Seven years ago, when Ryke first inherited control of the pack’s trade dominion, it was my father who exhausted every alliance and favor he had to help him steady the unstable territories.
Later, when I was abducted by rogue wolves, it was Ryke who tore through their den and carried me out on his back beneath a blood-stained moon.
That night, I cried in his arms, believing I had found the Alpha I could rely on for life.
And now—because of another she-wolf—he had driven my father and me into ruin.
Fortunately, only three days remained.
I dragged my battered body back to the manor, only to see piles of luggage dumped outside the gates. My chest seized painfully.
Everything that belonged to my father and me had been thrown out.
This territory had been purchased with my father’s lifetime of savings.
What right did Ryke have to cast us out?
I felt dizzy, barely able to breathe. As I turned to leave, I glimpsed the interior through the half-open door.
Syrelle was sitting on Ryke’s lap, feeding him moon-warm porridge.
I forced my shaking hands to steady, raised my communicator crystal, and silently recorded.
Ryke’s arm circled her waist, fingers restless. His voice was low, intimate.
“Back then, I was nothing. I had to secure a political mating and let you belong to another pack. You’ve suffered all these years.”
Syrelle’s cheeks flushed, her smile sweet and clinging.
“No. Even after I bonded elsewhere, did we ever truly separate? You’re the only one who’s ever satisfied me, Ryke…”
His restraint snapped. He bent down and kissed her fiercely.
“When the pup is born, we’ll leave territory together. Agreed?”
Syrelle hummed softly.
“Last time I conceived, you forced me to end it. Why keep this one?”
My heart clenched violently.
Half a year ago—she had been pregnant.
That was also when I conceived, and Ryke forced me onto the Moon Healer’s table, claiming it would interfere with his duties.
I had thought it was ambition.
But the truth was simpler.
Syrelle hadn’t allowed it.
My fingers trembled, but the recording remained steady.
Syrelle pressed against his chest, her voice dripping with venomous sweetness.
“We didn’t know whose pup it was back then. How could I let someone else bear a mongrel?”
Wet, clinging kisses followed.
Her breath turned soft and tangled.
“Don’t worry. This time, the pup is ours.”
Each word struck me like a blade through the heart.
I couldn’t watch anymore. I lowered the crystal and turned away.
But my legs failed me. I misstepped and knocked over a vase near the door.
It shattered loudly.
Ryke rushed out at once. When he saw my disheveled state, his expression stiffened briefly before anger flared.
“What have you done to yourself now?”
In the next breath, he pulled Syrelle into his arms, shielding her instinctively.
“Trying to win my sympathy again? Stop using these pitiful tricks.”
Syrelle recovered quickly, letting out a light, mocking laugh.
“Thinking of dragging me before the Tribunal again? Accusing me of hurting your father? Who would believe you now?”
I looked at them coldly.
“If this affair is exposed, who the world believes is not up to you.”
Ryke’s eyes burned with fury.
“Lavinia, stop talking nonsense! I only invited her for porridge. What filth are you imagining?”
“If you’d just publicly apologize, we could still coexist peacefully. I’ll even give you a pup. Why won’t you submit?”
I had no interest in arguing. I secured the crystal and remained silent.
Just then, Syrelle spoke gently.
“Ryke, fetch another bowl of porridge. Mr. Fang doesn’t seem unreasonable. We can discuss things calmly.”
The moment Ryke left, her softness vanished.
She shoved me into the corner, her voice low and venomous.
“Do you know why I struck your father?” she hissed. “Because he deserved it. Who told him to show off in front of me?”
“Ryke is mine. Even if he bonded with you, his wolf has always belonged to me.”
“Your father deserved everything that happened.”
