Charlotte POV:
I threw the last of my clothes into the suitcase. I signed the divorce papers with a flourish, the pen tearing through the paper.
"Leaving so soon?"
Haven stood in the doorway, holding a glass of wine.
"Get out," I said.
"It's not your room anymore," she said, walking in. "Aiden promised me I could redecorate. I'm thinking... pink."
"Take it. Take him. You deserve each other."
Haven laughed. Cold, tinkling. "You still don't get it. You think you're the victim." She stepped closer. "Do you know why you can't shift, Charlotte?"
I froze. "The surgery. When I donated my kidney."
"Oh, sweetie," she cooed. "You didn't donate a kidney. Aiden's kidneys were fine."
My blood ran cold. "What?"
"Aiden needed power to secure his Alpha position. The Witch Doctor suggested a transfer. Wolf Essence." Her eyes glittered. "We took your essence, Charlotte. We drained your wolf to boost Aiden's. That's why you're weak. That's why you're barren."
The world spun. Not a sacrifice for love? Theft? They violated my soul?
"You monster," I whispered.
"And the best part? I took the credit."
Rage exploded. I grabbed a silver letter opener. I just wanted to wipe that smirk off her face.
"I'll kill you!"
I took a step. Haven suddenly threw her wine glass at the wall, ripped her blouse, and threw herself onto the floor, screaming.
"Help! Aiden! She has a knife! She has silver!"
The door crashed open. Aiden took in the scene: me with the opener, Haven sobbing.
"DROP IT!"
He backhanded me across the face. The force sent me flying into the wall.
"She told me..." I spit blood. "She stole my essence, Aiden!"
"Liar!" Haven sobbed, clinging to his leg. "She's crazy! She tried to kill our baby!"
Aiden looked at me with disgust. "I checked the medical records myself. You gave a kidney. Stop inventing stories."
"Check the security crystal!" I pointed to the recording orb in the corner.
Aiden grabbed the crystal and crushed it. Dust fell from his fingers.
"I don't need proof to know who you are," he said coldly. "Get out. You are stripped of your title. You are nothing."
I stood up, wiping my lip. I grabbed my suitcase.
"You win," I told Haven.
I walked out into the rain. No pack. No wolf. No home. But as I stepped off the porch, the silver anklet felt heavier than ever. And deep inside, something stirred.
Something white. Something angry.
