she is.”
“She still lives here?”
“I heard she cannot have pups anymore. No wonder Gavran stays with Morana.”
I said nothing. I simply walked past them as if I heard nothing.
My legs still ached from the healing hall, but I forced myself up the stairs. I could not remain there any longer.
When I reached the master bedroom, my hand stopped on the door.
It was slightly open. Inside I saw pink curtains.
Tiny pup clothes folded neatly on the bed.
Framed pictures of Morana and Gavran smiling happily together.
My room and memoris here…all gone. Morana had taken everything.
I stood there silently for a long moment. Then I turned and walked down the hallway.
The guest room was cold and smelled of dust. Still, I closed the door and lay down on the bed.
Maybe if I closed my eyes, the noise downstairs would disappear.
***
A few minutes later, the door slammed open. Gavran stood there in his suit, his face tight with anger.
He threw a folded uniform at me.
“Put that on. One of the servants didn’t show up. You will serve the guests.”
I looked at him. For a moment, I almost asked why. But then I realized it didn’t matter.
I picked up the uniform slowly.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He hesitated for a moment. Something strange flickered in his eyes. But he turned away before it could stay.
“Just don’t cause problems,” he muttered before leaving.
I changed quietly. The black uniform hung loosely on my thin body. I didn’t even look into the mirror before walking out.
As I walked toward the stairs, Morana’s voice floated up from below, sweet and false.
“Oh, sister. You’re helping tonight? That’s very kind of you.”
Then she lowered her voice.
“Could you give these papers to Gavran? I need his signature to finish a few things. The house, the thirty cars, the five seaside resorts he gifted me and those new shops. You know how generous he is.”
I took the documents from her hand. I glanced at them briefly. Then I slipped another sheet beneath them.
My bond severance.
Morana blinked in surprise. “What is this? You’re not even angry?”
I didn’t answer. I only gave her a faint and tired smile before walking away.
Inside, Gavran’s study he was speaking on the crystal communicator. When he saw the papers, he grabbed them without question and began signing.
“All this is for Mora?” He didn’t even look up.
“Yes. She deserves it.”
His pen continued moving. Not once did he stop.
And just like that, without realizing it, he signed everything.
Her properties… and our bond severance.
***
By the time the guests fully arrived, the mansion looked like a royal palace. Lights shone everywhere. Expensive food covered every table.
Guests laughed loudly as if their lives were perfect.
Morana stood at the center of it all, glowing like she owned the entire world.
I stood quietly at the back of the hall in my black uniform, trying to look invisible.
Suddenly, Corinne entered the room with pride. Pearls decorated her neck and her perfume filled the air.
The moment she saw me, her face twisted with disgust.
“Why is that woman here, Gavran? I told you I don’t want her inside this house again.”
Gavran didn’t even look away from adjusting Morana’s shawl. “We’re short on staff, Mother.”
Corinne laughed. “Well, she does look more suitable in that uniform. Go and bring me my drink.”
I didn’t argue. I nodded and went to get it. My hands trembled slightly, but I refused to show any emotion.
When I returned, Morana quietly stretched her foot out. Just as I passed her, I tripped.
The tray tilted. Red wine splashed directly onto Corinne.
She screamed as if someone had stabbed her.
“You ruined everything again! Just like how you ruined your own pup’s life. No wonder that pup died. And now look at you. Barren. Useless. Clumsy. You cannot even carry a drink properly.”
Her words hurt more than the fall. My throat tightened painfully.
Morana rushed forward, pretending to be worried.
“Oh Mother, please don’t be angry. She has suffered a lot. It’s not her fault. Just forgive her. My sister is trying.”
The room became silent.
My sister…
Corinne softened immediately and looked at Morana with admiration. “This is why I adore you. You’re kind, gentle and patient. Why can you not be like her, Ravika?”
My chest tightened so badly that I struggled to breathe.
I wiped my face and slowly stood up. Then I looked straight at Morana.
“Kind?” my voice trembled. “You want me to be like her? The woman who stole my mate, my home and my pup? The woman who pretended to be sick so Gavran would take my son’s stem cells? The woman who allowed my pup to die so she could survive?”
Gasps filled the room.
Morana blinked, her smile cracking slightly.
Corinne glared at me furiously.
“Stop spreading lies. Mora would never harm a pup.”
“She already did,” I said quietly. “Mine.”
Gavran stepped forward. His jaw was tight and his eyes were cold.
“What are you doing? Today is Mora’s celebration. Don’t ruin it with your nonsense.”
My hands trembled but I held his gaze. “You don’t even remember what today is, do you?”
He frowned. “What now?”
“Our anniversary.”
Laughter spread among the guests. Corinne smirked proudly. Morana hid behind Gavran’s arm as if she was frightened.
Suddenly Morana grabbed her stomach and screamed loudly. “My stomach!”
She bent over in pain.
“Gavran! It hurts! My pups. Something’s wrong!”
Everyone froze. The music stopped. All eyes turned toward her.
Gavran rushed to her side immediately.
“Mora! What happened?”
Morana cried weakly.
“I just remembered something. Earlier, I saw Ravika standing near my drink. I thought she was only fixing the glasses but what if she put something in it? I don’t know. What if she wanted to harm my pups?”
The entire hall exploded with chaos.
