My Alpha's Ninety Three Lies

My mate, Harrison Thorne, had been diagnosed with a rare affliction: a bloodline curse.

He said the only way to save him was for me to sacrifice half of my life force.

I agreed.

The pain was brutal, a sharp tearing deep in my soul.

The moment I regained consciousness, I dragged my weakened body to his room.

Before I could even push the door open, I heard his laughter mingling with that of his friends.

“Harrison, you’re a genius. Such an elaborate, cruel scheme.”

He scoffed. “If I didn’t need the ruse to be convincing, I would have crippled her inner wolf just for the hell of it.”

“It’s her fault Victoria lost control during the promotion ceremony and missed her chance to become a Gamma.”

“Victoria is coming back next month.”

“And by then, I'll sever the mate bond.”

————————

1

Through the crack in the door, I saw Harrison sitting on the bed, his presence powerful and vigorous.

His cheeks were flushed, his complexion glowing with vitality. There was no trace of a curse.

His inner circle was still chattering excitedly.

“Back in college, you turned the pack against Elara, leaving her without a safe haven on the full moon.”

“Right before the promotion ceremony, you destroyed the moonstone she’d prepared. Because of you, Victoria Blackwood lost her chance, and Elara was dragged to the confinement chamber, where you nearly crippled one of her hands.”

“Including this time, that makes ninety-three in total.”

“Just six more, and it’ll be enough for a full ‘Book of Atonement’ dedicated to Victoria. She’ll be moved to tears when she sees how dedicated you are!”

A wave of nausea washed over me.

What I’d believed was fated love was nothing more than cold, calculated revenge.

I tried to turn away, but my body, still frail from the ritual, finally gave out. I collapsed to the floor in a crumpled heap.

Excruciating pain shot through me as the sacrificial wound tore open, blood soaking through my robe.

The healers had warned me against it. My bloodline was unstable, they’d said.

But I did it anyway, just to ease Harrison's suffering.

This was the pack's most luxurious recovery room—kept entirely empty just so he could 'recuperate' in peace.

The moment I fell, they noticed.

Harrison's face twisted when he saw me.

“Elara, you just completed the ritual—what are you doing here?”

Before I could answer, he nudged the person next to him.

“Quick, get over here! Help her with the wound!”

His friends scrambled to help me up and place me on the bed.

Harrison caressed my face, his touch cloying with feigned tenderness.

He picked up a bottle of so-called 'holy water' from the table.

“The healers are all busy. Let me clean your wound first, okay? They can re-bandage it when they arrive.”

His voice was as gentle as ever.

If I didn't know the truth, I might have mistaken the performance for a flicker of genuine guilt.

But I knew now—it was all an act.

It finally dawned on me—he'd been cold to me for three years, only to suddenly shower me with affection after the promotion ceremony.

All for his precious Victoria Blackwood.

And to think, I’d actually believed my devotion had finally won him over.

I knew he had once loved her, but I still gave him my everything.

Pain washed over me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, clenching my jaw as the wound burned.

Harrison tore at the fabric of my robe and poured the liquid onto my wound.

A searing, corrosive pain ripped through my side. I screamed and shoved him away.

He staggered back, grunting as he hit the edge of the bed, then kicked me to the floor.

I curled up on the ground, clutching my wound and gasping for air.

Just then, the healers on duty finally burst into the room.

One of them froze, seeing my skin festering and blistering.

“What did you do to her? Those are liquid silver burns!”

“What? That’s impossible!”

Harrison feigned a perfect look of shock, glancing at the table as if it had betrayed him.

“I bought holy water and herbs from the market—I was just trying to keep her wound clean.”

“I panicked when she started bleeding and didn't even think to check…”

“Baby, I’m so sorry! It's my fault—I've hurt you again!”

He pounded his chest as if he were in agony.

But I knew better.

If he truly cared, he wouldn't have kicked me like that.

I remained silent, letting the healers lift me onto a stretcher.

As they wheeled me out, I heard cheers erupt from Harrison's room.

“Harrison, you’re a genius! You knew Elara would come to see you and swapped the holy water with liquid silver. The poor woman got burned—it’s definitely going to leave a permanent magical scar!”

“Did you see her crawling on the floor like a dog? My wolf almost shifted from laughing so hard!”

I clenched my fists.

Even knowing the truth, hearing them say it aloud was a fresh stab to the heart.

After the healers left, I picked up an old communication rune and booked a recovery sanctuary in the neutral zone.

Then I activated the seal that had lain dormant for years.

“Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I want to come home.”